Title

Long-Lived Photoacid Based upon a Photochromic Reaction

Authors

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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