A Photo‐ and Redox‐Driven Two‐Directional Terthiazole‐Based Switch: A Combined Experimental and Computational Investigation

Abstract Terthiazoles with redox‐active substituents like an N‐methyl pyridinium group and ferrocene have been synthesized their photo‐ electro‐chromic behaviors were investigated. The presence of two lateral in the structure terthiazole proved to be effective inducing not only reductive ring‐closure core but also its oxidative ring‐opening reaction, leading first terarylene‐based switch able fully operate both photochemically electrochemically. Moreover, large increase redox potential between open closed form (700 mV) means that a part photon energy necessary trigger cyclization is stored chemical available for other works. Introduction second unit such as onto central thiazolyl moiety found inhibit photochromism switchability, which, instead, got improved reaction via properties ferrocenyl unit. optical different oxidation states are analyzed aid DFT calculations order rationalize switching processes.