Characterization of simple photoresponsive systems and their applications to metal ion transport

Abstract

Some new photoresponsive azobenzenes (1–5) have been synthesized and characterized. On irradiation at 330 nm these systems undergo conversion from the E to the Z form to a varying extent which depends upon the nature and position of substitution on the azobenzene rings. They revert back to the E form on thermal isomerization in the dark. Photochemical equilibria have been studied and compared in acetonitrile and o-dichlorobenzene; E forms are stabilized more in o-dichlorobenzene than in acetonitrile. Two of the molecules (1 and 4) show enhanced transport of Cu²⁺ ions across a liquid membrane on irradiation.