A theoretical spectroscopy investigation of bifunctional platinum-bridged diarylethenes

► Accurate ab intio tools are used to investigate the spectral and photophysical properties of coupled photochromes. ► Very good agreement with experiment is reached for IR, NMR and UV/Vis spectra. ► The second electro-cyclisation does not proceed through the usual singlet path. ► The platinum-containing bridge allows an efficient communication between the two switches.