Metallo‐Supramolecular Gels that are Photocleavable with Visible and Near‐Infrared Irradiation

Abstract

A photolabile ruthenium-based complex, [Ru(bpy)₂ (4AMP)₂ ](PF₆ )₂ , (4AMP=4-(aminomethyl)pyridine) is incorporated into polyurea organo- and hydrogels via the reactive amine moieties on the photocleavable 4AMP ligands. While showing long-term stability in the dark, cleavage of the pyridine-ruthenium bond upon irradiation with visible or near-infrared irradiation (in a two-photon process) leads to rapid de-gelation of the supramolecular gels, thus enabling spatiotemporal micropatterning by photomasking or pulsed NIR-laser irradiation.