A bisazobenzene crosslinker that isomerizes with visible light.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Large conformational and functional changes of azobenzene-modified biomolecules require longer azobenzene derivatives that undergo large end-to-end distance changes upon photoisomerization. In addition, isomerization that occurs with visible rather than UV irradiation is preferred for biological applications.

Results

We report the synthesis and characterization of a new crosslinker in which a central piperazine unit links two azobenzene chromophores. Molecular modeling indicates that this crosslinker can undergo a large change in end-to-end distance upon trans,trans to cis,cis isomerization. Photochemical characterization indicates that it does isomerize with visible light (violet to blue wavelengths). However, the thermal relaxation rate of this crosslinker is ra

SUBMITTER: Samanta S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3554325 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature