Enhanced Sampling Aided Design of Molecular Photoswitches

Abstract

Advances in the evolving field of atomistic simulations provide continuous insights for the design and fundamental understanding of novel molecular photoswitches. Here, we use state-of-the-art enhanced simulation techniques to unravel the complex, multistep chemistry of donor-acceptor Stenhouse adducts (DASAs), revealing a plethora of newly discovered thermal pathways. We use enhanced sampling simulations to drive reaction discovery, followed by refinement of newly observed pathways with more accurate ab initio electronic structure calculations, and then structural modifications to introduce design principles in new generations of DASAs. We illustrate tunability of these newly discovered reactions, leading to a potential avenue for controlling DASA dynamics through multiple external stimuli. Overall, these insights could offer alternative routes to increase the efficiency and control of DASA’s photoswitching mechanism, providing new elements to design more complex light-responsive materials.