Synthesis of polystyrene and poly(alkyl methacrylate)s having photochromic dithienylethene pendant groups

Abstract

Polystyrene, poly(ethyl methacrylate), and poly(isopropyl methacrylate) having 1-(2-methoxy-1-bensothiophen-3-yl)-2-{2,4-dimethyl-5-[4-(4-carbonyloxybutyl) phenyl]thiophen-3-yl}perfluorocyclopentenes were synthesized. Photochemical conversion from open-ring to closed-ring forms of the dithienylethenes was 8-18% lower than the conversion of the chromophore mixed in the same matrix. Although no appreciable difference was observed in the photostationary conversion below and above the glass transition temperature (Tg) in polystyrene and poly(ethyl methacrylate), the conversion in poly(isopropyl methacrylate) increase above Tg.