“…As a result of the differences between the SP and MC forms, and the ability to switch between them repeatedly by application of an external stimulus, SP molecules have received widespread attention for their use in many various dynamic systems, including SP-functionalised polymers, biopolymers, inorganic nanoparticles, carbon nanomaterials and solid surfaces—many of which have potential biological applications ( Klajn, 2014 ; Cardano et al, 2019 ); notably, in cell tracking and labelling ( Keyvan Rad et al, 2015 ; Keyvan Rad et al, 2016 ; Cong et al, 2021 ), photothermal therapy ( Keyvan Rad et al, 2018 ) and cell sheet engineering ( Karimipour et al, 2021 ). These applications, however, may be restricted by the well-known tendency of the MC isomer to undergo hydrolytic decomposition in aqueous solution, resulting in the formation of salicylaldehyde and a Fischer’s base derivative ( Stafforst and Hilvert, 2008 ; Hammarson et al, 2013 ).…”