Unique reactions of photoexcited organic molecules at the electrode/liquid interface

Abstract

A method that uses a photochemical reaction to localize an electrochemical reaction has been described. The fatty acid derivatives of azobenzene organized in an ordered monolayer film were taken as the example. Owing to the significant difference in electrochemical reductivities of their geometric isomers, it was possible, by localizing the electrode reaction in a focussed laser beam, to create an electrochemical memory device. An electrostatic cis–trans isomerism phenomenon that was observed in the highly assembled monolayer film of the above azo compounds at the electrode/liquid interface, has been discussed. This novel reaction was attributed to the strong interaction between the highly oriented molecular dipoles and the electric field formed at the interface.