Azobenzene moiety

In 1990, Baumeister et al. [127] described the crystal and molecular structure of 4-ethoxy-3 -(4-ethoxyphenyliminomethyl)-4 -(4-methoxy-benzoy-loxy)azobenzene. The molecules have a bifurcated shape. The phenyliminom-ethyl branch is bent markedly from the nearly linear three ring fragment, but is almost coplanar with the azobenzene moiety. They found that the molecular conformation is affected by an intramolecular interaction of the carboxylic and azomethine groups. The crystal packing was described in terms of a sheet structure with interdigitating rows of molecules. 

Photoirradiation —> photoisomerization of azobenzene moiety —> change in swelling —> change in drug release... 

Vogtle et al. reported the first example of a photoswitching dendrimer [94] with six azobenzene moieties attached to a derivative of 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzene as the central core. Irradiation of the all (F)-isomer at 313 nm led to a photostationary equilibrium where most of the azobenzene units were switched to the (Z)-configuration. Conversely, irradiation of this species again at a lower energy frequency (436 nm) led to a second photostationary equilibrium where the (F)-form was dominant however, it was not proven as to how many azobenzene units isomerized after irradiation. 

Photoresponsive systems incorporating an azobenzene moiety. The capped crown ether (196), shown as the (E) isomer, was synthesized initially by a high-dilution condensation between diaza-18-crown-6 and 3,3 -bis(chlorocarbonyl)azobenzene (Shinkai et al., 1980). Extraction patterns for the alkali metals differed between the (E) and (Z) isomers giving a clear example of photochemical control of the complexation behaviour. Subsequently, the analogue (197) was synthesized in which 2,2 -azopyridine was used for the cap (Shinkai Manabe, 1984). Photo-... 

In prior work, related molecules had been obtained in which a polyoxyethylene chain linked the 2,2 -positions of the azobenzene moiety (Shiga,Takagi Ueno, 1980). Howeverforsuchsystems,theds trans interconversion is accompanied by gradual photodegradation probably resulting from the presence of steric strain in the cis isomers. 

Previously, we recorded UV absorption spectra of the same molecules in spread monolayers on the water surface and in 11-monolayer LB films on solid substrates as shown in Figure 11 [11]. In the case of C8AzoC5, the absorption band due to the it-it transition of the azobenzene moiety in the spread monolayer is largely shifted to... 

The mixed liposomal solutions were prepared by the ethanol-injection method(13) in order to obtain completely transparent solutions. It is interesting to note that miscibility of the photochromic amphiphiles with DPPC depend on the position of bulky azobenzene. If azobenzene is incorporated close to the end of long alkyl chain, a stable mixed bilayer state cannot be formed. On the other hand, when the azobenzene moiety is located near the head group or at the center of the hydrocarbon tail, the azobenzene amphiphiles are successfully incorporated into the bilayer membrane. No individual micelle formation nor phase separation in the bilayer was observed at 25 °C by absorption spectroscopy. However, the microstructure of the mixed liposomes depends on the type of azobenzene amphiphiles. 

Vogtle and co-workers first reported a photoswitchable dendrimer [33] with six peripheral azobenzene groups, which took advantage of the efficient and fully reversible photoisomerization reaction of azobenzene-type compounds (Scheme 7). In a follow-up study [34], polypropylene imine) dendrimers bearing azobenzene moieties (p-Im-Gn, n = 1-4) on the periphery were synthesized. These dendrimers displayed similar photoisomerization properties as the azobenzene monomers. Irradiation of the all-E azobenzene dendrimers at 313 nm led to the Z-form dendrimers, while irradiation at 254 nm or heating could convert the Z-form dendrimers back to the E-form dendrimers. The observation that the... 

Novel Methodology for Immobilization of Biomolecules on the Surface of a Photoresponsible Polymer Containing Azobenzene Moiety... 

Fig. 1. The chemical structure of typical azopolymer. Azobenzene moiety isomerizes between fra/rs and c/s form.

Narita M, Hoshino F, Mouri M, Tsuchimori M, Ikawa Y, Watanabe O. (2007) Photoin-duced immobilization of biomolecules on the surface of azopolymer films and its dependence on the concentration and type of the azobenzene moiety. Macromolecules AO, 623-... 

Alanine-derived optically active A-propargylamide 22 and azobenzene-containing monomer 25 afford a co-polymer forming a helix. The azobenzene moiety isomerizes from trans-ioxm to cis-ioxm upon UV light irradiation, accompanying transition from helix to random coil. Then upon irradiation of visible light, the m-azobenezene moiety re-isomerizes into trans, while the polymer main chain keeps a random structure. This is presumably due to large steric repulsion around the azobenzene moiety to disturb recovery of a helical structure. 

The palladium-catalyzed amination reaction with a monofunctional primary amine 167 effects i / -diarylation to afford the tertiary amine polymers 168. Hence, polycondensation of 167 with bifunctional arylene dihalides leads to 168 (Equation (81)). Polycondensation of a primary amine bearing an azobenzene moiety with dibromides in the presence of Pd2(dba)3 (2.5mol%)- Bu3P (P/Pd = 3 l) and NaO Bu at 100°G for 24h in toluene gives 168 in 81-93% yields, as reported by Kanbara. 

Alkyloxythiophene derivatives can be connected to an azobenzene moiety and the polymer showed nonlinear optical properties (03SM(138) 409 04MI2117 05MI2360). 

The hetero-dimerization behavior of dye-modified -cyclodextrins with native CDs was investigated by means of absorption and induced circular dichroism spectroscopy in aqueous solution [43], Three types of azo dye-modified /i-CDs show different association behavior, depending on the positional difference and the electronic character of substituent connected to the CD unit in the dye moiety. p-Methyl Red-modified fi-CD (1), which has a 4-(dimethylamino)azobenzene moiety connected to the CD unit at the 4 position by an amido linkage, forms an intramolecular self-complex, inserting the dye moiety in its / -CD cavity (Figure 13). 1 also associates with native a-CD by inserting the dye residue into the a-CD cavity. The association constants for such hetero-dimerization are 198 M"1 at pH 1.00 and 305 M 1 at pH 6.59, which are larger than the association constants of 1 for / -CD (43 M 1 at pH 1.00). 

The photoisomerization of several copolymers was studied, in order to determine the effects of the structure and switching of the chiral side chain on the helicity of the main chain. A delicate balance of parameters was found, including separation and nature of the stereocenters, solvent, and concentration of azobenzene moieties J77 Stereoselectivity was often greatly enhanced if the chiral moieties were closer to each other. Accordingly, it was found that the incorporation of the stereocenter into a short, two-carbon spacer resulted in much more pronounced helical preference, as well as CD effects at lower chiral chromophore concentrations. The greater helical twist and improved thermal stability of the cis form (half-life 40h at RT) are notable features. 771 It was also found that the relationship between the trans-cis... 

These azobenzene LCs display the liquid crystalline phase only when the azobenzene moiety is in the trans form, and no liquid crystalline phase at any temperature when the azobenzene moiety is in the cis form. In these azobenzene LC system, it was predicted that phase transition should be induced on essentially the same time-scale as the photochemical reaction of the photoresponsive moiety in each mesogen, if the photochemical reactions of a large number of mesogens were induced simultaneously by the use of a short laser pulse (Figure 7).1391 On the basis of such a new concept, the photoresponse of azobenzene LCs with the laser pulse was examined, and it was found that the N to I phase transition was induced in 200 xsJ39 40 This fast response, on the microsecond timescale, had been demonstrated for the first time in NLCs. From the viewpoint of application of LCs to photonic devices, such a fast response is quite encouraging. 

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