A Modular Approach to Arylazo-1,2,3-triazole Photoswitches

Org Lett. 2021 Jun 4;23(11):4305-4310. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.1c01230. Epub 2021 May 21.

Abstract

Azoheteroarenes make up an emerging class of photoswitchable compounds with unique photophysical properties and advantages over traditional azobenzenes. Therefore, methods for synthesizing azoheteroarenes are highly desirable. Here, we utilize azide-alkyne click chemistry to access arylazo-1,2,3-triazoles, a previously unexplored class of azoheteroarenes that exhibit high thermal stabilities and near-quantitative bidirectional photoconversion. Controlling the catalyst or 1,3-dipole grants access to both regioisomeric arylazotriazoles and arylazoisoxazoles, highlighting the versatility of our approach.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alkynes / chemistry
  • Azides / chemistry*
  • Azo Compounds / chemical synthesis*
  • Azo Compounds / chemistry
  • Catalysis
  • Click Chemistry
  • Molecular Structure
  • Triazoles / chemistry*

Substances

  • Alkynes
  • Azides
  • Azo Compounds
  • Triazoles
  • azobenzene