Highly-strained cyclophanes bearing both photo- and electro-active constituents

The synthesis of a highly-strained cyclophane comprising azobenzene and methyl viologen units was achieved by coupling 3,3′-dihydroxy-4,4′-bipyridine with azobenzoic acid in CH2Cl2. The molecular structure, determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, shows that the azobenzene N N unit adopts the trans conformation and that the bipyridinium unit is twisted. The cyclic voltammogram recorded for the target compound displays an irreversible wave at −0.37 V vs Ag/AgCl, associated with the one-electron reduction of the bipyridinium subunit. A further wave is seen at E1/2 = −1.52 V versus Ag/AgCl and is assigned to one-electron reduction of the azobenzene group. Visible light illumination of the azobenzene chromophore in CH3CN triggers trans to cis isomerization but the process is irreversible.