Reversible Photocontrol of Biological Systems by the Incorporation of Molecular Photoswitches

Photoinduced cytotoxicity of a photochromic diarylethene via caspase cascade activation

The photo-generated closed-ring isomer of bis(5-methyl-2-phenylthiazoyl)perfluorocyclopentene shows cytotoxicity to Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells through a caspase cascade and induces apoptosis of cells.

Applications of Continuous-Flow Photochemistry in Organic Synthesis, Material Science, and Water Treatment

Continuous-flow photochemistry in microreactors receives a lot of attention from researchers in academia and industry as this technology provides reduced reaction times, higher selectivities, straightforward scalability, and the possibility to safely use hazardous intermediates and gaseous reactants. In this review, an up-to-date overview is given of photochemical transformations in continuous-flow reactors, including applications in organic synthesis, material science, and water treatment. In addition, the advantages of continuous-flow photochemistry are pointed out and a thorough comparison with batch processing is presented.

Labelling Bacterial Nanocages with Photo-switchable Fluorophores

The robustness and biocompatibility of bacterial nanocages holds promise for bio‐nanotechnologies. The propensity of these nano‐carriers to penetrate cells has been demonstrated, which calls for the development of tracking strategies, both in vitro and in vivo. Here, we label bacterial nanocages with photo‐switchable fluorophores, to facilitate their imaging by super‐resolution microscopy. We demonstrate the functionalization of the encapsulin from Brevibacterium linens with a spiropyran, which is not fluorescent, by covalent attachment to the amine residues at the outer encapsulin shell. Upon alternating irradiation with ultraviolet and visible light, the spiropyran switches forth and back to its fluorescent merocyanine photo‐isomer and thus the fluorescence can be switched on and off, reversibly. We also show that the bacterial compartments preserve their structural integrity upon covalent modification and over at least five irradiation cycles.

Synthesis of Redshifted Azobenzene Photoswitches by Late-Stage Functionalization

Azobenzenes are versatile photoswitches that can be cycled between their trans- and cis-configuration with light. The wavelengths required for this isomerization are substantially shifted from the UV to the visible range through tetra-ortho-chlorination. These halogenated azobenzenes display unique photoswitching characteristics, but their syntheses remain limited and inefficient. A new general method for the synthesis of tetra-ortho-chloro azobenzenes has been developed, which relies on direct palladium(II)-catalyzed C-H activation of pre-existing standard azobenzenes. This late-stage functionalization has a broad substrate scope and can be used to create a variety of useful building blocks for the construction of more elaborate redshifted photopharmaceuticals. This method is used to prepare red-AzCA-4, a photoswitchable vanilloid that enables optical control of the cation channel TRPV1 with visible light.

Design and Synthesis of Photodissociable Ligands Based on Azoimidazoles for Light-Driven Coordination-Induced Spin State Switching in Homogeneous Solution

Light-switchable azoimidazoles were rationally designed and synthesized, and their performance was investigated as photodissociable ligands (PDL) and for spin state switching of Ni porphyrins. The rationally designed ligands exhibit a high photochemical conversion rate (trans → cis > 98%) and no measurable fatigue over a large number of switching cycles at room temperature under air. As compared to the known phenylazopyridines, the phenylazoimidazoles exhibit a much stronger affinity as axial ligands to Ni porphyrin in the binding trans configuration and a low affinity in their cis form. This affinity switching was used to control the coordination number of Ni(2+). Concomitant with the change in coordination number is the change of the spin state from triplet (high spin) to singlet state (low spin). We report on phenylazoimidazole-based PDLs that switch the paramagnetic ratio of the investigated nickel species by up to 70%. Consequently, azoimidazoles exhibit considerably higher switching efficiencies than previously described pyridine-based PDLs.

Photo-switchable tweezers illuminate pore-opening motions of an ATP-gated P2X ion channel

P2X receptors function by opening a transmembrane pore in response to extracellular ATP. Recent crystal structures solved in apo and ATP-bound states revealed molecular motions of the extracellular domain following agonist binding. However, the mechanism of pore opening still remains controversial. Here we use photo-switchable cross-linkers as ‘molecular tweezers’ to monitor a series of inter-residue distances in the transmembrane domain of the P2X2 receptor during activation. These experimentally based structural constraints combined with computational studies provide high-resolution models of the channel in the open and closed states. We show that the extent of the outer pore expansion is significantly reduced compared to the ATP-bound structure. Our data further reveal that the inner and outer ends of adjacent pore-lining helices come closer during opening, likely through a hinge-bending motion. These results provide new insight into the gating mechanism of P2X receptors and establish a versatile strategy applicable to other membrane proteins.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.11050.001

Protein receptors in the cell membrane play an important role transmitting signals from outside to inside the cell. Members of the P2X family of receptors are ion channels that form pores through the membrane. When a molecule of ATP binds to the external region of the receptor, it activates it and causes the receptor to change from a closed to an open shape. Once opened, ions flow through the channel’s pore and trigger a response inside the cell. P2X receptors are found on most animal cells (including nerve cells) and are involved in both normal cellular activity and processes linked to disease, including inflammation and chronic pain.

The P2X receptor has three parts or subunits, and each contributes to the channel’s pore. Recent research using a technique called X-ray crystallography has revealed how ATP binding causes shape changes in the external region of the receptor. But these three-dimensional structures did not reveal details of how the subunits move to open or close the channel’s pore.

Habermacher et al. have now added light-sensitive linkers onto the P2X receptor in a way that meant that different colors of light could be used to force parts of the receptor to come closer together or move apart. This allowed the pore to be opened and closed in response to changes in light. Habermacher et al. then studied the behavior of these modified receptors within a natural membrane and found that the light stimulated movements were similar to those seen with ATP. When the behavior of the receptor and light-sensitive linkers was studied using computer simulations, it led to new models of the P2X pore in the open and closed state. In these models, the open channel was more tightly packed than in the previous structure and an unexpected hinge-bending movement was seen to accompany the opening of the channel. It is hoped that this new approach will also be useful for probing how other membrane proteins change their shape when activated.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.11050.002

Photodependent Melting of Unmodified DNA Using a Photosensitive Intercalator: A New and Generic Tool for Photoreversible Assembly of DNA Nanostructures at Constant Temperature

External control of DNA melting and hybridization, a key step in bio- and DNA nanotechnology, is commonly achieved with temperature. The use of light to direct this process is a challenging alternative, which has been only possible with a DNA modification, such as covalent grafting or mismatch introduction, so far. Here we describe the first photocontrol of DNA melting that relies on the addition of a molecule that noncovalently interacts with unmodified DNA and affects its melting properties in a photoreversible and highly robust manner, without any prerequisite in the length or sequence of the target DNA molecule. We synthesize azobenzene-containing guanidinium derivatives and show that a bivalent molecule with a conformation-dependent binding mode, AzoDiGua, strongly increases the melting temperature (Tm) of DNA under dark conditions because its trans isomer intercalates in the DNA double helix. Upon UV irradiation at 365 nm, the trans-cis isomerization induced the ejection of AzoDiGua from the intercalation binding sites, resulting in a decrease in Tm up to 18 °C. This illumination-dependent Tm shift is observed on many types of DNA, from self-complementary single-stranded or double-stranded oligonucleotides to long genomic duplex DNA molecules. Finally, we show that simply adding AzoDiGua allows us to photoreversibly control the assembly/disassembly of a DNA nanostructure at constant temperature, as demonstrated here with a self-hybridized DNA hairpin. We anticipate that this strategy will be the key ingredient in a new and generic way of placing DNA-based bio- and nanotechnologies under dynamic control by light.

Remote control over folding by light

Integrating photoswitchable unit into helical macromolecules allows their conformations to be externally controlled by light and therefore provides a versatile strategy to design photoresponsive materials.

Connectivity matters – ultrafast isomerization dynamics of bisazobenzene photoswitches

We have investigated the ultrafast dynamics of o-, m- and p-bisazobenzenes, which represent elementary building blocks for photoswitchable multiazobenzene nanostructures.

