Design, Preparation and Control of Nanodevices using light

• Research unit: COST
• Project number: C03.0025

Key words (English)

photochemistry; protecting groups; organic synthesis

Research programs (English)

COST-Action D19 - Chemical Functionality Specific to the Nanometer Scale

Short description (English)

Molecular-sized objects cannot easily be manipulated by conventional means. On the other hand, light is ideally suited for this purpose: it can reach every part of a molecule, and can be fine-tuned to trigger a specific chemical, mechanical or physical event.

Partners and International Organizations (English)

A, B, HR, DK, F, D, H, IRL, I, LV, NL, PL, P, RO, SI, E, CH, TR, GB

Abstract (English)

The conversion of two (or more) input signals into one output signal is the typical task for a logic gate. At the molecular level, it is the basis of molecular arithmetic. In the frame of classical organic synthesis, the same concept exists, although in a different form and with a different label. The so-called safety-catch protecting groups and linkers for solid-phase synthesis are designed to react exclusively when two different reagents are present in the medium (or two consecutive reactions), hence preventing accidental deprotection. In this work, we present a hybrid approach based on the 'AND' logic, to effect the hydrolysis of esters under photochemical and acidic conditions. The absence of one of the factors should keep the substrates intact. We have experimentally demonstrated that the 'AND' logic operation could be applied to the photochemical deprotection of para-amino nitrobenzylalcohol derivatives. Both light and acid are required. We also could show that interesting differentiation was possible, and identified two mutually orthogonal groups. We have explored the effect of complexation of metal cations instead of protons, but the influences are weak. We are now considering attaching these systems on polymeric supports.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: COST-DB of the State Secretariat for Education and Research Hallwylstrasse 4 CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland Tel. [phone] Swiss Project-Number: C03.0025