Advanced Materials, Vol.16, No.7, 643-643, 2004
Reversible diastereoselective photocyclization of diarylethenes in a bulk amorphous state
Diarylethene derivatives with two chiral substituents (see Figure) undergo reversible diastereoselective photocyclization reactions in a bulk amorphous state. An enrichment of one of the diastereomers (25% d.e.) has been found to exist below the glass transition temperature. The diastereoselection clearly indicates that short distance regularity exists in the glassy state.