Advanced Materials, Vol.8, No.5, 402-405, 1996
Cooperative proton-electron transfer in a supramolecular structure of meso-1,2-bis(4-dimethylalminophenyl)-1-2-ethanediol and bis(4-cyanobenzylidene)ethylenediamine
A supramolecular 1:1 complex of the title compounds undergoes light-induced cooperative proton-electron transfer which can be switched back by warming to 60 degrees C. The complex (see Figure) is found to exhibit a unique form of photochromism, meaning that it could have potential in optical switching (with thermal back switching) or optical data storage applications.