Evolution of catalytic machinery: three-component nanorotor catalyzes formation of four-component catalytic machinery

Abstract

The three-component nanorotor [Cu₂(S)(R)]²⁺ (k₂₉₈ = 46.0 kHz) that is a catalyst for a CuAAC reaction binds the click product at each of its copper centers thereby creating a new platform and a dynamic slider-on-deck system. Due to this sliding motion (k₂₉₈ = 65.0 kHz) the zinc-porphyrin bound N-methylpyrrolidine is efficiently released into solution and catalyzes a follow-up Michael addition.