Synthesis and properties of novel photochromic bisthienylethenes containing imidazole and imidazolium derivatives

A series of bisthienylethenes containing imidazole and imidazolium derivatives have been prepared and the products have been characterized by means of NMR and MS. Their photochromic and fluorescent switch properties have been investigated by UV–vis absorption spectra and fluorescence spectra. The fluorescent emissions of these kinds of photochromic compounds can be simply modulated by varying the imidazole groups, which shows that these compounds may have potential application in the design of fluorescent photochromic materials.

Graphical abstractA series of bisthienylethenes containing imidazole and imidazolium derivatives have been prepared, and their photochromic and fluorescent switch properties have been investigated by UV–vis absorption spectra and fluorescence spectra. Results showed that the fluorescent emission of this kind of photochromic compounds can be simply modulated by varying the imidazole groups.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide