Photoswitching of Diazocines in Aqueous Media

J Org Chem. 2021 Mar 5;86(5):4355-4360. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.1c00065. Epub 2021 Feb 19.

Abstract

We present a systematic investigation of the photophysical properties of diazocines in aqueous media. The Z-E photoconversion yields of CH2CH2- and CH2S-bridged diazocines decrease with increasing water content in acetonitrile. However, there is one exception. A CH2-NAc-bridged diazocine mostly retains its photostationary state in water (85 to 72%) because of the high quantum yields for the ZE conversion. Moreover, it is water-soluble without further substitution and is therefore ideally suited as a photoswitch in biological (aqueous) environments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Water*

Substances

  • Water