Spiropyrans: Structural Features and Photochemical Properties

Abstract

It has been shown, that in the ground state the ^Cspiro^−O bond, which is broken upon photoexcitation, is weakened and elongated because of specific orbital n-s* interactions. They become stronger in excited photochemically active state, thus facilitating the rupture of this bond.

The nature of products of spiropyran photoconversion and stereochemical factors of its stabilization have been investigated.