Azoimidazole functionalized Ni-porphyrins for molecular spin switching and light responsive MRI contrast agents

Azo-N-methylimidazole functionalized Ni(II) porphyrins were rationally designed and synthesized and their performance as molecular spin switches was investigated. They perform intramolecular light-driven coordination-induced spin state switching (LD-CISSS) in the presence of water and therefore are an important step towards spin switches for medicinal applications, particularly functional MRI contrast agents.