Linda N. Lucas

Syntheses of dithienylcyclopentene optical molecular switches

Properly functionalized dithienylethenes show promise for light-induced switching processes. To prevent cis/trans isomerization from competing with conrotatory 6π-electron ring closure, the ethene segment is usually incorporated in a (perfluorinated) cyclopentene. In the present article syntheses of perhydrocyclopentene 1 and perfluorocyclopentene 2 are described, which are amenable for large-scale conversions. Both compounds have chloro substituents at the 5-position of the thiophene rings to allow further functionalization. The conversion of the chloro substituents of 1 to formyl, carboxylate, boronyl, and hydrogen groups by halogen/lithium exchange at room temperature is described, and examples are given of further elaboration of 1 and 2 by attachment, both in a symmetrical as well as unsymmetrical fashion, of additional functionality by condensation, Friedel−Crafts or Suzuki reactions. The newly prepared thienylperhydrocyclopentene derivatives show reversible photochromism if the substituents at the 5-postions allow for conjugation with the thiophene π-system. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003)

A new synthetic route to symmetrical photochromic diarylperfluorocyclopentenes

Abstract Symmetrical and photochromic diarylperfluorocyclopentene has been prepared by reaction of 3-lithio-5-chloro-2-methylthiophene with the ethyl ester of hexafluoroglutaric acid, followed by ring closure via a McMurry coupling. Compound 7 is a versatile intermediate for the development of photochromic materials.

A new class of photochromic 1,2-diarylethenes; synthesis and switching properties of bis(3-thienyl)cyclopentenes

A novel synthetic route to diarylethenes fixed in a cyclopentene based on titanium-mediated carbonyl coupling leads to bis(3-thienyl)cyclopentenes that show photochromic behaviour similar to that of known diarylethenes.

Reaction dynamics and applications in patterning of bisthienylcyclopentene-based photochromic switches

The structural and optical properties of the gel-forming photochromic switch 1,2-bis(2’-methyl-5’-{{((R) phenylethyl)amino}carbonyl}thienyl-3’-yl)cyclopentene are studied by means of the linear absorption and holographic grating techniques. The use of diffractive optics enables recording of holographic gratings with high long-term phase stability. The diffraction efficiency of the recorded holographic gratings approach values of 30% for low writing beam energies when diffusion is the rate determining factor. At higher writing pulse energies the competition between the diffusion and photodecomposition processes causes lower diffraction efficiencies. At irradiation doses above 10 mJ the spatial profile of the recorded gratings is strongly influenced by saturation effects. Because of the well-determined grating profile the holographic grating technique is potentially applicable for the quantitative characterisation of the diffusion process in photochromic gels.