ja5b10016_si_001.pdf (3.07 MB)
Photoresponsive Molecular Switch for Regulating Transmembrane Proton-Transfer Kinetics
journal contribution
posted on 2015-11-11, 00:00 authored by Ying Li, Edmund C. M. Tse, Christopher
J. Barile, Andrew A. Gewirth, Steven C. ZimmermanTo
control proton delivery across biological membranes, we synthesized
a photoresponsive molecular switch and incorporated it in a lipid
layer. This proton gate was reversibly activated with 390 nm light
(Z-isomer) and then deactivated by 360 nm irradiation
(E-isomer). In a lipid layer this stimuli responsive
proton gate allowed the regulation of proton flux with irradiation
to a lipid-buried O2 reduction electrocatalyst. Thus, the
catalyst was turned on and off with the E-to-Z interconversion. This light-induced membrane proton delivery
system may be useful in developing any functional device that performs
proton-coupled electron-transfer reactions.