Studies on photochromic benzimidazol[1,2a]pyrrolidin-2-ones from the condensation of 2-methyl-3-benzothienylethylidene-(isopropylidene)succinic anhydride with 1,2-diaminobenzenes

Novel photochromic benzimidazol[1,2a]pyrrolidin-2-ones, which give thermally stable highly coloured photochromes, have been synthesised by condensation of 2-methyl-3-benzothienylethylidene(isopropylidene)succinic anhydride with 1,2-diaminobenzene and its 4,5-dimethyl and 4,5-dimethoxy derivatives. The photochromic properties are reported.