Dedicated to the memory of Dr. Walter Hünlich
Abstract
The production of azo derivatives of a di-amino analogue of Tröger’s base (Hünlich
base), by employing the standard procedures of diazotization, azo-coupling and Williamson
etherification is described here. These versatile molecules possess a Λ-shaped core,
photoswitchable groups and some carry two modifiable extremities to enable further
synthesis or molecular assembly. The synthesis is straightforward and requires inexpensive
starting materials, which facilitates their application to different fields of research
such as light-driven molecular machine design.
Key words
alkylation - azo compounds - chromophores - diazo compounds - isomerization
