RoboCat · Molecular Robotics for Synthesis and Catalysis

Molecular Robotics for Synthesis and Catalysis

The aim of this project was to design, synthesize and investigate the operation of synthetic molecular machines capable of performing sophisticated tasks in chemical synthesis. The molecular machines are inspired by biological systems such as enzymes, and a key goal was to use them to regulate catalytic operations with regards to chemoselectivity and stereoselectivity. Another goal was to achieve temporal control of reactions with the help of a molecular robot, i.e. to develop chemically fuelled systems for dissipative catalysis. The project also aimed to optimize structures of molecular machines for use as a synthetic platforms. Here, a fundamentally new type of dynamic system was developed with unique properties – the use of dynamic entanglements in the form of molecular knots. This type of system had previously not been considered for molecular machines and I have now developed many applications for these knot-machines. For example, dynamic knotting can be used as a gripping component in molecular robotics. I have thus developed fundamentally new approaches for controlling entangled architectures on the supramolecular level, as well as novel molecular robotic systems that can perform chemoselective and temporally controlled catalytic operations. These results are of great fundamental importance and will be integral in developing the molecular robotics of the future. The concept of robotic catalysis may well mark the beginning of a fundamentally new approach for the construction of molecules, as unprecedented levels of control is possible with such devices. Furthermore, the development of advanced entangled structures such as the ones created through this project is extremely important for the next generation of advanced responsive materials.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз