Vila, AlejandroBlandón-Cumbreras, Francisco G.Pauls, MikeDíaz-Abellás, MauroBlanco-Gómez, ArturoPeinador, CarlosRemón, PatriciaBannwarth, ChristophPischel, UweGarcía, Marcos D.2026-07-242026-07-242026-05-04Vila, A.; Blandón-Cumbreras, F. G.; Pauls, M.; Díaz-Abellás, M.; Blanco-Gómez, A.; Peinador, C.; Remón, P.; Bannwarth, C.; Pischel, U.; García, M. D. Photovermellogens: Minimalistic Pyridinium-Based Acylhydrazones with Photoswitchable Basicity for Operation in Aqueous Media. J. Org. Chem. 2026, 91 (19), 6559–6565. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.5c02962.0022-32631520-6904https://hdl.handle.net/2183/48932[Abstract] Examples of a new class of synthetically straightforward and hydrolytically inert photoswitchable acylhydrazones, named photovermellogens, have been successfully developed and comprehensively studied using state-of-the-art spectroscopic and computational techniques. These compounds present photoswitchable basicity, with irradiation promoting E→Z photoisomerizations, which result in the generation of a less acidic species. The observed ΔpKa values > 1.5 within the biologically relevant window underscore the potential of photovermellogens as versatile platforms for light-triggered pH control.engAttribution 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/journal articleopen access10.1021/acs.joc.5c02962