Seminario: José Berna - Lunes 27 de octubre 11:00 hs

Confined-Space Chemistry of Amide-Based Rotaxanes: Bridging Molecular Catalysis and Responsive Materials

Mechanically interlocked molecules represent a unique molecular architecture to study and control reactivity under spatial confinement. During our research programs, amide-based [2]rotaxanes are explored as versatile platforms to discover how mechanical bonding and intramolecular hydrogen-bond networks influence substrate orientation, chemical stabilization, and catalytic efficiency. The confined environment imposed by the macrocyclic component enables the emergence of selective and switchable transformations, providing new opportunities for asymmetric synthesis and catalysis. Beyond reactivity, these rotaxanes serve as modular building blocks for hybrid and reticular materials, where the mechanical bond acts as a dynamic element capable of translating external inputs into macroscopic responses. Our studies reveal the interplay between structure, motion, and function in amide-based rotaxanes, highlighting their role as catalysts and active components of advanced materials. Overall, this work demonstrates how mechanical bond can be strategically exploited to bridge molecular catalysis with the design of next-generation responsive materials.