A Photo-driven Polyoxometalate Complex Shuttle and Its Homogeneous Catalysis and Heterogeneous Separation

A "smart" core-shell complex is designed to combine a catalytic reaction and automatic separation through remote light control. Here, we present the induced amphiphilic behavior of a surfactant-encapsulated polyoxometalate complex with photoresponsive azobenzene units on the periphery. The reversible phase transfer of the complex shuttle between two incompatible phase termini, driven by a photoisomerization-induced polarity change, further facilitates the separation and recycle of the catalyst.