First a phosgene is delivered to the appropriate amine group and an isocyanate forms, which then reacts with the hydroxypropyl to form a urethane. Formation of the urethane allows the molecule to rotate in only one direction. Once it has rotated, a hydrolysis reaction occurs to cleave the urethane and produce a product where the triptycene has rotated 120 degrees. The sequence of events then repeats.

Animation by Meaghan O'Malley '06