In situ observation and mechanistic elucidation of metastable colored species in crystalline state photochromism of trans-biindenylidenedione†
Abstract
A metastable colored species from the photochromic reaction of trans-biindenylidenedione, which only proceeds in the crystalline state, has been directly observed by in situ crystal structure analysis method. The reaction mechanism and observed color change have also been confirmed from the theoretical calculation and the spectral measurement.