An Azobenzene-Bipyridinium Derivative as a Component in the Construction of Photoresponsive Pseudorotaxanes

We describe the synthesis and characterization of a bipyridinium derivative conjugated with two azobenzene groups (Azo 2 Bpy 2+). The design maintains the ability of the photoswitches to undergo E to Z isomerization upon irradiation to generate a mixture of EE, EZ and ZZ isomers. Moreover, Azo 2 Bpy 2+ is able to undergo self-Assembly with dibenzo[24]crown-8 ether to generate [3]-pseudorotaxanes, driven by the strong cooperative effects, for all its geometric isomers.