Organic photochromic compound

Abstract: An organic photochromic compound with improved long term preservability, thermal stability, the repetition character of the record and the like and useful as recording-memory materials or photosensitizers, comprising the compound selected from pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline, pyrido[2,3-g]quinoline, pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline and pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline derivatives.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the organic photochromic compound which shows photochromism and useful as various recording-memory materials or photosensitizers. 2. Description of the Prior Art A photochromic compound is the compound which shows coloring and discoloring in the memory material with reversible photoresponsibility. The reversible structural changes of photochromic compound owing to tautomerization, trans-cis isomerization, cyclization, dimerization, ionic dissociation may be occured by photoirradiation and also be occured by the change of absorption spectrum simultaneously. Since these phenomena (photochromism) are due to changes in molecular level, the photochromic compound is noticed as memory material with ultra-high density. For example, it is expected of the application to reversible bit-recording material for photodisc, photosensitive material for hologram, or laser recording material. Additionally, owing to its remarkable color changing property the photochromic material with rapid reversible responsibility reaction may be used as indicator material. Many inorganic and organic compounds are known as materials which show such a photochromism, but they have advantages as as well as problems respectively. That is, inorganic photochromic compounds such as Hg₃S₂I₂ or ZnS and the like are in short of workability, plenty of color, and humid resistance. On the other hand, various organic photochromic compounds such as azobenzene, spiropyran, viologen, spironaphthooxazine, anthracene, fulgide, stilbene and the like and their derivatives are known. For example, spironaphthooxazine derivatives and spirobenzopyran are disclosed as photochromic compound in Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 28892/1970, 48631/1974 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 36284/1980. In general, the organic photochromic compound has many advantages such as good workability, the ability of molecular modification to its derivatives to meet to an object, and of formation of various media by dispersion to macromolecular film or covalent crystallization or direct vacuum evaporation to macromolecule, so it is expected of photomemory mateirals. However, these known organic photochromic compounds have problems with regard to long term preservability of coloration condition, thermal stability, the repetition character of record (the property relating to the ability of reversible and stable regeneration of record) and the like, thus for this reason they are not used widely now as recording-memory material. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide the organic photochromic compound with excellent properties with respect to long term preservability of coloration condition, thermal stability, the repetition stability of reversible reaction, quantum yield of photoreaction and the like. The present inventors continued studies earnestly to overcome said problems of the prior art, and found out that the compound which is selected from pyrido[3,4-g] isoquinoline, pyrido[2,3-g]quinoline, pyrido[3,2-g] quinoline and pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline derivatives showed photochromism that they produce dimer when it was irradiated with UV-ray of wavelength about 320 to 400 nm, and by restoring to original compound when said dimer was irradiated with UV-ray of wavelength about 230 to 300 nm. In addition, inventors found out that said dimer was the suitable compound as memory material because of its excellent thermal stability, e.g. even under the heating condition, 80°C 20 days, it did not restore to original compound and recording condition was maintained. The present invention was accomplished on these findings. According to the present invention, there is provided an organic photochromic compound comprising the compound which is selected from the group consisting of a dimer of pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline of chemical formula [I] pyrido[2,3-g]quinoline of chemical formula [II] pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline of chemical formula [III] and pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline derivatives of chemical formula [IV] wherein R