Competing ultrafast processes play an important role in determining the effectiveness of the photochromic response based on the linkage isomerization of an organometallic material. The design of a photochromic molecular device with high quantum yields, low fatigue, fast response times likely requires that the linkage isomerization occur on ultrafast timescales. Our strategy has been to investigate how unproductive ultrafast processes can be eliminated to optimize the photochromic mechanism. While reaction conditions and photochrome structure can be altered to inhibit competing ultrafast processes, our focus has been to prepare compounds whose structures enable faster rates of linkage isomerization. Consequently the isomerization occurs instead of slower, unproductive processes. We have used cyclopentadienyl manganese dicarbonyl and benzene chromium dicarbonyl derivatives with tethered functional groups as platforms for ultrafast photochromes. Results of time resolved infrared studies of the organometallic transients following irradiation will be reported.

Design of organometallic photochromes: Utilizing linkage isomerization in the production of ultrafast devices

245th National Meeting (2013)

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