High quantum yield diarylethene backbone photochromic polymer: optical properties

Photochromism that arises from the main polymer backbone is reported for the first time. The synthesized polymer with the diarylethene repeat unit is demonstrated to have photochromic properties superior to those of the monomer. The polymer has high thermal stability and its cyclization quantum yield (0.85) is very high for a photochromic compound. The closed, conjugated form of the polymer, which can be changed into the open, non-conjugated form by irradiation with visible light, is oxidizable, thus opening the way to photoswitchable electronic applications.