Structure of silver(I) complex prepared from azobenzenonaphthalenophane, photochemical coordination change of silver(I) and silver(I)-induced acceleration of Z-E thermal isomerization of azobenzene unit.

A Ag(I) complex was prepared from azobenzenonaphthalenophane as a photoreactive multidentate ligand. The coordination of Ag(I) was reversibly controlled by photoisomerization of the azobenzene unit, and at the same time, Ag(I) accelerated the Z-E thermal isomerization of the azobenzene unit.