Photochromic Properties of Diarylethene Maleimide Derivatives in Polar Solvents

Diarylmaleimide derivatives having methoxy, phenyl, or cyano group as a nitrogen substituent were synthesized in an attempt to prepare photochromic compounds which exhibit photochromic reactivity even in polar solvents. Although the derivatives having methoxy or phenyl group did not undergo photochromism in polar solvents, the derivative having a cyano group showed photochromism even in polar solvents.