Photoswitchable molecular receptors

The review describes photoswitchable molecular receptors based on crown-ether systems. The important feature of the systems is reversible change in the capacity of a photochromic host molecule for association with guests upon irradiation. From the other side, the exploration of the complex formation process in crown-ether systems leads to a novel approach to the modification of photochromic behavior. The results obtained show that the introduction of crown-ether moieties into dye molecules affords compounds that can change their spectral and photochromic properties upon complex formation. The researchers believe that the novel photochromic systems can now be regarded as being promising for traditional applications (photochromic ophthalmic lenses or camera filters, reversible holographic systems and cosmetics) and molecular electronics, biomimetic chemistry, and optical information storage. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.