Synthesis, photochromism and morphology changes of a new asymmetric fluorescent quaterthiophene. Issue 37 (9th September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Han, Jing; Zang, Yan; Yu, Zhong; He, Xiang; Guo, Ping
• Is Part Of: Tetrahedron letters. Volume 56:Issue 37(2015)
• Page Start: 5213
• Page End: 5217
• Publication Date: 2015-09-09
• Subjects: Quaterthiophene -- Dithienylethene -- Photochromism -- Fluorescence -- Morphology change; Chemistry, Organic -- Periodicals; 547.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2015.07.067
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0040-4039

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Abstract: A new asymmetric quaterthiophene was synthesized via facile one-pot method and structure characterized. X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis showed that two different types of conformers coexisted in one crystal and both adopted non-reactive fashions. The distance of 5.118 Å between two reactive carbons is too long to form a new single bond upon photoirradiation in single-crystalline state. However, the compound displayed reversible photochromism in solutions and normal photocyclization in both PMMA films and solid films. The open-form and closed-form isomers differ from each other not only in UV–vis absorption, but also in fluorescent emission. In addition, the morphology of the compound film changed accompanying interesting wettability conversion from hydrophobicity to hydrophilicity upon photostimulation with UV light.