Click Synthesis, Aggregation-Induced Emission, E / Z Isomerization, Self-Organization, and Multiple Chromisms of Pure Stereoisomers of a Tetraphenylethene-Cored Luminogen

It has been difficult to decipher the mechanistic issue whether E/Z isomerization is involved in the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) process of a tetraphenylethene (TPE) derivative, due to the difficulty in the synthesis of its pure E and Z conformers. In this work, pure stereoisomers of a TPE derivative named 1,2-bis{4-[1-(6-phenoxyhexyl)-4-(1,2,3-triazol)yl]phenyl}-1,2-diphenylethene (BPHTATPE) are successfully synthesized. Both isomers show remarkable AIE effect (α(AIE) ≥ 322) and high fluorescence quantum yield in the solid state (Φ(F) 100%). The conformers readily undergo E/Z isomerization upon exposure to a powerful UV light and treatment at a high temperature (>200 °C). Such conformational change,…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China
• UG
  University Grants Committee
• MO
  Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China
• RG
  Research Grants Council, University Grants Committee
• CG
  Cao Guangbiao High Science and Technology Foundation, Zhejiang University