Light-induced Photoswitching of 4-(Phenylazo)benzoic Acid on Au(111)

Photochromic molecules can undergo a reversible conversion between two isomeric forms upon exposure to external stimuli such as electromagnetic radiation. A significant physical transformation accompanying the photoisomerization process defines them as photoswitches, with potential applications in various molecular electronic devices. As such, a detailed understanding of the photoisomerization process on surfaces and the influence of the local chemical environment on switching efficiency is essential. Herein, we use scanning tunneling microscopy to observe the photoisomerization of 4-(phenylazo)benzoic acid (PABA) assembled on Au(111) in kinetically constrained metastable states guided by pulse deposition. Photoswitching is observed at low molecular density and is absent in tight-packed islands. Furthermore, switching events were noted in PABA molecules coadsorbed in a host octanethiol monolayer, suggesting an influence of the surrounding chemical environment on photoswitching efficiency.     

A Visible‐Light‐Triggered Conformational Diastereomer Photoswitch in a Bridged Azobenzene

Ketal‐substituted bridged azobenzenes have been synthesized; these display a symmetrical boat conformation with the ketal in pseudo‐equatorial positions. These bridged Z‐azobenzenes (Z₁) readily photoisomerize to the E‐isomer as well as another Z‐conformer (Z₂) with ketal function on the pseudo‐axial position upon irradiation at 406 nm. The two diastereomeric conformers display distinct physicochemical characteristics. Spectroscopic and NMR investigations supported that interconversion of two conformers occurs via the E‐isomer, with good photochemical quantum yield (Φ =0.45±0.03, Φ =0.33±0.05, Φ =0.37±0.06 and Φ =0.36±0.04). The system shows high photostability and no thermal equilibrium between the two stable Z₁ and Z₂ conformers.     

Spectral Tuning of Azobenzene Photoswitches for Biological Applications

Longer switching wavelengths and good photochemical yields and stabilities of the cis isomers in reducing aqueous environments are achieved by introducing 2,2′‐aminoalkyl substituents into 4,4′‐diamido‐substituted azobenzenes. The products are thus suitable for photocontrol of biomolecular structures in intracellular environments, such as switching between two peptide configurations (see picture).

     

Spatially Close Azo Dyes with Sub‐Nanosecond Switching Speeds and Exceptional Temporal Resolution

Photoswitchable bis‐azo dyes with an outstanding temporal resolution of 10¹⁵ times between the thermal relaxation rates of their two constituting photochromes are reported. Remarkably, the close spatial proximity of both azo photochromes in these molecular assemblies translates in an unprecedented 10³‐fold acceleration of the thermal isomerization rate of their faster azo unit compared to the one displayed by the isolated counterpart. Indeed, the relaxation time of the fast‐isomerizing platform of the herein reported bis‐azobenzenes is as low as 200 ps under ambient conditions. In the wake of these results, the bis‐azo dyes described herein are invaluable chromophores for the design of multifunctional light‐addressable materials in which simultaneous switching in two very different timescales might be essential.     

Coordination‐Driven Macrocyclization for Locking of Photo‐ and Thermal cis→trans Isomerization of Azobenzene

Both trans and cis isomers of azobenzene‐linked bis‐terpyridine ligand L1 were incorporated in rigid macrocycles linked by Fe^II(tpy)₂ (tpy: terpyridine) units. The complex of the longer trans‐ L1 is dinuclear [(trans‐ L1 )₂ ? Fe^II₂], whereas the complex of the shorter cis‐ L1 is mononuclear [cis‐ L1? Fe^II]. The complex cis‐ L1? Fe^II was not only thermally stable but also photochemically inactive. These results indicate a perfectly locked state of cis‐azobenzene. The stable macrocyclic structure of cis‐ L1? Fe^II causes locking of the isomerization. To the best of our knowledge, this is first example of dual locking of photo‐ and thermal isomerization of cis‐azobenzene.     

