Proton transfer is one of the most common processes in nature, and many chemical, material, and biological processes are sensitive to proton concentration, from acid-catalyzed reactions to the activities of many enzymes. Photoacids that reversibly undergo proton dissociation upon irradiation promise remote spatial and temporal control over proton-sensitive processes and could provide a way to convert photoenergy into other types of energy. The recently discovered metastable-state photoacids can produce a large proton concentration with high efficiency and good reversibility. A reversible pH change of over 2 units has been demonstrated using an aqueous solution of a metastable-state photoacid. Additionally, moderate-intensity visible light, for example, from LEDs and sunlight, can be used to activate this type of photoacid. This photocontrolled proton release occurs in aqueous and nonaqueous solutions and in polymeric materials. Therefore, this type of photoacid can be conveniently incorporated into different systems to control various proton transfer processes.

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亚稳态光酸的设计与应用

质子转移是自然界中最常见的过程之一，从酸催化反应到许多酶的活性，许多化学，材料和生物过程都对质子浓度敏感。辐照后可逆地发生质子解离的光酸有望对质子敏感过程进行远程空间和时间控制，并可能提供一种将光能转换为其他类型能量的方法。最近发现的亚稳态光酸可以高效且可逆地产生高质子浓度。使用亚稳定态光酸的水溶液已经证明了超过2个单位的可逆pH值变化。此外，中等强度的可见光（例如来自LED和阳光的可见光）可用于激活这种类型的光酸。这种光控质子释放发生在水溶液和非水溶液以及聚合材料中。因此，这种类型的光酸可以方便地结合到不同的系统中，以控制各种质子转移过程。