Multifunctional Spirocyclic Systems

Abstract

New spiropyrans with different substituents in the benzopyran fragment have been synthesized and investigated. It was shown that introduction of aldehyde group in the structure of spiropyrans gives a possibility to obtain new functionalized compounds. Effects of the substituents on the photochromic behavior were studied.

1. Introduction

Photochromic compounds based on spiropyrans as well as [2H]-chromenes are perspective photosensitive materials for molecular switches, optical filters with modulated transmission, and hybrid multifunctional materials. Conceptual aspects of a spiropyran practical application are based on photo-, thermo-, solvate-, and electrochromic properties [1].

Spiropyrans are applicable for using in molecular logic devices, photochromic and electrooptical devices [2], and multifunctional artificial receptors [3]. Photochromic spiropyrans can be used for creation of various types of optical memory [4] in quantum computers.

Reactions of different functional groups give an opportunity to obtain compounds with a variety of untraditional 𝜋-acceptor substituents, which can dramatically change spiropyran properties. Synthesis of the differently substituted spiropyrans and results of these structural modifications will be discussed in this work.

2. Results and Discussion

Previously we synthesized and studied number of spiropyrans of benzoxazinone and indoline series [5]. We decided to continue our research of aldehyde-substituted spirocompounds.

8^′-Formyl-3,6^′-dimethyl-4-oxo-3,4-dihydrospiro-2H-1,3-benzoxazine-2,2^′-[2H]chromene 4a was synthesized by the reaction of benzoxazinonium perchlorate 1 with 2,6-diformyl-4-methyl-phenol 2 followed by cyclization of obtained merocyanine salt 3.

Reactivity of the aldehyde group in the benzopyran part allows to obtain derivatives figures 4b, c containing azomethine and hydrazine fragment as a result of the reaction with amines and hydrazines correspondingly [6]. Multifunctional spirocyclic compounds and derivatives of spiropyrans possessing the ability to form mono- and binucluear complexes with transition metals could attract great interest due to their potential application as active light-sensitive components of the organic and composite nanostructures.

Spirocompound 4d with the benzocrown-5 fragment was synthesized [7]. The benzocrown-5 fragment in 4d was connected to the [2H]-chromene part through a conjugated 𝜋-electron-withdrawing C=N bond to prolong the conjugation chain in the open colored form. This structure is able to potential selective binding of metal ions.

The complex formed by capture of metal ion in the crown-ether cavity could be an original 𝜋-acceptor substituent. Additional 𝜋-acceptor nitrosubstituent could turn on the photochromic properties in spiropyrans containing azomethyne substituents [8].

Spiropyran 5 was synthesized by condensation of the 1,2,3,3-tetramethylindolenilium salt with the 2,4-diformyl-6-methyl phenol. New compound 5a was obtained after condensation with the para-methoxy-phenoxyacetic acid hydrazide 6.

Presence of the chelating hydrazide fragment in the structure 5a allowed to expect a complex compound formation with metal ions. It was shown that methoxy- and methyl- substituents in the benzopyran part of compound 5a increase solubility and permit to carry out a detailed study of the obtained complex properties. In addition, the unshared electronic pairs of the methoxy group oxygen atom could expand the possibilities of complexation.

Also new aldehyde-substituted spiropyran 7 was synthesized by condensation of the 1, 2, 3, 3-tetramethylindolenilium salt with corresponding aldehyde.

3. Photochromic Properties

Spiropyran 4a containing 𝜋-acceptor substituent possesses photochromic properties in solid state as well as in solution [9]. Thin films of spiropyran 4a, which were prepared by thermal vacuum deposition on glass and quartz supports, turned colored under UV irradiation at 𝜆_max=365 nm. The resulting colored form is characterized by absorption in the visible region with 𝜆_max=605 nm and the lifetime of 1 hour (Figure 1).

Figure 1 

Electronic absorption spectra of the irradiated film of spiropyran 4a : 1, the irradiated form (reverse dark reaction). Time after irradiation/min: 2, 5; 3, 15; 4, 30; 5, 60.

Spiropyrans 4b, c do not exhibit photochromic properties. Such behavior could be explained by the fact that modification of the 8^′-aldehyde group substantially reduced the electron-accepting effect of this group. Consequently it reduces the polarity of the C_spiro–O bond and negatively affects on photochromic properties of the compounds.

