Light-orchestrated macromolecular “accordions”: reversible photoinduced shrinking of rigid-rod polymers
D. Bléger, T. Liebig, R. Thiermann, M. Maskos, J.P. Rabe, S. Hecht
Angew. Chem. 50, 12559-12563 (2011)
Abstract: Light can play: Irradiation causes dramatic changes in the shape of rigid-rod polymers incorporating azobenzene photochromes in the main chain. The embedded photoswitches act as hinges, which upon light-induced isomerization lead to reversible shrinking and stretching of the polymer backbone, resembling light-orchestrated macromolecular accordions.