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Synfacts 2008(7): 0706-0706  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1077801
Synthesis of Materials and Unnatural Products
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Harnessing Osmosis to Produce Mechanical Energy

Contributor(s): Timothy M. Swager, Trisha L. Andrew
S. Masiero*, S. Lena, S. Pieraccini, G. P. Spada
Università di Bologna, Italy
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Publication History

Publication Date:
20 June 2008 (online)

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Significance

The azobenzene photochrome, trans- 1, is synthesized in 6% yield over 11 steps. trans- 1 is insoluble in most solvents, in contrast to cis-1. An osmotic motor is built exploiting the difference in solubilities of cis- and trans-1.