Rybak-Akimova Research Group

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Tufts U.

Molecular Tweezers:

Two receptor sites attached to a folded scaffold are expected to selectively bind the substrate, which can then be released by regulated conformational changes in the scaffold. Saddle-shaped macrocyclic Jäger and cyclidene complexes are currently explored in the group as platforms for molecular tweezers. Cyclidens are relatively conformationally flexible, thus allowing for switching between open and closed forms. Two receptor sites attached to a folded platform would pick and hold the substrate, which can then be released by regulated conformational changes in the platform. Also, it is possible to regulate the shape of the macrocycle through change in metal oxidation state and reversible axial coordination of bulky ligands to the fifth position of the metal. Different fuctional groups can be attached to the platform that is allowed to study host-guest interaction with different types of substrates. Currently, tweezers for dicarboxylates and tweezers for alkyl diammonium salts were prepared and characterized.

Immediate plans include expanding the range of the substrates, switching between binding and non-binding conformations of the tweezers, and exploring catalytic shape-selective redox reactions.

For more information on this topic please take a look at a poster presented at the 227th ACS meeting.