Impact of mono- and disubstitution on the colorimetric dynamic covalent switching chalcone/flavanone scaffold.

The effect of aryl substitution on various aspects of the interconversion of ortho-hydroxychalcones and flavanones has been studied using multiple spectroscopic techniques. Derivatization of the core scaffold predictably alters the midpoint pH of this equilibration process suggesting its viability for application as a functional colorimetric molecular switch.