Control of the light-response in supramolecular metallopolymeric gels by tuning the coordination metal

Two novel supramolecular metallo-heteropolymers bearing a photoisomerizable telechelic bis-terpyridine ligand and either Fe(II) or Co(II) coordination metal were synthesized. Both polymers induced gelation of organic solvents at a concentration as low as 0.12 wt% yielding thixotropic gels. Judicious choice of the electronic and photophysical properties of both ditopic ligand and metal ion enabled to achieve control over photomechanical response in supramolecular organogels upon UV light irradiation through molecular design.