S11 Molecular machines

Organizers
Professor Gwénaël Rapenne, University of Toulouse, France
Professor Mitsuhiko Shionoya, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Professor Kazushi Kinbara, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
Professor Kentaro Tanaka, Nagoya University, Japan
Professor Alberto Credi, University of Bologna, Italy
Associate Professor Eric Masson, Ohio University, USA


Keywords of the session

Programmed movements, Electron transfer, Photochemistry, Self-assembly, Nanoscience, Supramolecular chemistry, Bio-inspired molecular machines


Scope of the session

The symposium “Molecular Machines” will focus on various molecular machines (motors, muscles, shuttles, ratchet, actuators …) which are using the diversity and versatility of coordination metal complexes but not only. Artificial molecular machines have known a tremendous growth over the last two decades and attracted much attention especially with the Nobel Prize awarded to three pioneers of the field : Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Fraser Stoddart and Ben Feringa. In the constant quest for the miniaturization of machines and functional molecular devices, coordination complexes are expected to play a major role since multistep chemical synthesis allows chemists to prepare tailor-made compounds with predetermined shape and programmed movement or functions. This has stimulated the design and synthesis of a variety of compounds that resemble macroscopic machinery with the creation of fascinating new structures and functions. The field of molecular machine is currently very active because of their long term potential and developed from isolated single molecules to molecular assemblies in solution and using various energy sources such as photons, electrons or a chemical fuel. The expected advantages of these bottom-up approaches are now well-known: ultimate size, possibility to design finely-tuned molecular devices, and their low energy consumption. Next challenges now explore the complexity of such molecular systems, as well as long-distant motion transmission through molecular gear or 1D or 2D assemblies, directional movements and rate control. Coordination and supramolecular chemistry are at the heart of this pluridisciplinary field with connections with many other fields such as surface sciences, organic and organometallic chemistry and biochemistry. Contributions from these scientific fields are also welcome and we would like to have participants interacting together to discuss potential scientific cooperation. Bringing together scientists from different communities working in these competitive approaches and using different techniques would allow the developpemnet of synergetic collaborations. The program will mix famous senior scientists (like Jean-Pierre Sauvage which has already been invited for a special lecture), keynote speakers and promising junior researchers.