Molecular motions driven by transition metal redox couples: ion translocation and assembling-disassembling of dinuclear double-strand helicates

There exists a current interest in the design of molecular systems capable of converting chemical energy into an intramolecular movement, thus producing mechanical work. The energy necessary for promoting the motion is provided by an ancillary reaction: when the reaction has a redox nature, we have the molecular equivalent of the electrical machines of the macroscopic world.