Photoresponsive Supramolecular Gel of a Diarylethene Derivative

Abstract An amide-functionalized diarylethene undergoes a photoreversible supramolecular gel–sol transition. In the open-ring form, the molecule self-assembles into elongated ribbon-like fibers to form a gel in n-octane. Upon UV irradiation, photoisomerization to the closed-ring form reorganizes the assemblies into short fibers, resulting in a sol. Visible-light irradiation restores the open-ring form and regenerates the elongated-fiber gel.