Abstract
Dispironaphthoxazines incorporating polyether chain were synthesized. Photochromic effects on cation binding capability of the molecules were investigated. Due to the photochromic spironaphthoxazine unit in these compounds, complexation with metal cations is easily identified by the conventional spectroscopic method. Cation binding ability of dispironaphthoxazine with tetraethylene glycol unit is enhanced under the UV light irradiation. This type of photochromic compound may work as a photoresponsive ionophore.