Redox-triggered chiroptical molecular switches

Abstract

Efficient chiroptical molecular redox switches have been engineered that display multiple stable optically active forms, chemically reversible redox processes, and highly sensitive chiroptical responses. Systems that have been studied in this context include electro-active organic polymers, redox-active coordination complexes, and certain organic compounds that may be oxidized or reduced reversibly. Studies in this field have yielded diverse platforms that benefit from dynamic stereochemical and electronic phenomena. This tutorial review introduces basic design criteria for chiroptical molecular switches, summarizes examples, and provides an outlook for future work in the area.