Photochromism of Bis(2-alkyl-1-benzofuran-3-yl)perfluorocyclopentene Derivatives

Photochromic diarylethene derivatives having benzofuran heteroaryl groups, bis(2-methyl-1-benzofuran-3-yl)perfluorocyclopentene and bis(2-butyl-1-benzofuran-3-yl)perfluorocyclopentene, were synthesized, and their photochromic performance was examined in hexane solution as well as in the single-crystalline phase. The compounds exhibited photochromic reactivity even in the single-crystalline phase.