V. Nicholas Vukotic

Metal–organic frameworks with dynamic interlocked components

The dynamics of mechanically interlocked molecules such as rotaxanes and catenanes have been studied in solution as examples of rudimentary molecular switches and machines, but in this medium, the molecules are randomly dispersed and their motion incoherent. As a strategy for achieving a higher level of molecular organization, we have constructed a metal-organic framework material using a [2]rotaxane as the organic linker and binuclear Cu(II) units as the nodes. Activation of the as-synthesized material creates a void space inside the rigid framework that allows the soft macrocyclic ring of the [2]rotaxane to rotate rapidly, unimpeded by neighbouring molecular components. Variable-temperature (13)C and (2)H solid-state NMR experiments are used to characterize the nature and rate of the dynamic processes occurring inside this unique material. These results provide a blueprint for the future creation of solid-state molecular switches and molecular machines based on mechanically interlocked molecules.

Metal–Organic Frameworks with Mechanically Interlocked Pillars: Controlling Ring Dynamics in the Solid-State via a Reversible Phase Change

Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials have been prepared that contain a mechanically interlocked molecule (MIM) as the pillaring strut between two periodic Zn-carboxylate layers. The MIM linker is a [2]rotaxane with a [24]crown-6 (24C6) macrocycle and an aniline-based axle with terminal pyridine donor groups. The single-crystal X-ray structures of MOFs UWDM-2 (1,4-diazophenyl-dicarboxylate) and UWDM-3 (1,4-biphenyl-dicarboxylate) show that both frameworks are large enough to contain the free volume required for rotation of the interlocked 24C6 macrocycle, but the frameworks are interpenetrated (UWDM-2, three-fold, and UWDM-3, two-fold). In particular, for UWDM-3 the 24C6 rings of the pillaring MIM are positioned directly inside the square openings of neighboring zinc dicarboxylate layers. Variable-temperature (VT) (2)H SSNMR demonstrated that the 24C6 macrocycles in UWDM-2 and UWDM-3 can only undergo restricted motions related to ring flexibility or partial rotation but are incapable of undergoing free rotation. VT-powder X-ray diffraction studies showed that upon activation of UWDM-3, by removing solvent, a phase change occurs. The new β-phase of UWDM-3 retained crystallinity, and (2)H SSNMR demonstrated that the 24C6 macrocyclic ring of the pillared MIM strut is now free enough to undergo full rotation. Most importantly, the phase change is reversible; the β version of the MOF can be reverted to the original α state by resolvation, thus demonstrating, for the first time, that the dynamics of a MIM inside a solid material can be controlled by a reversible phase change.

Bis(benzimidazolium) axles and crown ether wheels: a versatile templating pair for the formation of [2]rotaxane molecular shuttles

Condensation of an aldehyde appended benzimidazolium cation with a 1,2-benzenediamine in the presence of a crown ether allows formation of a second benzimidazole group and the facile synthesis of a [2]rotaxane molecular shuttle. The ease of this reaction and the versatility of the initial templating interaction between the benzimidazolium cation and crown ether allows for the preparation of [2]rotaxane molecular shuttles with crown ether macrocycles of various shapes and sizes. The synthesis and dynamic properties of a set of five [2]rotaxane molecular shuttles are described including the first examples of rotaxanes containing the larger macrocycles dibenzo[30]crown-10 (DB30C10) and bis-meta-phenylene-[26]crown-8 (BMP26C8).

One‐, Two‐ and Three‐Periodic Metal–Organic Rotaxane Frameworks (MORFs): Linking Cationic Transition‐Metal Nodes with an Anionic Rotaxane Ligand

A new singly charged pyridinium axle was prepared and combined with disulfonated dibenzo[24]crown-8 ether to form a [2]pseudorotaxane. The reaction of this new, anionic ligand with Zn(II) ions, under various crystallization conditions, resulted in the formation of three metal-organic rotaxane framework (MORF) solids; a one-periodic ML coordination polymer and two, two-periodic ML(2) square grid frameworks. The layers of square grids can be pillared to create full three-periodic MORF structures, which have completely neutral frameworks and are porous. These three-periodic materials represent the first examples of neutral porous MOFs in which one (or more) of the linkers is a mechanically interlocked molecule (MIM).

Mechanically Interlocked Linkers inside Metal-Organic Frameworks: Effect of Ring Size on Rotational Dynamics.

