Bridged Azobenzenes and Their Chemical Applications

Abstract The ability of azobenzene and its derivatives to undergo reversible and rapid light‐induced isomerization has led to its incorporation in a wide variety of chemical systems that are photoswitchable between two or more states. Following a brief introduction to azobenzene properties and a section describing new methods for azobenzene switching, this chapter summarizes selected recent reports on a wide range of chemical applications of bridged azobenzene. New switchable materials and their applications include molecular machines, triggered catalysis, porous metal‐organic structures, phase‐change materials, and responsive surfaces. The chapter describes how researchers have tailored the azobenzene function and its environment to fine‐tune absorption characteristics, photophysics, isomerization dynamics, and energetics to enhance function. Collectively, the works reported in this chapter illustrate the broad utility of photochemical and molecular control of function afforded by the cis–trans isomerization of azobenzene.