Architectures for the macromolecule-mediated assembly of palindromic rotaxanes

Northwestern University, Evanston IL

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal is on the macromolecule-mediated assembly of rotaxanes to access higher order organizations of individual molecular motors. Doubly bistable palindromic rotaxanes, a type of mechanically interlocked molecule developed in the Stoddart lab, are capable of switchable and reversible molecular motions that mimic muscular contraction. To achieve macroscale effects from these molecular motions for applications such as artificial muscles and biomedical devices, organized assemblies are required. Three types of macromolecules, DNA, peptides and polymers, will be used to assemble the rotaxanes. It will be possible to access these three distinct architectures by functionalizing the rotaxane structures with the respective macromolecules post-synthesis. The DNA- and peptide-rotaxane conjugates will utilize the known properties of biomolecule self-assembly to form linear rotaxane oligomers. The rotaxane-polymer conjugate will be used to create a rotaxane-crosslinked hydrogel in order to translate the molecular scale motions of the bistable rotaxane to macroscopic effects via a size change of the gel. These assemblies will coordinate the individual molecular motions of the rotaxanes and enable their use in the creation of artificial muscle materials.