A Bistable Dithienylethene-Based Metal-Organic Framework Illus-trating Optically Induced Changes in Chemical Separations

Abstract

Dithienylethene-containing molecules have been examined due to their photo-switching capabilities. We have prepared a bistable, optically-triggered, Metal-Organic Framework containing a dithienylethene moiety which was synthesized and characterized. The advantage of this material is that, unlike other dithienylethene-containing MOFs, the properties of the pore can be changed via an optical trigger without the potential risk of structural damage to the frame-work. We illustrate the application of this MOF to chemical separations. With this class of materials, optically triggered conductivity, chemical storage and release, and sensing are possible.