Photoinduced Geometric Isomerization of 1-Aryl-1,3-Butadienes: Influence of Substituent on Photoreactivity—Structural and Photochemical Insights

This study investigates the synthesis and photochemical behavior of a series of (E)-1-aryl-1,3-butadienes with different aromatic substituents. Despite their simple structure and straightforward preparation, detailed studies of their photochemical properties, especially UV light-induced (E) to (Z) isomerization, are scarce. Our results demonstrate that these compounds can efficiently undergo photo-triggered geometric changes, highlighting their potential as functional units in photochemical applications. The findings underline the significance of extended conjugation in managing excited-state processes, providing new insights into the dynamics of photoinduced transformations in conjugated diene systems. Additional computational analyses show how geometric modifications influence conformational energies in the synthesized compounds. Overall, these results improve understanding of structure–reactivity relationships and lay the foundation for designing photoresponsive materials based on (E) and (Z)-1-aryl-1,3-butadiene frameworks, with promising applications in photochemistry and materials science.