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Dithienylethene-containing molecules have been examined due to their photoswitching capabilities. We have prepared a bistable, optically triggered, metal–organic framework (MOF) containing a dithienylethene moiety that was synthesized and characterized. The advantage of this material is that, unlike other dithienylethene-containing MOFs, the properties of the pore can be changed via an optical trigger without the potential risk of structural damage to the framework. We illustrate the application of this MOF to chemical separations. With this class of materials, optically triggered conductivity, chemical storage and release, and sensing are possible.