Synthesis and photochromic reactivity of a new class of photochromic diarylethene dimer-containing dithieno[3,2-b:2′3′-d]thiophene

Novel photochromic diarylethene dimers containing dithieno3,2-b:2′3′-d]thiophene were synthesized and their photochromic properties were studied in solution as well as in the crystalline phase. Only the isomer with the diarylethene units one in open-form and one in closed-form was produced upon irradiation with ultraviolet light because of the intramolecular excitation energy transfer in this isomer. Their electrochemical properties were also investigated associating with computational studies.