Lighting up dark reactions: An imine network ratchets a coupled equilibrium

Abstract

In this issue of Chem, Wu and Greenfield demonstrate how a light-fueled information ratchet in a photoswitchable imine pair shifts the composition of free amines to drive a non-photoresponsive transimination out of equilibrium. The ratchet thus establishes a nonequilibrium steady state in homogeneous solution and provides a blueprint for light-controlled reaction cascades.