A Suzuki Approach to Quinone-Based Diarylethene Photochromes.

Diarylethene photochromes show promise for use in advanced organic electronic and photonic materials with burgeoning considerations for biological applications; however, these compounds typically require UV light for photoswitching in at least one direction, thus limiting their appeal. We here introduce a naphthoquinone-based diarylethene that switches between open and closed forms with visible light. The synthesis of this quinone diarylethene relies on Suzuki methodology, allowing for the inclusion of functional groups not otherwise accessible with current synthetic routes.