Enhanced photoconversion of 1,2-bis(2-methyl-1-benzothiophene-3-yl)perfluorocyclopentene in ionic liquid solutions

[Display omitted] •Ionic liquids were used as a solvent media to improve the convertibility of diarylethenes (BTF6 was used as a model compound).•Importance of choosing an adequate solvent for the photo-conversion of BTF6.•Ionic liquids as a co-solvent for water immiscible photochromic compounds expanding their range of applications.•Opens the window to the creation of ionic liquids with diarylethene centers with improved photochromic properties. An improved strategy for the photoinduced ring closure conversion of diarylethene, 1,2-bis(2-methyl-1-benzothiophene-3-yl)perfluorocyclopentene (BTF6), in ionic liquid solutions was investigated. The convertibility yield of the photochrome was monitored by UV–vis spectroscopy. Significant improvements of the convertibility yield were achieved in ionic liquid solutions in comparison with conventional organic solvents. These results open the door to the creation of new enriched photochromic systems based on ionic liquids.