Designing P-type bi-stable overcrowded alkene-based chiroptical photoswitches. Issue 16 (22nd March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sheng, Jinyu; Danowski, Wojciech; Crespi, Stefano; Guinart, Ainoa; Chen, Xiaobing; Stähler, Cosima; Feringa, Ben L.
• Is Part Of: Chemical science. Volume 14:Issue 16(2023)
• Page Start: 4328
• Page End: 4336
• Publication Date: 2023-03-22
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/d2sc05903g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-6520

Abstract

Abstract : Overcrowded alkene based bistable switches constitute a unique class of photo-responsive systems due to their intrinsic chirality near the core CC bond, making them highly suitable candidates for the construction of light-switchable dynamic systems. Abstract : Overcrowded alkene based molecular motors and switches constitute a unique class of photo-responsive systems due to their intrinsic chirality near the core CC bond, making them highly suitable candidates for the construction of light-switchable dynamic systems, i.e., for controlling molecular motion, modulation of material chiroptical properties and supramolecular assembly. However, the lack of general design principles, along with the challenging synthesis of these molecules, precludes full exploitation of their dynamic structures. Therefore, systematic investigations of the key parameters are crucial for the further development of these systems. Here we provide a facile alternative synthetic route, elucidate the influence of substituents on the photochemistry of overcrowded alkene-derived bistable chiroptical photoswitches, and show nearly quantitative bidirectional photoswitching. The established structure–property relationship constitutes a practical guideline for the design of these photochromes tailored to a specific application.