Long-Lived Photoacid Based upon a Photochromic Reaction

    Authors

    Z. Shi; P. Peng; D. Strohecker;Y. Liao

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Am. Chem. Soc.

    Keywords

    STATE PROTON-TRANSFER; DYNAMICS; MECHANISM; Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

    Abstract

    A visible-light activatable photoacid has been studied, which upon irradiation, changes from a weak acid, with a pK(a) of 7.8, to a strong acid, which achieves nearly complete proton dissociation. This process is reversible and the half-life of the proton-dissociation state is similar to 70s. The long lifetime of the proton-dissociation state is due to a sequential intramolecular photochromic reaction. Using this photoacid, a pH change of 2.2 units has been achieved. In addition, we demonstrated that the photoinduced proton concentration can catalyze an esterification reaction, and greatly alter the volume of a pH-sensitive polymer. This work shows that acid-catalyzed and pH-sensitive processes can be photochemically controlled by using this type of photoacid.

    Journal Title

    Journal of the American Chemical Society

    Volume

    133

    Issue/Number

    37

    Publication Date

    1-1-2011

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    14699

    Last Page

    14703

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000295148100042

    ISSN

    0002-7863

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