Connecting Wires: Photoinduced Electronic Structure Modulation in Metal–Organic Frameworks

Electronic structure
modulation of metal–organic frameworks
(MOFs) through the connection of linker “wires” as a
function of an external stimulus is reported for the first time. The
established correlation between MOF electronic properties and photoisomerization
kinetics as well as changes in an absorption profile is unprecedented
for extended well-defined structures containing coordinatively integrated
photoresponsive linkers. The presented studies were carried out on
both single crystal and bulk powder with preservation of framework
integrity. An LED-containing electric circuit, in which the switching
behavior was driven by the changes in MOF electronic profile,
was built for visualization of experimental findings. The demonstrated
concept could be used as a blueprint for development of stimuli-responsive
materials with dynamically controlled electronic behavior.