2025/05/05 by Jiarong Wu, Jake L. Greenfield · 1 voice · 13 citations
Chemistry · Engineering · Materials Science · Neuroscience · #Biochemical engineering #Biology #Biophysics #Chemistry #Engineering #Materials science #Nanotechnology #Photochromic and Fluorescence Chemistry #Photoreceptor and optogenetics research #Supramolecular Chemistry and Complexes
paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102579
published in Chem 11(10), 102579 (Elsevier BV)
openalex publication_date 2025/05/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Driving non-photoresponsive transformations out of equilibrium with light requires transducing light energy into a different stimulus. Here, we demonstrate this using a dynamic-covalent network of four interconverting imines. In this system, photoirradiation drives a transimination reaction involving photoswitchable imines into a non-equilibrium steady state, altering the composition of both the photochromic imines and free amines. This shift in amine composition subsequently perturbs a coupled transimination reaction that does not directly absorb this wavelength of light. Notably, coupling these two reactions enhances the system's response; the amines generated in each transimination facilitate the other, amplifying the overall departure from equilibrium beyond what is observed for the reactions in isolation. Operating entirely in solution, this light-fueled cascade provides a blueprint for designing dynamic-covalent systems that harness light energy to control non-photoresponsive transformations, expanding the scope and complexity of light-driven processes in systems chemistry.