Intramolecularly hydrogen bonded hemiindigo compounds 2–4 were prepared and their photochemical behavior was investigated. Z-2 did not undergo isomerization, while 3 underwent isomerization mutually between the Z-isomer and E-isomer in solution to exhibit a color change between greenish yellow and reddish orange in benzene. Introduction of a formyl group at the 2-position of the pyrrole ring of 3 brought about the increase in the ...