Electrochromism of indolinobenzospirans dissolved in rigid amorphous polymer matrices

The effect of a static electric field on the position of absorption bands of colored stereoisomers of two photochromic compounds of the indolinobenzospiropiran group dissolved in matrices of poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(n‐butyl methacrylate), polystyrene, and polycarbonate at room temperature was studied. In the case of matrices with the polymethacrylates the effects observed show that applied electric field produces a shift of thermal equilibrium towards stablization of stereoisomers of larger dipole moment. On the basis of kinetic measurements of attainment of thermal equilibrium on switching the electric field off, the rate constants of their interconversion have been determined. In the case of matrices with polystyrene and polycarbonate, a small red shift only was observed.