Photochromic Fluorescence Switching Diarylethene Flanking a Methoxy Group

Fluorescent photoswitching molecule in which photochromic diarylethene with six-number phenyl unit and thiophene ring attached a phenyl methoxy group was synthesized. The compound exhibited pronounced photochromic and synchronous fluorescence switching properties. Irradiation of the open form of compound with UV light resulted in immediate photocyclization to the blue closed form with nonfluorescence; the colorless open form with fluorescence character could be regenerated by irradiation with visible light. In terms of potential use for optical storage and readout, this compound displays fluorescence discrimination between its open and closed form. This fluorescence switching could be the basis of a remote control nondestructive readout method.