Here we describe, for the first time, intriguing solvato-morphological control of spiropyran-based microcrystalline structures. These microstructures exhibit reversible photoisomerization upon light irradiation (UV/Vis) in the solid-state. Finally, light-guided aggregation of these microstructures at the liquid/air interface is also demonstrated.

We have succeeded in obtaining a photoinduced liquid crystalline cubic BP in a mixture of photoinactive and photoresponsive bent-core mesogens. The UV stimulus can convert N* to cubic BP through photoisomerization of the azobenzene linkages included in the photoresponsive bent-core molecule.

D. Chemical Reactions at Interfaces 1348 E. Electrochemistry 1350 F. Some Environmentally Interesting SH Studies 1351 G. Structural Phase Transitions 1351 H. Chiral Interfaces 1353 III. Dynamics at Liquid Interfaces 1354 A. Adsorption Kinetics to Air/Water Interfaces 1354 B. Electron Transfer at a Liquid/Liquid Interface 1355 C. Photoisomerization at Aqueous Interfaces 1355 D. Orientational Rel...

The synthesis of a variety of PCBM-type [5,6]-fulleroids and their further highly selective photoisomerization to the respective [6,6]-methanofullerenes is presented. Interestingly, the chemical reactivity of [5,6]-fulleroids reveals the same trend (a > b > c > d) to that observed for pristine C70 (α > β > γ > δ).

Organic solar cell dyes containing the most common anchoring group, cyanoacrylic acid, are shown to be photolabile and undergo photoisomerization. This may have significant consequences for dye-sensitized solar cells, as isomerisation competes with electron injection and leads to modifications of the dye and surface arrangement.

For the solid-state photoisomerization of benzyl (Z,Z)-muconate to the corresponding (E,E)-muconate, the direct observation of a change in the crystal structure has revealed that the isomerization occurs by a topochemical reaction process according to a bicycle-pedal model and is finally accompanied by a phase transition to a stable crystal structure.

A nanovehicle with a new photoactive moiety has been synthesized. The incorporation of the azobenzene chassis allows for potential wormlike movement accompanying the rolling behavior of the wheels. Two versions, the fullerene-wheeled and carborane-wheeled nanoworms, were synthesized to examine the solution-based photoisomerization yields of the chassis.

We explore the effects of solvent viscosity on the trans-cis photoisomerization of sinapoyl malate, which is utilized as a sunscreen molecule in plants. Our results demonstrate that viscosity has a significant effect on the timescale for isomerization, providing insight into the nuclear motions involved. The ramifications of these findings are discussed with reference to sinapoyl malate's in vi...

Contrary to what is known about cis-1,2-diphenylcyclopropane and its derivatives, we find that they have triplet energies of ca. 311 kJ mol(-1), do not undergo intersystem crossing upon direct excitation, undergo the less common adiabatic photoisomerization to the corresponding trans isomers, and show emission from excited 1,3-diradical intermediates.

Photoisomerization of spiropyrans has been the subject of many interesting studies in a wide number of fields, such as sensors for cations, sensors of pH, switchable surfaces, lasing effect, among many others. This molecule can be photoisomerized upon UV irradiation, giving rise to the zwitterionic merocyanine (MC) form, which dramatically changes its hydrophilicity and photophysical properties...