Azobenzene-Bridged Expanded "Texas-sized" Box: A Dual-Responsive Receptor for Aryl Dianion Encapsulation.

We report an expanded "Texas-sized" molecular box (AzoTxSB) that incorporates photoresponsive azobenzene bridging subunits and anion recognition motifs. The shape of this box can be switched through light induced E ↔ Z photoisomerization of the constituent azobenzenes. This allows various anionic substrates to be bound and released by using different forms of the box.

UV cell stress induces oxidative cyclization of a protective reagent for DNA damage reduction in skin explants.

UV irradiation is a major driver of DNA damage and ultimately skin cancer. UV exposure leads to persistent radicals that generate ROS over prolonged periods of time. Toward the goal of developing long-lasting antioxidants that can penetrate skin, we have designed a ROS-initiated protective (RIP) reagent that, upon reaction with ROS (antioxidant activity), self-cyclizes and then releases the natural product apocynin.