It was shown that obtaining of the colored merocyanine products 4d does not occur under irradiation with UV-light (365 nm). Only reversible E-Z isomerization was observed under the experimental condition. The complex formed by possible capture of a metal ion by the crown ether cavity may be a unique additional electron-withdrawing substituent, which activates photochromic properties in spiropyrans containing an azomethine substituent. Adding of the lithium ions to the solution of 4d does not lead to the breaking of C_spiro–O bond in contrast to the spiropyrans of indoline series. However, hypsochromic shift of the absorption maxima (20 nm) was observed after adding of the calcium ions to the solution of 4d. This fact was explained by the interaction between cyclic spiroform 4d and Ca²⁺ions (Figure 2).

Figure 2 

Changes in the absorption spectra of 4d solution after adding of calcium ions.

Spiropyran 5a undergoes reversible photochromic transformations and new long-wave maxima appears at the 630 nm under irradiation of the UV-light with the𝜆=365 nm in stationary conditions.

The system behavior in UV spectral region is essentially different for photo- (Figure 3) and back thermal reaction (Figure 4). Effective route for irreversible process could be the reason of such properties. Changing of the long-wave absorption band form is observed during back thermal reaction that could be explained by obtaining of several cis-trans merocyanine isomers.

Figure 3 

Absorption spectra of the compound 5a in acetonitrile (𝐶=6,43×10−5M, 𝑇=30∘C) under irradiation in stationary conditions by light 𝜆max 365 nm.

Figure 4 

Change in the absorbance spectra of the compound 5a in acetonitrile (𝐶=6,43×10−5M,𝑇=30∘C) after irradiation (back thermal reaction).

This compound is a potential chemosensor due to its possibility to capture metal ions by chelating hydrazone fragment. This process could be interesting for using in active light-sensitive element of nanostructural materials.

Addition of the zinc salt to the compound 5a acetonitrile solution results in strong coloration and change of the spectrum (Figure 5). Irradiation of the solution with the light 546/365 nm does not lead to any changes in the absorption spectra. This photochromic behavior could be the evidence of the C_spiro–O bond breaking and consequent involving of the oxygen atom into complex formation with metal ion that dramatically stabilizes merocyanine isomer. Obtained spectrum is probably the superposition of the different complex compound spectra.

Figure 5 

Absorption spectra of the compound 5a in acetonitrile (𝐶=4,82×10−5M,𝑇=30∘C) before (1), immediately after (2) and 20 seconds after (3) addition of zinc salt ([Zn++]=1,12×10−3).

Photochromic properties of compound 7 implanted at the oligocarbonatedimethylacrylate film were investigated. Absorption spectrum of the spiropyran 7 in the stationary conditions is represented on Figure 6. Open merocyanine isomer is produced under irradiation of the polymer film of compound 7 that leads to the appearance of absorption maxima at the 585 nm.

Figure 6 

Absorption spectra of the spiropyran 7 in the oligocarbonatedimethylacrylate film during the photocoloration process (𝜆irr=365 nm; 𝑑𝑡=10 s; 𝑇=20∘C).

It is proposed to use photochromic compounds containing polymerized substituent in the structure as photochromic component in development of the next-generation intraocular lenses. These devices are very important due to the physiologically proved strategy of the retina protection and essential reduction of quantity of the short wave light reaching a retina and pigmentary epithelium.

4. SERS and AFM Investigations

Study of the structure and photophysical properties of photochromes in an adsorbed state is of great importance for practical applications. One of the most efficient methods applied to investigate adsorbates is the spectroscopy of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) [10]. Structure of the compound 5a adsorbed on the annealed and unannealed silver films was investigated (Figure 7).

Figure 7 

The SERS spectra (𝜆exc=514.5 nm) of compound 5a adsorbed on the annealed (1) and unannealed (2) silver films.

