1,2-Bis(2-methylbenzo[b]thiophen-3-yl)perfluorocyclopentenes with carboxyalkyl or alkyl mercaptan groups at 6 and 6’ positions of the benzothiophene rings were synthesized with the aim of controlling the photochromic reactivity by external stimulation, such as chemicals or heat treatment. 1,2-Diarylethenes with heterocyclic five-membered rings have two atropisomers, and the photochromic reactivity depends on the conformation. When the molecule was fixed in a parallel conformation with intramolecular hydrogen bonds or an intramolecular disulfide linkage, the photochromic reactivity was completely inhibited. The molecule again became photoactive when the intramolecular lock was unclasped by the addition of hydrogen bond breaking or reducing agents. The diarylethene with carboxyethyl groups showed a thermal reaction threshold in decalin. At temperatures below 50 degrees C the molecule was photochemically inactive, while the photochromic property was recovered upon heating above 100 degrees C, at which temperatures the intramolecular hydrogen bonds are broken.