An ensemble of Zn 2+ with a rhodamine B-3-allylsalicylaldehyde hydrazone as novel photosensitive material: Photochromism, photopatterning, photoprinting and molecular logic gates

Abstract

An ensemble of Zn 2+ with Rhodamine B-3-allylsalicylaldehyde hydrazone (1-Zn 2+ ), has been synthesized and fully characterized using spectroscopic techniques. A solution of 1-Zn 2+ in THF, displays color changes from light yellow to pink color in the presence UV light (λ, 405 nm). The process is reversible and owes to keto-enol tautomerism which allows the opening of spirolactam ring of rhodamine in the presence of UV light. It is corroborated by the appearance of a new peak at λ max = 554 nm. The ensemble, 1-Zn 2+ embedded in the matrix of silica gel, displays photo patterning phenomena initiated by the conventional light sources including sunlight. It also displays photoprinting property with a laser pen (λ 405 nm) and has been displayed by a videography. The module 1-Zn 2+ meets real challenges through a simple synthetic route, fast response, and as a binary data storage system with non-destructive optical identity. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.