Photoswitch

A photoswitch is a type of molecule that can change its structural geometry and chemical properties upon irradiation with electromagnetic radiation. Although often used interchangeably with the term molecular machine, a switch does not perform work upon a change in its shape whereas a machine does.^[1] However, photochromic compounds are the necessary building blocks for light driven molecular motors and machines.^[2] Upon irradiation with light, photoisomerization about double bonds in the molecule can lead to changes in the cis- or trans- configuration.^[3] These photochromic molecules are being considered for a range of applications.

^ Aprahamian I (March 2020). "The Future of Molecular Machines". ACS Central Science. 6 (3): 347–358. doi:10.1021/acscentsci.0c00064. PMC 7099591. PMID 32232135.
^ Kassem S, van Leeuwen T, Lubbe AS, Wilson MR, Feringa BL, Leigh DA (May 2017). "Artificial molecular motors". Chemical Society Reviews. 46 (9): 2592–2621. doi:10.1039/C7CS00245A. PMID 28426052.
^ Cameron D, Eisler S (2018). "Photoswitchable double bonds: Synthetic strategies for tunability and versatility". Journal of Physical Organic Chemistry. 31 (10): e3858. doi:10.1002/poc.3858. ISSN 1099-1395.

[1] Aprahamian I (March 2020). "The Future of Molecular Machines". ACS Central Science. 6 (3): 347–358. doi:10.1021/acscentsci.0c00064. PMC 7099591. PMID 32232135.

[2] Kassem S, van Leeuwen T, Lubbe AS, Wilson MR, Feringa BL, Leigh DA (May 2017). "Artificial molecular motors". Chemical Society Reviews. 46 (9): 2592–2621. doi:10.1039/C7CS00245A. PMID 28426052.

[3] Cameron D, Eisler S (2018). "Photoswitchable double bonds: Synthetic strategies for tunability and versatility". Journal of Physical Organic Chemistry. 31 (10): e3858. doi:10.1002/poc.3858. ISSN 1099-1395.

[1]

[2]

[3]