A reversible nanoswitch as an ON-OFF photocatalyst.

The two states of a new nanomechanical switch were quantitatively and reversibly populated in several subsequent switching cycles using either Cu(+) or cyclam as chemical inputs. State II was demonstrated to cis-trans isomerise diazastilbene upon irradiation selectively in the presence of stilbene, and even to operate as a photocatalyst.