Polychromic tetracyclo-spiro-adamatylidene derivatives, and polychromic lens incorporating said compounds

US4685783A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Plessey Company PLC · GB

Inventors

• Harold H. Heller · Cardiff, GB
• Stephen N. Oliver · Aberystwyth, GB
• John Whittal · Cowbridge, GB
• William Johncock · Reinbek, DE
• Paul J. Darcy · Aberystwyth, GB
• Clive Trundle · Silverstone, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 5, 1984
• Grant date: Aug 11, 1987
• Expiry date: Sep 5, 2004

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G03C1/73
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A series of photochromic compounds are disclosed which have the property of undergoing a reversible color change when exposed to unfiltered sunlight and reverting to their original color in the absence of U.V. light at room temperature. These compounds have the general formula: ##STR1## represents an adamantylidene or a substituted adamantylidene group; PA0 R.sub.1 represents hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl or a heterocyclic group, PA0 X represents oxygen or > NR.sub.2, in which R.sub.2 is hydrogen, aryl, alkyl or aralkyl and ##STR2## represents an aromatic group, an unsaturated heterocyclic group or a benzannelated heterocyclic group. The photochromic compounds of the invention are useful in the manufacture of photoreactive lenses, particularly plastic lenses.