<p>Azulene, one of representative nonbenzenoid aromatic hydrocarbons,
exhibits unique molecular structure and distinctive physical and chemical
properties. Herein, an azulene-based isoindigo analogue, azulenoisoindigo (<b>AzII</b>)
is designed and synthesized, which has a twisted molecular backbone and
R/S-isomers in single crystals. Interestingly, <b>AzII</b> shows the characteristics of both isoindigo and azulene, such
as completely reversible redox behavior and reversible proton responsiveness.
UV-vis-NIR, <sup>1</sup>H NMR and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)
measurements were carried out to get insights into the possible mechanism of
the proton-responsive property of <b>AzII</b>.
The results demonstrated that only one azulenyl moiety of molecule of <b>AzII</b> was protonated and deprotonated,
and the protonated <b>AzII</b> can be
further oxidized to form azulenium cation radicals.</p>