Tuning the photochromic properties of chromophores containing a nitrile-rich acceptor: a novel branch in the investigation of negative photochromes

Abstract

Various negative photochromes containing a nitrile-rich acceptor with tunable absorption properties and thermal stability of the photo-induced form were synthesized and characterized. High photoswitching contrast due to the contribution of an intensely colored quinoid form of the chromophores of this series was shown for the first time. The obtained results discovered a new direction in the investigation of negative photochromes.