Light-Gated Modulation of Electronic Mobility of a Dihydropyrene-Based Photochromic Coordination Polymer

Photo-induced modulation of electronic conductance has been achieved by employing an Ag-I-based two-dimensional coordination polymer (CP) having pyridine-functionalized photo-chromic dimethyldihydropyrene-cyclophanediene (DHP-CPD) pi-switch. Both the coordination polymer and the organic photochromic core were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The coordination polymer displayed an excellent conductance in the ON state of the switch in the closed form of DHP. Upon exposure to visible light, the pi-switch in the CPD form loses its planarity, turning the switch OFF, which is reflected in the drastic reduction of the conductance. Exposure to UV light turns the switch back ON wherein the high electronic conductance of the polymer can be restored.