The research on systems able to perform controllable motions under external stimuli arises great interest in the scientific community. Over the years, a library of innovative devices has been produced, classified in different categories according to the molecular or supramolecular level of motion. This minireview aims to highlight some representative studies, in which organic cages are used as building blocks for mechanically interlocked molecules, and in which intramolecular motions are triggered by external input. However, the application of organic cages in the construction of molecular machines is hardly achieved. A good compromise must actually be reached, between flexibility and rigidity of the cage's framework for an effective control of the intra- and/or intermolecular motion in the final mechanical device. Our final goal is to stimulate researchers′ curiosity towards cage-like molecules, so that they take on the challenge of converting a cage into a molecular machine.
Organic Cages as Building Blocks for Mechanically Interlocked Molecules: Towards Molecular Machines
La Cognata S.Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;Miljkovic A.Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;Mobili R.Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;Amendola V.
Writing – Review & Editing
2020-01-01
Abstract
The research on systems able to perform controllable motions under external stimuli arises great interest in the scientific community. Over the years, a library of innovative devices has been produced, classified in different categories according to the molecular or supramolecular level of motion. This minireview aims to highlight some representative studies, in which organic cages are used as building blocks for mechanically interlocked molecules, and in which intramolecular motions are triggered by external input. However, the application of organic cages in the construction of molecular machines is hardly achieved. A good compromise must actually be reached, between flexibility and rigidity of the cage's framework for an effective control of the intra- and/or intermolecular motion in the final mechanical device. Our final goal is to stimulate researchers′ curiosity towards cage-like molecules, so that they take on the challenge of converting a cage into a molecular machine.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
