The photochromic and self-assembling properties of diarylethenes having chiral amphiphilic chains at the reactive carbon atoms

A photochromic diarylethene derivative having chiral polyethylene glycol side chains at the reactive carbon atoms was synthesized. The diarylethene showed a photochromic reaction upon irradiation with UV and visible light in both ethyl acetate and water. The open- and the closed-ring isomers showed a non-exciton-coupled-type of CD spectrum, and the compound underwent a diastereoselective cyclization reaction.