Azobenzene

Azobenzene can be used as an optical trigger for the design and synthesis of a large variety of photoresponsive systems.

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Photochromic compounds that undergo large conformational changes when exposed to light of appropriate wavelength are particularly attractive as molecular switch elements. Azobenzene is a popular choice among the chromophores. The thermodynamically favored trans isomer is rapidly converted to the cis isomer by irradiation at the wavelength of the π-π* transition, whereas the reverse process is achieved either (slowly) by thermal relaxation in the dark or (quickly) by irradiation at the wavelength of the n-π* transition. The azobenzene amino acid (aa) can be used as a photo-inducible conformational switch in polypeptides. A reversible conformational change of the peptide backbone is induced by switching between the cis and trans configurations of the azobenzene moiety by irradiation with light of suitable wavelength[1]. Azobenzene has been the most widely used optical trigger for the synthesis of photoresponsive systems ranging from poly-a-amino acids to innovative materials with light-controlled mechanical and optical properties. Its use in form of appropriate derivatives allow to generate cyclic peptide structures of constraint conformational space and thus to exploit its reversible photoisomerization to induce well defined transitions between different conformational states[2]. Azobenzene photoswitches can be used to drive functional changes in peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates[3].

[1]. Aemissegger A, et al. Synthesis and application of an azobenzene amino acid as a light-switchable turn element in polypeptides. Nat Protoc. 2007;2(1):161-7.

[2]. Renner C, et al. Azobenzene as photoresponsive conformational switch in cyclic peptides. J Pept Res. 2005 Jan;65(1):4-14.

[3]. Beharry AA, et al. Azobenzene photoswitches for biomolecules. Chem Soc Rev. 2011 Aug;40(8):4422-37.

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DATA ITEMS CITED :

25

MOLECULAR FORMULA :

C12-H10-N2

MOLECULAR WEIGHT :

182.24

WISWESSER LINE NOTATION :

RNUNR

HEALTH HAZARD DATA

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA

TYPE OF TEST :

LD50 - Lethal dose, 50 percent kill

ROUTE OF EXPOSURE :

Oral

SPECIES OBSERVED :

Rodent - rat

DOSE/DURATION :

1 gm/kg

TOXIC EFFECTS :

Details of toxic effects not reported other than lethal dose value

TYPE OF TEST :

LD50 - Lethal dose, 50 percent kill

ROUTE OF EXPOSURE :

Intraperitoneal

SPECIES OBSERVED :

Rodent - mouse

DOSE/DURATION :

500 mg/kg

TOXIC EFFECTS :

Details of toxic effects not reported other than lethal dose value

TYPE OF TEST :

LDLo - Lowest published lethal dose

ROUTE OF EXPOSURE :

Unreported

SPECIES OBSERVED :

Mammal - species unspecified

DOSE/DURATION :

50 mg/kg

TOXIC EFFECTS :

Details of toxic effects not reported other than lethal dose value

TYPE OF TEST :

TDLo - Lowest published toxic dose

ROUTE OF EXPOSURE :

Oral

SPECIES OBSERVED :

Rodent - rat

DOSE/DURATION :

7350 mg/kg/2Y-C

TOXIC EFFECTS :

Tumorigenic - Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria Blood - tumors

TYPE OF TEST :

TDLo - Lowest published toxic dose

ROUTE OF EXPOSURE :

Subcutaneous

SPECIES OBSERVED :

Rodent - rat

DOSE/DURATION :

17 gm/kg/2Y-I

TOXIC EFFECTS :

Tumorigenic - equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria Sense Organs and Special Senses (Ear) - effect, not otherwise specified

TYPE OF TEST :

TDLo - Lowest published toxic dose

ROUTE OF EXPOSURE :

Oral

SPECIES OBSERVED :

Rodent - mouse

DOSE/DURATION :

300 mg/kg/8W-I

TOXIC EFFECTS :

Tumorigenic - neoplastic by RTECS criteria Lungs, Thorax, or Respiration - tumors

TYPE OF TEST :

TD - Toxic dose (other than lowest)

ROUTE OF EXPOSURE :

Oral

SPECIES OBSERVED :

Rodent - rat

DOSE/DURATION :

15 gm/kg/2Y-C

TOXIC EFFECTS :

Tumorigenic - Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria Blood - tumors

TYPE OF TEST :

TD - Toxic dose (other than lowest)

ROUTE OF EXPOSURE :

Oral

SPECIES OBSERVED :

Rodent - rat

DOSE/DURATION :

7280 mg/kg/2Y-C

TOXIC EFFECTS :

Tumorigenic - neoplastic by RTECS criteria Blood - tumors

TYPE OF TEST :

Micronucleus test

MUTATION DATA

TYPE OF TEST :

Sister chromatid exchange

TEST SYSTEM :

Rodent - hamster Ovary

DOSE/DURATION :

250 ug/L

REFERENCE :

ENMUDM Environmental Mutagenesis. (New York, NY) V.1-9, 1979-87. For publisher information, see EMMUEG. Volume(issue)/page/year: 7,1,1985 *** REVIEWS *** IARC Cancer Review:Animal Limited Evidence IMEMDT IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man. (WHO Publications Centre USA, 49 Sheridan Ave., Albany, NY 12210) V.1- 1972- Volume(issue)/page/year: 8,75,1975 IARC Cancer Review:Human No Adequate Data IMEMDT IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man. (WHO Publications Centre USA, 49 Sheridan Ave., Albany, NY 12210) V.1- 1972- Volume(issue)/page/year: 8,75,1975 IARC Cancer Review:Group 3 IMSUDL IARC Monographs, Supplement. (WHO Publications Centre USA, 49 Sheridan Ave., Albany, NY 12210) No.1- 1979- Volume(issue)/page/year: 7,56,1987