Abstract: A self-assembled molecular color switch is formed on a substrate and comprises coupled coaxial rotors and non-coaxial stators, with each rotor rotatably connected to two stators, to form molecular planes wherein all rotors at rest are parallel to the substrate and orthogonal to an electric field. The color switch employs a novel chemistry for producing a molecular film having a field switchable color. More particularly, it is a chemistry that provides for relatively thick self-assembled molecular layers collectively having print-like optical density. Further, a means for bi-stable color switching is provided.