Abstract We synthesized various azobenzenes methylated at their ortho positions with respect to the azo bond for more effective photoregulation of DNA hybridization. Photoregulatory efficiency, evaluated from the change of T m (ΔT m) induced by trans–cis isomerization, was significantly improved for all ortho-modified azobenzenes compared with non-modified azobenzene due to the more stabilized trans form and the more destabilized ...
