Planarization-Induced Activation Wavelength Red-Shift and Thermal Half-Life Acceleration in Hydrazone Photoswitches

The optimization and modulation of the properties of photochromic compounds, such as their activation wavelengths and thermal relaxation half-lives (τ_1/2), are essential for their adaptation in various applications. In this work, we studied the effect of co-planarization of the rotary fragment of two photochromic hydrazones with the core of the molecule on their switching properties. The Z and E isomers of both compounds exhibit red-shifted absorption bands relative to their twisted versions, allowing for their photoswitching using longer wavelengths of light. Additionally, the thermal half-lives of both hydrazones are drastically shortened from hundreds of years to days.