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Efficient Conversion of Light to Chemical Energy: Directional, Chiral Photoswitches with Very High Quantum Yields
Author(s) -
Moormann Widukind,
Tellkamp Tobias,
Stadler Eduard,
Röhricht Fynn,
Näther Christian,
Puttreddy Rakesh,
Rissanen Kari,
Gescheidt Georg,
Herges Rainer
Publication year - 2020
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.202005361
Subject(s) - isomerization , photochromism , energy transformation , chemical energy , diastereomer , molecular switch , light energy , chemistry , quantum chemical , energy conversion efficiency , quantum , quantum efficiency , photochemistry , materials science , optoelectronics , nanotechnology , molecule , physics , stereochemistry , optics , organic chemistry , catalysis , thermodynamics , quantum mechanics
Photochromic systems have been used to achieve a number of engineering functions such as light energy conversion, molecular motors, pumps, actuators, and sensors. Key to practical applications is a high efficiency in the conversion of light to chemical energy, a rigid structure for the transmission of force to the environment, and directed motion during isomerization. We present a novel type of photochromic system (diindane diazocines) that converts visible light with an efficiency of 18 % to chemical energy. Quantum yields are exceptionally high with >70 % for the cis–trans isomerization and 90 % for the back‐reaction and thus higher than the biochemical system rhodopsin (64 %). Two diastereomers ( meso and racemate) were obtained in only two steps in high yields. Both isomers are directional switches with high conversion rates (76–99 %). No fatigue was observed after several thousands of switching cycles in both systems.