Cis-to-trans transition of azobenzene compounds usually occurs under appropriate light irradiation or slow thermal relaxation, and one can hardly obtain complete cis-to-trans transition of azos due to the overlap of the n-π* transition of the trans and the cis isomers. We show that by viewing the photostationary state as a chemical equilibrium between the cis and trans isomers, triggered self-assembly of the trans isomers can promote the cis-to-trans transition, and trans azos with spectrum-grade purity can even be achieved using an elegantly designed coordinating azo. This work establishes a new paradigm for manipulating the cis-to-trans transition of azo compounds, which may inspire designs for various azo-based advanced materials.

中文翻译：

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自组装引发的偶氮苯化合物的顺式至反式转化

偶氮苯化合物的顺式至反式过渡通常是在适当的光照射或缓慢的热弛豫下发生的，由于反式与顺式的n-π*过渡相重叠，因此很难获得偶氮的完全的顺式至反式过渡。顺式异构体。我们表明，通过将光平稳态视为顺式和反式异构体之间的化学平衡，触发反式异构体的自组装可以促进顺式向反式过渡，甚至可以通过使用设计精美的配位偶氮。这项工作建立了一个新的范式来操纵偶氮化合物的顺式至反式过渡，这可能会激发各种基于偶氮的先进材料的设计。