Spiropyran compounds and optically active spiropyran compounds and their use

摘要

The present invention relates to a spiropyran compound represented by the formula (1); an optically active spiropyran compound wherein an asymmetric center is introduced on a spirocarbon; and optical functional materials using these compounds, ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, aralkyl group, hydroxyethyl group, methacryloxymethyl group or methacryloxyethyl group; R.sup.2, R. sup.3, R. sup.4 and R.sup.5 are the same or different and are each hydrogen atom, alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, aryl group, aralkyl group, alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, hydroxymethyl group, carboxyl group, halogen atom, amino group, cyano group, trichloromethyl group, trifluoromethyl group or nitro group; R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are the same or different and are each hydrogen atom, alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, aryl group, aralkyl group, halogen atom, cyano group or nitro group; R.sup.6 is alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, hydroxymethyl group, carboxyl group, methoxycarbonyl group, methacryloxymethyl group or vinyl group; at least one of R.sup.1 to R.sup. 8 is substituted with a substituent having properties as a reagent for optical resolution; and X is oxygen atom or sulfur atom.