is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, carboxy, carboxymethyl, or carboxyethyl, wherein the dimer of each compound [I], [II], [III] and [IV] is formed by exposure of the compound [I], [II], [III] and [IV], respectively, to light of wavelength 320 to 400 nm, and wherein the dimers of [I], [II], [III] and [IV] can be reconverted to the compounds [I], [II], [III] and [IV], respectively, by exposure to light of wavelength 230 to 300 nm. This invention will hereinafter be described in detail. (Pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline) Pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline is known compound, and may be prepared as follows : 5,10-dioxy-pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline is synthesized by reacting N,N-diethylnicotineamide under the presence of lithium diisopropylamide(LDA) and hexamethylphosphoric triamine(HMPT) in inert gas atmosphere at -78°C. The 5,10-dioxy-pyrido [3,4-g]isoquinoline is reduced to 5,10-dihydro-pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline by hydrogen iodide(HI). The objective pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline is obtained by the treatment of the 5,10-dioxy-pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline with paradium-on-charcoal. The above synthetic reaction may be represented by following sequence : If the pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline is exposed to UV-irradiation at a wave length of 320-400 nm, for example 365 nm, its dimer is produced by photodimerization reaction. UV-irradiation of said dimer at a wave length of 230-300 nm, for example 254 nm, leads to the restoration to the original compound pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline. In addition, it was found out that the pyrido[3,4]isoquinoline was also restored to original dimer by heating at a temperature above 120°C in an appropriate solvent. This dimer is stable and is suitable for memory material because it does not be restored to the original compound at a temperature under 120°C. The photodimerization reaction may be represented by following sequence : (Pyrido[2,3-g]quinoline) Pyrido[2,3-g]quinoline is known compound, and may be synthesized by following sequence : Namely, the synthesis of objective compound may be accomplished by carrying out successively following steps : 1) the synthesis of 3-methyl-2-lithiopyridine by reacting starting material 2-bromo-3-methylpyridine with lithium, 2) the synthesis of 3-pyridyl-2-(3-methylpyridyl)methanol by reacting the 3-methyl-2-lithiopyridine with pyridine-3-aldehyde, 3) the synthesis of 3-pyridyl-2-(3-methylpyridyl)chroromethane by reacting the 3-pyridyl-2-(3-methylpyridyl)methanol with thionyl chloride, 4) the synthesis of 3-pyridyl-2-(3-methylpyridyl)methane from 3-pyridyl-2-(3-methylpyridyl)chroromethane, 5) the synthesis of 3-pyridyl-2-(3-methylpyridyl)methaneoxide from 3-pyridyl-2-(3-methylpyridyl)methane, 6) the synthesis of pyrido[2,3-g]quinoline by subjecting the 3-pyridyl-2-(3-methylpyridyl)methaneoxide to flash vacuum pyrolysis(FVP). Although pyrido[4,3-g]quinoline is contained in the reaction product of FVP process, it can be separated from pyrido[2,3-g]quinoline by said liquid chromatography. (Pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline) Pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline is known compound, and may be synthesized by following sequence which is disclosed, for example, in Liebigs Ann. Chem., 1984, pp. 133-146. If the pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline is exposed to UV-irradiation at a wavelength of 320-400 nm, for example 365 nm, its dimer is produced by photodimerization reaction. UV-irradiation of said dimer at a wavelength of 230-300 nm, for example 254 nm, leads to the restoration to the original compound pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline. The photodimerization reaction may be represented by following sequence : (Pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline derivatives) Pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline derivatives are known compounds, and may be synthesized, for example, by following sequence : Namely, the 4,6-diaminophthalaldehyde which is obtained from above-described synthetic reaction of pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline is allowed to react, for example, with acetone to form 2,8-dimethyl pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline(R₁; -CH₃) or with 3,3-dimethylbutane-2-on to form 2,8-di-tert-butypyrido[3,2-g]quinoline[(R₁; -C(CH₃)₃]. Additionally, the reaction of pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline-2,8-dicarboxylic acid from said synthetic reaction of pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline with methyl alcohol results in esterification to form dimethyl pyrido[3,2]quinoline-2,8-dicarboxylate. The synthetic process of these compounds are disclosed in Liebigs Ann. Chem., 1984, pp. 133-146. If these compounds are exposed to UV-irradiation at a wavelength of 320-400 nm, for example 365 nm, their dimers are produced by photodimerization reaction. UV-irradiation of said dimers at a wavelength of 230-300 nm, for example 254 nm, leads to the restoration to the original compound. The photodimerization reactions may be represented respectively by above-described sequences. Thus, with respect to each of pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline, pyrido[2,3-g]quinoline, pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline, and pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline derivatives, it was proved that reversible photodimerization reaction of the compound may occur, therefore shows photochromism. In these dimers, it was not observed decomposition and any changes in absorbance even after 20 days at 80°C, and proved to be excellent in thermal stability. These dimers after heat treatment were also proved that they may be restored to original compound by photoirradiation of wavelength 254 nm. In addition, the dimers of these compounds may also be restored to original compound by heating at a temperature above 160°C in solution. But in solid state, they many not be restored to original compound even under heating at 160°C, and are reactive by light reversibly. It may be realized from above-described experimental results that these compounds are the organic photochromic compound with excellent properties with respect to long term preservability, thermal stability, the repetition character of record and the like and are useful as recording-memory material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows the changes of the absorbance of the coloring form of following three organic photochromic compounds under the heating condition (in air, heating by oven) at 80°C. □ : dimer of pyrido[2,3-g]quinoline ○ : dimer of anthracene ▵ : cyclization product of fulgide The change of the absorbance was indicated as A D /A₀, wherein A₀ is the absorbance at 365 nm before heating test and A D is the absorbance at 365 nm after heating test (term of heating test: D days). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS This invention will be described particularly by following examples and comparative studies : EXAMPLE 1 (Pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline) 5.4 g of hexamethylphosphoric triamine and 6.1 g of lithium diisopropylamide was dissolved in 70 cc of tetrahydrofuran(THF). To this solution with stirring which was cooled to -78°C, a solution of 3.4 g of N, N-diethylnicotineamide in 5 cc of THF was added dropwise under an argon atmosphere. The temperature of reaction mixture was allowed to elevate gradually to room temperature over 20 hours. After quencing by 100 cc of water followed 3 times extraction with ethyl ether and 2 times extraction with dichloromethane, crude 5,10-dioxy-pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline was obtained. This product was isolated and purified on silica gel (R-055-15, S15SIL, YMC Ltd.) by employing CH₂Cl₂/Et₂O as a developing solvent. The yield of the compound was 3.4 g (85 %) and its m.p. was 237°C-238°C. The compound was identified as 5,10-dioxy-pyrido[3,4-g]Isoquinoline based upon the following elemental analysis. Elemental Analysis : Calc'd C:68.57 H:2.88 N:13.33 Found C:68.72 H:2.88 N:13.20 2 g of said 5,10-dioxy-pyrido[3.4-g]isoquinoline was heated with 40 cc of 57% aquous hydrogen iodide and finished the reaction after reflux of 6 hours. A solution of 292 g of sodium hydrogen sulfite dissolved in 333 cc of ice water was added and pH was adjusted to 8.5 by 2N sodium hydroxide. After the extraction of reaction mixture with dichloromethane, crude 5,10-dihydro[3,4-g]isoquinoline was obtained. The yield was 1.6 g (92 %). 1.6 g of 5,10-dihydro-pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline and 0.32 g of paradium-on-charcoal was dispersed and mixed in 100 cc of dimethoxyethyl ether, and refluxed for 15 hours under argon atmosphere. After the filtration of paradium-on-charcoal catalyzer, and solvent was evaporated to obtain crude pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline. The product was purified by preparative liquid chromatography (gel; R-055-15, S15SIL, YMC Ltd., developing solvent; ethyl alcohol/benzene = 3/7). The yield of the compound was 1.3 g (95 %) and its m.p. was 174°C. The compound was identified as pyrido [3,4-g]isoquinoline based upon the following elemental analysis. Elemental Analysis : Calc'd C:79.97 H:4.47 N:15.55 Found