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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Determination of the Photoisomerization Quantum Yield of a Hydrazone Photoswitch
Published on: February 7, 2022
Photoswitching of dextro/levo rotation with axially chiral binaphthyls linked to an azobenzene
Kazuto Takaishi1, Masuki Kawamoto, Kazunori Tsubaki
1Supramolecular Science Laboratory, RIKEN, Hirosawa 2-1, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan. ktakaishi@riken.jp
Abstract:
To examine the reversible photoisomerization and subsequent change of asymmetric field, we synthesized optically active 3,3'-disubstituted-1,1'-binaphthyls with an azobenzene moiety. Reflecting the structural change, the specific rotation and circular dichroism underwent significant variations. Under certain conditions, the positive-negative signals were reversible. Furthermore, the magnitude of these changes showed a 3,3'-substituent dependency. Dibenzyloxy or bis(diphenylmethyloxy) derivatives were better suited for sign interconversion of the optical properties. In contrast, the hydroxy group(s) lacked both optical signals and durability.
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