Thermal isomerization of spiropyran to merocyanine in aqueous media and its application to colorimetric temperature indication

Thermally-induced isomerization of spiropyran derivatives in aqueous media has been studied. The colorless spirocyclic (SP) forms of spiropyran derivatives are isomerized to colored merocyanine (MC) forms even in dark conditions at elevated temperature. Equilibrium, kinetic, and deuterium experiments reveal that the thermal SP → MC isomerization is due to the stabilization of MC form by a hydrogen bonding interaction with water molecules. This leads to the ground state energy of the MC form decreasing to lower than that of the SP form, resulting in SP → MC isomerization. The thermal isomerization property is applicable to a rough indication of solution temperature. The spiropyran derivatives, when dissolved in aqueous media under irradiation of visible light with an appropriate light intensity, demonstrate an increase in MC absorbance with a rise in temperature. The absorption response occurs reversibly regardless of the heating/cooling sequence. The spiropyran derivatives therefore have a potential for colorimetric temperature indication.