A Visible-Light-Driven Dithienylethene Derivative Exhibiting Rapid Photocyclization with Near-Quantitative Conversion...

Area of Science:

• Organic Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Dithienylethene (DTE) derivatives are known for photochromic properties.
• Achieving high efficiency in visible-light-driven DTEs is challenging due to low reactivity and conversion efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize a novel DTE derivative with improved photochromic performance.
• To investigate the photochromic behavior and efficiency of the new DTE derivative in various conditions.

Main Methods:

• Rational design and synthesis of a novel DTE derivative (compound 3) with an extended π-conjugated system.
• Photochromic performance evaluation under alternate irradiation with visible light (420 nm and 600 nm).
• Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations to support experimental findings.

Main Results:

• The novel DTE derivative (3) exhibited efficient photochromism in various solvents.
• Near-quantitative conversion efficiency and rapid photostationary state (PSS) achievement (within 3 s) under 420 nm irradiation.
• Excellent photoswitching stability was observed in DMSO and nano-aqueous solutions, as well as in PMMA films.

Conclusions:

• The rationally designed DTE derivative demonstrates significantly enhanced photochromic properties.
• The extended π-conjugation via an alkene π-bridge is crucial for improved performance.
• This DTE derivative shows promise for applications in functional optical materials due to its excellent photochromism and fluorescence emission.