(METHYLACYLAMINO)AZOBENZENE DERIVATIVES FOR PHOTORESPONSIVE MONOMOLECULAR LAYERS

Four azobenzene amphiphiles containing tertiary amide groups were synt hesized and characterized. Reversible cis/trans photoisomerization of these compounds has been studied in solutions by irradiation with UV l ight at 335 nm and visible light at 452 nm. Stability of the monomolec ular layer, the collapse pressure, and the molecular area have been in vestigated as a function of chemical structure of azobenzene derivativ e and of equilibrium concentration of the cis and trans form in spread ing solution.