A new multi-addressable molecular switch based on a photochromic diarylethene with a 6-aryl[1,2-c]quinazoline unit

•A new diarylethene with a 6-aryl[1,2-c]quinazoline unit were synthesized.•Its photochromism and fluorescence exhibited multi-addressable switching behaviors.•A logic circuit was constructed based on the diarylethene.

A novel diarylethene with a 6-aryl[1,2-c]quinazoline unit has been synthesized via a nucleophilic reaction. Its photochromism and fluorescence exhibited multi-addressable behaviors by the stimulation of both light irradiation and acid/base. Addition of trifluoroacetic acid to the solution of the diarylethene resulted in notable absorption spectral change, and the protonated form also possessed excellent photochromic properties. Meanwhile, its emission intensity was enhanced remarkably and the emission peak redshifted with a notable color change from dark blue to bright green. The changes could be recovered to the initial state by neutralizing with triethylamine. Consequently, a logic circuit was constructed with the diarylethene by using the fluorescence intensity at 482 nm as output and acid/base as inputs.

Graphical abstractA novel unsymmetrical photochromic diarylethene with a 6-aryl[1,2-c]quinazoline unit was synthesized and characterized. It exhibited effectively switchable photochromism and fluorescence when triggered by UV/Vis and TFA/TEA. As a result, a logic circuit could be constructed based on the diarylethene.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide