Properties of photochromic retinals

In the present review, we summarize our recent studies on the synthesis and spectral–kinetic parameters of photochromic retinals based on spiropyrans, diarylethenes, and a fulgimide and the use of these compounds for the preparation of artificial analogs of natural bacteriorhodopsin.

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► Retinoid analogs based on a spiropyran, a diarylethene and a fulgimide have been synthesized.
► Spectral–kinetic characteristics and peculiarities of photochromic behavior of retinoid analogs.
► Structure–photochromic property relationships have been determined for the retinoid analogs.
► The control of spectral characteristics by varying the nature and length of polyne substituents.
► Artificial pigments with bacteriopsin in apomembranes from Halobacterium salinarum.