Abstract: The photophysical behaviors and the photoisomerization reaction of bis(2-benzoxazolyl) stilbene have been studied. The relation of the solvent polarity and the emission spectrum of these compounds were discussed preliminarily. It was found that the introduction of small amount of ethylene glycol in the system, the process of trans-cis photoisomerization was improved where the thermo-recover process was inhibited evidently. It was proposed that this phenomenon is ascribed to the formation of hydrogen bonds between benzoxazolyl groups and the ethylene glycol.

Key words: bis(2-benzoxazolyl) stilbene, photoisomerization, hydrogen bonding interaction