Light driven asymmetric polymerization: an approach for tele-control reaction

Abstract

Chiroptical activity-tunable electro-polymerization is carried out in liquid crystal (LC) electrolyte solution under irradiation by UV or visible (Vis) light. The LC electrolyte prepared in this study undergoes photo-induced phase transition through trans–cisisomerization of an azobenzene-based chiral photo-isomerization dopant in the LC electrolyte solution. The trans–cisisomerization of the dopant induced by UV light changes the structural chirality of the cholesteric LC electrolyte solution, which allows chiroptical activity tuning under the polymerization conditions. The results demonstrate realization of light-commandable asymmetric polymerization through change in a chiral environment for the electro-polymerization reaction. Note that the chiral polymer thus synthesized shows redox (electrochemical doping/dedoping)-driven change in chiroptical activity. This method can be used to induce light-driven asymmetric chemical reactions.