Isomerization and rearrangement of boriranes: from chemical rarities to functional materials

Abstract

Stimuli responsive materials have recently been the subject of tremendous research efforts owing to their numerous potential applications. Although there currently exist many different types of “smart” materials, those based on photoresponsive transformations are especially attractive. In this review, we focus on a relatively new class of photochromic molecules based on the photochemistry of chelate organoborates, which form intensely colored, base-stabilized boriranes. Recent efforts to exploit the reactivity of these systems are summarized, and future prospects in materials science discussed.