PhD ceremony Mr. J. Bauer: Towards control over motion at the molecular and submolecular level

PhD ceremony: Mr. J. Bauer

Dissertation: Towards control over motion at the molecular and submolecular level

Promotor(s): prof. B.L. Feringa

Faculty: Mathematics and Natural Sciences

One of modern chemistry's main objectives is gaining control over motion and performing work at the molecular and submolecular level. The introductory chapter of this thesis aims to give an overview of the numerous attempts by scientists to develop artificial motor systems, the vast majority of which draw inspiration from the remarkable natural dynamic systems. The focus is set on rotary motion and responsive molecules on surfaces. Despite all the attention nanoscience has received, it is clear that this field is still at its infancy and requires much more work to meet its aforementioned objectives.

The research described in this thesis deals with attempts to control motion at the molecular and submolecular level. In Chapters 2-4 the design and preparation of new molecules are described with the goal of getting a better understanding of the motion-related behaviour of molecules and molecular devices on surfaces. The molecules were studied in solution. Several of the investigated molecules are envisaged to undergo light-driven propulsion on surfaces. Chapters 5 and 6, on the other hand, address rotational motion. The former deals with the tuning of the rotation rate in unidirectional light-driven rotary molecular motors based on overcrowded alkenes whereas the latter describes the design, preparation and study of novel binaphthyl based molecular rotors with the goal of tuning their rotation rate by means of direct steric control as well as by allosteric regulation.

Overall, the research presented in this thesis identifies several ways of controlling (sub)molecular motion and contributes to the better understanding of motion-related behaviour of molecules.