Photochromism and Optical Recording of a Novel Photochromic Diarylethene Material Bearing a Phenanthrenyl Unit

A novel unsymmetrical isomeric photochromic diarylethene based on benzofuran, 1-[2-methyl-3-benzofura-2-[2-methyl-5-(10-phenanthrenyl)-3-thienyperfluorocyclopentene, was designed and synthesized. Its fluorescent and photochromic properties were also investigated in detail. The compound exhibited excellent photochromism, changing from colorless to hot pink after irradiation with UV light both in solution and in PMMA film. Furthermore, the fluorescence intensity of the photochromic diarylethene 1a declined remarkably, when irradiation with UV light. Using this diarylethene 1a as optical storage and fluorescence switches was performed successfully.