Probing the Hidden Photoisomerization of a Symmetric Phosphaalkene Switch
Abstract In this study, we present the synthesis and analysis of a novel, air‐stable, and solvent‐resistant phosphaalkene switch. Using this symmetric switch, we have demonstrated degenerate photoisomerization experimentally for the first time. With a combination of photochemical‐exchange NMR spectroscopy, ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy, and quantum chemical calculations, we elucidate the isomerization mechanism of this symmetric phosphaalkene, comparing it to two other known molecules belonging to this class. Our findings highlight the critical role of the isolobal analogy between C=P and C=C bonds in governing nanoscale molecular motion and break new ground for our understanding of light‐induced molecular processes in symmetric heteroalkene systems.
Authors
- Mariangela Di Donato (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6596-7031)
- Andreas Orthaber (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5403-9902)
- Alessandro Iagatti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3600-0849)
- Jorn D. Steen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7568-9370)
- Ruisheng Xiong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8165-5863)
- Wybren Jan Buma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1265-8016)
- Stefano Crespi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0279-4903)
- Wim G. Roeterdink
- Michiel Hilbers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9302-552X)
- Rajesh Deka (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9460-1784)
Institutions
- Uppsala University (SE)
- Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)
- Nello Carrara Institute of Applied Physics (IT)
- Institute for the Chemistry of OrganoMetallic Compounds (IT)
- National Institute of Optics (IT)
- Institute for Molecular Science (JP)
- Quantum Science and Technology in Arcetri (IT)
- HFML-FELIX (NL)
- University of Florence (IT)
- University of Amsterdam (NL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Angewandte Chemie
- Published
- 2024-12-03
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.202419943
- Primary Topic
- Synthesis and characterization of novel inorganic/organometallic compounds
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00