Bis(azobenzene)-based photoswitchable, prochiral, C α- tetrasubstituted α-amino acids for nanomaterials applications

Abstract

Light-driven chirality: Sequential light-driven isomerization of prochiral, bis(azobenzene)-containing amino acids results in the formation of chiral entities that have been characterized by different techniques. Metal nanoparticles conjugated with these amino acids retain the photoswitching properties and show conformation-dependent magnetic susceptibility that can be reversibly controlled by irradiation (see figure). © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.