Novel Photoactive Spirooxazine Based Switch@MOF Composite Materials

Abstract

Abstract Molecules, which reversibly transform between two structural configurations upon excitation with electromagnetic radiation, are attractive candidates for the design of smart materials e. g. memory devices. A possible approach for the development of such smart materials is the construction of hybrid systems that contain these photochromic molecules as well as a porous host matrix, which enables their switching process in the solid state. We herein present the first light‐responsive materials consisting of the photoswitchable spirooxazine 1,3,3‐trimethyl indolinonaphthospirooxazine (SP−O) and crystalline porous MOF (metal–organic framework) hosts, namely MOF‐5, MIL‐68(In), MIL‐68(Ga), and MIL‐53(Al), which were combined to form hybrid SP−O@MOF composites. These systems show a reversible photochromic response and host‐dependent absorption maxima of the incorporated guest molecules. Most remarkably, SP−O is extremely photostable upon repetitive and prolonged UV light exposure especially inside MOF‐5, making these composite materials attractive candidates for potential applications in data storage devices.