In trap fragmentation and optical characterization of rotaxanes

Anouk M. Rijs*, Isabelle Compagnon, Alissa Silva, Jeffrey S. Hannam, David A. Leigh, Euan R. Kay, Philippe Dugourd

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The first experiments on trapped rotaxanes are presented, combining collision induced fragmentation and in-trap laser spectroscopy. The intrinsic optical properties of three rotaxanes and their non-interlocked building blocks (thread and macrocycle) isolated in a quadrupolar ion trap are investigated. The excitation and relaxation processes under thermal activation as well as under photo-activation are addressed. The light and collision induced fragmentation pathways show that the degradation mechanisms occurring in the rotaxane are highly dependent on the nature of the thread. In the prospective of operating photoswitchable molecules, photo-activation is achieved in a controlled way by depositing photo-energy in the desired sub-unit of a mechanically interlocked structure.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)12556-12561
Number of pages6
JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics
Volume12
Issue number39
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2010
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'In trap fragmentation and optical characterization of rotaxanes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this