A photoswitchable diarylethene heterodimer for use as a multifunctional logic gate

Abstract

A novel multifunctional photochromic molecule, BTF–BTH, was synthesized via covalently linking two photoswitchable fluorescent diarylethenes BTFO4 and BTHTO, and the structure was characterized using NMR and MS analysis. The photophysical properties of four photoisomeric states, BTFo–BTHo, BTFc–BTHc, BTFc–BTHo and BTFo–BTHc, were studied. Interconversions among these states were readily achieved using light irradiation and the addition of Cu²⁺. Interestingly, a fluorescence energy transfer phenomenon was observed for BTFc–BTHc. Based on these results, logic gates, including OR, keypad lock, INHIBIT, AND, and 1:2 demultiplexer, were designed and successfully demonstrated using BTF–BTH.