Synthesis and structure of indoline spiropyrans of the coumarin series

New indoline spiropyrans of the coumarin series were synthesized by the condensation of indoline and hydroxyformylcoumarin derivatives. Spiropyrans, viz., derivatives of 8-formyl-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin and 5-formyl-6-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin, under irradiation are transformed into open forms, which are recyclized in the dark. The compounds formed by the condensation of the indoline derivatives with 3-formyl-4-hydroxycoumarin have an open structure of the merocyanine dyes and are transformed into spiro forms neither in the dark nor under irradiation with the visible light.