Dimethyldihydropyrene-cyclophanediene photochromic couple functionalized with terpyridyl metal complexes as multi-addressable redox- and photo-switches

A series of dimethyldihydropyrene-appended metal complexes has been synthesized and thoroughly characterized using electrochemical and spectroscopic methods. The ring-opening reaction undergone by the dimethyldihydropyrene core under visible light irradiation proceeds much more efficiently when the metal complexes and the photochromic moiety are connected through a pyridinium-bridge vs a phenyl bridge. The clean electrochemical and photochemical responses of these hybrid systems make them good candidates for the conception of new multi-addressable photo- and redox-switches.