Translational dynamics of a non-degenerate molecular shuttle imbedded in a zirconium metal–organic framework

A new [2]rotaxane molecular shuttle linker based on the binding of a 24-crown-8 ether macrocycle at a benzimidazole recognition site was synthesised. The shuttling dynamics of the linker were studied in solution and the structure confirmed by X-ray crystallography. A multivariate Zr(iv) MOF, UWDM-11, containing the new MIM linker and primary linker tetramethylterphenyldicarboxylate was synthesised and the translational motion of the molecular shuttle studied in the solid state. The use of a (13)C enriched MIM linker allowed the dynamics of both activated and mesitylene-solvated UWDM-11 to be elucidated by VT (13)C CPMAS SSNMR. The incorporation of mesitylene into the pores of UWDM-11 resulted in a significant increase in the barrier for thermally driven translation of the macrocycle.