CHARACTERIZATION OF SIMPLE PHOTORESPONSIVE SYSTEMS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS TO METAL-ION TRANSPORT

Some new photoresponsive azobenzenes (1-5) have been synthesized and c haracterized. On irradiation at 330 nm these systems undergo conversio n from the E to the Z form to a varying extent which depends upon the nature and position of substitution on the azobenzene rings. They reve rt back to the E form on thermal isomerization in the dark. Photochemi cal equilibria have been studied and compared in acetonitrile and o-di chlorobenzene; E forms are stabilized more in o-dichlorobenzene than i n acetonitrile. Two of the molecules (1 and 4) show enhanced transport of CU2+ ions across a liquid membrane on irradiation.