Reversible Photoswitching of RNA Hybridization at Room Temperature with an Azobenzene C‐Nucleoside

Photoregulation of RNA remains a challenging task as the introduction of a photoswitch entails changes in the shape and the stability of the duplex that strongly depend on the chosen linker strategy. Herein, the influence of a novel nucleosidic linker moiety on the photoregulation efficiency of azobenzene is investigated. To this purpose, two azobenzene C‐nucleosides were stereoselectively synthesized, characterized, and incorporated into RNA oligonucleotides. Spectroscopic characterization revealed a reversible and fast switching process, even at 20 °C, and a high thermal stability of the respective cis isomers. The photoregulation efficiency of RNA duplexes upon trans‐to‐cis isomerization was investigated by using melting point studies and compared with the known D ‐threoninol‐based azobenzene system, revealing a photoswitching amplitude of the new residues exceeding 90 % even at room temperature. Structural changes in the duplexes upon photoisomerization were investigated by using MM/MD calculations. The excellent photoswitching performance at room temperature and the high thermal stability make these new azobenzene residues promising candidates for in‐vivo and nanoarchitecture photoregulation applications of RNA.     

Visible‐Light‐Triggered Molecular Photoswitch Based on Reversible E/Z Isomerization of a 1,2‐Dicyanoethene Derivative

A designed bis(dithienyl) dicyanoethene‐based, strictly E/Z photoswitch (4TCE) operates through state‐selective (E and Z isomer) photoactivation with visible light. The E and Z isomers of 4TCE exhibit remarkably different spectroscopic characteristics, including a large separation (70 nm) in their absorption maxima (λ_max) and a 2.5‐fold increase in molar extinction coefficient from cis to trans. The energetically stable trans form can be completely converted to the cis form within minutes when exposed to white light, whereas the reverse isomerization occurs readily upon irradiation by blue light (λ<480 nm) or completely by thermal conversion at elevated temperatures. These features together with excellent thermal stability and photostability of both isomers make this new E/Z photoswitch a promising building block for photoswitchable materials that operate without the need for UV light.     

Reversible Photoswitching of Rotaxane Character and Interplay of Thermodynamic Stability and Kinetic Lability in a Self‐Assembling Ring–Axle Molecular System

We have designed, synthesized, and investigated a self‐assembling system that can be reversibly interconverted between thermodynamically stable (pseudorotaxane) and kinetically inert (rotaxane) forms by light irradiation. The system is composed of a dibenzo[24]crown‐8 ring and an axle comprised of a dibenzylammonium recognition site and two azobenzene end groups. The isomeric form of the azobenzene units of the axle has a little influence on the stability constants of the respective pseudorotaxanes but greatly affects the threading–dethreading rate constants. In fact, equilibration of the ring and the axle in its EE isomeric form occurs within seconds in acetonitrile at room temperature, whereas the ZZ axle threads–dethreads the ring at least four orders of magnitude slower. Moreover, we show that a change in the stability of the complex, achieved by deprotonating the dibenzylammonium recognition site on the axle, affects its kinetic behavior. We compare the results of these experiments with those observed upon dethreading the (pseudo)rotaxane by using a competitive guest for the ring, an approach which does not inherently destabilize the ring–axle interaction. This study outlines a general strategy for the reversible photochemical control of motion kinetics in threaded and interlocked compounds and constitutes a starting point for the construction of multicomponent structures that can behave as photochemically driven nanomachines.     

纳秒激光闪光光解装置功能扩展──有机非线性材料二阶非线性系数测定

纳秒级激光闪光光解装置可用于有机光化学，光物理过程，瞬态发光和吸收的动力学过程的研究。在不改变原装置整体布局和结构的基础上，建立了有机非线性光学材料的二阶非线性系数测定方法，并为国家８６３专家委员会承担过仲裁测定。     

Azobenzene: a Visible-Light Chemical Actinometer for the Characterization of Fluidic Photosystems

(E)-Azobenzene is introduced as a suitable chemical actinometer in the visible spectral range (440–540 nm) for photon flux determination of fluidic microphotoreactors or for assessing efficiency of visible light photo-induced reactions, its evaluation is straightforward without tedious analytics. Photoisomerization quantum yields (Φ_E→_Z) of (E)-azobenzene were accurately determined upon irradiation at several wavelengths and in different solvents based on well-known diarylethene.     

