Transient Activation Windows Program Adaptive Photochemical Responses

J Jinghong Dai (Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering) Z Zhiwei Zhang (Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering) W Wenhui Wang (Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Frontiers Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry) M Muhua Ding (Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering East China University of Science & Technology Shanghai P. R. China) F Fengpu Pan (Shenzhen International Graduate School Tsinghua University Shenzhen P. R. China) J Junji Zhang (Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering) H He Tian (Center of Electron Microscopy, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Biological systems regulate photochemical functions through transient activation states that determine when a stimulus can produce a response. Inspired by this principle, we develop a temporally gated molecular platform in which dynamic pH evolution controls visible‐light photochemistry. The system integrates a proton‐responsive charge‐transfer complex (CTC) sensitizer and a diarylethene photoswitch. Reversible protonation of the CTC enables chemical gating of triplet‐sensitized photochromism, which further generates a transient activation window via coupling with a dissipative, pH‐regulation network. As a result, identical optical stimuli lead to distinct outcomes depending on when they are applied during chemical evolution, effectively promoting chemical gating to temporal gating of molecular photoswitch. The progressive modulation of the sensitizer induces a time‐dependent attenuation of photochemical responses, enabling adaptive behaviors reminiscent of visual fatigue in biological photo‐reception.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 1, Issue 1
Published June 30, 2026
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (7)

J

Jinghong Dai

Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering

Z

Zhiwei Zhang

Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering

W

Wenhui Wang

Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Frontiers Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry

M

Muhua Ding

Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering East China University of Science & Technology Shanghai P. R. China

F

Fengpu Pan

Shenzhen International Graduate School Tsinghua University Shenzhen P. R. China

J

Junji Zhang

Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering

H

He Tian

Center of Electron Microscopy, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.