Stiff‐stilbene, a sterically restricted fused ring analogue of stilbene, has been regularly used as a model compound in theoretical studies of stilbene photoisomerization. Lately, owing to its excellent photoswitching properties, it is increasingly being applied to reversibly control the properties and function of chemical as well as biological systems. Stiff‐stilbene photoswitches possess a number of advantageous properties including a high quantum yield for photoisomerization and a high thermal stability. Furthermore, they undergo a large geometrical change upon isomerization and their synthesis is straightforward. Herein, we provide an overview of the basic properties of stiff‐stilbene and of recent applications in supramolecular chemistry, catalysis, and biological systems.

中文翻译：

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硬二苯乙烯光电开关：从基础研究到新兴应用。

硬脂基苯乙烯，一种在空间上受限制的二苯乙烯基稠合环类似物，在苯乙烯基光异构化的理论研究中经常被用作模型化合物。近来，由于其优异的光开关特性，它正越来越多地用于可逆地控制化学和生物系统的特性和功能。硬二苯乙烯光开关具有许多有利的特性，包括光异构化的高量子产率和高热稳定性。此外，它们在异构化时经历很大的几何变化，并且它们的合成是直接的。在此，我们概述了硬苯乙烯的基本性质以及在超分子化学，催化和生物系统中的最新应用。