Chiral rhodium(iii)–azobenzene complexes as photoswitchable DNA molecular locks†
Abstract
Chiral rhodium(III)–azobenzene complexes that are able to intercalate into DNA were developed. Upon light exposure, the azobenzene moiety of the metal complexes can photoisomerize from the trans-form to the cis-form, and strongly stabilize the DNA double-helix and modulate DNA transcription. This study presents the first example of metal-based photoswitchable DNA molecular locks.