Switchable azo-macrocycles: from molecules to functionalisation

Abstract

Azo-based compounds are a class of switchable systems that have been widely investigated. Furthermore, they are also important for the construction of macrocycles with photoresponsive characteristics. In recent years, there have been many reports describing versatile photoswitchable azo-macrocycles. In addition, the process of photoisomerisation has also been applied to the construction of many types of functionalised molecular machines, such as those required for host–guest chemistry, molecular machines and self-assembly systems. In this review, we summarise the recent progress of azo-macrocycles in molecular structure and functionalisation.