Photochromic Dithienylethene‐Containing Boron(III) Ketoiminates: Modulation of Photo‐Responsive Behavior through Variation of Intramolecular Motion |
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| Authors: | Cheok‐Lam Wong Dr Chun‐Ting Poon Prof?Dr Vivian Wing‐Wah Yam |
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| Institution: | Institute of Molecular Functional Materials, (Areas of Excellence Scheme, University Grant Committee (Hong Kong)) and, Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P. R. China |
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| Abstract: | A series of dithienylethene‐containing boron(III) ketoiminates, as well as their corresponding β‐ketoimine ligands, have been synthesized and characterized. The photophysical, electrochemical, and photochromic properties of the compounds have been studied. Photocyclization has been found to be suppressed upon introduction of a phenyl substituent on the nitrogen atom of the β‐ketoiminate core, whereas photochromism could be observed by replacement of the phenyl substituent with a bulky mesityl group. It is believed that the steric effect of the mesityl unit restricts molecular rotation, resulting in such a prominent difference in the photochromic properties. |
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| Keywords: | boron heterocycles ketoiminates photochromism steric effects |
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