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Fabricating Interlocked Nanochains with Molecular Machines

Objectif

Mechanical manipulation is central to shaping the macroscopic world: from weaving fabrics to tying knots, these operations yield materials with defined form and function. Achieving comparable precision at the molecular scale would open new possibilities in synthetic chemistry, allowing the deliberate construction of interlocked architectures with custom tailored properties.

CATENATOR will apply light-driven molecular machines to assemble monodisperse, sequence-defined and linear [n]catenanes, i.e. molecular architectures made solely from interlocked rings. Currently, no general method exists to access such structures in a precise manner. CATENATOR is thus a realistic proof-of-concept project to explore the potential of artificial molecular machines for the synthesis of an unprecedented class of polymers. The key enabling strategy is Alternating Mechanical Insertion (AMI): a stepwise, machine-directed threading process in which the growing chain is transferred between two anchoring sites of a light-driven molecular motor, adding one ring per cycle. By selecting the macrocycle introduced at each step, AMI enables the precise encoding of complex, non-repetitive and mechanically interlocked sequences. Beyond establishing a new synthetic methodology, CATENATOR will provide access to a previously unexplored class of topologically complex macromolecules. Their mechanically bonded backbones are expected to exhibit distinctive combinations of flexibility, robustness and dynamic response, offering new opportunities in functional molecular design and advanced polymer research.

The successful realization of CATENATOR will redefine what artificial molecular machines can achieve, establishing them as practical synthetic tools and opening new directions in molecular topology, organic chemistry and polymer science.

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Mots‑clés

Programme(s)

Thème(s)

Régime de financement

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Appel à propositions

(s’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) ERC-2026-STG

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Institution d’accueil

HUMBOLDT-UNIVERSITAET ZU BERLIN
Contribution nette de l'UE
€ 1 489 071,00
Coût total
€ 1 489 071,00

Bénéficiaires (1)