ケイ素の特長を利用した分子機械研究

抄録

A molecular machine has been defined as a discrete number of molecular components that perform mechanical-like movements in response to specific stimuli. In this account, we describe synthesis and dynamics of novel organosilicon compounds working as molecular machines. The introduction of the clutch-declutch mechanism into a molecular gear system was achieved using interconversion between silane and silicate. Molecular gyroscopes having a phenylene rotator encased in three long siloxaalkane spokes were synthesized; the merits of siloxaalkane chains, which are easily constructed and chemically stable and exhibit good crystallinity, are exerted in the synthesis. The silicon-based directed synthesis of [2]rotaxanes without polar functional groups is described.