Retinoic
acid
receptor-related
orphan
receptor
γ
(RORγ)
is
a
circadian
regulator
and
has
emerged
as
experimental
therapeutic
target
in
inflammation
immunity.
The
cyclic
temporal
role
of
RORγ
rhythms
makes
temporally-resolved
pharmacological
control
this
particularly
intriguing.
To
achieve
next-generation
tools
to
study
biology,
we
designed
ligands
featuring
central
azobenzene
photoswitch,
that
act
light-dependent
inverse
agonists.
Structural
optimization
enabled
efficient
photocontrol
over
inhibition,
with
remarkable
potency
on
excellent
selectivity
related
receptors.
These
high-specificity
photopharmaceuticals
can
serve
high-precision
the
dynamic
modulation
signaling
pathways
inflammatory
disorders.
Angewandte Chemie International Edition,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
62(42)
Published: May 22, 2023
Abstract
Aromatic
units
tethered
with
an
azo
(−N=N−)
functionality
comprise
a
unique
class
of
compounds,
known
as
molecular
photoswitches,
exhibiting
reversible
transformation
between
their
E
‐
and
Z
‐isomers
in
response
to
photo‐irradiation.
Photoswitches
have
been
explored
extensively
the
recent
past
prepare
dynamic
self‐assembled
materials,
optoelectronic
devices,
responsive
biomaterials,
more.
Most
such
materials
involve
azobenzenes
photoswitch
date,
SciFinder
lists
more
than
7000
articles
1000
patents.
Subsequently,
great
deal
effort
has
invested
improve
photo‐isomerization
efficiency
related
mesoscopic
properties
azobenzenes.
Recently,
azoheteroarenes
cyclic
azobenzenes,
arylazopyrazoles,
arylazoisoxazoles,
arylazopyridines,
diazocines,
emerged
second
generation
photoswitches
beyond
conventional
These
offer
distinct
photoswitching
behavior
which
make
them
highly
promising
candidates
for
multifaceted
applications
ranging
from
photoresponsive
photopharmacophores.
In
this
minireview,
we
introduce
structural
refinement
diazocines
summarize
state‐of‐the‐art
on
utilizing
these
building
blocks
supramolecular
assembly,
material
science
photopharmacology,
highlighting
versatile
photochemical
behavior,
enhanced
functionality,
latest
applications.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15(1)
Published: Oct. 7, 2024
Azo
switches
are
widely
employed
as
essential
components
in
light-responsive
systems.
Here,
we
develop
an
azo-fluorescent
switch
that
is
visible
and
its
processes
can
be
monitored
using
fluorescence
imaging.
Visible
light
irradiation
promotes
isomerization,
accompanied
by
changes
enable
the
process
to
through
Furthermore,
document
nanocavity
size
of
liposome
encapsulated
nanoparticles
containing
azo
isomerization
show
this
change
enables
construction
a
nanoplatform
for
optically
controlled
release
antimycotics.
Also,
natural
activation
loaded
with
antimycotic
agent
causes
death
Rhizoctonia
solani.
The
results
these
double
holding
period
comparison
small
molecule
strategy
used
design
imaging-guided
light-controlled
nano-antimycotic
system
applicable
protocols
delivery
wide
variety
drugs.
Advanced Functional Materials,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Dec. 19, 2024
Abstract
Molecular
photoswitches
can
undergo
isomerization
under
light
exposure,
making
them
uniquely
attractive
for
high
spatiotemporal
resolution
remote
control
of
biological
functions.
Visible
and
near‐infrared
(NIR)
light,
with
their
low
energy
consumption,
safety,
strong
tissue
penetration,
are
particularly
suitable
applications.
Therefore,
developing
visible‐
NIR
light‐driven
molecular
use
is
great
significance.
This
review
introduces
the
most
common
presents
state‐of‐art
applications
in
bioimaging,
biosensing,
drug
delivery,
photocontrolled
cancer
phototherapy,
photopharmacology.
The
opportunities
challenges
future
development
outlined.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry A,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
128(4), P. 785 - 791
Published: Jan. 18, 2024
Acidic
azo
dyes
are
widely
used
for
their
vibrant
colors.
