Azobenzenes are desirable molecular switches due to their photo-stimulated reversible shape and dipole moment changes between the thermodynamically favored trans isomer and the higher energy cis isomer. The photoisomerization and lifetime effects of linking azobenzenes about a single arylamine redox center forming a tertiary amine derivative (tris(4-((4'-methoxyphenyl)diazenyl)phenyl)amine) are investigated. Irradiation of TA with 450 nm LED light leads to a photostationary state (PSS) composed of all trans, cis,trans,trans, cis,cis,trans, and all cis isomers. The thermal isomerization lifetimes of the cis isomers were measured by dynamic UV-Vis and NMR spectroscopy. The redox catalysis of TA isomerization has been investigated. It is found that electron transfer from a single arylamine catalyzes the cis to trans isomerization of three connected azobenzenes, resulting in a fast, large geometry change of the conglomerate structure.

Molecular switching of tris(azobenzene)amine

255th National Meeting (2018)

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