Rotaxane-bearing Metal-Organic Frameworks

The project will focus on the synthesis of metal-organic frameworks which contain rotaxanes as ligands. Our strategy will be achieved through the synthesis of new pillararene-based rotaxanes that are suitably functionalised with donor groups, e.g. pyridyls, carboxylates, imidazoles etc. These preformed rotaxanes liagdns will then be used to synthesise MOF structures. Building on previous results in the Champness group a range of MOFs will be targeted that contain rotaxanes that can be switched between more than one position leading to the development of responsive MOF materials.