Fast and slow walking driven by chemical fuel

We demonstrate the fast forward and slow backward motion of a biped on a tetrahedral track using chemical fuel, cooperative binding and kinetic selectivity. Walking of the biped is based on its dibenzyl amine feet that bind to zinc porphyrin units and, upon protonation, to dibenzo 24-crown-8 sites affording pseudorotaxane linkages.

Automated summary

We demonstrate the locomotion capabilities of a biped on a tetrahedral track using chemical fuel, cooperative binding, and kinetic selectivity. The biped's movement is enabled by the binding of its dibenzyl amine feet to zinc porphyrin units and the subsequent protonation and binding to dibenzo 24-crown-8 sites, forming pseudorotaxane linkages.