Stimuli‐Responsive Supramolecular Polymers from Amphiphilic Phosphodiester‐Linked Azobenzene Trimers

Abstract

An amphiphilic phosphodiester-linked azobenzene trimer has been exploited in the development of stimuliresponsive,w ater-soluble supramolecular polymers.T he trimer can reversibly undergo thermal and photoisomerization between Z-and E-isomers.I ts self-assembly properties in aqueous medium have been investigated by spectroscopic and microscopic techniques,demonstrating that E-and Z-azobenzenet rimers form supramolecular nanosheets and toroidal nanostructures,respectively.Byvirtue of the E/Z photoisomerization of the azobenzene units,the two different supramolecular morphologies can be switched by photoirradiation. The findings pave aw ay towards stimuli-responsive,w ater-soluble supramolecular polymers whichh old great promise in the development of smart functional materials.

Photo-responsive liquid crystalline polymer from a renewable furfural derivative of dimethyl 2,5-furandicarboxylate via catalytic carbonylative esterification

“…Azobenzene chromophores usually display the π–π* absorption peak with a high intensity ( trans – cis ) and the n–π* absorption peak with a low intensity ( cis – trans ) due to the thermodynamically stable trans -isomer. 51 In Fig. 2a, upon UV light irradiation, the π–π* absorption at 358 nm decreases, while the n–π* absorption at 452 nm increases, indicative of the trans -to- cis isomerization of PAzo-DMFD.…”

Photo-switchable phosphotungstic acid active sites in metal–organic frameworks for a tailorable deacetalization reaction

“…[25][26][27] Among these materials, photo-switchable materials have attracted much attention. [28][29][30] Compared to other stimuli, light is non-invasive and controllable, and it is able to regulate the intrinsic properties of materials remotely in a precisely controlled manner. These advantages make photo-switchable materials appropriate candidates for intelligent regulation.…”

Multi-Stimuli-Responsive Organo-Sulfonated Anil and Its Organic Complex

“…25 In particular, azobenzene has been thoroughly studied as it isomerizes from the cis to trans form upon irradiation. 26 Spiropyrans and diarylethenes are more common for spectral property variations upon light irradiation and can lead to solubility transition by changing from a hydrophobic to a hydrophilic state upon irradiation. 27 Pyrenes belong to a class of organic polycyclic hydrocarbons that have attracted attention as luminescent chromic materials and are used as fluorescent probes and aggregation-induced fluorophores.…”

“…Spiropyrans, diarylethenes, viologens, azobenzenes, and benzo­[ b ]­phospholeands represent some of the common classes of organic stimuli-responsive materials . In particular, azobenzene has been thoroughly studied as it isomerizes from the cis to trans form upon irradiation . Spiropyrans and diarylethenes are more common for spectral property variations upon light irradiation and can lead to solubility transition by changing from a hydrophobic to a hydrophilic state upon irradiation .…”