Synthesis and Photochemistry of Stilbene Ionic Liquids

Abstract

Abstract Ionic liquids having a photoresponsive stilbene chromophore were prepared and their properties were examined. While the trans isomers were all solid, most of the cis isomers were liquid at room temperature. The trans isomers give fluorescence emission with a quantum yield of ca. 0.02, while the cis isomers practically give no fluorescence. Thus, we could photochemically switch the properties of ionic liquid as well as emission properties by photochemical processes.