In the SERS spectra the typical band of the colorless spiropyran form at about 1640 cm⁻¹ is absent [11]. Consequently, in our experiments with application of the SERS spectroscopy only the colored (with an open pyran cycle) form of the spiropyran molecules is detected. The equilibrium between the colorless and colored forms is shifted to the merocyanine on the silver surface. The photochromism in investigated solutions is manifested only with apparently low quantum yields and very small concentration of the open form. The dissociation of the adsorbed molecules, that is, the opening of the pyran ring at the adsorbed state can be associated with the fact that the energy of C_spiro–O bond decreases because of the spiro-oxygen interaction with the sorbent surface.

Using of the light-sensitive layers containing nanostructured colloid argentums (like AgCI-Ag) in the capacity of SERS-active substrates could give additional amplification of the SERS signal. Thin photosensitive layers of AgCI-Ag had been produced by the thermal vacuum deposition on the glass and quartz surfaces. Absorption spectra and AFM-images of the thin films were taken. The aggregate of the Ag granules with vertical dimensions 5⋯40 nm and horizontal dimensions 50⋯100 nm (Figure 8) acts like colloid and determines resonant absorption of the light in the AgCI-Ag films. Maximum of the colloidal absorption band for the AgCI-Ag films is located at the 530 nm (Figure 9).

Figure 8 

AFM-images of the photosensitive layer based on the optically attained (3 minutes) nanostructured AgCl-Ag.

Figure 9 

Absorption spectra of the the optically attained nanostructured AgCl-Ag: 1 minute before exposition; 2-3 minutes of exposition; 3–5 minutes of exposition by laser 514 nm, 30 mW.

5. Experimental

The electronic spectra of the investigated compounds were recorded at room temperature on a Varian Carry spectrometer. The absorption spectra before and after irradiation were recorded on a Specord UV-Vis spectrometer fitted with a special cryostat for low-temperature measurements. The excitation source was a DRSh-250 mercury lamp with light filters isolating light with 𝜆_max 313 and 365 nm.

5.1. 𝟖^′-Formyl-3,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-3,4-dihydrospiro-2H-1,3-benzoxazine-2,𝟐^′-[2H]chromene 𝟒𝐚

Compound 4a was prepared from benzoxazinonium perchlorate 1 with 2,6-diformyl-4-methyl-phenol 2 by a procedure described previously [12]. Yield—22 %. M.p. 146^∘C (EtOH). Found (%): C, 71.07; H, 4.64; N, 4.54. C₁₉H₁₅NO₃. Calculated (%): C, 71.02; H, 4.70; N, 4.36. IR, 𝜈/cm⁻¹: 1670 (C=O); 1638, 1610, 1582 (C=C); 958, 936 (C–O). ¹HNMR (CDCl3), 𝛿: 2.33 (s, /3 H,6^′-Me); 3.04 (s, 3H, N–Me); 6.00 (d, 1 H, 3^′-H, 𝐽=12.5 Hz); 6.30–8.13 (m, 7 H); 9.75 (s, 1 H, 8^′-CHO).

5.2. 8^′-(3-Iminobenzo-15-crown-5)-3,6^′-dimethyl-4-oxo-3,4-dihydrospiro(2H-1,3-benzoxazine-2,2^′-[2H]-chromene) 𝟒𝐝

4-Aminobenzo-15-crown-5 (0.09 g, 0.031 mmol) was added to a solution of 8^′-formyl-3,6^′-dimethyl-4-oxo-3,4-dihydrospiro(2H-1,3-benzoxazine-2,2-[2H]-chromene) 4a (0.1 g, 0.3 mmol) in ethanol (3 ml) at reflux. The solution was heated at reflux for 30 minutes. The solvent was distilled off in vacuum and the residue obtained was recrystallized from ethanol to give 0.15 g (81%) 4d. M.p 153–154^∘C. Found, %: C 67.42; H 5.93; N 4.65. C₃₃H₃₄N₂O₆. Calculated, %: C 67.56; H 5.84; N 4.78. IR, ν/cm⁻¹: 1680 (C=N), 1642 (C=O), 1617, 1578 (C=C), 1264 (C–N), 1148, 974, 952 (C–O). ¹HNMR (CDCl₃), 𝛿, ppm (𝐽,Hz): 2.35 (1 H, s,CH₃); 3.19 (1 H, s, N–CH₃); 3.64–4.18 (16 H, m, O–CH₂–CH₂–O); 6.12 (1 H, d, 𝐽=9.7, H-3^′); 6.39 (1 H, dd, 𝐽=8.5, 𝐽=2.3, H-5^′′); 6.54 (1 H, d, 𝐽=2.3, H-3^′′); 6.74 (1 H, d, 𝐽=8.5, H-6^′′); 6.84 (1 H, d, 𝐽=8.0, H-8); 7.00 (1 H, d, 𝐽=9.7, H-4^′); 7.10–7.20 (2H, m, H-6, H-5^′); 7.43 (1 H, m, H-7); 7.86 (1 H, m, H-7^′); 8.04 (1 H, d, 𝐽=7.8, H-5); 8.26 (1 H, s, N=CH).

