Development of molecular photoswitches for an effective modulation of pH of aqueous solutions by visible light

The project aims at the design, synthesis and characterization of molecular photoswitches whose aqueous solutions shall undergo reversible pH change as a result of irradiation by visible light, such that pH can actively be controlled within a range of several units via irradiation parameters, particularly wavelength. Proposed types of photochromic compounds particularly involve indigoid dyes that undergo geometric changes upon isomerization that dictate the isomer specific formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonds that eventually give rise to the desired acidity modulations.