A acid/base gated photochromic and fluorescent sensor based on a diarylethene with a 2-(1H-dithienobenzoimidazole)phenol unit

A acid/base gated photochromic system and fluorescent sensor for Al3+ and CN− based on a novel asymmetrical diarylethene with a 2-(1H-dithienobenzoimidazole)phenol unit was synthesized. Its properties, including photochromism, acid/base gated photochromism, multiple molecular switch and recognition of ions were investigated.187