Semipermanent merocyanines of spirocyclic compounds: Photochromic “balance”

Synthesis methods have been developed, and new spiropyrans of the benzophenazine series have been obtained. In solution, all of the new compounds appear as semipermanent merocyanines. Spirobenzopyrans of the benzophenazine series demonstrate both positive and negative photochromic properties, thus enabling the approach of photochromic “balance” to be realized. [Display omitted] •Benzophenazine spirobenzopyrans with semipermanent merocyanines have been synthesized.•Benzophenazine spirobenzopyrans exhibit all-visible-light positive and negative photochromism.•Benzophenazine spirobenzopyrans acts as a photochromic “balance”.•Bipolar switches are possible applications of photochromic “balance”.