Synthesis, crystal structures and photochromic properties of novel chiral Schiff base macrocycles

Enantiomerically pure and racemic forms of calixsalen-type macrocycles 1 and 2 were synthesized and their crystal structures were determined. The enantiomerically pure crystals of (S,S,S,S,S,S)-1 exhibited thermally reversible photochromism from yellow to orange-red upon photoirradiation in the solid state, while rac-crystals of 2 with the guest CH3CN did not show any photocolouration.