Photochromism of diarylethene derivatives bearing a benzo[b]silole unit

Photochromic benzo[b]silole derivatives, 1-(1,1-dimethyl-2-phenylbenzo[b]silol-3-yl)-2-(2-phenylbenzo[b]thien-3-yl)perfluorocyclopentene and 1-(1,1-dimethyl-2-phenylbenzo[b]silol-3-yl)-2-(2-phenyl-1-benzofuran-3-yl)perfluorocyclopentene, were synthesized and their photochromic performance was examined in solution.