New push–pull biphenyl-azopyrrole photoswitches are efficiently obtainedviaa Suzuki cross-coupling reaction, give rise to J-type aggregates in binary MeOH : H₂O solvents and undergo a water-assistedcis-to-transisomerization at room temperature.

From simple starting materials, an efficient methodology for the synthesis of 3-substituted 4H-quinolizin-4-ones using (η⁴-vinylketene)-Fe(CO)₃ complexes as key intermediates was developed. Fluorescent properties and quantum yields were determined.