Photochemical reaction of p-hydroxycinnamic-thiophenyl ester in the microcrystalline state.

We have studied the photochromic reaction of p-hydroxycinnamic-thiophenyl ester in the microcrystalline state. We attributed the fluorescence spectral evolution of the microcrystal, under UV irradiation, to the photoinduced trans-to-cis isomerization. The photocyclic behavior of the chromophore was demonstrated by cis-to-trans back reaction under a subsequent visible light irradiation. In addition, the [2 + 2] topochemical photocyclodimer was observed as another photoproduct. It is considered that the cooperative photoisomerization is initiated at the local lattice distortion and free spaces around the [2 + 2] cyclodimer near the crystal surface, and the photoisomerization induces larger lattice deformation and further photoisomerization in the interior of the crystal.