Multi-controllable properties of an antipyrine-based diarylethene and its high selectivity for recognition of Al3+

• A new photochromic diarylethene with an antipyrine unit was synthesized.
• It exhibited multi-responsive behaviors induced by acid/base, light, and Al3+.
• Two logic circuits were constructed on the bases of the unimolecular platform.

A new diarylethene with an antipyrine unit was synthesized and its multi-controllable photochromic and fluorescent behaviors induced by stimulation of light, acid/base, and metal ions were investigated in detail. The diarylethene showed favorable photochromism by photoirradiation, but its photochromism was entirely inhibited by the stimulation of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide. Its fluorescence showed sequence-dependent responses through efficient interaction of salicylaldehyde-linked antipyrine unit with light, base, and specific metal ions. Its fluorescence intensity was enhanced sharply with a notable color change from bright orange to bright yellow as a naked-eye fluorescent chemosensor for recognition of Al3+ with high selectivity. Finally, two logic circuits were constructed on the basis of the multi-responsive photochromic and fluorescent behaviors of the unimolecular platform.

A new photochromic diarylethene with an antipyrine unit was synthesized. The diarylethene exhibited multi-responsive photochromic and fluorescent behaviors upon stimulation of acid/base, light, and Al3+.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide