Impact of solvation on the photoisomerisation dynamics of a photon-only rotary molecular motor

The optimization of the quantum efficiency of single-molecule light-driven rotary motors typically relies on chemical modifications. While, in isolated conditions, computational methods have been frequently used to design more efficient motors, the role played by the solvent environment has not been satisfactorily investigated. In this study, we used multiscale nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulations of the working cycle of a 2-stroke photon-only molecular rotary motor. The results, which display dynamics consistent with the available transient spectroscopy measurements, predict a considerable decrease in the isomerisation quantum efficiency in methanol solution with respect to the gas phase. The origin of such a decrease is traced back to the ability of the motor to establish hydrogen bonds with solvent molecules. The analysis suggests that a modified motor with a reduced ability to form hydrogen bonds will display increased quantum efficiency, therefore extending the set of engineering rules available for designing light-driven rotary motors.

Michael Filatov, Marco Paolino, Danil Kaliakin, Massimo Olivucci, Elfi Kraka, Seung Kyu Min