Photochromism of O-Analogs of Thiathiophthenes

Irradiation of O-analogs of thiathiophthenes yield a photoproduct which reverts thermally to the starting material. Kinetic measurements for this thermal reaction yield E_a values in the range of 10–15 kcal/mol and Δ S* values between ?16 and ?41 eu. Based on NMR. and IR. results the structure of the photoproduct is established. The electronic spectra of the starting material and of the photoproduct are discussed. The experimental results are compared with MO-calculations.