The irreversible thermo-bleaching function of a photochromic diarylethene having trimethylsilyl groups

A new function of a photochromic diarylethene, having trimethylsilyl groups at the reactive positions, has been developed. Upon alternating ultraviolet and visible light irradiation, the diarylethene showed photoreversible photochromism in a polymer film, as well as in solution. The colored state changed to colorless immediately upon heating at 100 °C. The colorless state, which is different from the open-ring isomer, was stable under both ultraviolet and visible light irradiation. Such photochromic materials could potentially be used in applications as secret display materials.