Determination of the Photoisomerization Quantum Yield of a Hydrazone Photoswitch

Photoswitching organic molecules that undergo light-driven structural transformations are key components to construct adaptive molecular systems, and they are utilized in a wide variety of applications. In most studies employing photoswitches, several important photophysical properties such as maximum wavelengths of absorption and emission, molar attenuation coefficient, fluorescence lifetime, and photoisomerization quantum yield are carefully determined to investigate their electronic states and transition processes. However, measurement of the photoisomerization quantum yield, the efficiency of photoisomerization with respect to the absorbed photons, in a typical laboratory setting is often complicated and prone to error because it requires the implementation of rigorous spectroscopic measurements and calculations based on an appropriate integration method. This article introduces a set of procedures to measure the photoisomerization quantum yield of a bistable photoswitch using a photochromic hydrazone. We anticipate that this article will be a useful guide for the investigation of bistable photoswitches that are being increasingly developed.