Premium
Reversible Photoisomerization of Monolayers of π‐Expanded Oligothiophene Macrocycles at Solid–Liquid Interfaces
Author(s) -
Cojal González José D.,
Iyoda Masahiko,
Rabe Jürgen P.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201809514
Subject(s) - photoisomerization , monolayer , highly oriented pyrolytic graphite , scanning tunneling microscope , materials science , crystallography , graphite , mesophase , self assembly , photochemistry , liquid crystal , nanotechnology , chemistry , isomerization , optoelectronics , catalysis , organic chemistry , composite material
Abstract Self‐assembled monolayers of a π‐expanded oligothiophene macrocycle undergo photoisomerization between their Z , Z and E , E diastereomers at the interface between octanoic acid solutions and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). The switching process proceeds in situ at the solid–liquid interface and was followed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Upon illumination with light at 365 nm (546 nm), a monolayer of Z , Z ‐8mer ( E , E ‐8mer) photoisomerizes to the E , E ‐8mer ( Z , Z ‐8mer) form with changes in 2D hexagonal packing. These findings provide insight towards the design of photoresponsive surfaces with desirable optoelectronic and structural (host–guest) properties.