Azobenzene‐Functionalized Metal–Organic Polyhedra for the Optically Responsive Capture and Release of Guest Molecules

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive metal-organic polyhedra (srMOPs) functionalized with azobenzene showed UV-irradiation-induced isomerization from the insoluble trans-srMOP to the soluble cis-srMOP, whereas irradiation with blue light reversed this process. Guest molecules were trapped and released upon cis-to-trans and trans-to-cis isomerization of the srMOPs, respectively. This study provides a new direction in the ever-diversifying field of MOPs, while laying the groundwork for a new class of optically responsive materials.

Photoinduced reversible switching of porosity in molecular crystals based on star-shaped azobenzene tetramers

“…The E → Z photoisomerization of azobenzene derivatives is well documented for azobenzenecontaining polymers 18 , liquid crystals 9,18-24 , thin films [25][26][27] and crystals at the solid-liquid interface 28 , and a limited number of examples are reported in porous materials [29][30][31][32][33] (for example, metal-organic and covalent organic frameworks) and in molecular crystalline forms in which the azobenzene moiety is functionalized with polar substituents [34][35][36] . Our strategy is based on the use of molecules containing a central node that imparts a star-like threedimensional arrangement to azobenzene moieties for the fabrication of molecular crystals endowed with permanent porosity capable of promoting reversible E/Z isomerization in the solid state.…”

Photoresponsive spiropyran-functionalised MOF-808: postsynthetic incorporation and light dependent gas adsorption properties

“…6 Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of multidimensional porous networks composed of organic struts and inorganic nodes, and can be systematically tuned in terms of chemical composition and precise arrangement. [10][11][12] These studies have focused extensively on azobenzene frameworks, [13][14][15][16][17][18][19] as well as on diarylethenes 20,21 and others. [10][11][12] These studies have focused extensively on azobenzene frameworks, [13][14][15][16][17][18][19] as well as on diarylethenes 20,21 and others.…”

Isorecticular Synthesis of Dissectible Molecular Bamboo Tubes of Hexarhenium(I) Benzene‐1,2,3,4,5,6‐hexaolate Complexes

“…That is to say because the biting angles between the acpy ligands and the [{Re(CO) 3 } 6 (bho)] nodes are flexible, the MB-1 molecule exhibits a dynamic behavior in the open and closed forms (Figure 3 c). [16] Further analysis of this structure indicated that these MB-1 units in 1' are merely attached to each other in a head-to-tail manner and not mutually interlocking at all. The structural differences between 1 and 1' was also shown when compound 1 was heated under reflux in 1,3,5-mesitylene, these interlocking MB-1 units were completely disassembled, and then can further self-assemble and crystalize as compound 1'.…”