Synthesis and spectral-kinetic investigation of fulgimide-based photochromic autocomplexes of the dinitroquinoline series

Two new hybrid compounds, which belong to autocomplexes of the dinitroquinoline series and contain an NH spacer and fragments of photochromic fulgimides as donor components, were synthesized. These autocomplexes were used as ligands in the synthesis of cobalt-containing metal chelates. The spectral-kinetic study revealed that these compounds exhibit photochromism. The introduction of photochromic fulgimide moieties into the autocomplexes has no substantial effect on the spectral properties of the latter but influences the kinetics of photochromic transformations by decreasing their efficiency. Chelate complexes of the hybrid compounds with cobalt ions are characterized by the lowest efficiency of photochromic transformations due to a decrease in the intensity of activating radiation as a result of its absorption by the dinitroquinoline moieties, which are not conjugated with fragments of photochromic compounds.