Multi-addressable fluorescent switch based on a photochromic diarylethene with triazole-bridged methylquinoline group

• A new diarylethene with a triazole-bridged methylquinoline group was synthesized.
• It could selectively recognize different metal ions in different solvent systems.
• A logic circuit was constructed with the unimolecular platform.

A new photochromic diarylethene with a triazole-bridged methylquinoline group has been synthesized by click chemistry reaction. The diarylethene exhibited typical photochromism and fluorescent switching properties by photoirradiation. Especially, its fluorescence and recognition of different metal ions could be effectively modulated by controlling the volume ratio of acetonitrile and water in acetonitrile/water binary solvent system. In acetonitrile, the diarylethene was found to be highly selective towards Zn2+ and Cd2+. However, it could recognize selectively Cr3+, Al3+, and Fe3+ with significant fluorescence change from dark to bright blue in the mixture solvent of acetonitrile and water (v/v = 7/3). Moreover, a logic circuit was constructed with the unimolecular platform by using the fluorescence intensity at 432 nm as output and the combinational stimuli of light and chemical as inputs.

A new diarylethene derivative with a triazole-bridged methylquinoline group was synthesized. The results revealed that the fluorescence switching behavior of the diarylethene could be effectively modulated by Zn2+ and light stimuli via the FRET mechanism.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide