A switching fluorescent photochromic carbazole–spironaphthoxazine copolymer

A switching, methacrylate fluorescent photochromic copolymer (PMMA–Cz–SPO) containing fluorescent, chromophoric carbazole (Cz) and spironaphthoxazine (SPO) moieties as pendant groups, has been synthesized. The compound displayed excellent photoregulation of luminescence change from the spirooxazine to the carbazole in both solution and solid film, imparted by alternate irradiation with UV and visible light. This may be attributed to the induced electron transfer between the carbazole donor and the spirooxazine acceptor. In addition, the fluorescence emission spectra showed remarkable concentration-dependence.