Photo-controllable and aggregation-induced emission based on photochromic bithienylethene

• A series of photochromic bithienylethenes containing coumarin fluorescent unit were synthesized.
• One compound not only exhibited photochromic behaviors but also had aggregation-induced emission characteristics.
• The fluorescence could also be enhanced continuously by the photo-isomerization reaction.

In this article a series of photochromic bithienylethenes containing coumarin fluorescent unit were synthesized and their properties including photochromic behavior and fluorescent properties were also investigated. One compound not only exhibited photochromic behaviors but also had aggregation-induced emission characteristics. The fluorescence could also be enhanced continuously by the photo-isomerization reaction. As ring-closed isomer formed, the rigid structure of compound enhanced the aggregation so that the nanoparticle in the solution increased constantly. Thus, this may provide a novel approach for preparing a new family with AIE characteristics and photochromic properties which may have the potential application in the optical memory and nonlinear optics.

A novel kind of bithienylethene containing coumarin fluorescent unit not only exhibited photochromic behaviors but also had aggregation-induced emission characteristics.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide