Synthesis and structure of indoline spiropyrans of the coumarin series

Article abstract of DOI:10.1007/s11172-006-0131-4

New indoline spiropyrans of the coumarin series were synthesized by the condensation of indoline and hydroxyformylcoumarin derivatives. Spiropyrans, viz., derivatives of 8-formyl-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin and 5-formyl-6-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin, under irradiation are transformed into open forms, which are recyclized in the dark. The compounds formed by the condensation of the indoline derivatives with 3-formyl-4-hydroxycoumarin have an open structure of the merocyanine dyes and are transformed into spiro forms neither in the dark nor under irradiation with the visible light.