Reversible photoswitching of encapsulated azobenzenes in water.

ABSTRACT: Efficient molecular switching in confined spaces is critical for the successful development of artificial molecular machines. However, molecular switching events often entail large structural changes and therefore require conformational freedom, which is typically limited under confinement conditions. Here, we investigated the behavior of azobenzene-the key building block of light-controlled molecular machines-in a confined environment that is flexible and can adapt its shape to that of the bound guest. To this end, we encapsulated several structurally diverse azobenzenes within the cavity of a flexible, water-soluble coordination cage, and investigated their light-responsive behavior. Using UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy and a combination of NMR methods, we showed that each of the encapsu

SUBMITTER: Samanta D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6156622 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature