Mechanically Interlocked Chromophores: Rotaxanes for Electrostatic Field Induced Supramolecular Translation

The concept pursued within this thesis was designed as a joint effort with the research group of Prof. Dr. Bert Hecht at the Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg. The project relies on the combination of the respective expertise: organic synthesis and supramolecular assembly, and nano-optics and nanostructuring. This interdisciplinary collaboration allowed us to consider uncharted areas of molecular switching within the confines of an antenna gap – namely optical observation of translational switching in a rotaxane, actuated by an electrostatic field. The sophisticated nature of the concept required a stepwise approach to optimize the design and procedures, which are detailed within this thesis.