A cinnamic acid-type photo-cleavable surfactant

► We have developed a cinnamic acid-type photo-cleavable surfactant. ► This surfactant yields two functional materials as a result of the photo-cleavage. ► The photo-cleavage results in a significant change in interfacial properties. ► Hence, the surfactant is a photo-responsive function-exchangeable material. ► This is a new concept in stimulus-responsive amphiphilic materials.