Due to the potential applications to many fields, photochromic compounds as functional materials have been widely focused. In particular, diarylethenes have become the promising candidates of photochromic compounds because of the excellent thermal stability of both isomers and resistance to high fatigue. Numerous studies on the synthesis and characters of photochromic diarylethene derivatives have been carried out in various research fields, such as memory media, optical switching, logic circuit, liquid crystal display and magnetic materials. In this paper, the methods of preparations of photochromic diarylethenes are reviewed. Based on current research and existing products, some new and future approaches in this fascinating area are thoroughly discussed.

Key words: diarylethene, functional material, synthesis, photochromism