Active Mechanical Threading by a Molecular Motor**

Nicolai N Bach,Harald Maid,Verena Josef,Henry Dube

doi:10.1002/ange.202201882

Abstract

AbstractMolecular motors transform external energy input into directional motions and offer exquisite precision for nano‐scale manipulations. To make full use of molecular motor capacities, their directional motions need to be transmitted and used for powering downstream molecular events. Here we present a macrocyclic molecular motor structure able to perform repetitive molecular threading of a flexible tetraethylene glycol chain through the macrocycle. This mechanical threading event is actively powered by the motor and leads to a direct translation of the unidirectional motor rotation into unidirectional translation motion (chain versus ring). The mechanism of the active mechanical threading is elucidated and the actual threading step is identified as a combined helix inversion and threading event. The established molecular machine function resembles the crucial step of macroscopic weaving or sewing processes and therefore offers a first entry point to a “molecular knitting” counterpart.

Highlights

Molecular machines promise unprecedented control over the behavior of matter at the smallest scales.[1]
The established molecular machine function resembles the crucial step of macroscopic weaving or sewing processes and offers a first entry point to a “molecular knitting” counterpart
Motor system 1 and 2 consist of a hemithioindigo (HTI)[28] molecular motor unit, which is integrated into a macrocyclic structure by connecting the indanone and the thioindigo fragments via an aliphatic diester chain

Summary

Introduction

Molecular machines promise unprecedented control over the behavior of matter at the smallest scales.[1]. In this work we present a different macrocyclic molecular motor setup allowing for active and mechanical threading of a linear chain through a ring structure (Figure 1).

Results

Conclusion