The first porous MOF with photoswitchable linker molecules

摘要

We synthesized a porous twofold interpenetrated MOF [Zn_2(NDC) _2(1)] (coined CAU-5) using 3-azo-phenyl-4,4′-bipyridine (1), 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, and Zn(NO_3)_2· 6H_2O. The azo-functionality protrudes into the pores, and can be switched, by irradiation with UV light (365 nm), from the thermodynamically stable trans-isomer to the cis-isomer. Back-switching was achieved thermally and with an irradiation wavelength of λ_(max) = 440 nm.