Selective Guest Exchange in Encapsulation Complexes Using Light of Different Wavelenghts

Heterocyclic Hemithioindigos: Highly Advantageous Properties as Molecular Photoswitches

A survey of heterocyclic hemithioindigo photoswitches is presented identifying a number of structural motives with outstanding property profiles. The highly sought-after combination of pronounced color change, quantitative switching in both directions, exceptional high quantum yields, and tunable high thermal stability of metastable states can be realized with 4-imidazole, 2-pyrrole, and 3-indole-based derivatives. In the former, an unusual preorganization using isomer selective chalcogen- and hydrogen bonding allows to precisely control geometry changes and tautomerism upon switching. Heterocyclic hemithioindigos thus represent highly promising photoswitches with advanced capabilities that will be of great value to anyone interested in establishing defined and reversible control at the molecular level.

Oxidized Hemithioindigo Photoswitches-Influence of Oxidation State on (Photo)physical and Photochemical Properties

The photophysical and photochemical properties of sulfoxide and sulfone derivatives of hemithioindigo photoswitches are scrutinized and compared to the unoxidized parent chromophores. Oxidation results in significantly blue-shifted absorptions and mostly reduction of photochromism while thermal stabilities of individual isomers remain largely unaltered. Effective photoswitching takes place at shorter wavelengths compared to parent hemithioindigos and high isomeric yields can be obtained reversibly in the respective photostationary states. Reversible solid-state photoswitching is observed for a twisted sulfone derivative accompanied by visible color changes. These results establish oxidized hemithioindigo photoswitches as promising and versatile tools for robust light-control of molecular behavior for a wide range of applications.

A Dynamic Hydrogen-Bonded Azo-Macrocycle for Precisely Photo-Controlled Molecular Encapsulation and Release

A light-responsive system constructed from hydrogen-bonded azo-macrocycles demonstrates precisely controlled propensity in molecular encapsulation and release process. A significant decrease in the size of the cavity is observed in the course of the E→Z photoisomerization based on the results from DFT calculations and traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry. These macrocyclic hosts exhibit a rare 2:1 host-guest stoichiometry and guest-dependent slow or fast exchange on the NMR timescale. With the slow host-guest exchange and switchable shape change of the cavity, quantitative release and capture of bipyridinium guests is achieved with the maximum release of 68 %. This work underscores the importance of slow host-guest exchange on realizing accurate release of organic cations in a stepwise manner under light irradiation. The light-responsive system established here could advance further design of novel photoresponsive molecular switches and mechanically interlocked molecules.

Recent Implementations of Molecular Photoswitches into Smart Materials and Biological Systems

Light is a nearly ideal stimulus for molecular systems. It delivers information encoded in the form of wavelengths and their intensities with high precision in space and time. Light is a mild trigger that does not permanently contaminate targeted samples. Its energy can be reversibly transformed into molecular motion, polarity, or flexibility changes. This leads to sophisticated functions at the supramolecular and macroscopic levels, from light-triggered nanomaterials to photocontrol over biological systems. New methods and molecular adapters of light are reported almost daily. Recently reported applications of photoresponsive systems, particularly azobenzenes, spiropyrans, diarylethenes, and indigoids, for smart materials and photocontrol of biological setups are described herein with the aim to demonstrate that the 21st century has become the Age of Enlightenment-"Le siècle des Lumières"-in molecular sciences.

2-(4'-Pyridyl-N-oxide)-Substituted Hemithioindigos as Photoresponsive Guests for a Super Aryl-Extended Calix[4]pyrrole Receptor

We report the synthesis of two 2-(4'-pyridyl-N-oxide)-substituted hemithioindigos (HTIs). We probed their photoisomerization by using UV/Vis and ¹ H NMR spectroscopy techniques. Light irradiation at λ=450 nm provoked the isomerization of the HTI Z isomer to the E counterpart to a large extent (≈80 % at the photostationary state). ¹ H NMR titration experiments revealed the formation of thermodynamically and kinetically stable 1:1 inclusion complexes of the (Z)-HTI isomers with a super aryl-extended host (association constant>10⁴  m^-1 ). Photoirradiation at λ=450 nm of the inclusion complexes induced the isomerization of the bound HTI N-oxide to afford the (E)-HTI⊂calix[4]pyrrole complex. We determined accurate association constant values for the 1:1 inclusion complexes of the (Z)- and (E)-HTI isomers by using isothermal titration calorimetry experiments. The results showed that the stability constants of the (E)-HTI complexes were 2.2-2.8-fold lower than those of the (Z)-HTI counterparts, which explains the lack of light-induced release of the former to the bulk solution.

A Dynamic and Responsive Host in Action: Light-Controlled Molecular Encapsulation

The rational design of a flexible molecular box, oAzoBox⁴⁺, incoporating both photochromic and supramolecular recognition motifs is described. We exploit the E↔Z photoisomerization properties of azobenzenes to alter the shape of the cavity of the macrocycle upon absorption of light. Imidazolium motifs are used as hydrogen‐bonding donor components, allowing for sequestration of small molecule guests in acetonitrile. Upon E→Z photoisomerization of oAzoBox⁴⁺ the guest is expelled from the macrocyclic cavity.

Isorecticular Synthesis of Dissectible Molecular Bamboo Tubes of Hexarhenium(I) Benzene-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexaolate Complexes

A family of bamboo-like metal-organic nanotubes consisting of in situ synthesized macromolecular blocks (MB) is reported. The MBs are composed of six fac-(CO)3 Re cores, one benzene-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexaolate plate, and six pyridine-derivative pillar ligands, which have a doubly tri-legged geometry and can be mutually assembled, piece by piece. This entire system is characterized as a simple but precise supramolecular complexation of these macromolecular blocks and further introduces an archetypal approach to systematically constructing a tunable form of dissectible molecular bamboo tubes.

EPR Studies of the Binding Properties, Guest Dynamics, and Inner-Space Dimensions of a Water-Soluble Resorcinarene Capsule

Nitroxide free radicals have been used to study the inner space of one of Rebek's water-soluble capsules. EPR and (1) H NMR spectroscopy, ESI-MS, and DFT calculations showed a preference for the formation of 1:2 complexes. EPR titrations allowed us to determine binding constants (Ka ) in the order of 10(7)  M(-2) . EPR spectral-shape analysis provided information on the guest rotational dynamics within the capsule. The interplay between optimum hydrogen bonding upon capsule formation and steric strain for guest accommodation highlights some degree of flexibility for guest inclusion, particularly at the center of the capsule where the hydrogen bond seam can be barely distorted or slightly disturbed.