Direct observation of spiropyran phosphorescence in imidazolium ionic liquids

Emission spectroscopy is used to investigate the photochromism of a spiropyran ester in imidazolium ionic liquids. While the spiropyran exhibits positive photochromism, the ring-opening reaction is slowed such that both fluorescence from the merocyanine form and phosphorescence from the spiro form are observed. These results illustrate the first example of spiropyran phosphorescence in ionic liquids and suggest that this system could be used to design a robust two-color emitting molecular device that depends on the state of the photochrome, where the state can be modulated by internal (the medium) and external (irradiation wavelength) factors.