C:79.87 H:4.43 N:15.63 After the absorbance of the pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline which was obtained from above-described process and dissolved in dimethylformamide was determined by spectrophotometer, it was confirmed that said absorbance disappeared by UV-irradiation at 365 nm and reappeared at former 365 nm by UV-irradiation at 254 nm, therefore this reaction might be reversible. In addition, it was confirmed that the dimer which was produced from monomer by UV-irradiation at 365 nm at first was restored to original pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline by heating at 160°C. However, it was also confirmed that this reaction product was not restored to original compound by heating at 100°C for 1 hour and not be decomposed by heating 80°C for 20 days, therefore said reaction was rather thermostable. The fact that the restoration of photoreaction product to original compound by irradiation at which wavelength of UV-ray is shorter than in initial irradiation proves that the said product is dimer. EXAMPLE 2 (Pyrido[2,3-g]quinoline) (i) Synthesis of 3-methyl-2-lithiopyridine n-butyl bromide (82,5 g, 0.6 mol) was dissolved to ethyl ether (120 cc) in three-necked flask under argon atmosphere, and then to this reaction mixture with maintaining at 0°C, Li Powder (8.5 g, 1.2 mol) dispersed in ethyl ether (300 cc) was added. After maintaining this condition for 1 hour, the temperature of reaction mixture was cooled to -80°C, then a solution of 2-bromo-3-methylpyridine (68.8 g, 0.4 mol) in ethyl ether (120 cc) was added dropwise over additional 30 minutes. In the reaction mixture with the metallic luster of excess Li powder and the presence of suspended matter, the reaction was considered to have completed when excess Li powder was substantially exhausted. (ii) Synthesis of 3-pyridyl-2-(3-methylpyridyl)methanol To the above-described reaction mixture maintained at -80°C, a solution of pyridine-3-aldehyde (42.8 g, 0.4 mol) in ethyl ether (120 cc) was added dropwise, and then maintained at same temperature for 2 housrs followed by gradual elevation to room temperature. The reaction was finished after reflux for additional 1 hour. Water (200 cc) followed by 35 % hydrochloric acid (200 cc) was added to treat yet unreacted material. After the extraction with ethyl ether (300 ml) for three times, water layer was neutralized by sodium hydroxide. The water layer was extracted with ethyl ether additionally, and ethyl ether layer was combined and concentrated. After evaporation under reduced pressure, the objective 3-pyridyl-2-(3-methylpyridyl)methanol was obtained. The b.p. was 156°C at 1.8 mmHg and the yield was 54 %. (iii) Synthesis of 3-pyridyl-2-(3-methylpyridyl)methane A solution of thionyl chloride (28 g, 0.25 mol) in benzene (100 g) was added to a solution of 3-pyridyl-2-(3-methylpyridyl)methanol (40 g) in benzene (500 g) with maintaining the temperature of reaction mixture at 10°C and stirred vigorously. A precipitation was occurred at first and liquid became viscous gradually. And then the temperature was allowed to elevate to 40°C, and maintained at same degrees. After water was added and alcalized the water layer by sodium hydroxide, it was extracted with chloroform for three times. The 3-pyridyl-2-(3-methylpyridyl)chloromethane thus obtained was thermo-unstable and could not be isolated by recrystalization, so crude product was used in next step directly. To the crude 3-pyridyl-2-(3-methylpyridyl)chloromethane (38.5 g) dissolved in acetic acid, added zinc powder (31 g) at ambient temperature. After the reaction mixture was heated on water for 6 hours, the zinc powder was removed and concentrated to liquid volume 1/3 and alcalized by sodium hydroxide. Chloroform extraction (3 x 200 cc) gave 3-pyridyl-2-(3-methyl-pyridyl)methane. The product was purified by distillation under reduced pressure. The yield was 21.2 g (55 %). (iv) Synthesis of Pyrido[2,3-g]quinoline 3-pyridyl-2-(3-methylpyridyl)methane (4 g) and 4-chlorobenzoic acid (4 g) was dissolved in chloroform (300 cc) and reacted in dark place for 12 hours and neutralized with aquous sodium hydroxide and extracted with chloroform (3 x 100 cc). The 3-pyridyl-2-(3-methyl-pyridyl)methaneoxide (4 g) thus obtained was subjected to flash vacuum pyrolysis (PVP) at 1100°C, 0.05 mmHg. The product was subjected to liquid chromatography on silica gel column using ethyl alcohol/hexane (8/2) as eluting agent and UV-detector at 254 nm to yield objective pyrido[2,3-g]quinoline (1.2 g). Elemental Analysis : Calc'd C: 79.98 H: 4.47 N: 15.55 Found C: 79.86 H: 4.55 N: 15.63 The m.p. was 241-242.5°C. After the pyrido[2,3-g]quinoline (3 mg) from above process was dissolved in cyclohexanol (20 g) and its