ON-OFF luminescence signaling of hybrid organic-inorganic switches.

The dyads 1OFF and 2OFF were prepared by combining the inorganic luminophores [Ru(phen)2(2-[imidazol-2-yl]pyridine)](2+) and [Re(CO)3Cl(2-[imidazol-2-yl]pyridine)] with 2-(anthracen-9-yl)-4-methylphenol as a second photoactive moiety. In both cases, the inorganic unit operates as the emitter, whereas the organic part acts as a controller. Emission of the inorganic luminophore can be reversibly switched ON and OFF by adjusting the energetic level of the (3)π-π* state of the appended anthracene unit through either dearomatization using a photohydration or aromatization applying a thermal dehydration. Emission of both switches is reversibly recorded and erased multiple times without significant degradation.