Photo-switchable anion binding and catalysis with a visible light responsive halogen bonding receptor

Photo-switchable receptors allow for photo-control over guest binding and release with spatial and temporal precision. Here we report the first halogen bonding photo-switchable anion receptors in which chloride binding may be reversibly modulated by irradiation with red and blue light, with over a 50-fold enhancement in chloride binding affinity observed for the Z isomer. We demonstrate that this switchable binding enables unprecedented photo-controlled catalysis of XB-mediated halide abstractions and a Mukaiyama Aldol reaction.

Automated summary

Photo-switchable receptors with spatial and temporal precision enable control over the binding and release of guests. In this study, the first halogen bonding photo-switchable anion receptors are reported, in which chloride binding can be reversibly modulated by irradiation with red and blue light. The Z isomer shows over a 50-fold enhancement in chloride binding affinity. This switchable binding enables unprecedented photo-controlled catalysis of XB-mediated halide abstractions and a Mukaiyama Aldol reaction.