A Photocontrolled Molecular Rotor Based on Azobenzene-Strapped Mixed (Phthalocyaninato)(Porphyrinato) Rare Earth Triple-Decker

Effectively regulating the rotary motions of molecular rotors through external stimuli poses a tremendous challenge. Herein, a new type of molecular rotor based on azobenzene-strapped mixed (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) rare earth triple-decker complex <b>Azo-1</b> is reported. Electr...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Wenxin Lu, Tiantian Mu, Yuehong Zhang, Bo Chen, Huantao Guo, Luyang Zhao, Peng Wang, Yongzhong Bian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/2/326
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Summary:Effectively regulating the rotary motions of molecular rotors through external stimuli poses a tremendous challenge. Herein, a new type of molecular rotor based on azobenzene-strapped mixed (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) rare earth triple-decker complex <b>Azo-1</b> is reported. Electronic absorption and <sup>1</sup>H NMR spectra manifested the reversible isomerization of the rotor <b>Azo-1</b> between the <i>trans</i> configuration and the <i>cis</i> configuration. The rotational behavior of phthalocyanine rotator in two configurations were investigated by VT-<sup>1</sup>H NMR experiments, and the results indicated that the phthalocyanine rotator possessed a smaller rotational energy barrier in the <i>cis</i> isomer than in the <i>trans</i> isomer, which was also supported by DFT calculations. This result demonstrates that the rotation of phthalocyanine rotator in (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) rare earth triple-decker complex can be successfully modulated by photo-isomerization via altering irradiation.
ISSN:1420-3049