Synthesis and Isomerization Behavior of a Macrocycle with Four Photoresponsive Moieties

Org Lett. 2018 Apr 6;20(7):2055-2058. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.8b00598. Epub 2018 Mar 20.

Abstract

The macrocycle 1 containing four photoresponsive fluorenylidene moieties was designed. The EZEZ form of 1, 1 EZEZ, was selectively produced. Reversible photochemical isomerization between 1 EZEZ and 1 ZZZZ was achieved, the extent of which was dependent on the light source used. Furthermore, the intermediate 1 EZZZ was selectively isomerized to 1 ZZZZ thermally and photochemically.