Synthesis of functionalized spiropyran and spirooxazine derivatives and their photochromic properties

Three series of functionalized spiropyrans and spirooxazines derivatives were synthesized and their photochromic properties were investigated in particular regard to the fatigue resistance, the lifetime of the colored merocyanine form and the interaction of the colored form molecule. (1) Spiropyrans 5 and spironaphthooxazines 6 having an antioxidant group as a pendant exhibited higher fatigue resistance than that of the parent spiro compounds in solution. In particular, spiropyrans 5 showed higher resistance than parent compound 1 in the presence of an equimolar amount of the corresponding antioxidant. (2) bis-Spironaphthooxazines 8a–8i and 10 connected through a phosphoryl group exhibited higher fatigue resistance and longer lifetime of the colored merocyanine form than those of the parent spirooxazine 7. (3) Symmetrical bis-spiro photochromic compounds 15 and 16 and unsymmetrical bis-spiro compounds 13, 14 and 17 were synthesized. The bis-spiro photochromic compounds were found to undergo intramolecular interaction between the colored merocyanine forms.