Photoswitching the Efficacy of a Small‐Molecule Ligand for a Peptidergic GPCR: from Antagonism to Agonism

For optical control of GPCR function, we set out to develop small‐molecule ligands with photoswitchable efficacy in which both configurations bind the target protein but exert distinct pharmacological effects, that is, stimulate or antagonize GPCR activation. Our design was based on a previously identified efficacy hotspot for the peptidergic chemokine receptor CXCR3 and resulted in the synthesis and characterization of five new azobenzene‐containing CXCR3 ligands. G protein activation assays and real‐time electrophysiology experiments demonstrated photoswitching from antagonism to partial agonism and even to full agonism (compound VUF16216). SAR evaluation suggests that the size and electron‐donating properties of the substituents on the inner aromatic ring are important for the efficacy photoswitching. These compounds are the first GPCR azo ligands with a nearly full efficacy photoswitch and may become valuable pharmacological tools for the optical control of peptidergic GPCR signaling.     

Facile One-Step Oxidation of N-Boc-Protected Diarylhydrazines to Diaryldiazenes with (Diacetoxyiodo)benzene under Mild Conditions

A study on the oxidation of N-Boc- and N,N'-bis-Boc-protected 1,2-diarylhydrazines with (diacetoxyiodo)benzene is reported. The reactions proceed quickly in acetic acid at slightly elevated temperatures, giving diaryldiazenes in good to excellent yields. Electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups are well tolerated. This synthetic protocol also applies to synthesising (aryldiazenyl)pyridines and unsymmetrical 1,3,5-tris(arylazo)benzenes.     

Thermal and Photochemical Control of Molecular Orientation of Azo‐Functionalized Polymer Liquid Crystals and Application for Photo‐Rewritable Paper

A photo‐responsive multi‐bilayered film consisting of azobenzene polymer liquid crystals (PA6Az1) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) has been prepared on a glass substrate by alternate spin coating of the polymer solutions. The reflectivity of the multi‐bilayered film disappears by annealing at 80 °C. The disappearance of the reflection by the annealing is related to the thermal out‐of‐plane molecular orientation of PA6Az1 even in the multi‐bilayered film, which leads to a very small difference in refractive indices between PA6Az1 and PVA. The reflectance of the multi‐bilayered film is increased again by UV irradiation because of the transformation from the out‐of‐plane orientation to an in‐plane random orientation. In this way, on–off switching of the reflection is achieved by combination of the thermally spontaneous out‐of‐plane molecular orientation and following photoisomerization of PA6Az1 comprising the multi‐bilayered film.

     

Synthesis of Bifunctional Azobenzene Glycoconjugates for Cysteine‐Based Photosensitive Cross‐Linking with Bioactive Peptides

Azobenzene linker molecules can be utilized to control peptide/protein function when they are ligated to appropriately spaced amino acid side chains of the peptide. This is because the photochemical E/Z isomerization of the azobenzene N?N double bond allows to switch peptide conformation between folded and unfolded. In this context, we have introduced carbohydrate‐functionalized azobenzene derivatives in order to advance the biocompatible properties of azobenzene peptide linkers. Chloroacetamide‐functionalized and O‐allylated carbohydrate derivatives were synthesized and conjugated with azobenzene to achieve new bifunctional cross‐linkers, in order to allow ligation to cysteine side chains by nucleophilic substitution or thiol‐ene reaction, respectively. The photochromic properties of the new linker glycoconjugates were determined and first ligation reactions performed.