A multi-stage single photochrome system for controlled photoswitching responses

article A multi-stage single photochrome system for controlled photoswitching responses published yes Friedrich J Stricker author 7aca2cfc-46cf-11f0-abd3-8c96b5186745 David M. Sanchez author Umberto Raucci author Neil D. Dolinski author Manuel S. Zayas author Jan Meisner author Craig. J. Hawker author Todd. J. Martínez author Javier Read de Alaniz author The ability of molecular photoswitches to convert on/off responses into large macroscale property change is fundamental to light-responsive materials. However, moving beyond simple binary responses necessitates the introduction of new elements that control the chemistry of the photoswitching process at the molecular scale. To achieve this goal, we designed, synthesized and developed a single photochrome, based on a modified donor–acceptor Stenhouse adduct (DASA), capable of independently addressing multiple molecular states. The multi-stage photoswitch enables complex switching phenomena. To demonstrate this, we show spatial control of the transformation of a three-stage photoswitch by tuning the population of intermediates along the multi-step reaction pathway of the DASAs without interfering with either the first or final stage. This allows for a photonic three-stage logic gate where the secondary wavelength solely negates the input of the primary wavelength. These results provide a new strategy to move beyond traditional on/off binary photochromic systems and enable the design of future molecular logic systems. Springer Nature2022 eng Nature Chemistry 1755-4330 1755-4349 3568104610.1038/s41557-022-00947-8 14942-948 yes Stricker FJ, Sanchez DM, Raucci U, Dolinski ND, Zayas MS, Meisner J, Hawker CJ, Martínez TJ, Read de Alaniz J. 2022. A multi-stage single photochrome system for controlled photoswitching responses. Nature Chemistry. 14, 942–948. F. J. Stricker et al., “A multi-stage single photochrome system for controlled photoswitching responses,” Nature Chemistry, vol. 14. Springer Nature, pp. 942–948, 2022. Stricker, Friedrich J, David M. Sanchez, Umberto Raucci, Neil D. Dolinski, Manuel S. Zayas, Jan Meisner, Craig. J. Hawker, Todd. J. Martínez, and Javier Read de Alaniz. “A Multi-Stage Single Photochrome System for Controlled Photoswitching Responses.” Nature Chemistry. Springer Nature, 2022. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-022-00947-8">https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-022-00947-8</a>. Stricker FJ, Sanchez DM, Raucci U, et al. A multi-stage single photochrome system for controlled photoswitching responses. Nature Chemistry. 2022;14:942-948. doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-022-00947-8">10.1038/s41557-022-00947-8</a> Stricker, F. J., Sanchez, D. M., Raucci, U., Dolinski, N. D., Zayas, M. S., Meisner, J., … Read de Alaniz, J. (2022). A multi-stage single photochrome system for controlled photoswitching responses. Nature Chemistry. Springer Nature. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-022-00947-8">https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-022-00947-8</a> F.J. Stricker, D.M. Sanchez, U. Raucci, N.D. Dolinski, M.S. Zayas, J. Meisner, C.J. Hawker, T.J. Martínez, J. Read de Alaniz, Nature Chemistry 14 (2022) 942–948. Stricker, Friedrich J., et al. “A Multi-Stage Single Photochrome System for Controlled Photoswitching Responses.” Nature Chemistry, vol. 14, Springer Nature, 2022, pp. 942–48, doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-022-00947-8">10.1038/s41557-022-00947-8</a>. 218192026-05-06T10:56:14Z2026-05-18T09:13:44Z