Solvent dependence on the thermal cycloreversion reaction of photochromic diarylbenzene derivatives

Abstract

Abstract In this study, we investigated the solvent dependence on the thermal cycloreversion reaction of photochromic diarylbenzene derivatives. Interestingly, only in the case of a diarylbenzene derivative with methoxy groups, the thermal cycloreversion reaction was accelerated when protic solvents such as ethanol and methanol were used. Moreover, it was found that the thermal cycloreversion reaction was drastically accelerated by acid addition.