A multi-state photoswitch regulated by higher excited states
Shuang Xu, Le Yu, Yang Cheng, Yidan Li, David Lee Phillips, Tomáš Slanina, Jiani Ma, Yu Fang · 2026
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Description
Shuang Xu and co-authors describe in 2026 a single molecule that holds two different light switches, each answering to a chosen color of light. One part is a spiropyran unit, the other an ionic azo compound. Flipping either part changes the molecule's shape, and using both multiplies the states it can take. The hybrid dissolves well in water and survives repeated switching.
Careful light experiments showed which excited state drives each change, including a case where extra vibrational energy triggers the second switch right after the first. The switched form also proved remarkably stable, lasting well over a year in water by their estimate. Such control could serve molecular logic devices that respond to light sequences.
Catalog record
| CREATOR | Shuang Xu, Le Yu, Yang Cheng, Yidan Li, David Lee Phillips, Tomáš Slanina, Jiani Ma, Yu Fang |
|---|---|
| YEAR | 2026 |
| COLLECTION | PAPERS |
| FORMAT | TXT |
| FILE SIZE | 33 KB |
| LICENSE | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 |
| RIGHTS | CC BY |
| SOURCE | Europe PMC |