Synthesis and spectral properties of a novel family of photochromic diarylethenes-2,3-diarylcyclopent-2-en-1-ones

A novel family of photochromic diarylethenes – 2,3-diarylcyclopent-2-en-1-ones (DCPs) – having high abilities to the modification reactions of ethene “bridge” is proposed. A wide series of photochromic 2,3-diarylcyclopent-2-en-1-ones have been synthesized and switch properties of obtained compounds have been studied. The main advantage of this class of photochromic diarylethenes consists in their ability to simple and various ethene “bridge” transformations. Comparing to the commonly used approach of the variations of aryl substituents the transformation of the ethene “bridge” brings many benefits such as the simplicity of introduction of different functional groups for various applications and the investigation of the correlations between photochromic molecules structures and its spectral characteristics that in turn allow synthesizing novel photochromic compounds with defined properties.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► The research presented in this manuscript involves the development of a novel family of photochromic diarylethenes – 2,3-diarylcyclopent-2-en-1-ones – having high abilities to the modifications of ethene “bridge”. ► This is the first report on the study of the correlation between ethene “bridge” substituents and switching properties of photochromic diarylcyclopentenones. ► The spectral properties investigations results show that this class of photochromic diarylethenes has a great potential for the improvement of switching characteristics of photochromic molecule.