Photoinduced molecular switches were achieved by atropisomeric polymers containing conjugated structures of azo and binaphthyl units. trans-cis Photoisomerization of the azo unit led to molecular twisting motion of the binaphthyl unit, yielding chiroptical switching in a neat film. The atropisomeric polymers also displayed photoswitchable fluorescence by repeated irradiation of UV and visible light. Irradiation of the neat film with linearly polarized light caused selective excitation of the atropisomeric polymer, leading to anisotropic molecular orientation.
- Fathy Hassan
- Takafumi Sassa
- Masuki Kawamoto
