Artificial Molecular Pumps

Abstract

A key feature of biological systems is the ability they have to convert chemical energy into controlled motion which can be used to perform biologically important tasks. Chemists aim to design systems which possess the ability to do such things. The Leigh Group has previously published a chemically driven artificial linear molecular motor48 capable of progressively driving a system away from equilibrium. Acid-base oscillations were used to induce the controlled motion of macrocycles from a region of low concentration to a region of high local concentration via the energy ratchet mechanism. Since this publication, many optimisations to the design of the linear molecular pump and the macrocycle have been made. This body of work will aim to continue the optimisation of the linear component of the molecular pump by incorporation of the amide moiety as opposed to the previously used triazolium moiety. This will significantly reduce the difficulty of synthesis of the molecular thread and by using amide functionality, will possibly unlock functionality known only to biological systems. The further modifications made during this project will investigate the suitability of a binding site not previously studied in the context of molecular pumps.

Date of Award	1 Aug 2020
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	David Leigh (Supervisor) & Michael Greaney (Supervisor)