Optical Properties of 1,3-Bisdicyanovinylindane, an Electro-Acceptor, Attached Bisthienylethene Molecule.

An electron acceptor, 1,3-bisdicyanovinylindane, was attached to the skeleton of bisthienylethene. Photochromic behavior was investigated in THF. Under exposure of UVNisible light cycles, the solution color can be toggled between colorless and yellow. Good fatigue resistance and photo-/thermal-stability were demonstrated with acceptable degradation. A full-photo mode switch was established. Optimized structure and molecular orbital of ring-open and ring-closed isomers were calculated on the platform of DmoP. The photochromic behavior was further supported by the required distance between photocyclizing atoms in antiparallel conformation. The absorption spectra change derived from calculation was in agreement with the experimental results.