Photolariats: synthesis, metal ion complexation and photochromism

International audiencePhotolariat development, as an extension to the family of synthetic photochromic crown ether receptors, or photocrowns, is reported. Incorporated additional chelating groups, namely two anisoles or thioanisoles, contribute in completing the metal ion coordination sphere with different affinities and selectivities for a range of ions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis suggests that the thermally stable trans-form of the receptor is unsuitable for ion binding, consistent with spectrophotometric and NMR titration results, which is largely improved in the cis-form as the basis for the photocontrolled ion coordination/ejection. In terms of the azobenzene-containing receptor photochemistry, a photostationary state highly enriched in the cis-form (94:6, cis-/trans-) is reached, with slow thermal return (1.1-1.4 × 10− 5 s− 1) in the dark, which can undergo multiple cycles without discernable photodegradation

Sequence-specific synthesis of platinum-conjugated trichromophoric energy cascades of anthracene, tetracene, and pentacene and fluorescent "black chromophores"

10.1021/om400578tOrganometallics32247283-7291ORGN