Stimuli-Responsive Anion Transport Through Acylhydrazone-Based Synthetic Anionophores

Photoswitchable acylhydrazone-based synthetic anionophores are reported. Single-crystal X-ray structure and H NMR titration studies confirmed the chloride binding in solid and solution states. The ion transport activity of was greatly attenuated through a phototriggered to photoisomerization process, and the photoisomerized deactivated state showed high kinetic stability due to an intramolecular hydrogen bond. Switchable "OFF-ON" transport activity was achieved by the application of light and acid-catalyzed reactivation process.