Azobenzene-based metallohelicates: synthesis, self-assembly and photoisomerisation studies

Анотація

Azobenzene derivatives are widely investigated because of their reversible trans–cis photoisomerisation and their potential for incorporation into responsive molecular architectures.¹ Integrating azobenzene units into metal-directed supramolecular systems offers a strategy to combine photo-switchable organic chromophores with well-defined coordination assemblies. In this work, we report the synthesis and characterisation of a new bis-bidentate iminopyridine ligand bearing two azobenzene units, together with its self-assembly into binuclear triple-stranded helicates with Zn(II) and Fe(II).