Theoretical insight into the enhanced hindrance, thermal stability and optical properties of diarylethene with a benzobis(thiadiazole) bridge and benzothiophene rings

Abstract

To rationalize the effects of intramolecular steric hindrance on the performance of diarylethene photoswitches, we here present a density functional theory study on the thermal bistability and optical properties of a photochromic diarylethene BBTE consisting of a benzobis(thiadiazole) bridge and benzothiophene rings, in which prominent steric hindrance exists owing to the extended structures of π-conjugated groups. Our calculations not only provide rational explanations for the isolation of enantiopure anti-parallel conformers of the open-ring isomer, but also elucidate the detailed pathway of a two-step ground-state ring-opening process, where the thermal stability of the closed-ring isomer is guaranteed by an overall free energy barrier of around 113 kJ mol−1 (27 kcal mol−1). In addition, the tunable intramolecular charge transfer of the donor–acceptor structure formed by the benzobis(thiadiazole) bridge and the bulky benzothiophene rings is also addressed within time-dependent density functional theory. Charge transfer excitations in the open- and the closed-ring isomers are characterized as long-range and medium-range, respectively. We show that the diarylethene derivative under investigation can serve as a promising platform for future development of optoelectronic materials.