The light activated ring-opening reaction of the 1,3-cyclohexadiene chrombphore finds application in optical control, optical switching, optical memory, light activated molecular machines, photobiology, photochromic materials, and conformation-specific photocatalysts. The development of ultrafast spectroscopic methods and powerful computational methods have accelerated the understanding and facilitated the application of this important chromophore in a wide range of systems. Here we look at the current state of theoretical and experimental understanding for the ring-opening reaction of the isolated cyclo-hexadiene molecule and the ring-opening reactions of substituted cyclohexadienes, including fulgides, diarylethenes, and provitamin D.
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