Light-driven reversible surface functionalization with anthracenes: visible light writing and mild UV erasing

We introduce a methodology to reversibly pattern planar surfaces via the light-induced dimerization of anthracenes, particularly involving a 9-triazolylanthracene motif. Specifically, we demonstrate that the visible light-induced forward reaction can be employed to pattern small molecule species as well as polymers in a spatially resolved fashion. Under UV irradiation, the generated patterns can be erased to regenerate reactive areas, which are then available for a new functionalization step. The dynamic change in surface chemistry is evidenced by ToF-SIMS.