Azobenzene-functionalized metal-organic polyhedra for the optically responsive capture and release of guest molecules

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive metal-organic polyhedra (srMOPs) functionalized with azobenzene showed UV-irradiation-induced isomerization from the insoluble trans-srMOP to the soluble cis-srMOP, whereas irradiation with blue light reversed this process. Guest molecules were trapped and released upon cis-to-trans and trans-to-cis isomerization of the srMOPs, respectively. This study provides a new direction in the ever-diversifying field of MOPs, while laying the groundwork for a new class of optically responsive materials.

Keywords: azo compounds; host-guest systems; metal-organic polyhedra; optically responsive materials; stimuli-responsive solubility.