Efficient Synthesis and Properties of a Photochromic Diarylethene Bearing an Isoxazole Moiety

A novel photochromic diarylethene based on isoxazole moiety was synthesized and its photochromic and fluorescent properties were also investigated. The compounds exhibited remarkable photochromism, changing from colorless to red after irradiation with UV light both in solution and in PMMA film. The fluorescence had a remarkable initial increase with subsequent dramatic decrease with increasing concentration. The results indicated that the isoxazole moiety played a very important role during the process of photochromic reaction for the diarylethene derivative.