A series of metal-organic framework (MOF) materials has been prepared, each containing a mechanically interlocked molecule (MIM) as the linker and a copper(II) paddlewheel as the secondary building unit (SBU). The MIM linkers are [2]rotaxanes with varying sizes of crown ether macrocycles ([22]crown-6, 22C6; [24]crown-6, 24C6; [26]crown-6, 26C6; benzo[24]crown-6, B24C6) and an anilinium-based axle containing four carboxylate donor groups. Herein, the X-ray structures of MOFs UWCM-1 (no crown) and UWDM-1(22) are compared and demonstrate the effect of including a macrocycle around the axle of the linker. The rotaxane linkers are linear and result in nbo-type MOFs with void space that allows for motion of the interlocked macrocycle inside the MOF pores, while the macrocycle-free linker is bent and yields a MOF with a novel 12-connected bcc structure. Variable temperature (2)H solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance showed that the macrocycles in UWDM-1(22), UWDM-1(24), and UWDM-1(B24) undergo different degrees and rates of rotation depending on the size and shape of the macrocycle.

[2]Pseudorotaxanes from T-Shaped Benzimidazolium Axles and [24]Crown-8 Wheels

A new templating motif for the formation of [2]pseudorotaxanes is described in which T-shaped axles with a benzimidazolium core and aromatic substituents at the 2-, 4-, and 7-positions interact with [24]crown-8 ether wheels ([24]crown-8, dibenzo[24]crown-8, and dinaphtho[24]crown-8). The T-shape greatly enhances the association between axle and wheel when compared to simple imidazolium or benzimidazolium cations. A series of interpenetrated molecules are characterized by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray crystallography.

Optical Distinction between “Slow” and “Fast” Translational Motion in Degenerate Molecular Shuttles

A series of six [2]rotaxane molecular shuttles was designed which contain an axle with a benzo-bis(imidazole) core (in either a neutral or dicationic form) and a single 24-membered, crown ether wheel (24C6, B24C6, or DMB24C6), and the shuttling rates of the ring along the axle were determined. The charged versions showed much slower shuttling rates as a result of the increase in noncovalent interactions between the axle and wheel. The [2]rotaxane with a B24C6 wheel shows a difference in fluorescence between the charged and neutral species, while the [2]rotaxane with a DMB24C6 wheel exhibits a difference in color between the charged and neutral compounds. These changes in optical properties can be attributed to the structural differences in the co-conformations of the [2]rotaxane as they adapt to the changes in acid/base chemistry. This allowed the relative rate of the translational motion of a molecular shuttle to be determined by observation of a simple optical probe.

Acid-Base Switchable [2]- and [3]Rotaxane Molecular Shuttles with Benzimidazolium and Bis(pyridinium) Recognition Sites.

For the purpose of developing higher level mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs), such as molecular switches and machines, a new rotaxane system was designed in which both the 1,2-bis(pyridinium)ethane and benzimidazolium recognition templating motifs were combined. These two very different recognition sites were successfully incorporated into [2]rotaxane and [3]rotaxane molecular shuttles which were fully characterized by 1 H NMR, 2D EXSY, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and VT NMR analysis. By utilizing benzimidazolium as both a recognition site and stoppering group it was possible to create not only an acid/base switchable [2]rotaxane molecular shuttle (energy barrier 20.9 kcal⋅mol-1 ) but also a [3]rotaxane molecular shuttle that displays unique dynamic behavior involving the simultaneous motion of two macrocyclic wheels on a single dumbbell. This study provides new insights into the design of switchable molecular shuttles. Due to the unique properties of benzimidazoles, such as fluorescence and metal coordination, this new type of molecular shuttle may find further applications in developing functional molecular machines and materials.

Building hydrogen-bonded networks from metal complexes containing the heterotopic (N or O) ligand 4,4′-bipyridine-N-monoxide

The heterotopic ligand 4,4′-bipyridine-N-monoxide (BIPYMO) has a rigid, linear structure and contains both a pyridine N-donor and a pyridine-N-oxide O-donor which are capable of coordinating to a metal centre or alternatively acting as a hydrogen bond acceptor. The hydrogen bonding capacity of BIPYMO is first demonstrated by the formation of hydrogen-bonded networks with water and some simple dicarboxylic acids (fumaric = FUM, terephthalic = TPA). It is then shown that BIPYMO can coordinate through the pyridine N-donor to Pd(II) and through the pyridine-N-oxide O-donor to Fe(II), Co(II) and Mn(II). In each case, the peripheral, uncoordinated N- or O-atoms act as a hydrogen bond acceptors and interact with a metal-bound and hydrogen bond donor (H2O, fumarate = FUM, malonate = MAL, isophthalate = IPA) to form a solid-state, network through a combination of metal–ligand coordination and hydrogen bonding. Single-crystal X-ray structures of {(BIPYMO)(H2O)2}n, {(BIPYMO)(FUM)}n, {(BIPYMO)(TPA)}n, {[Pd(BIPYMO)2(MAL)2](H2O)}n, {[Pd(BIPYMO)2(IPA)2](H2O)2}n and {[M(BIPYMO)2(FUM)2(H2O)2]}n (M = Mn, Fe, Co), show how the individual building blocks are organised via hydrogen bonding through uncoordinated pyridine N-atoms or pyridine-N-oxide O-atoms to form supramolecular networks.