Photocontrolled Self-Assembly of a Bis-Azobenzene-Containing alpha-Amino Acid

Derivatives of an alpha-amino acid with two azobenzene side chains self-assemble into vesicular structures that undergo morphological transitions upon light irradiation (see scheme). This is the first example of photoresponsive vesicle-like supramolecular structures formed exclusively by peptides or derivatized amino acids. The entrapment and subsequent light-induced release of functionalized gold nanoparticles are also shown.