A microscopic theory is developed to describe light-induced deformation of azobenzene polymers of different chemical structures: uncross-linked low-molecular-weight azobenzene polymers and cross-linked azobenzene polymers (azobenzene elastomers) bearing azobenzene chromophores in their strands. According to the microscopic theory the light-induced deformation is caused by reorientation of azobe...

The Cover Feature shows a molecular complex formed between the Z-isomer of an indigo-based photoswitch and lithium cation. formation this stabilizes slows thermal relaxation rate photoswitch. In contrast, uncomplexed molecules have faster rate, as shown by motion blur. image designed Julie Liu (SIAIS, ShanghaiTech University). More information can be found in Research Article Bo Qiao co-workers.

A new class of dendrons and dendrimers containing azobenzene units (bearing up to 29 azobenzene groups for four generations) were designed and synthesized with the convergent method, which uses azobenzene derivatives as monomers and benzyl ester groups as linkages leading to photoresponsive dendrons and dendrimers with azobenzene units throughout their architecture. Photochemical isomerization ...

Aryldiazonium-terminated methylene-spaced trifluoromethylazobenzene derivatives have been synthesized. Their self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on a silicon surface allow for a stable and reversible molecular photoswitch.

The azobenzene moiety, well-known not only for its reversible cis-to-trans photoisomerization but also as a hapten, does not induce antibodies on its own, but it reacts with antibodies raised against conjugates with protein carriers. Hence we selected azobenzene dye as an indicator to assess the possibility of having gold nano-particles act as an immunological carrier instead of protein carrier...

The radical anions of five bis(azobenzene) and one tris(azobenzene) compounds were studied by optical and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies in polar aprotic solvents. The radicals with planar or almost-planar bridges are charge-delocalized mixed-valence species. Localization of charge occurs only on radicals with highly twisted biphenyl bridges. The electronic coupling betwee...

Key words neutral homoaromatics - intramolecular Buchner reaction dearomatization photoswitch

A diarylethene photoswitch was covalently connected to two small triplet sensitizer moieties in a conjugated and nonconjugated fashion and the photochromic performance of the resulting compounds was investigated. In comparison with the parent diarylethene (without sensitizers) and one featuring saturated linkages, the conjugated photoswitch offers superior fatigue resistance upon visible-light ...

Azobenzene macrocycles were designed for switchable π-stacking interaction. After efficient preparation and characterization of azobenzene macrocycles containing electron rich as well as electron poor elements a dimeric analogue was synthesized, which formed reversibly 3D-networks. Gel formation was observed with aromatic solvents representing the first example of this type based on switchable ...