Acta Cryst. (2006). E62, o1136-o1138  [ doi:10.1107/S160053680600540X ]

1,2-Bis(2-ethyl-5-hydroxymethyl-3-thienyl)-3,3,4,4,5,5-hexafluorocyclopent-1-ene, a new photochromic diarylethene compound

T.-S. Yang, S.-Z. Pu, F.-S. Luo and J.-K. Xu

Abstract: The title compound, C₁₉H₁₈F₆O₂S₂, is one of the most promising materials for optical memories and other optoelectronic devices. The molecular structure has a photoactive antiparallel conformation. The dihedral angles between the cyclopentene ring and the attached thiophene rings are 52.12 (1) and 52.70 (1)°. The distance between the two reactive C atoms, i.e. the ring C atoms to which the ethyl groups are attached, is 3.596 (4) Å. A dichloromethane solution of the colorless crystals turns pink when exposed to UV radiation, with an absorption maximum of 542 nm.

Online 24 February 2006

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