A compact chemically driven [2]catenane rotary motor operated through alternate pumping and discharging

Abstract

Here we present a compact and precise [2]catenane rotary motor that functions with a single recognition site, capable of achieving a 360° directional rotation powered by chemical fuels. The motor is propelled by an acid–base fueled benzimidazolium pumping cassette and deemed the smallest (molecular weight ∼ 994 Da) catenane rotary motor to date. It can effectively undergo a 180° rotation by transitioning the [24]crown-6 ether (24C6) from the benzimidazolium site to the less favorable alkyl moiety through sequential deprotonation, slipping, and re-protonation operations, generating a meta stable co-conformer. Subsequently, a discharging phase, triggered by de-benzylation and re-benzylation, facilitates the other half-rotation of the motor, returning the 24C6 to its initial position and completing the full directional rotation of the [2]catenane rotary motor within 18 hours. The precision of the motor's operation enables further advances in artificial molecular machines.