Photochromic diarylethenes for molecular photonics

1,2-Diarylethenes with heterocyclic aryl groups, such as benzothiophene rings, underwent thermally irreversible and fatigue resistant photochromic reactions. The photocyclization response time of a dithienylethane was measured to be 1 ps. Gated photochromic reactivity was given to a 1,2-bis(benzothiophen-3-yl) perfluorocyclopentene by introducing intramolecular hydrogen-bond forming groups.