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Stimuli-responsive molecules change their properties when exposed to external signals, such as light, and enable the preparation of smart materials. UV light, which often destroys organic materials, is typically required for activating the desired response of photoswitchable compounds, significantly limiting the potential applications of light-operated smart materials. Herein, we present the first metal-organic framework (MOF), which enables reversible modulation of key properties upon irradiation with visible light only. The fluorinated azobenzene side groups in the MOF structure can be reversibly switched between the trans and cis state by green and violet light, avoiding UV light. It was demonstrated that the uptake of guest molecules by these MOF films can be switched in a fully remote-controlled way. The membrane separation of hydrogen/hydrocarbon mixtures was investigated. The light-induced changes of the MOF pore size result in the switching of the permeation and of the selection factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Azobenzene multi-state switches whose isomerization can be orthogonally induced with photons and electrons are presented. Exposure to green, blue, or ultraviolet light allows toggling between three isomers, while the fourth one is formed selectively via electrocatalytic isomerization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the photochemical properties of molecular photoswitches is crucial for the development of light-responsive systems in materials and life sciences. ortho-Fluoroazobenzenes are a new class of rationally designed photochromic azo compounds with optimized properties, such as the ability to isomerize with visible light only, high photoconversions, and unprecedented robust bistable character. Introducing σ-electron-withdrawing F atoms ortho to the NN unit leads to both an effective separation of the n→π* bands of the E and Z isomers, thus offering the possibility of using these two transitions for selectively inducing E/ Z isomerizations, and greatly enhanced thermal stability of the Z isomers. Additional para-electron-withdrawing groups (EWGs) work in concert with ortho-F atoms, giving rise to enhanced separation of the n→π* transitions. A comprehensive study of the effect of substitution on the key photochemical properties of ortho-fluoroazobenzenes is reported herein. In particular, the position, number, and nature of the EWGs have been varied, and the visible light photoconversions, quantum yields of isomerization, and thermal stabilities have been measured and rationalized by DFT calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hydrogels are soft materials that have found multiple applications in biomedicine and represent a good platform for the introduction of molecular switches and synthetic machines into macromolecular networks. Tuning their mechanical properties reversibly with light is appealing for a variety of advanced applications and has been demonstrated in the past; however, their activation typically requires the use of UV light, which displays several drawbacks related to its damaging character and limited penetration in tissues and materials. This study circumvents this limitation by introducing all‐visible ortho‐fluoroazobenzene switches into a hydrophilic network, which, as a result, can be activated with green or blue light. Photoisomerization of the photochromic moieties is accompanied by a reversible tuning of the elastic modulus. The translation of molecular isomerization within the network into macroscopic modulation of its mechanical properties is attributed to different aggregation tendencies of the E and Z isomers of the azobenzene derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]