Synthesis and photochromic properties of spironaphth [1,2-b]oxazine containing a reactive substituent

Spironaphth[1,2-b]oxazines having either an allyl group or a 3-(diethoxymethylsilyl)propy I group on the N-atom of the indoline ring have been prepared, as potential substrates for photochromic materials. In addition to displaying the well-known photochromism between the closed and open forms, the present spirooxazines exhibit photochromism between two geometric isomers of the colored open form. This behavior provides the basis for a non-destructive read-out system having light-induced information memory. (C), 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.