Azobenzene-Functionalized Metal-Organic Polyhedra for the Optically Responsive Capture and Release of Guest Molecules

Stimuli-responsive metal-organic polyhedra (srMOPs) functionalized with azobenzene showed UV-irradiation-induced isomerization from the insoluble trans-srMOP to the soluble cis-srMOP, whereas irradiation with blue light reversed this process. Guest molecules were trapped and released upon cis-to-trans and trans-to-cis isomerization of the srMOPs, respectively. This study provides a new direction in the ever-diversifying field of MOPs, while laying the groundwork for a new class of optically responsive materials.