A monomer containing a photochromic group was synthesized by condensation of 4-(2-hydroxyethyloxy)-4-cyanoazobenzene with cinnamoyl chloride. The structure and composition of the monomer were established by FTIR, UV-Vis, (1)H NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis.
The values of chemical shifts, multiplicity, and integrated intensity of 1H signals in one-dimensional NMR spectra of the monomer were determined, and the homo- and heteronuclear interactions were found. The crystal structure of 4-(2-hydroxyethyloxy)-4-cyanoazobenzene was established using X-ray diffraction analysis.
A copolymer containing photochromic mesogenic fragment was synthesized by radical copolymerization of 2-(4-((4-isocyanophenyl)diazenyl)phenoxy)ethyl-3-phenylacrylate with maleic anhydride.