Photoprocesses in Spirooxazines and Their Merocyanines

Photoswitchable Photochromic Chelating Spironaphthoxazines: Synthesis, Photophysical Properties, Quantum-Chemical Calculations, and Complexation Ability

The stable and efficient photochromic and photoswitchable molecular systems designed from spirooxazines are of increasing scientific and practical interest because of their present and future applications in advanced technologies. Among these compounds, chelating spironaphthoxazines have received widespread attention due to their efficient optical response after complexation with some metal ions being of biomedical interest and environmental importance, as well as their good cycle performance and high reliability, especially by metal ion sensing. In this mini-review, we summarize our results in the design of novel photoswitchable chelating spironaphthoxazines with specific substituents in their naphthoxazine or indoline ring systems in view of recent progress in the development of such molecular systems and their applications as metal ion sensors. The design, synthesis methods, and photoresponse of such spirooxazine derivatives relevant to their applications, as well as quantum-chemical calculations for these compounds, are presented. Examples of various design concepts are discussed, such as sulfobutyl, hydroxyl, benzothiazolyl, or ester and carboxylic acid as substituents in the chelating spironaphthoxazine molecules. Further developments and improvements of this interesting and promising kind of molecular photoswitches are outlined.

Realizing Photoswitchable Mechanoluminescence in Organic Crystals Based on Photochromism

Organic mechanoluminescent (ML) materials possessing photophysical properties that are sensitive to multiple external stimuli have shown great potential in many fields, including optic and sensing. Particularly, the photoswitchable ML property for these materials is fundamental to their applications but remains a formidable challenge. Herein, photoswitchable ML is successfully realized by endowing reversible photochromic properties to an ML molecule, namely 2-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl) fluoropyridine (o-TPF). o-TPF shows both high-contrast photochromism with a distinct color change from white to purplish red, as well as bright blue ML (λ_ML  = 453 nm). The ML property can be repeatedly switched between ON and OFF states under alternate UV and visible light irradiation. Impressively, the photoswitchable ML is of high stability and repeatability. The ML can be reversibly switched on and off by conducting alternate UV and visible light irradiation in cycles under ambient conditions. Experimental results and theoretical calculations reveal that the change of dipole moment of o-TPF during the photochromic process is responsible for the photoswitchable ML. These results outline a fundamental strategy to achieve for the control of organic ML and pave the way to the development of expanded smart luminescent materials and their applications.

Synthesis and characterization of photochromic triethylene glycol-containing spiropyrans and their assembly in solution

A series of photochromic triethylene glycol (TEG)-containing spiropyrans (SPs) has been synthesized, and systematic and controlled formation of their self-assembled functional materials has been achieved.

Cation-induced ring-opening and oxidation reaction of photoreluctant spirooxazine-quinolizinium conjugates

Two new spiroindolinonaphthoxazine derivatives with an electron-accepting styrylquinolizinium or styrylcoralyne unit, respectively, were synthesized, and the influence of such an arylvinyl substituent on the chemical and photochemical properties of the compounds was investigated. Specifically, these spirooxazines turned out to be resistant towards the photoinduced merocyanine formation, and the irradiation with light mainly led to photodegradation of the substrates. However, it was shown by colorimetric and fluorimetric screening assays as well as by detailed NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric studies that the addition of particular metal ions (Cu2+, Fe3+, and to a certain extent Hg2+) initially induced a ring-opening reaction that was irreversibly followed by a fast ring closure-deprotonation-oxidation sequence to give styryl-substituted naphthoxazole derivatives as the products quantitatively. For the quinolizinium-substituted spirooxazine derivative, the formation of the respective oxidation product caused the development of a broad absorption band between 425 nm and 500 nm and a new emission band at λfl = 628 nm, so that it may be employed as a selective chemosensor or chemodosimeter for the colorimetric and fluorimetric detection of Cu2+ and Fe3+.

A photo-switchable and thermal-enhanced fluorescent hydrogel prepared from N-isopropylacrylamide with water-soluble spiropyran derivative

Herein, a photo-switchable and thermal-enhanced fluorescent hydrogel has been fabricated from N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) with a mixture of water-soluble acryloyl-α-cyclodextrin/acryloyl-α-cyclodextrin-spiropyran (acryloyl-α-CD/ acryloyl-α-CD-SP) as cross-linkers. The physical properties, photochromic properties, and fluorescent behavior of the hydrogel were characterized. The fluorescence emission of the hydrogel can be reversibly switched 'on/off' by UV/visible light irradiation, and meanwhile the fluorescence intensity can be enhanced by increasing the temperature above the volume phase transition temperature (VPTT) of the hydrogel. The hydrogel also shows spatiotemporal fluorescent behavior, excellent cytocompatibility, and fatigue resistance in photochromic and photo-switchable fluorescent behaviors.

Optical differential reflectance spectroscopy for photochromic molecules on solid surfaces

Optical reflectance of thin adsorbates on solid surfaces is able to reveal fundamental changes of molecular properties compared to bulk systems. The detection of very small changes in the optical reflectance required several technical improvements in the past decades. We present an experimental setup that is capable of high-quality measurements of submonolayers and ultrathin layers of photochromic molecules on surfaces as well as quantifying their isomerization kinetics. By using photomultipliers as detectors, an enhancement of the signal-to-noise ratio by a factor of three with a total reduction of light exposure on the sample by at least four orders of magnitude is achieved. The potential of the experimental setup is demonstrated by a characterization of the photoswitching and thermal switching of a spirooxazine derivate on a bismuth surface.

Combined aggregation induced emission (AIE), photochromism and photoresponsive wettability in simple dichloro-substituted triphenylethylene derivatives

A dichloro-substituted triphenylethylene derivative (TrPECl2) with aggregation-induced emission (AIE), photochromism and photoresponsive wettability has been synthesized. The new compound shows fast-response photochromic behaviour with good ON/OFF repeatability by utilizing a proposed stilbene-type intramolecular photocyclization in the solid state. Compared with the more usual diphenylethylene derivatives, the photochromic properties of the triphenylethylene derivative are much more striking and easier to achieve. The triphenylethylene derivative also displays AIE properties leading to strong fluorescence in the solid state. Therefore, both the ultraviolet-visible absorption and fluorescence emission are drastically changed during the photochromic processes. Furthermore, the morphology of the TrPECl2 microcrystalline surface could be controlled by irradiation. The wettability of the surface could be drastically decreased with contact angles of a water droplet changing from 73° to 118°. The triphenylethylene derivative with a simple molecular structure is, therefore, attractive for multifunctional materials.

A Photochromic Copolymer Hydrogel Contact Lens: From Synthesis to Application

A photochromic poly(2-hydroxyl-ethyl methacrylate-N-vinylpyrrolidone-spironaphthoxazine) hydrogel (p(HEMA-NVP-SPO)) has been designed and synthesized by free radical polymerization in this work. The chemical and structural information of hydrogels was investigated by IR spectra, equilibrium water content (EWC), and SEM. The IR spectra confirmed successful synthesis of copolymer. The domain of NVP contributed to not only EWC but also inner structure of hydrogel, while SPO had little influence on these properties of hydrogel. The photochromic behaviors of hydrogel including photochromic properties and thermal fading kinetics were systematically studied and compared with hydrogel made by immersing method. Results showed that when SPO was incorporated in hydrogel by polymerization, maximum absorbance wavelength got shorter, and the relaxation half-life became longer. In addition, salicylic acid as a drug model could be loaded into hydrogel by immersing method, and its sustained drug release in a given period was dependent on the characteristics of solution and loading time.

Photocontrol of ion permeation in lipid vesicles with (bola)amphiphilic spirooxazines

(Bola)amphiphilic spirooxazines have been prepared and photocontrol of ion permeation was observed in lipid vesicles.

Optically switchable diffraction grating in a photochromic/polymer thin film

An optically switchable diffraction grating has been made in a thin film containing a photochromic dye and amorphous polycarbonate. We show that a film containing the dye 5-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1,3,3-trimethylspiro[2H-indole-2,3^'-(3H)naphth[2,1-b](1,4)oxazine] can be optically processed so that a diffraction grating can be completely switched on by ultraviolet light and turned off by thermal relaxation. The ability to switch or modulate the diffraction efficiency has a number of practical applications that include optical switches and add/drop multiplexers.

Crystal structure of 1'-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)-1,4-di-hydro-spiro-[benzo[d][1,3]oxazine-2,3'-indolin]-2'-one

In the title compound, C₁₈H₁₄N₂O₂, the six-membered oxazine ring adopts a half-chair conformation and its mean plane makes a dihedral angle of 83.23 (7)° with the pyrrolidine ring of the indoline ring system. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked via N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along [100]. The chains are linked by C—H⋯π inter­actions, forming slabs parallel to (001).

Kinetic analysis and elucidation options for AB(1k,2phi) systems. New spectrokinetic methods for photochromes

Two new spectrokinetic methods aimed at solving the identifiability problem and leading to the true solutions of AB(1k,2phi) and AB(2phi) kinetics are proposed in this paper. The methods consider the systems under two respective assumption conditions relating to the variability of the quantum yields with irradiation wavelengths. It is shown through a detailed mathematical analysis that a set of only two traces, obtained under isosbestic and non-isosbestic irradiations of the reactive system are sufficient to reach a solution. Evaluation tests of the validity of these assumptions, and hence the usefulness of the methods, are provided and discussed. Also, the analytical expression for a coefficient (alpha) is proposed, whose value can be calculated using available experimental data, and used for the determination of whether the forward quantum yield is wavelength dependent. The kinetics of a photochromic diarylethene derivative is used as an illustration for the application of the elucidation methods.

