Photochromism of a water-soluble vesicular [2.2]paracyclophane-bridged imidazole dimer

摘要

Here we report the first photochromism of a newly designed [2.2|paracyclophane-bridged imidazole dimer in water. The photo-chromic dye with a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic substituent forms vesicles in water and shows instantaneous colouration upon UV light irradiation and successive rapid fading in the dark. Photochromic materials are a well-known class of molecules which change their colour upon light irradiation.