Photochromic compounds have yet to push themselves outside of the laboratory with the exception of novelty items (color changing clothing) and ophthalmic lenses that darken in sunlight. Work in the field of photochromes has been largely been confined to their use as sensors (for example, for specific cations or for stress in polymers), switches, and as solid-state data storage media. More recently, their use as light activated catalysts, actuators, and molecular machines have been examined. Herein we explore the physical properties of two photochromic diarylethenes derived from phenanthrene and naphthoquinone. Preliminary data shows a low conversion upon irradiation for both photochromes. We will incorporate these as monomer units with well-known conjugated co-monomers and examine the effects of inclusion in a polymer on photochromic conversion as well as the changeability of redox properties upon irradiation.

Diarylethene conjugated polymers: The effect of the co-monomer on photochromic and redox properties

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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