Abstract
A light-driven molecular brake displaying an antilock function is constructed by introducing a nonradiative photoinduced electron transfer (PET) decay channel to compete with the trans (brake-off) → cis (brake-on) photoisomerization. A fast release of the brake can be achieved by deactivating the PET process through addition of protons. The cycle of irradiation- protonation-irradiation-deprotonation conducts the brake function and mimics the antilock braking system (ABS) of vehicles. © 2012 American Chemical Society.