absorbance was determined by spectrophotometer (Model U-3400, Hitachi Seisakusho, Ltd.), it was irradiated by spectroirradiater (CRM-FA, Nippon Bunkousha, Ltd.) at a wavelength near 365 nm for 10 minutes, The change of absorbance was recorded and subsequently carried out heating test at 80°C. Their results were showed in Fig. 1 using mark. As seen in Fig. 1, there was no change in the absorbance of the dimer of pyrido[2,3-g]quinoline of the present invention even under the heating condition at 80°C for 20 days. In addition, when this sample was irradiated with mercury lamp at 254 nm after heating test, the dimer was restored to original pyrido[2,3-g]quinoline accompanying with the reversion of the absorbance to the position before irradiation at 365 nm. For comparison, same heating test was carried out with the representative photochromic compound, anthracene (production of dimer by UV-irradiation) and fulgide (production of cyclization product by UV-irradiation), the results of which were showed in Fig. 1 using mark for anthracene and mark for fulgide. The heating test showed that the absorbance of anthracene changed more than 50 % against to initial value, and in fulgide coloring form changed substantially to colorless in about 15 hours. In case of other photochromic compounds such as spiropyran and spironaphthooxazine, merocyanine compounds which are coloring forms of aforementioned compounds were very unstable and were restored substantially to original compounds after 3 hours at 25°C. EXAMPLE 3 (Pyrido[3,2-g]quinolene) (i) Synthesis of 4,6-dinitroisophthalaldehyde 1,3-dimethyl-4,6-dinitrobenzene (118 g, 0.602 mol) followed by iodine dispersed in dried pyridine (500 ml) was added to dried pyridine (500 ml) in dark place under nitrogen atmosphere. After stirring this mixture for 16 hours at 95°C, resulted brown crystal was removed by filtration and dispersed in ethyl alcohol (2 x 300 ml) and in ethyl alcohol/ether (1/1) solution (1 x 300 ml). Dried by aspiration each time and washed with ether finally to yield 1,1-(4,6-dinitro-1,3-phenylenedimethylene)bis(pyridinium) diiodie (crude product, 208 g). The yield was 57 %. The crude product from above process (121 g) and 4-nitroso-N,N-dimethylaniline hydrogen chloride (82 g, 0.44 mol) were added to ethyl alcohol (1.2 l), and to the mixture with stirring strongly at 5°C, 10 % sodium hydroxide (350 ml) was added dropwise over 30 minutes. The mixture further was stirred for 7 hours at 5°C and allowed to stand for 14 hours at room temperature. Resulted deep red crystal was removed by filtration and dispersed in Water (3 x 1 l) and ethyl alcohol/ether (1/1) solution (1 x 300 ml). Dried by aspiration each time and washed with ether (200 ml) finally to yield N,N-(4,6-dinitro-1,3-phenylenedimethylidyne) bis(N,N-dimethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine)-N,N-dioxide (76 g). To a solution of the compound (37.5 g, 80 mmol) from above process in toluene (600 ml), 6 N hydrochloric acid was added gradually at 65°C under nitrogen atmosphere. After 3 hours toluene layer was separated and flesh toluene (500 ml) was added to water layer and stirred for 3 hours at 65°C. The toluene layer thus obtained and of former was combined and washed with water (500 ml) and evaporated to yield 4,6-dinitroisophthalaldehyde. The yield was 10.7 g. (ii) Synthesis of 4,6-diaminoisophthalaldehyde To a solution (400 ml) of ferrous sulfate (II) 5 hydrate (184 g 0.65 mol) with well stirring, added equal volume of conc. sulfuric acid. Then a solution of 4,6-diaminoisophthalaldehyde (8.0 g, 35 mmol) in warm ethyl alcohol (300 ml) was added dropwise, and then added conc. aquous ammonia (180 ml). After the reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour at 80°C, precipitate was recrystallized from a solution of water/alcohol (5/1) to yield brown solid, the yield of which was 2.10 g. (iii) Synthesis of Pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline-2,8-dicarboxylic acid. To 4,6-diaminoisophthalaldehyde(1,64 g) and 2-oxopropionic acid (1.94 g), added ethyl alcohol (40 ml) and added 2 N sodium hydroxide solution (12.8 ml) with stirring at 80°C and allowed to react for 4 hours. Then, 2-oxopropionic acid (0.41 g) and 2 N sodium hydroxide solution (3 ml) was added and refluxed for 2 hours. After the addition of 2 N aquous ammonia (50 ml) and water (130 ml) and heating and filtration, charcoal was added with stirring. Refiltration and pH adjustment to 4-5 by 0.6 N hydrochloric acid and 0.3 N acetic acid at 70-80°C gave solid which is hard to dissolve. (iv) Synthesis of Pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether (20 ml) was added to pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline-2,8-dicarboxylic acid (2.01 