Azobenzenes undergo reversible light-induced photoisomerization, resulting in marked spectroscopic, electronic, and mechanical changes, but their sensitivity towards solvents is not fully understood. Here, the authors report how irradiation of an azopyridine photoswitch with UV light in dichloromethane triggers protonation of the pyridine moiety through photodecomposition of the solvent, consequently accelerating thermal back isomerization and abolishing singlet-triplet rotation mechanisms.
- Coral Hillel
- Sara Rough
- Ozzy Mermut
