H+/X– Co‐Transport Driven by Azobenzene Containing Aromatic Amides

Natural ion‐transporters in cellular membranes play a critical role in maintaining cell homeostasis. Synthetic ion‐transporters are attractive model systems for understanding and addressing dysfunction of natural transporters. Herein, a simple amide derived from azobenzene and m ‐aminobenzoic acid achieves photoregulated ion transport across lipid membranes. The amide forms pores or channels that selectively co‐transport H + /X − across the lipid membrane. Photoisomerization from the trans to cis form results in a 2‐fold increase in ion‐transport rates due to the higher proton affinity of the cis isomer.