Synthesis, experimental and theoretical studies of nitrosubstituted symmetric bis(spiropyran) of the indoline series

Abstract

The synthesis of a new symmetric bis(spiropyran) of the indoline series existing as an equilibrium mixture of isomeric forms in various organic solvents is described. This equilibrium was in detail studied by dynamic NMR spectroscopy. In particular, the equilibrium constants were found at various temperatures, and the thermal effects of isomerization processes were calculated. The thermal transformations were studied by quantum chemical modeling. As a result, possible isomerization pathways were proposed and the observed ratio of the forms in the NMR spectra was explained. Photo- and thermochromic transformations were studied by UV spectroscopy, which revealed positive photochromic properties of the target compound. The observed changes in the absorption spectra with increasing temperature are completely consistent with the results of NMR studies. The nature of the absorption bands observed in the spectra was explained using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of the synthesized compound on the surface of silver nanoparticles were detected and analyzed before and after UV irradiation to determine prospects for using similar bis(spiropyrans) as SERS markers and probes.