Synthesis and Properties of a New Photochromic Diarylethene Based on Five-Membered and Six-Membered Moieties

A new photochromic diarylethene bearing five and six-membered moieties 1-(2, 5-dimethyl-3-thienyl)-2-(2-methylphenyl)perfluorocyclopentene has been synthesized. The compound underwent reversible cyclization and cycloreversion reactions, changing from colorless to red upon alternating irradiation with UV and visible light both in solution and in PMMA film. The diarylethene 1o also showed good fluorescent switching both in solution and in PMMA film. At last, optical recording using diarylethene 1c as recording medium was carried out successfully.