g, 7.5 mmol) from above process and cuprous oxide (I) (50 mg, 0.35 mmol), and heated for 5.5 hours at 165°C. Carbon dioxide evolved during the reaction. After the addition of conc. aquous ammonia (25 ml), extracted with dichloromethane (3 x 100 ml) and dried on potassium carbonate and evaporated dichloromethane to yield pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline. Elemental Analysis: Calc'd C: 79.98 H: 4.47 N: 15.55 Found C: 79.86 H: 4.38 N: 15.76 The m.p. was 164.5-165.5°C. After the pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline (3 mg) from above process was dissolved in cyclohexanol (20 g) and determined its absorbance by spectrophotometer, it was irradiated by UV-ray from spectroirradiator at a wavelength near 365 nm for 10 minutes. After the change of the absorbance was recorded, heating test was carried out at 80°C. The absorbance of the dimer of pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline of the present invention was not changed even under the heating condition of 80°C, 20 days. This result was same as of the dimer of pyrido[2,3-g] quinoline showed in FIG. 1. In addition, when this sample was irradiated by mercury lamp at 254 nm after heating test, the dimer was restored to original pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline accompanying with the reversion of the absorbance to the position before irradiation at 365 nm. EXAMPLE 4 (2,8-dimethylpyrido[3,2-g]quinoline) To 4,6-diaminoisophthalaldehyde (0.82 g) which was prepared same as Example 3, acetone (8.7 g) was added and the temperature of resulted solution elevated to 56°C. To this solution, 10% potassium hydroxide/ethyl alcohol solution (1.0 ml) was added dropwise and stirred for 45 minutes. After the finish of the reaction, excess acetone was evaporated and 2 N hydrochloric acid (100 ml) was added. After the extraction with diethyl ether (3 x 20ml), neutralized with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and extracted with dichloromethane (3 x 30ml). The solution was dried on anhydrous sodium sulfate and extracted with solvent to yield yellow crystal. Elemental Analysis : Cal'cd C: 80.72 H: 5.82 N: 13.58 Found C: 80.65 H: 5.86 N: 13.49 After 2,8-dimethylpyrido[3,2-g]quinoline (3 mg) from above process was dissolved in cyclohexanol (20 g) and determined its absorbance by spectrophotometer, it was irradiated by UV-ray from spectroirradiator at a wavelength near 365 nm for 10 minutes. After the change of the absorbance was recorded, heating test was carried out at 80°C. The absorbance of the dimer of 2,8-dimethylpyrido[3,2-g] quinoline of the present invention was not changed even under the heating condition of 80°C, 20 days. This result was same as of the dimer of pyrido[2,3-g]quinoline showed in FIG. 1. In addition, when this sample was irradiated by mercury lamp at 254 nm after heating test, the dimer was restored to original 2,8-dimethylpyrido[3,2-g]quinoline accompanying with the reversion of the absorbance to the position before irradiation at 365 nm. EXAMPLE 5 (2,8-di-tert-butylpyrido[3,2-g]quinoline) To 4,6-diaminoisophthalaldehyde (0.82 g) which was prepared same as Example 3, 3,3-dimethylbutane-2-on (20 g) was added and the temperature elevated to 90-100°C. To this system, 10% potassium hydroxide/ethyl alcohol solution (2.0 ml) was added and stirred for 3 hours. After the finish of the reaction, the reaction mixture was concentrated to 1/3 to yield crystal easily. Elemental Analysis : Calc'd C: 82.06 H: 8.28 N: 9.66 Found C: 82.17 H: 8.15 N: 9.68 After 2,8-di-tert-butylpyrido[3,2-g]quinoline (3 mg) from above process was dissolved in cyclohexanol (20 g) and determined its absorbance by spectrophotometer, it was irradiated by UV-ray from spectroirradiator at a wavelength near 365 nm for 10 minutes. After the change of the absorbance was recorded, heating test was carried out at 80°C. The absorbance of the dimer of 2,8-di-tert-butylpyrido[3,2-g]-quinoline of the present invention was not changed even under the heating condition of 80°C, 20 days. This result was same as of the dimer of pyrido[2,3-g] quinoline showed in FIG. 1. In addition, when this sample was irradiated by mercury lamp at 254 nm after heating test, the dimer was restored to original 2,8-di-tert-butylpyrido-3,2-g]quinoline accompanying with the reversion of the absorbance to the position before irradiation at 365 nm. EXAMPLE 6 (Pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline-2,8-dicarboxylic acid) After pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline-2,8-dicarboxylic acid (3 mg) prepared same as Example 3 was dissolved in ethylene glycol (20 g) and determined its absorbance by spectrophotometer, it was irradiated by UV-ray from spectroirradiator at a wavelength near 365 nm for 10 minutes. After the change of the absorbance was recorded, heating test was carried out at 80°C. The absorbance of the dimer of pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline-2,8-dicarboxylic acid of the present invention was not changed even under the heating condition of 80°C, 20 days. This result was same as of the dimer of pyrido[2,3-g] quinoline showed in FIG. 1. In addition, when this sample was irradiated by mercury lamp at 254 nm after heating test, the dimer was restored to original pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline-2,8-dicarboxylic acid accompanying with the reversion of the absorbance to the position before irradiation at 365 nm. The Elemental Analysis of the used pyrido[3,2-g] quinoline-2,8-dicarboxylic acid was as follows : Elemental Analysis : Calc'd C: 62.62 H:3.01 N: 10.53 O: 23.84 Found C: 62.57 H:3.11 N: 10.43 O: 23.89 EXAMPLE 7 (Dimethyl pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline-2,8-dicarboxylate) Dried methyl alcohol (15 ml) was added to pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (0.536 g) to make solution under nitrogen atmosphere. To this solution cooled at 0°C, 100% sulfuric acid (2.5 ml) was added dropwise and refluxed for 3 hours. After the finish of the reaction, added ice water (50 ml) and neutralized with potassium hydrogen carbonate solution. The reaction mixture was extracted with dichloromethane four times. The extract was dried on sodium sulfate and evaporated solvent to yield yellow crystal. Elemetal Analysis : Calc'd C: 64.80 H: 4.09 N: 9.54 O: 21.58 Found C: 64.72 H: 4.18 N: 9.55 O: 21.35 After dimethyl pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline-2,8-dicarboxylate (3 mg) from above process was dissolved in butyl alcohol (20 g) and determined its absorbance by spectrophotometer, it was irradiated by UV-ray from spectroirradiator at a wavelength near 365 nm for 10 minutes. After the change of the absorbance was recorded, heating test was carried out at 80°C. The absorbance of the dimer of dimethyl pyrido [3,2-g]quinoline-2,8-dicarboxylate of the present invention was not changed even under the heating condition of 80°C, 20 days. This result was same as of the dimer of pyrido [2,3-g]quinoline showed in FIG. 1. In addition, when this sample was irradiated by mercury lamp at 254 nm after heating test, the dimer was restored to original dimethyl pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline-2,8-dicarboxylate accompanying with reversion of the absorbance to the position before irradiation at 365 nm. According to the present invention, there is provided an organic photochromic compound comprising the coumpound which is selected from pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline, pyrido [2,3-g]quinoline, pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline or pyrido[3,2-g] quinoline derivatives. Namely, with respect to these special heterocyclic compounds, the dimerization reaction of the compounds may occur reversibly by photoirradiation at a wavelength near 354 nm and 254 nm, and said dimers does not change even under the heating condition for 20 days at 80°C. Since this reversible photoresponsibility may be employed conveniently to recording and rewriting and recording condition is maintained stably, these compounds are the organic photochromic compound with excellent properties with respect to long term preservability and thermal stability, and may be utilized for various recording-memory material, photosensitizer for rader, display material and the like.

Claims: An organic photochromic compound selected from the group consisting of a dimer of pyrido[3,4-g]isoquinoline of chemical formula a dimer of pyrido[2,3-g]quinoline of chemical formula a dimer of pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline of chemical formula and a dimer of pyrido[3,2-g]quinoline derivatives of chemical formula wherein R is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, carboxy, carboxymethyl, or carboxyethyl, wherein the dimer of each compound [I], [II], [III] and (IV] is formed by exposure of the compound [I], [II], [III] and [IV], respectively, to light of wavelength 320 to 400 nm, and wherein the dimers of [I], [II], [III] and [IV] can be reconverted to the compounds [I], [II], [III] and [IV], respectively, by exposure to light of wavelength 230 to 300 nm. Use of compounds in accordance with claim 1 as optical recording memory-materials and photosensitizers.

Inventors: HIDAKA TAKAHIRO, NOMURA SHIGERU, HIDAKA, TAKAHIRO, NOMURA, SHIGERU
Applicants: SEIKISUI CHEMICAL CO LTD, SEKISUI KAGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1990
Main classification: C07D471
IPC codes: G03F7, G03C1, C07D471, G11B7