Photodynamic ion sensor systems with spiropyran: Photoactivated acidity changes in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)

Abstract

We aim to introduce photoactivated optical ion sensors based on a triggered ion exchange process as novel dynamic tools. The quantification of the acidity change upon photoactivation of spiropyran within an organic membrane phase during photoexcitation is described here for the first time, suggesting a large pKa change of more than 6 orders of magnitude. © 2012 The Royal Society of Chemistry.