However,
if
photophysics
were
better
understood
and
controllable,
they
could
be
integrated
into
many
more
applications
such
as
photosensing,
photomedicine,
nonlinear
optics.
Here,
the
proton-controlled
of
a
acid,
hydrazo
dye,
acid
violet
3
(AV3)
is
explored.
Density
functional
theory
to
predict
ground-
excited-state
potential
energy
surfaces,
proposed
photoisomerization
mechanism
confirmed
with
spectroscopic
experiments.
The
ground-state
first
two
surfaces
three
readily
accessible
protonation
states,
AV3–H,
AV3,
AV3+H,
investigated
along
both
dihedral
rotation
inversion
coordinates.
deprotonated
AV3–H
undergoes
blue
light
(λex
=
453
nm)
through
mechanism.
Upon
formation
cis-isomer,
reversion
predicted
occur
mixed
rotational
In
contrast,
AV3
its
protonated
form,
do
not
undergo
because
there
no
driving
force
either
or
bond
in
excited
state.
addition,
when
acidic,
barrier
lower.
mechanistic
insights
gained
here
combination
experiment
provide
roadmap
control
reactivity
across
11
orders
magnitude
proton
concentration,
making
them
interesting
candidates
range
pharmaceuticals.
ChemBioChem,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
25(8)
Published: March 5, 2024
This
study
explores
the
potential
of
controlling
organismal
development
with
light
by
using
reversible
photomodulation
activity
in
bioactive
compounds.
Specifically,
our
research
focuses
on
plinabulin
1,
an
inhibitor
tubulin
dynamics
that
contains
a
photochromic
motif
called
hemipiperazine.
The
two
isomeric
forms,
Z-1
and
E-1,
can
partially
interconvert
light,
yet
show
remarkable
thermal
stability
darkness.
Z-isomer
exhibits
higher
cytotoxicity
due
to
stronger
binding
α-tubulin's
colchicine
site.
less
toxic
E-1
form,
considered
"pro-drug",
be
isolated
vitro
stored.
Upon
activation
blue
or
cyan
it
predominantly
generates
more
form.
Here
we
demonstrate
1
effectively
photomodulate
epiboly,
critical
microtubule-dependent
cell
movement
during
gastrulation
zebrafish
embryos.
highlights
for
precise
control
cellular
activities
development.
Chemical Science,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 1, 2025
Using
photoswitchable
molecules
to
manipulate
supramolecular
interactions
under
light
illumination
has
driven
advancements
in
numerous
fields,
allowing
for
the
strategic
alteration
of
molecular
systems.
However,
integrating
moiety
responsible
these
into
photochromic
scaffold
can
be
complex
and
may
hamper
switching
efficiency.
We
thus
explored
a
simple
class
organic
molecules,
namely
thiosemicarbazones,
featuring
both
photoisomerizable
C[double
bond,
length
as
m-dash]N
double
bond
thiourea
capable
hydrogen
bonding.
The
scalable
two-step
synthesis
allowed
us
prepare
23
thiosemicarbazones
systematically
elucidate
their
optical
properties.
Attaching
various
functional
groups,
extended
π-systems,
heterocycles
enabled
fine-tuning
absorption
profiles.
UV
converts
from
stable
E-isomer
metastable
Z-isomer,
exhibiting
negative
positive
T-type
photochromism,
wide
range
thermal
half-lives,
PSS
values
up
92%,
high
fatigue
resistance.
Substituting
with
pyridinyl
group
stabilizes
Z-isomer
via
intramolecular
bonding,
confirmed
by
single-crystal
X-ray
analysis,
transforms
bistable
P-type
photoswitches.
Additionally,
dimerize
or
form
aggregates
through
bonding-a
process
that
turned
off
on
light.
Overall,
offer
tunable
properties,
rendering
them
promising
photoswitch
creating
stimuli-responsive
Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
21, P. 490 - 499
Published: March 4, 2025
Diazocines
are
photoswitches
derived
from
azobenzenes
by
bridging
the
two
phenyl
rings
in
ortho
position
with
a
CH2CH2
group
forming
an
eight
membered
(diazocine)
ring.
