Abstract: Two novel photochromic dithienylethenes compounds, (E)-3-(5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)-2,3-bis(2,4,5-trimethylthiophen-3-yl)acrylonitrile(3) and (Z)-3-[5-(4-{5-[(E)-2-cyano-1,2-bis(2,4,5-trimethylthiophen-3-yl)vinyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl}phenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]-2,3-bis(2,4,5-trimethylthiophen-3-yl)acrylonitrile(4) containing 1,3,4-oxadiazoles, were synthesized. Their structures were confirmed by IR, NMR, MS and elemental analysis.  Moreover, their UV-Vis absorption properties, fluorescent properties, photochromic dynamics character and fatigue resistance were studied.  The results indicated that they processed good photochromic behavior, and their cyclization and cycloreversion reactions were zeroth and first order reaction, respectively.

Key words: Dithienylethene, Photochromic, Optoelectronic property