Synthesis, Photochromism Properties of a Novel Hybrid Diarylethene Based on Hydroxyl Group

Abstract

A novel unsymmetrical diarylethene derivative 1-[2-methyl-5-(4-pyridine)-3-thienyl]-2-[2-methyl-5-(4-hydroxylphenyl)-3-thienyl]hexafluorocyclopentene (1a) was successfully synthesized. The properties of the compound, including photochromic and fluorescence properties of the diarylethene were also investigated systematically. The results showed that absorption maxima of this compound were observed at 606 nm in methanol and at 612 nm in PMMA amorphous film, respectively, upon irradiation with 297 nm UV light. In methanol solution, the open-ring isomer of the diarylethene 1 exhibited relatively fluorescence at 499 nm when excited at 414 nm. This new photochromic compound also exhibited remarkable optical storage character.