2016
Design & Synthesis of Molecular Machines
Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Sir J. Fraser Stoddart & Bernard L. Feringa
About This Prize
The 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Sir J. Fraser Stoddart, and Bernard L. Feringa “for the design and synthesis of molecular machines.” Sauvage pioneered interlocked molecular architectures (catenanes and rotaxanes) using the mechanical bond, Stoddart developed molecular shuttles and switches, and Feringa created the first molecular motor capable of continuous unidirectional rotation. Their work laid the foundation for nanoscale machinery.
Sir J. Fraser Stoddart
“Design and Synthesis of Molecular Machines Based on the Mechanical Bond”
Bernard L. Feringa
“The Art of Building Small, from Molecular Switches to Motors”
Jean-Pierre Sauvage
“From Chemical Topology to Molecular Machines”
Key Concepts
- • Mechanical Bond: Non-covalent entanglement of molecular components in catenanes and rotaxanes
- • Molecular Motors: Light-driven unidirectional rotary motors based on overcrowded alkenes
- • Molecular Shuttles: Rotaxane-based systems where a ring moves between two stations in response to stimuli
- • Chemical Topology: Synthesis of topologically nontrivial molecules including trefoil knots and Borromean rings