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Photo-Controlled Macroscopic Self-Assembly Based on Photo-Switchable Hetero-Complementary Quadruple Hydrogen Bonds
Shi-Tao Han1, Hong-Ying Duan1, Lan-Yun Chen1
1Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, College of Chemistry and Life Science, Zhejiang Normal University, 688 Yingbin Road, 321004, Jinhua, P. R. China.
Researchers developed a photo-switchable bonding array using azobenzene-ureidopyrimidinone (Azo-UPy) and diamidonaphthyridine (Napy-1). This system allows for light-controlled dimerization with significant binding strength differences, enabling smart gel fabrication.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Quadruple H-bonding arrays are crucial for creating dynamic molecular assemblies.
- Controlling noncovalent interactions with external stimuli like light is key for smart materials.
- Azobenzene derivatives are widely used photo-responsive units.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct a photo-switchable hetero-complementary quadruple H-bonding array.
- To investigate the light-induced switching of binding strength in this array.
- To demonstrate the application of this array in creating photo-responsive polymeric gels.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of azobenzene-derived ureidopyrimidinone (Azo-UPy) and a diamidonaphthyridine (Napy-1) derivative.
- Utilizing a reversible photo-locking approach for array construction.
- Employing UV (390 nm) and visible (460 nm) light irradiation to control H-bonding dimerization.
Main Results:
- Successful construction of a photo-switchable hetero-complementary quadruple H-bonding array.
- Achieved significant photo-switchable dimerization between Azo-UPy and Napy-1 with a 4.8×10^4-fold difference in binding strength (ON/OFF ratio).
- Demonstrated the fabrication of smart polymeric gels exhibiting photo-controlled macroscopic self-assembly.
Conclusions:
- The developed quadruple H-bonding array offers robust photo-switchable control over molecular interactions.
- This system provides a novel platform for creating advanced smart materials with tunable properties.
- The photo-regulable noncovalent interfacial connections are promising for applications in responsive soft materials.
