Visible‐Light‐Driven Fluorescence Turn‐on Photoswitches With Near Quantitative Photocyclization Yield

Abstract

Abstract Photoswitchable fluorescent materials have gained significant attention for their potential in advanced information encryption and anti‐counterfeiting applications. However, the common use of UV light to trigger the isomerization processes leads to photobleaching and poor fatigue resistance. Visible‐light‐driven fluorescent photoswitches are highly desirable, but achieving high cyclization yield remains challenging. Herein, it is reported that all visible‐light‐driven turn‐on fluorescence in dimethoxyphenyl functionalized diarylethene isomers. The open‐ring form of o‐DMPB and p‐DMPB exhibits near quantitative conversion yields (up to 94%) under 405 nm visible light, attributed to the strong electron‐donating character. In contrast, the meta isomer m‐DMPB shows limited response to visible light, with a ring‐closing yield of 22%. Furthermore, all photoswitches display good thermal stability, photostability, and fatigue resistance. Notably, o‐DMPB demonstrates promising applications in anti‐counterfeiting, information encryption, and photorewritable patterns. This work provides a valuable strategy for the development of high‐performance fluorescent photoswitches.

Keywords

• information recording
• photoswitch
• quantitative photocyclization
• turn‐on fluorescence
• visible‐light‐driven