Multiresponsive Donor-Acceptor Stenhouse Adduct: Opportunities Arise from a Diamine Donor.

A new donor-acceptor Stenhouse adduct based on a N,N,N'-trimethylethylenediamine donor has been reported. An unprecedented isomer has been isolated, and rich conversions between three isomers have been achieved upon visible-light irradiation or base/acid stimuli. The drastic color change associated with structural conversion has been utilized to selectively sense volatile primary amines as well as high-charged hard Lewis acids (Sc3+, Ti4+, Cr3+, and Al3+).