Reversible photo-controllable gels based on bisthienylethene-doped lecithin micelles

An aza-15-crown-5-ether functionalized bisthienylethene (BTE-15C5) was synthesized, which can reversibly capture and release calcium ions by UV/Vis irradiation. After doping this photochromic bisthienylethene with a two-component lecithin-Ca(2+) organogel, the original deep-blue gel changed to light-blue fluid due to the cooperative binding with Ca(2+) by the open-form bisthienylethene dopant. Upon UV irradiation, the closed isomer was formed which released the Ca(2+) and the organogel was retrieved. Hence, a novel organic simple doped-type three-component photo-induced gel-to-sol transition system was constructed.