title: A Photobasic Functional Group.
abstract: Controlling chemical reactivity using light is a longstanding practice within organic chemistry, yet little has been done to modulate the basicity of compounds. Reported herein is a triazabutadiene that is rendered basic upon photoisomerization. The pH of an aqueous solution containing the water-soluble triazabutadiene can be adjusted with 350 nm light. Upon synthesizing a triazabutadiene that is soluble in aprotic organic solvents, we noted a similar light-induced change in basicity. As a proof of concept we took this photobase and used it to catalyze a condensation reaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, 1306 East University Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, 1306 East University Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States.
authors.forename: Flora W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Kimani
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, 1306 East University Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States.
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Jewett