Abstract New phototriggered molecular machines based on cyclic azobenzene were synthesized in which a 2, 5-dimethoxy, 2, 5-dimethyl, 2, 5-difluorine or unsubstituted-1, 4- dioxybenzene rotating unit and a photoisomerizable 3, 3′-dioxyazobenzene moiety are bridged together by fixed bismethylene spacers. Depending upon substitution on the benzene moiety and on the E/Z conformation of the azobenzene unit, these molecules ...
