Structural characterization and photochromic behaviour of a novel compound based on a π‐acidic naphthalene diimide derivative and a double hydroxide‐bridged dinuclear AlIII aqua ion cluster

Noncovalent interactions, such as π–π stacking interactions, C—H…π interactions and hydrogen bonding, are important driving forces for self‐assembly in the construction of functional supermolecules and materials, especially in multicomponent supramolecular systems. Herein, a novel compound based on a π‐acidic naphthalene diimide derivative and a double hydroxide‐bridged dinuclear Al³⁺ aqua ion cluster, namely bisN,N′‐bis(2‐sulfonatoethyl)‐1,4,5,8‐naphthalene diimide] di‐μ‐hydroxido‐bistetraaquaaluminium(III)] tetrahydrate, (C₁₈H₁₂N₂O₁₀S₂)₂Al₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₈]·4H₂O, was obtained using the above‐mentioned common noncovalent interactions, as well as uncommon lone‐pair–π interactions. Functional molecular modules were connected by these noncovalent interactions to generate obvious photochromic properties. The compound was prepared by the self‐assembly of N,N′‐bis(2‐sulfoethyl)‐1,4,5,8‐naphthalene diimide and Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O under mixed solvothermal conditions, and was characterized in detail by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, powder X‐ray diffraction and FT–IR spectroscopy. The thermal stability and photochromic properties were also investigated; furthermore, in‐situ solid‐state UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy and electron spin resonance (ESR) were used to clarify the photochromic mechanism.