Opening a Spiropyran Ring by Way of an Exciplex Intermediate

A molecular dyad has been synthesized in which the main chromophore is a 1,4-diethynylated benzene residue terminated with pyrene moieties, this latter unit acting as a single chromophore. A spiropyran group has been condensed to the central phenylene ring so as to position a weak electron donor close to the pyrene unit. Illumination of the pyrene-based chromophore leads to formation of a fluorescent exciplex in polar solvents but pyrene-like fluorescence is observed in nonpolar solvents. The exciplex has a lifetime of a few nanoseconds and undergoes intersystem crossing to the pyrene-like triplet state with low efficiency. Attaching a 4-nitrobenzene group to the open end of the spiropyran unit creates a new route for decay of the exciplex whereby the triplet state of the spiropyran is formed. Nonradiative decay of this latter species results in ring opening to form the corresponding merocyanine species. Rate constants for the various steps have been obtained from time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy carried out over a modest temperature range. Under visible light illumination, the merocyanine form reverts to the original spiropyran geometry so that the cycle is closed. Energy transfer from the pyrene chromophore to the merocyanine unit leads to an increased rate of ring closure and serves to push the steady-state composition in favor of the spiropyran form.

Modulation of Unconventional Fluorescence of Novel Photochromic Perimidine Spirodimers

Fluorescence modulation by a class of photochromic perimidine spirodimers, which exhibit a characteristic fluorescence associated with their photochromic reactions, has been described. Upon irradiation using 365 nm light, these non-fluorescent spiro molecules undergo a thermally-reversible ring opening at their spiro junction resulting in the generation of strong fluorescence. The fluorescing species is distinctly different from both the stable ring-closed and the ring-opened compounds, though it appears to have been formed from and remains in equilibrium with the photochemically generated ring-opened form. While the fluorescing species possesses a narrow absorption band with its maximum centered at 500 nm, the ring-opened form exhibits a broad absorption across the visible region with two maxima centered at 410 and 650 nm, respectively. After initiating the photochromic reactions in these molecules using 365 nm light, purely photochemically-controlled fluorescence modulation can be carried out using two wavelengths in the visible region, that is, 500 and 700 nm, while the equilibrium concentration of the ring-opened form and the fluorescing species is controlled. Fluorescence modulation is attained also by controlling the ratio of the ring-closed and ring-opened forms by photochemical ring-opening and thermal ring-closing reactions. The study on the effect of substitution of these molecules suggests that by extending the conjugation of the perimidine core in the ring-opened form the molecule is rendered non-fluorescent and hence it can be assumed that the perimidine core forms the fluorescing entity of the molecule.

Spectroscopic and Theoretical Evidence for the Elusive Intermediate of the Photoinitiated and Thermal Rearrangements of Photochromic Spiropyrans

Spectral properties and photochromic behavior of a series of novel 1',3',3'-trimethyl-1,2-tetramethylenespiro[7H-furo(3,2-f)-(2H-1)-benzopyran-7,2'-indolines] 1-4 have been studied. The mechanism of the photoinitiated ring-opening reaction involves the formation of an acoplanar cis-cisoid intermediate, the lifetime of which in the case of 6-(tert-butyl) derivative 4 is long enough to observe its absorption and fluorescence spectra under conditions of continuous irradiation. The occurrence of the intermediate on the reaction paths of the thermal and photochemical ring-opening processes has been also shown by the DFT and CIS calculations. The TD-B3LYP/6-31G//HF/6-31G calculated spectrum of the intermediate well matches that observed experimentally. For spiropyran 3 with a 6-NO(2) group, kinetic and activation parameters of the photoinitiated coloration and dark bleaching reactions have been determined.

Synthesis and spectroscopic study on photochromism of a new thiosemicarbazone compound containing pyrazolone

A new photochromic compound 1,3-diphenyl-4-(4'-fluro)benzal-5-pyrazolone-4-ethyl thiosemicarbazone (DP4FBP-ETSC) was synthesized by direct condensation of 1,3-diphenyl-5-pyrazolone with N4-ethyl thiosemicarbazide. The product was characterized by elemental analysis, IR and 1H NMR spectra. The photochromic properties of the compound were studied using time-dependent fluorescence emission spectra, the UV-vis reflection spectra in the solid state and the UV-vis absorption spectroscopy in liquid. The reaction rate constant of compound was also analyzed. The results show that DP4FBP-ETSC can perform photochromism.

Photochromism of a spirooxazine in the single crystalline phase

The single crystals of a closed form spirooxazine spiro[azahomoadamantane-isoquinolinoxazine] were found for the first time to undergo photocoloration processes consistent with photochromism in the single crystalline phase.