(E)-6,6'-(Diazene-1,2-diyl)bis(1,10-phenanthrolin-5-ol) trichloromethane disolvate: A superconjugated ligand

Phenanthroline ligands are important metal-binding molecules which have been extensively researched for applications in both material science and medicinal chemistry. Azobenzene and its derivatives have received significant attention because of their ability to be reversibly switched between the E and Z forms and so could have applications in optical memory and logic devices or as molecular machines. Herein we report the formation and crystal structure of a highly unusual novel diazo-diphenanthroline compound, C₂₄H₁₄N₆O_2∙2CHCl₃.