Molecules comprised of three covalently linked bi‐stable switches can exist in states described by a combination of binary numbers, one for each individual switch: ⟨000⟩, ⟨001⟩, etc. Here we have linked three photo‐/thermoswitches together in a rigid macrocyclic structure, one azobenzene (bit no 1) and two dihydroazulenes (DHAs; bits no 2 and 3) and demonstrate how electronic interactions and unfavorable strain in some states can be used to control the speed by which a certain state is reached. More specifically, upon irradiation of state ⟨000⟩, the AZB isomerizes from trans to cis and the two DHAs to vinylheptafulvenes (VHFs), generating ⟨111⟩. The thermal VHF‐to‐DHA back‐reactions from this state also occur stepwise and can be accelerated by photo‐induced AZB cis‐to‐trans conversion, proceeding via ⟨011⟩ to ultimately furnish ⟨000⟩. Overall, the accessibility to a specific state of one bit was found to depend on the states of its neighboring bits.

中文翻译：

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多态光电开关：大环二氢氮杂/偶氮苯共轭物

由三个共价连接的双稳态开关组成的分子可以以二进制数的组合形式描述，每个开关对应一个状态：⟨000⟩，⟨001⟩等。在这里，我们将三个光/热开关连接在一起。刚性大环结构，一个偶氮苯（第1位）和两个二氢azulenes（DHA;第2和第3位），并展示了在某些状态下如何使用电子相互作用和不利应变来控制达到某个状态的速度。更具体地说，当状态的照射⟨000⟩中，AZB从异构反式到顺式并且两个DHAS到vinylheptafulvenes（VHFs），生成⟨111⟩。这种状态下的VHF至DHA的热背反应也会逐步发生，并且可以通过光诱导AZB顺式来加速-到-反式转换，程序经由⟨011⟩最终配料⟨000⟩。总体而言，发现对一位特定状态的可访问性取决于其相邻位的状态。