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23.04.2015 Gating photochromism by host-guest interactions

The photoswitching ability of an azobenzene guest carrying two terminal secondary ammonium ions could be regulated by threading it into a complementary divalent crown ether host: While formation of the corresponding pseudo[2]rotaxane inhibits E→Z photoisomerization, dissociation of the complex reinstalls the azobenzene's photoswitching ability as shown in a forthcoming publication in collaboration with the Schalley group in Chemical Communications. Congratulations Mirko!