Synthesis of new benzylpyridines as potential photochromic compoundsa

Photoinduced proton transfer systems such as 2‐(2′,4′‐dinitrobenzyl)pyridine derivatives have been developed in an attempt to apply the compounds to variable optical transmission materials. However their fatigue resistance property is a limitation for these applications. New benzylpyridines have been synthesized and tested. 2‐(2′,4′‐Diphenylsulfonybenzyl)pyridine was found to be photochromic in the crystalline state and in ethanolic solution (λ_max= 485 nm) upon UV flash photolysis.