Synthesis and Characterization of Photochromic 1-(3,5-dimethyl-4-isoxazolyl)-2[2-methyl-5-(3-methylphenyl)-3-thienyl] perfluorocyclopentene

A new unsymmetrical photochromic diarylethene, 1-(3,5-dimethyl-4-isoxazolyl)-2-[2-methyl-5-(3-methylphenyl)-3-thienyl]perfluorocyclopentene (1o) was synthesized. Its properties, including photochromic reactivity both in solution and in PMMA film, photoconversion ratio at photostationary state, fluorescence and optical recording property were investigated. The diarylethene underwent reversible photochromism, changing from colorless to purple after irradiation with UV light or visible light both in hexane and PMMA film. In hexane, the diarylethene exhibited relatively strong fluorescence switching. Using the diarylethene 1c as optical storage was performed successfully.