Abstract: Dimer and monomer molecules according to general formulas (I) or (II) are useful as lipid switch molecules when incorporated into a membrane of a liposome. wherein R1 is a hydrophobic tail having at least 6 carbons and wherein R2 is selected from the group consisting of —NH2, wherein, for the dimer, the linker is a saturated carbon chain having 2 to 6 carbons or is a para-xylene linker; and when R2 is charged anions are present to render the charge neutral. These molecules can bind ATP or similar small phosphorylated molecules between R2 groups, which changes the shape of the molecule or the molecules orientation within the membrane thereby acting as a “switch” to release a therapeutic agent from the liposome.