Synthesis and Fluorescence Switching of a Photochromic Diarylethene Bearing a Six-Membered Ring

A new photochromic diarylethene compound, 1-(2-methylpyridine)-2-[2-methyl-5-(3-methoxylphenyl)-3-thienyl]perfluorocyclopentene(1a) was synthesized. its photochromic and fluorescent properties have been investigated in detail. While, fluorescence properties in different solution have also been discussed. The results of the research demonstrated that it has shown good photochromic behavior and relatively strong fluorescence in different solution and in PMMA at room temperature. Finally, photo-mode rewritable optical storage using 1b was performed. The images demonstrated that the compound can be used as optical storage material.