Issue 1, 2014

Spiropyran-based dynamic materials

Abstract

In the past few years, spiropyran has emerged as the molecule-of-choice for the construction of novel dynamic materials. This unique molecular switch undergoes structural isomerisation in response to a variety of orthogonal stimuli, e.g. light, temperature, metal ions, redox potential, and mechanical stress. Incorporation of this switch onto macromolecular supports or inorganic scaffolds allows for the creation of robust dynamic materials. This review discusses the synthesis, switching conditions, and use of dynamic materials in which spiropyran has been attached to the surfaces of polymers, biomacromolecules, inorganic nanoparticles, as well as solid surfaces. The resulting materials show fascinating properties whereby the state of the switch intimately affects a multitude of useful properties of the support. The utility of the spiropyran switch will undoubtedly endow these materials with far-reaching applications in the near future.

Graphical abstract: Spiropyran-based dynamic materials

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
03 6 2013
First published
27 8 2013
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014,43, 148-184

Spiropyran-based dynamic materials

R. Klajn, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014, 43, 148 DOI: 10.1039/C3CS60181A

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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