Metallo-Supramolecular Gels that are Photocleavable with Visible and Near-Infrared Irradiation

Abstract

A photolabile ruthenium-based complex, [Ru(bpy)2(4AMP)2](PF6)2, (4AMP=4-(aminomethyl)pyridine) is incorporated into polyurea organo- and hydrogels via the reactive amine moieties on the photocleavable 4AMP ligands. While showing long-term stability in the dark, cleavage of the pyridine–ruthenium bond upon irradiation with visible or near-infrared irradiation (in a two-photon process) leads to rapid de-gelation of the supramolecular gels, thus enabling spatiotemporal micropatterning by photomasking or pulsed NIR-laser irradiation.