Flipping the switch on chloride concentrations with a light-active foldamer.
Here we demonstrate a bioinspired system where light stimulus is used to trigger the wavelength-dependent release and then reuptake of chloride ions in nonaqueous solutions. A chiral aryl-triazole foldamer with two azobenzene end groups has been synthesized to define a folded binding pocket for chloride ions that unfolds with UV light to liberate the chloride. The trans-dominated helical foldamer becomes less stable upon photoisomerization to the cis forms. Simultaneously, the observed binding affinity shows an ∼10-fold reduction from K = 3000 M(-1) (MeCN, 298 K). Control of chloride levels using light is demonstrated by switching the conductivity of an electrolyte solution up and down.
Hua
Yuran
Y
Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 East Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA.
Flood
Amar H
AH
D032701:Biomimetics; D002712:Chlorides / Q000737:chemistry*; D008027:Light; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry
D002712:Chlorides; D011108:Polymers; D012997:Solvents