Published in:Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Language:
English
DOI:
10.1002/anie.202005361
ISSN:
1433-7851;
1521-3773
Origination:
Footnote:
Description:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Photochromic systems have been used to achieve a number of engineering functions such as light energy conversion, molecular motors, pumps, actuators, and sensors. Key to practical applications is a high efficiency in the conversion of light to chemical energy, a rigid structure for the transmission of force to the environment, and directed motion during isomerization. We present a novel type of photochromic system (diindane diazocines) that converts visible light with an efficiency of 18 % to chemical energy. Quantum yields are exceptionally high with >70 % for the <jats:italic>cis–trans</jats:italic> isomerization and 90 % for the back‐reaction and thus higher than the biochemical system rhodopsin (64 %). Two diastereomers (<jats:italic>meso</jats:italic> and racemate) were obtained in only two steps in high yields. Both isomers are directional switches with high conversion rates (76–99 %). No fatigue was observed after several thousands of switching cycles in both systems.</jats:p>