Abstract
All visible-light-driven fluorescent photo-switches are essential for high-density optical memories, whereas their gated photochromism remains a great challenge. Herein, we report the synthesis and photochromic properties of 2,3-bis(2-methyl-1-benzothiophene-1,1-dioxide-3-yl)-thiophene (BTTO4) based photochromic diarylethene isomers oDB, mDB, and pDB functionalized with N,N-dimethylaniline at three positions. These compounds all exhibit turn-on fluorescence upon visible light irradiation at 405 nm. Surprisingly, the cycloreversion reaction of para-substituted closed-isomer c-pDB was suppressed. Upon addition of trifluoroacetic acid, the acidic compound c-pDB•H+ was turned active, displaying an unusual gated photochromic property. Moreover, the photochromic reactivity can be suppressed again by neutralizing the acid with Et3N. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of gated photochromic diarylethene with visible-light-triggered turn-on fluorescence. This study provides a new type of all-visible-light triggered fluorescent photo-switches, and a novel “lock” and “unlock” system for photocycloreversion reactions.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
