Control of Cycloreversion Quantum Yields of Diarylethenes by Introduction of Substituents at the Reactive Carbons

ABSTRACT

Several diarylethene derivatives having various substituents at the reactive carbons were prepared and the quantum yields were measured. Although the cyclization quantum yields were scarcely affected by the introduction of substituents, the cycloreversion quantum yields varied depending on the substituents.

Keywords:

• diarylethene
• photochromism
• quantum yield
• substituent effect

Acknowledgments

The present work was partly supported by Grant-in-Aids for Scientific Research (S) (No. 15105006), Scientific Research on Priority Areas (No. 15033252 and 12131211). K. M. thanks to Research Fellowships of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science for Young Scientists.

Notes

^a Absorption maxima of the closed-ring isomers in the visible region.

^b Cyclization quantum yield.

^c Cycloreversion quantum yield.