Synthesis of polystyrene and poly(alkyl methacrylate)s having photochromicdithienylethene pendant groups

Polystyrene, poly(ethyl methacrylate), and poly(isopropyl methacrylate) hav ing 1-(2-methoxy-1-benzothiophen-3-yl)-2-{2,4-dimethyl-5-[4-(4-carbo nyloxy butyl)phenyl]thiophen-3-yl}perfluorocyclopentenes were synthesized. Photoch emical conversion from open-ring to closed-ring forms of the dithienylethen es was 8-18% lower than the conversion of the chromophore mixed in the same matrix. Although no appreciable difference was observed in the photostatio nary conversion below and above the glass transition temperature (T-g) in p olystyrene and poly(ethyl methacrylate), the conversion in poly(isopropyl m ethacrylate) increased above T-g.