Synthesis and photochromic behaviour under flash photolysis and continuous irradiation of novel 2H-chromenes derived from hydroxydibenzothiophenes

The synthesis and photochromic properties, under flash photolysis and continuous irradiation, of new 2,2-diphenyl-2H-1-benzopyrans including a dibenzothiophene nucleus are described. Under flash photolysis, all compounds exhibit photochromic behaviour in solution at room temperature, but under continuous irradiation the same was not perceived. Compared to reference compounds, a general bathochromic shift and the existence of two absorption bands in the Vis spectra of the open forms, leading to a boardening in the absorption range, is observed. The heteroannellation effects on the spectrokinetic parameters are variable and depend on the position and geometry of the fused benzothiophene moiety. The effect of electron-withdrawing substituents in C(6) of the 2H-1-benzopyran skeleton, with the benzothiophene nucleus fused at the 7,8 positions, are analyzed.