Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026

Reductive Electropolymerization of a Vinyl-containing Poly-pyridyl Complex on Glassy Carbon and Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide Electrodes
Published on: January 30, 2015
Electrochemistry of dithienylethenes and their application in electropolymer modified photo- and redox switchable
Hella Logtenberg1, Wesley R Browne
1Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Diarylethenes have proven to be versatile responsive components in many applications due to their photochromic properties. In recent years their potential use as redox switchable components has become increasingly apparent. Applying dithienylethenes as redox switchable components requires their immobilisation on conducting substrates and hence electropolymerisation is a promising, albeit, challenging approach to developing such systems. In this review the electrochemical properties of dithienylethenes will be discussed together with a consideration of mechanistic aspects of the switching processes observed followed by a review of recent efforts to develop dithienylethene based redox and photoswitchable redox polymers through electropolymerisation.
Related Concept Videos
Thermal and Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Overview
Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry
Selection Rules: Photochemical Activation
Thermal Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry
Selection Rules: Thermal Activation
Conjugated systems containing an even number of π-electron pairs undergo a conrotatory ring closure. For example, thermal electrocyclization of (2E,4E)-2,4-hexadiene, a conjugated diene containing two π-electron pairs, gives trans-3,4-dimethylcyclobutene.
Types of Reversible Electrodes
Electrochemical Cells

