Reversible disassembly of metallasupramolecular structures mediated by a metastable-state photoacid

The addition of a metastable-state photoacid to solutions containing metal–ligand assemblies renders the systems light responsive. Upon irradiation, proton transfer from the photoacid to the ligand is observed, resulting in disassembly of the metallasupramolecular structure. In the dark, the process is fully reversed. Light-induced switching was demonstrated for six different metal–ligand assemblies containing PdII, PtII or RuII complexes and bridging polypyridyl ligands. The methodology allows liberating guest molecules with light.