Diazocine
is
superior
to
most
almost
all
photophysical
properties
(switching
efficiency,
quantum
yield,
wavelengths
etc.).
The
biggest
advantage,
especially
photopharmacology
and
when
used
photoswitchable
materials,
inverted
thermodynamic
stability
of
switching
states
(isomers).
Z
isomer
more
stable
than
E
form.
However,
one
disadvantage
that
it
shares
frequently
azobenzene
efficiency
decreases
sharply
increasing
water
content
solvent.
In
recently
published
paper,
we
reported
replacing
CH2
bridge
NCOCH3
not
only
confers
intrinsic
solubility,
but
also
largely
eliminates
problem
reduced
aqueous
solutions.
order
investigate
chemistry
this
promising
photoswitch
unlock
further
applications,
now
strategies
for
synthesis
derivatives,
which
based
on
cross-coupling
reactions.
Fourteen
vinyl-,
aryl-,
cyano-,
amino-substituted
diazocines
were
prepared
via
Stille,
Suzuki,
Buchwald-Hartwig
X-ray
structures
presented
derivatives
1,
2
7.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
26(7), P. 3244 - 3244
Published: March 31, 2025
The
insufficient
selectivity
of
existing
local
anesthetics
can
lead
to
serious
adverse
effects.
Considering
the
widespread
use
this
class
drugs,
development
new
that
do
not
cause
side
effects
is
an
important
task.
One
approach
address
issue
photopharmacology,
which
enables
creation
agents
with
light-controlled
biological
activity.
Several
examples
azobenzene-based
photoswitchable
blockers
voltage-gated
sodium
(Nav)
channels
have
been
described
so
far.
These
compounds
be
used
as
anesthetics,
one
ethercaine,
synthesized
by
our
group
earlier.
However,
systematic
studies
"structure-activity"
relationship
in
series
based
on
azobenzene
are
absent
literature.
aim
study
was
obtain
derivatives
ethercaine
and
investigate
their
photophysical
properties.
A
total
14
were
synthesized,
structure
confirmed
various
physicochemical
analysis
methods.
Z-E
isomerization
half-lifes
determined
for
all
compounds.
cytotoxic
effect
normal
cells
studied
vitro
using
human
dermal
fibroblasts
(DF2).
anesthetic
activity
evaluated
vivo
a
model
surface
anesthesia
both
darkness
under
UV
light
irradiation.
Based
results
obtained,
conclusions
drawn
regarding
potential
proposed
substances,
optimal
pathways
structural
modification
identified.
Deleted Journal,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: April 25, 2025
Abstract
In
the
era
of
precision
medicine,
photopharmacology
that
employs
molecular
photoswitches
offers
unique
opportunities
to
control
action
bioactive
molecules
with
high
spatiotemporal
resolution,
while
reducing
drug
side
effects,
systemic
toxicity
and
emergence
resistance.
Over
past
two
decades,
field
has
witnessed
great
achievements
in
treating
blindness,
cancer,
diabetes,
antibiotic
resistance,
name
but
a
few.
Several
challenges
remain,
however,
particular
fact
most
photopharmacological
agents
trigger
their
activity
by
Ultraviolet
light,
which
is
damaging
normal
cells
poor
tissue
permeability.
Visible
light‐activated
are
hence
highly
desirable
have
captured
keen
recent
research
interest.
This
review
highlights
strategies
for
synthesis
visible
light‐responsive
azobenzenes
(ABs)
applications
emerging
photopharmacology.
Such
photoswitchable
drugs
tremendously
extend
scope
future
vivo
applications.
Furthermore,
we
identify
current
discuss
rational
design
switches
at
higher
wavelength.
We
hope
inspire
further
into
photochemistry
novel
based
on
ABs
or
other
photoswitches,
triggered
excitation
light
“phototherapeutic
window”
650–900
nm,
ultimately
enabling
full
realization
these
“smart”
clinical
practice.