5.3. Spiropyran 𝟓𝐚

To para-methoxy-phenoxyacetic acid hydrazide 6 (1.96 g, 0.01 mol) in benzene (10 ml) we added an equivalent amount of the spiropyran 5 (3.19 g, 0.01 mol). The mixture was refluxed for 1 hour and allowed to stand until a precipitate had separated. The precipitate was filtered off, dried, and recrystallized from ethanol. Yield 2.8 g (56%). M.p. 194–196^∘C.

Found, %: C 72.51; H 6.22; N 8.40. C₃₀H₃₁N₃O₄. Calculated, %:C 72.43; H 6.24; N 8.45. IR, ν/cm⁻¹: 1673 (C=N), 1639 (C=O), 1610, 1583, 1572 (C=C), 1259 (C–N), 1135, 961, 952 (C–O).

¹HNMR (CDCl₃), 𝛿, ppm. (𝐽,Hz): 1.19, 1.30 (6 H, 2-s, gem. (CH₃)₂); 2.25 (3 H, s,8^′-CH₃); 2,78 (3 H, s, N–CH₃); 3.8 (3 H, s, O–CH₃); 4.58 (2 H, c, –CH₂–); 5.7 (1 H, d, 𝐽=8.5); 6.52–7.8 (11 H, m, aromatic H); 8.06 (1 H, s, N=CH); 9.4 (1 H, s, –NH–).

5.4. 𝟔^′-Formyl-𝟖^′-allyl-1,3,3-trimethylspiroindoline-2,𝟐^′-[2H]chromene 𝟕

Piperidine (0.1 ml, 1.1 mmol) was added dropwise with heating to a solution of 2,4-diformyl-6-allyl-phenol (189 mg, 1 mmol) and 1,2,3,3-tetramethylindolenium perchlorate (274 mg, 1 mmol) in 2-propanol (5 ml). The reaction mixture was refluxed for 10 minutes and cooled. The precipitate was filtered off and recrystallized. M.p. 84^∘C. Found, %: C 79,99; H 6,62; N 4,11. C₂₃H₂₃NO₂. Calculated, %: C 80,00; H 6,67; N 4,06. IR,𝜈/cm⁻¹: 1675 (C=O), 1630, 1590 (C=C), 1010, 920 (C–O). ¹HNMR(CDCl₃),𝛿, ppm (𝐽,Hz): 1.21, 1.32 (6 H, 2-s, gem. (CH₃)₂); 2.66 (3 H, s, N–CH₃); 3.07–3.20 (2 H, m, =CH₂); 4.70–4.91 (2 H, m, –CH₂–); 5.64–5.82 (1 H, m, =CH–); 5.77 (1 H, d,𝐽=9,6,3^′-H); 6.53 (1 H, d, 𝐽=7,7,4^′-H); 6.84–7.57 (6 H, m, aromatic H); 9.81 (1 H, s, CHO).

6. Conclusion

New differently substituted spirocompounds were synthesized on the basis of formyl-containing spiropyrans of benzoxazine and indoline series. Structure and photochromic properties of obtained compounds were investigated in solution and in thin solid films.

Acknowledgments

This work was financial supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Grants 07-03-00234, 08-03-90029-Bel), Belarusian Republic Foundation for Basic Research (Grant F08R-228) as well as the Grant of the Russian Federation President NSh-363.2008.3., Russian-American program BRHE, and the Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation (project RNP.2.2.2.3.16011, RNP 2.2.2.2.3915, BP3C04, BP4M04).