A Nonlinear Photochromic Reaction Based on Sensitizer-Free Triplet–Triplet Annihilation in a Perylene-Substituted Rhodamine Spirolactam

Abstract

Nonlinear photochromic reactions that work with weak incoherent light are important for molecular operations with high spatial resolution and multiple photofunctions based on single molecules. However, nonlinear photochromic compounds generally require complex molecular design, restricting accessibility in various fields. Herein, we report nonlinear photochromic properties in a perylene-substituted rhodamine spirolactam derivative (Rh−Pe), which is synthesized from rhodamine B in facile procedures. Direct excitation of Rh−Pe produces the triplet excited state via the charge-transfer (CT) state. The triplet excited state causes triplet–triplet annihilation to bring the generation of the intensely colored ring-open form with nonlinear behavior. Furthermore, green- and red-light-induced photochromism was achieved in Rh−Pe using triplet sensitizers, although Rh−Pe can be directly excited only by ultraviolet and blue light. Our findings are expected to contribute to the development of photofunctional materials showing nonlinear behavior and low-energy light responsivity.