title: Photoresponsive supramolecular systems: self-assembly of azodibenzoic acid linear tapes and cyclic tetramers.
abstract: A new strategy to effect photoinduced control over molecular self-assembly is reported. This strategy uses the reversible trans-cis photoisomerization of a novel azobenzene system, where the trans- and cis-forms self-assemble into dramatically different higher-order structures. The trans-azobenzene form of this molecule associates into infinite hydrogen-bonded linear tapes, while the cis-azobenzene form undergoes hydrogen-bonded self-assembly into cyclic tetramers. This results in a second level of association, where the cis-hydrogen-bonded supramolecular cycles ultimately form long, rod-like aggregates through stacking interactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal Québec H3A 2K6, Canada.
authors.forename: Felaniaina
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rakotondradany
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Whitehead
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lebuis
authors.forename: Hanadi F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Sleiman