Multi-responsive photochromism of a new diarylethene with a salicylaldehyde group

• A new photochromic diarylethene with a salicylaldehyde group was synthesized.
• Its optical and electrochemical properties were investigated in detail.
• Its photochromism and acidichromism could be modulated with light and chemicals.

A new photochromic diarylethene with a salicylaldehyde group was synthesized and fully characterized. With the stimulation of acid/base and light, the diarylethene showed multi-responsive photochromism. The deprotonated derivative of the diarylethene with salicylaldehyde group, due to the addition of triethylamine into its solution, also showed excellent photochromism with distinguishable color change. And the deprotonated example could recover its original state with trifluoroacetic acid. Furthermore, the processes of photochromism and acidichromism could be effectively modulated with light and chemicals. Cyclic voltammetry tests suggested that triethylamine could significantly decrease band-gaps of both open-ring and closed-ring isomers of the diarylethene.

A new photochromic diarylethene with a salicylaldehyde group was synthesized. The diarylethene exhibited multi-responsive photochromic behaviors by the stimulation of acid/base and light.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide