Locklin synthesized spiropyran-based random copolymer by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), and the resulting spiropyran-containing random copolymer P(MMA0.9-co-SPMA0.1) could identify multiple metal ions simultaneously.
This report provided a convenient synthetic route, and greatly broadened the application domain of spiropyran-based copolymer in ions detection.
Nevertheless, the copolymer exhibited light-responsive behaviors only in organic solvents. It is difficult to be employed for the selective recognition of Co2þ because of the cross-sensitivity toward other metal ions.
In this regard, there is still a great demand for the development of effective and convenient probes for the recognition of Co2þ with high selectivity.
Vamvakaki synthesized two kinds of spiropyran-based random copolymers with different comonomers and compared the photochromism in different solvents.
The “negative” solvatochromism of the photochromic species of the PDMAEMA-co-PSP copolymer was visually observed upon the increasing polarity of the solvents, however, this phenomenon was not found in PMMA-co-PSP.
It was attributed to the nonpolar character of MMA comonomer which could not stabilize the open MC form.