Amphidynamic Crystals Key to Artificial Molecular Machines

Abstract

Amphidynamic crystals have close links to molecular machines, which have considerable potential for developing smart materials. A recently published article in Matter (Colin-Molina et al.) reports an amphidynamic supramolecular rotor that displays a remarkable thermosalient effect when undergoing a phase transition, concomitant with a substantial structural reconfiguration resulting in crystal motility. Amphidynamic crystals have close links to molecular machines, which have considerable potential for developing smart materials. A recently published article in Matter (Colin-Molina et al.) reports an amphidynamic supramolecular rotor that displays a remarkable thermosalient effect when undergoing a phase transition, concomitant with a substantial structural reconfiguration resulting in crystal motility. Thermosalient Amphidynamic Molecular Machines: Motion at the Molecular and Macroscopic ScalesColin-Molina et al.MatterAugust 14, 2019In BriefA thermosalient molecular rotor obtained from the cocrystallization between DABCO and carbazole is reported. The cocrystal shows ultrafast rotation at low temperatures with a low rotational barrier of 2.63 kcal mol−1. A phase transition above 320 K causes the crystals to jump or explode, with a concomitant decrease in the rotational frequency of DABCO. The double dynamic behavior was characterized by X-ray diffraction, solid-state NMR, calorimetry, and relaxometry, and the results established the dynamics at the molecular and macroscopic levels. Full-Text PDF Open Archive