Synthesis and photochromic properties of methacryloxy 6-nitrospirobenzopyrans

• Three methylacryloxy 6-nitrospirobenzopyrans were synthesized.
• All dyes display photochromic isomerization upon UV irradiation.
• Metal complexation generates an intense absorption band with λmax ca. 490 nm.
• Polymers synthesized from dyes have similar photochromic properties as in solution.

The synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of several methacryloxy-modified spiropyran dyes is reported. The dyes were found to have similar photochromic isomerization rates relative to a commercially available reference compound in solution. The methacryloxy-modified dyes were also successfully incorporated into polymer matrices, where they retained their ability to photoisomerize and complex with cobalt (II) and zinc (II) ions.