Facile synthesis of photoactive diaryl(hetaryl)cyclopentenes by ionic hydrogenation

A facile synthetic approach to photoactive diarylethenes comprising a cyclopentene ring as an ethene bridge was developed based on reduction of 2,3-diaryl(hetaryl)cyclopent-2-en-1-ones through an ionic hydrogenation reaction.

A biomimetic molecular switch at work: coupling photoisomerization dynamics to peptide structural rearrangement

A combined experimental and computational study of a peptide-linked retinal-like molecular switch shows the effects on photoreactivity and the α-helix structure.

Photochromic switching behaviour of donor–acceptor Stenhouse adducts in organic solvents

We report photochromic donor–acceptor Stenhouse adducts (DASAs) capable of fully reversible photoisomerization with visible light in organic solvents including chloroform, acetonitrile and benzene.

Self-Assembled Monolayers of an Azobenzene Derivative on Silica and Their Interactions with Lysozyme

The capability of the photoresponsive isomerization of azobenzene derivatives in self-assembled monolayer (SAM) surfaces to control protein adsorption behavior has very promising applications in antifouling materials and biotechnology. In this study, we performed an atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulation in combination with free-energy calculations to study the morphology of azobenzene-terminated SAMs (Azo-SAMs) grafted on a silica substrate and their interactions with lysozyme. Results show that the Azo-SAM surface morphology and the terminal benzene rings' packing are highly correlated with the surface density and the isomer state. Higher surface coverage and the trans-isomer state lead to a more ordered polycrystalline backbone as well as more ordered local packing of benzene rings. On the Azo-SAM surface, water retains a high interfacial diffusivity, whereas the adsorbed lysozyme is found to have extremely low mobility but a relative stable secondary structure. The moderate desorption free energy (∼60 kT) from the trans-Azo-SAM surface was estimated by using both the nonequilibrium-theorem-based Jarzynski's equality and equilibrium umbrella sampling.

Optical Properties of Diarylethenes with TD-DFT: 0-0 Energies, Fluorescence, Stokes Shifts, and Vibronic Shapes

This contribution is an investigation of both the structures and optical properties of a set of 14 diverse, recently synthesized diarylethenes using Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) at the ωB97X-D/6-31G(d) level of theory. The linear response (LR) and state-specific (SS) versions of the Polarizable Continuum Model (PCM) have been adopted to account for the bulk solvation effects and their relative performances were critically accessed. It is shown, for the first time in the case of nontrivial diarylethenes, that TD-DFT provides good agreement between the experimental absorption-fluorescence crossing points (AFCPs) and their theoretical counterparts when a robust model accounting for both geometrical relaxation and vibrational corrections is used instead of the vertical approximation. On the other hand, the theoretical estimates for the Stokes shifts based on the vertical transition energies were found to be in disagreement with respect to experiment, prompting us to simulate the absorption/emission vibronic band shapes. It is proved that difficulties associated with the breakdown of the harmonic approximation in Cartesian coordinates exist for the investigated system, and we show how they can be at least partially overcome by means of a vertical approach including Duschinsky effects. Our results provide a valuable basis to rationalize the experimental vibronic structure of both emission and absorption bands and are expected to be a significant asset to the understanding of the optical properties of diarylethene derivatives.

Synthesis, Self-Assembly, and Photoresponsive Behavior of Tadpole-Shaped Azobenzene Polymers

Herein, we report a feasible method to prepare a tadpole-shaped PEG-POSS-(Azo)₇ polymer. The polymer self-assembled into a large vesicle in aqueous solution, undergoing reversible smooth-curling transformation responsive to UV and dark conditions. Incorporating POSS units into the azopolymer furnished quick trans-cis isomerization along a cubic orientation. The orientational isomerization formed some pores on the vesicular membrane and endowed the highly sensitive photoresponsive property. Encapsulation of various fluorescent dyes affected the hydrophilic/hydrophobic ratio of self-assemblies, causing their morphological transition from vesicles to micelles. Response to UV irradiation, the quick trans-cis isomerization resulted in rapid release of the encapsulated dyes. The intriguing photoresponsive property renders this kind of tadpole-shaped POSS hybrid azopolymer a potential for application in controlled release of drug.

Ciprofloxacin-Photoswitch Conjugates: A Facile Strategy for Photopharmacology

Photopharmacology aims to locally treat diseases and study biological processes with photoresponsive drugs. Herein, easy access to photoswitchable drugs is crucial, which is supported by simple and robust drug modifications. We investigated the possibility of creating drugs that can undergo remote activation and deactivation with light, by conjugating molecular photoswitches to the exterior of an existing drug in a single chemical step. This facile strategy allows the convenient introduction of various photochromic systems into a drug molecule, rendering it photoresponsive. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, two photoswitch-modified ciprofloxacin antibiotics were synthesized. Remarkably, for one of them a 50-fold increase in activity compared to the original ciprofloxacin was observed. Their antimicrobial activity could be spatiotemporally controlled with light, which was exemplified by bacterial patterning studies.

Ultrafast Time-Resolved Spectroscopy of Diarylethene-Based Photoswitchable Deoxyuridine Nucleosides

Photoswitches based on the diarylethene architecture have been attracting considerable attention for the investigation and control of a variety of biological processes. The reversible photoisomerization reaction between their open- and closed-ring forms can be selectively addressed by irradiation with light of two markedly different wavelengths. In this work, the dynamics of the photochromic ring-opening reaction of four novel diarylethene-based photoswitchable deoxyuridine nucleosides is investigated by femtosecond transient absorption. Upon photoexcitation with sub-20 fs pulses in the first absorption band (500 nm), all four photoswitches showed a fast ballistic excited-state deactivation within less than 500 fs toward the S1/S0 conical intersection. Transient data was globally analyzed, and a relaxation kinetic model with a branching between open and closed ring forms without any loss channels was derived. Ring-opening quantum yields, Φr-o, were found to strongly depend on the substituents (R), ranging from 0.64 (dU(PSI): R = 2-naphthyl) to 0.30 (dU(PSIV): R = 2-pyridyl).

Light and heat control over secondary structure and amyloid-like fiber formation in an overcrowded-alkene-modified Trp zipper

The external photocontrol over peptide folding, by the incorporation of molecular photoswitches into their structure, provides a powerful tool to study biological processes. However, it is limited so far to switches that exhibit only a rather limited geometrical change upon photoisomerization and that show thermal instability of the photoisomer. Here we describe the use of an overcrowded alkene photoswitch to control a model β-hairpin peptide. This photoresponsive unit undergoes a large conformational change and has two thermally stable isomers which has major influence on the secondary structure and the aggregation of the peptide, permitting the phototriggered formation of amyloid-like fibrils.

Optical control of neuronal activity using a light-operated GIRK channel opener (LOGO)

G-protein coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels (GIRKs) are ubiquitously expressed throughout the human body and are an integral part of inhibitory signal transduction pathways. Upon binding of G_βγ subunits released from G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), GIRK channels open and reduce the activity of excitable cells via hyperpolarization. As such, they play a role in cardiac output, the coordination of movement and cognition. Due to their involvement in a multitude of pathways, the precision control of GIRK channels is an important endeavour. Here, we describe the development of the photoswitchable agonist LOGO (the Light Operated GIRK-channel Opener), which activates GIRK channels in the dark and is rapidly deactivated upon exposure to long wavelength UV irradiation. LOGO is the first K⁺ channel opener and selectively targets channels that contain the GIRK1 subunit. It can be used to optically silence action potential firing in dissociated hippocampal neurons and LOGO exhibits activity in vivo, controlling the motility of zebrafish larvae in a light dependent fashion. We envisage that LOGO will be a valuable research tool to dissect the function of GIRK channels from other GPCR dependent signalling pathways.

Imaging and manipulating proteins in live cells through covalent labeling

The past 20 years have witnessed the advent of numerous technologies to specifically and covalently label proteins in cellulo and in vivo with synthetic probes. These technologies range from self-labeling proteins tags to non-natural amino acids, and the question is no longer how we can specifically label a given protein but rather with what additional functionality we wish to equip it. In addition, progress in fields such as super-resolution microscopy and genome editing have either provided additional motivation to label proteins with advanced synthetic probes or removed some of the difficulties of conducting such experiments. By focusing on two particular applications, live-cell imaging and the generation of reversible protein switches, we outline the opportunities and challenges of the field and how the synergy between synthetic chemistry and protein engineering will make it possible to conduct experiments that are not feasible with conventional approaches.

Shining light on clay-chromophore hybrids: layered templates for accelerated ring closure photo-oxidation

Templates with specific microenvironments have been long employed to facilitate specialized reactions. From enzymes to metal organic frameworks (MOFs), various systems have exerted their prowess to affect specific chemical reactions. Here we report, for the first time, the acceleration of a ring closure photo-oxidation reaction due to the specific structural constraints provided by layered materials. A stilbene derivative has been used as a prototype reactant and the di-hydrophenanthrene intermediate has been isolated and characterized en route to the complete photo-oxidation. Combining the gathered evidence, a possible mechanism for the chemical transformation has been proposed. Kinetic analysis showed that layered materials help to manipulate the rate of the electrocyclic ring closure and, in turn, accelerate the complete reaction sequence. The structural microenvironment induced by layered materials could be a unique platform to probe and stabilize a plethora of photo-oxidative reactions and intermediates.

Red-Shifting Azobenzene Photoswitches for in Vivo Use

Recently, there has been a great deal of interest in using the photoisomerization of azobenzene compounds to control specific biological targets in vivo. These azo compounds can be used as research tools or, in principle, could act as optically controlled drugs. Such "photopharmaceuticals" offer the prospect of targeted drug action and an unprecedented degree of temporal control. A key feature of azo compounds designed to photoswitch in vivo is the wavelength of light required to cause the photoisomerization. To pass through tissue such as the human hand, wavelengths in the red, far-red, or ideally near infrared region are required. This Account describes our attempts to produce such azo compounds. Introducing electron-donating or push/pull substituents at the para positions delocalizes the azobenzene chromophore and leads to long wavelength absorption but usually also lowers the thermal barrier to interconversion of the isomers. Fast thermal relaxation means it is difficult to produce a large steady state fraction of the cis isomer. Thus, specifically activating or inhibiting a biological process with the cis isomer would require an impractically bright light source. We have found that introducing substituents at all four ortho positions leads to azo compounds with a number of unusual properties that are useful for in vivo photoswitching. When the para substituents are amide groups, these tetra-ortho substituted azo compounds show unusually slow thermal relaxation rates and enhanced separation of n-π* transitions of cis and trans isomers compared to analogues without ortho substituents. When para positions are substituted with amino groups, ortho methoxy groups greatly stabilize the azonium form of the compounds, in which the azo group is protonated. Azonium ions absorb strongly in the red region of the spectrum and can reach into the near-IR. These azonium ions can exhibit robust cis-trans isomerization in aqueous solutions at neutral pH. By varying the nature of ortho substituents, together with the number and nature of meta and para substituents, long wavelength switching, stability to photobleaching, stability to hydrolysis, and stability to reduction by thiols can all be crafted into a photoswitch. Some of these newly developed photoswitches can be used in whole blood and show promise for effective use in vivo. It is hoped they can be combined with appropriate bioactive targets to realize the potential of photopharmacology.

An Optimized Glutamate Receptor Photoswitch with Sensitized Azobenzene Isomerization

A new azobenzene-based photoswitch, 2, has been designed to enable optical control of ionotropic glutamate receptors in neurons via sensitized two-photon excitation with NIR light. In order to develop an efficient and versatile synthetic route for this molecule, a modular strategy is described which relies on the use of a new linear fully protected glutamate derivative stable in basic media. The resulting compound undergoes one-photon trans-cis photoisomerization via two different mechanisms: direct excitation of its azoaromatic unit and irradiation of the pyrene sensitizer, a well-known two-photon sensitive chromophore. Moreover, 2 presents large thermal stability of its cis isomer, in contrast to other two-photon responsive switches relying on the intrinsic nonlinear optical properties of push-pull substituted azobenzenes. As a result, the molecular system developed herein is a very promising candidate for evoking large photoinduced biological responses during the multiphoton operation of neuronal glutamate receptors with NIR light, which require accumulation of the protein-bound cis state of the switch upon repeated illumination.

Chirality control of self-assembled achiral nanofibers using amines in their solid state

Although there are numerous examples of helical and spiral conformations in nature, including plant tendrils, snail shells, and even collagen, the occurrence of supramolecular systems that are able to reversibly undergo solid-to-solid helical transformation based on environmental chiral triggers is rare. In this work, we present a supramolecular, non-helical nanofiber which shows a distinct helical rearrangement in the presence of specific diamines and monoamines, such as cyclohexanediamines, alanine, lysine, and phenylalanine, depending on the molecular chirality of the surrounding analytes. A detailed investigation on the structural organization of the nanofibers using SEM and CD spectra analysis confirmed the repeatable and reversible nature of this amplification of chiral information. Further preparation of an electrospun nanofiber film was demonstrated for distinguishing chiral diamines and monoamines in solution by film immersion and CD analysis, which is the first example of amplification of chiral information in the solid-state using electrospun nanofiber films. With this system, we could demonstrate a reusable means for detecting the molecular chirality, which also provided a unique example of reversible control of solid state rearrangement in supramolecular helicity.

Azobenzene Modified Imidacloprid Derivatives as Photoswitchable Insecticides: Steering Molecular Activity in a Controllable Manner

Incorporating the photoisomerizable azobenzene into imidacloprid produced a photoswitchable insecticidal molecule as the first neonicotinoid example of remote control insecticide performance with spatiotemporal resolution. The designed photoswitchable insecticides showed distinguishable activity against Musca both in vivo and in vitro upon irradiation. Molecular docking study further suggested the binding difference of the two photoisomers. The generation of these photomediated insecticides provides novel insight into the insecticidal activity facilitating further investigation on the functions of insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and opens a novel way to control and study insect behavior on insecticide poisoning using light.

Isatin phenylhydrazones: anion enhanced photochromic behaviour

The photochemical properties of two basic easily synthesized isatin N(2)-phenylhydrazones were investigated. Contrary to the corresponding isatin N(2)-diphenylhydrazones, only Z-isomers were isolated from the reaction mixtures during the synthesis due to their stabilization by intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Although the presence of the C=N double bond creates conditions for the formation of a simple on-off photoswitch, the low photochemical quantum yield and particularly the low switching amplitude in absorbance hamper their photochromic applications. However, the addition of strongly basic anions to phenylhydrazone solutions leads to isatin NH group deprotonation and creates a new diazene T-type Vis-Vis photochromic system with sufficiently separated absorption maxima. Interestingly, although the thermally stable A-form is also photostable in ambient light, its irradiation with a stronger LED source leads to thermally unstable B-form formation which rapidly isomerizes back to the corresponding A-form. The process is reversible and switching cycles can be repeated in both directions. The important advantages of this two-component organic chromophore-inorganic anion photochromic system are its easy synthesis, easy handling due to its insensitivity to room light, easy further structural modification and reversibility. The corresponding photochemical quantum yield, however, remains relatively low (Φ ∼ 0.001). The theoretically calculated properties are in agreement with the obtained experimental results and support the proposed reaction mechanism.

Light-Controlled Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitors: Towards Photopharmacological Chemotherapy

Cancer treatment suffers from limitations that have a major impact on the patient's quality of life and survival. In the case of chemotherapy, the systemic distribution of cytotoxic drugs reduces their efficacy and causes severe side effects due to nonselective toxicity. Photopharmacology allows a novel approach to address these problems because it employs external, local activation of chemotherapeutic agents by using light. The development of photoswitchable histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors as potential antitumor agents is reported herein. Analogues of the clinically used chemotherapeutic agents vorinostat, panobinostat, and belinostat were designed with a photoswitchable azobenzene moiety incorporated into their structure. The most promising compound exhibits high inhibitory potency in the thermodynamically less stable cis form and a significantly lower activity for the trans form, both in terms of HDAC activity and proliferation of HeLa cells. This approach offers a clear prospect towards local photoactivation of HDAC inhibition to avoid severe side effects in chemotherapy.

Crystal Violet Lactone Salicylaldehyde Hydrazone Zn(II) Complex: a Reversible Photochromic Material both in Solution and in Solid Matrix

Crystal violet lactone (CVL) is a classic halochromic dye which has been widely used as chromogenic reagent in thermochromic and piezochromic systems. In this work, a very first example of CVL-based reversible photochromic compound was developed, which showed distinct color change upon UV-visible light irradiation both in solution and in solid matrix. Moreover, metal complex of CVL salicylaldehyde hydrozone was facilely synthesized, exhibiting reversible photochromic properties with good fatigue resistance. It was served as promising solid material for photo-patterning.

Molecular Switching via Multiplicity-Exclusive E/Z Photoisomerization Pathways

Mutual exclusivity in the nature of forward and reserve isomerization pathways holds promise for predictably controlling responses of photoswitchable materials according to molecular structure or external stimuli. Herein we have characterized the E/Z photoisomerization mechanisms of the visible-light-triggered switch 1,2-dithienyl-1,2-dicyanoethene (4TCE) in chlorobenzene with ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy. We observe that switching mechanisms occur exclusively by relaxation through electronic manifolds of different spin multiplicity: trans-to-cis isomerization only occurs via electronic relaxation within the singlet manifold on a time scale of 40 ps; in contrast, cis-to-trans isomerization is not observed above 440 nm, but occurs via two rapid ISC processes into and out of the triplet manifold on time scales of ∼2 ps and 0.4 ns, respectively, when excited at higher energies (e.g., 420 nm). Observation of ultrafast ISC in cis-4TCE is consistent with photoinduced dynamics of related thiophene-based oligomers. Interpretation of the photophysical pathways underlying these isomerization reactions is supported by the observation that cis-to-trans isomerization occurs efficiently via triplet-sensitized energy transfer, whereas trans-to-cis isomerization does not. Quantum-chemical calculations reveal that the T1 potential energy surface is barrierless along the coordinate of the central ethylene dihedral angle (θ) from the cis Franck-Condon region (θ = 175°) to geometries that are within the region of the trans ground-state well; furthermore, the T1 and S1 surfaces cross with a substantial spin-orbital coupling. In total, we demonstrate that E/Z photoswitching of 4TCE operates by multiplicity-exclusive pathways, enabling additional means for tailoring switch performance by manipulating spin-orbit couplings through variations in molecular structure or physical environment.

In Search of an Efficient Photoswitch for Functional RNA: Design Principles from a Microscopic Analysis of Azobenzene-linker-RNA Dynamics with Different Linkers

The design of optimal photoswitches to regulate nucleic acid functionality is a considerable challenge. Azobenzene switches that are covalently bound to the nucleic acid backbone are a paradigm example that has been studied using different types of linker species connecting the chromophore to the backbone. To support experimental efforts to construct optimal azobenzene-linker-RNA combinations, we introduce here a systematic approach for theoretical analysis, which provides criteria for the local embedding of the chromophore via a chosen linker. Using a local reference frame adapted to the chromophore, quantitative measures are provided for (i) the propensity of stacking in competition with a drift toward the minor or major groove, (ii) the tendency to disrupt the native hydrogen bond network, (iii) the structural flexibility of the chromophore-linker combination, and (iv) the correlations with the presence of a base in the opposite strand. Large differences in structural stability between the trans and cis forms of the azobenzene chromophore, according to these criteria, indicate good functionality and lead to significant differences in melting temperatures. In particular, a recently synthesized deoxyribose linker proves optimal within the set of azobenzene-linker-RNA combinations considered.