The synthesis and spectroscopic properties of novel, photochromic indolinobenzospiropyran-based homopolymers prepared via ring-opening metathesis polymerization

Three types of novel photochromic indolinobenzospiropyran-based homopolymers were prepared via the ring-opening metathesis polymerization of the strained bicyclic indolinobenzospiropyran derivative. The homopolymers were soluble in common organic solvents and displayed unusually high polydispersity as determined by gel permeation chromatographic analysis. UV–visible absorption spectroscopy analysis in solution revealed that the appealing photochromic behaviour exhibited by the respective monomers was retained.