Azobenzene-containing photoresponsive metal-organic cages

In recent years, stimulus-responsive metal-organic cages (MOCs) have attracted significant attention due to their dynamic structures and properties, which greatly enhance the structural diversity and functional adaptability of these supramolecular assemblies. Among various external stimuli, light stands out as a straightforward and efficient means of modulating MOCs through the incorporation of photoresponsive units, such as azobenzene, thereby enabling precise photoresponsive behavior. Substantial progress has been made in the development of azobenzene-containing MOCs, underscoring their research significance and broad application potential across multiple fields. Given these advancements, it is timely to provide a comprehensive summary of the latest progress in azophenyl-based MOCs. This review will highlight key developments and explore their functional applications.