Spatially Close Azo Dyes with Sub‐Nanosecond Switching Speeds and Exceptional Temporal Resolution. Issue 41 (20th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Garcia‐Amorós, Jaume; Cuadrado, Alba; Reig, Marta; De Waele, Vincent; Poizat, Olivier; Velasco, Dolores
• Is Part Of: Chemistry. Volume 21:Issue 41(2015)
• Page Start: 14292
• Page End: 14296
• Publication Date: 2015-08-20
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201502858
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0947-6539

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>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.</p> </abstract>