Abstract

Various naturally existing supramolecular assemblies and polymers in aqueous media have been identified and served as a source of inspiration for designing synthetic supramolecular assembled systems.1 Visible-light driven photoresponsive molecular systems could be advantageous in terms of improved biocompatibility. Red-light responsive N-alkyl and N-aryl indigos have been demonstrated with improved thermal half-life.2 To exert the full potential of photoswitchability and supramolecular assembly of indigo switch, herein, we report the design and synthesize of N,N’-alkyl-aryl-substituted indigo amphiphiles(IA). The molecular IA is composed of a hydrophilic part of a charged end-group connected with an alkyl-linker to the mono-N-aryl-substituted indigo core. Through investigation of the photoisomerisation and supramolecular transformation processes, this approach could open up new strategies towards the development of red-light controlled biomedical soft functional materials.

References

1. S. Chen, R. Costil, F. K. C. Leung and B. L. Feringa, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 11604–11627.
2. C. Y. Huang, A. Bonasera, L. Hristov, Y. Garmshausen, B. M. Schmidt, D. Jacquemin and S. Hecht, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 2017, 139, 15205–15211.