Synthesis,Photochromism, and Effects of Metal Ions on Fluorescence of Dithienylethenes Containing Imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinoline

Dithienylethene derivatives containing imidazo2,1-a]isoquinolines were directly synthesized by treatment of the diketone with 2-ethynylbenzaldehyde in one pot. Their photochromism indicated that they can easily isomerize between the ring-open and ring-closed isomers upon irradiation with ultraviolet or visible light in CH₂Cl₂. At the same time, they display high selectivity toward Fe³⁺ by the fluorescence titration, such that the addition of Fe³⁺ can obviously suppress their fluorescence intensity.

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