Photochromism of isomeric diarylethenes with a methylpyridine substituent

•Two new isomeric diarylethenes with a methylpyridine unit were synthesized.•Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.•Their photochromic and fluorescent properties were investigated.

Two new isomeric photochromic diarylethenes with a methylpyridine unit have been synthesized and their structures have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Both diarylethenes exhibited photochromism in both solution and PMMA films. In the single crystalline phase, the two isomeric compounds displayed different photochromism based on their various molecular conformations. In addition, their fluorescent properties are also diverse due to the distinct substitution position of the methyl group on the terminal pyridine.

Graphical abstractTwo new isomeric diarylethenes with a methylpyridine unit have been synthesized and their photochromic properties were studied in solution, PMMA films, and single crystalline phase.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide