Abstract: | Mannich bases exhibiting photo- and thermochromic properties in solutions were synthesized from 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 2-naphthols. An investigation of an acetyl derivative of methylenequinone, modeling a product of photo- and thermochromic transformations, proved that the color change of solutions of the Mannich bases is due to reversible dissociation into colored methylenequinones and morpholine. On the basis of data of x-ray diffraction analysis of one of the Mannich bases, characteristics of their molecular structure were determined, and reasons were stated for their effect on the dissociation mechanism. |