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Light on the Structural Evolution of Photoresponsive Molecular Switches in Electronically Excited States
Author(s) -
Amirjalayer Saeed,
Buma Wybren Jan
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201805810
Subject(s) - photoexcitation , molecular switch , excited state , process (computing) , computer science , trajectory , manifold (fluid mechanics) , nanotechnology , quantum , topology (electrical circuits) , materials science , physics , molecule , quantum mechanics , engineering , mechanical engineering , electrical engineering , operating system
Abstract Stimuli‐responsive materials are attracting extensive interest as they offer the opportunity to transform external inputs such as light into a functionality by control at the molecular level. As a result, a large number of molecular building units have been developed that enable switching between two or more states. Since the trajectory describing the transition between the various states defines the efficiency of the usually immobilized unit and the resulting functionality, it does not suffice to merely consider the initial and final states of the switching process. A key challenge is in fact to decipher at the atomic scale the actual motion that takes place after photoexcitation. Understanding and being able to manipulate this trajectory is crucial for an efficient implementation of photoactive molecular switches into functional materials, as well as to rationally develop novel tailor‐made materials. In this Concept article, we highlight the potential to characterize in detail photoinitiated switching mechanisms by combining quantum chemical calculations with advanced laser spectroscopic techniques that probe the vibrational manifold of electronically excited states and its evolution.