Synfacts 2011(4): 0380-0380  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1259629
Synthesis of Materials and Unnatural Products
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Lights, Magnets, Action!

Contributor(s):Timothy M. Swager, Jason R. Cox
S. Venkataramani, U. Jana, M. Dommaschk, F. D. Sönnichsen, F. Tuczek, R. Herges*
University of Kiel, Germany
Magnetic Bistability of Molecules in Homogeneous Solution at Room Temperature
Science  2011,  331:  445-448  
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 March 2011 (online)


Significance

This work describes the synthesis of a phenylazopyridine (PAP) decorated porphyrin system. The resulting pophyrin derivative is diamagnetic when the PAP arm is in the trans geometry. Upon irradiation, the PAP isomerizes to the cis form yielding a paramagnetic complex.

Comment

The authors have created a simple but elegant system with controllable magnetic properties. The porphyrin is capable of cycling between the two states over 10,000 cycles with no observed degradation. Preliminary results suggest this complex may be promising as an MRI contrast agent.