New bis-photochromic compounds based on diarylimidazoles: Synthesis and multistimuli-responsive optical properties

Three new bis-photochromic molecules containing two 4,5-diarylimidazole units were synthesized and characterized. We investigated their photophysical properties and pH response characteristics in acetonitrile solutions and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) membranes. All compounds displayed significant pH responses for the imidazole ring in the molecular structure, which could be potentially used as pH probes. Under ultraviolet light, these compounds show photochromism and ‘turn-off’ fluorescence properties either in solution or in PMMA film. The mechanism of this phenomenon may be due to photoisomerization, that is the conversion of the 4,5-diarylimidazole units open-ring form to the closed-ring form. Moreover, such systems as logic gates, high density (3D) data storage systems and optical equivalents of field-effect transistors are considered necessary for optical computing.