Versatile Photoswitchable Molecules in Catalysis

Abstract

Remarkable progress has been made over the last four decades in the conception, design, and operation of photoswitchable catalysts, which are capable of controlling synthetic transformations reversibly by modulating reactivities and/or selectivities by light. Herein, we summarize the developments in the emerging area of photoswitchable catalysis with emphasis on the design of the catalysts and their synthetic scope. Despite some seminal work in the late 1970s and early 1980s of the last century, the field is still somewhat immature, and by providing this overview we hope to stimulate further research to develop more robust, versatile, and efficient photoswitchable catalysts and exploit their potential in various applications.

Authors 2

1. Jie Li Aachen DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials

   DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials

   Affiliation as printed

   DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany

2. Stefan Hecht Aachen Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry

   RWTH Aachen University · Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

   Affiliation as printed

   Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Chemistry & IRIS Adlershof, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany

   RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Worringer Weg 2, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Chemistry & IRIS Adlershof, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany