One-Step Multicomponent Polymerizations for the Synthesis of Multifunctional AIE Polymers

As a new class of functional luminescent materials, polymers with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) feature attract much attention because of their advantages of efficient solid-state fluorescence, excellent processability, structural diversity, and multifunctionalities. Among all polymerization methods toward AIE polymers, multicomponent polymerizations (MCPs) exhibit the merits of simple operation, good atom economy, high polymerization efficiency, broad functional-group tolerance, etc. In this feature article, the recent progress on the development of one-step MCPs for the synthesis of AIE polymers is highlighted. The representative functionalities of the resulting AIE polymers are illustrated. Perspectives on the challenges and future development directions of this field are also discussed.

Automated summary

AIE polymers, as a new class of functional luminescent materials, have attracted much attention for their efficient solid-state fluorescence, excellent processability, and multifunctionalities. Among various methods for preparing AIE polymers, multicomponent polymerizations (MCPs) stand out for their simplicity, high atom economy, good polymerization efficiency, and broad functional-group tolerance. This feature article highlights the recent progress in one-step MCPs for the synthesis of AIE polymers and discusses the challenges and future development directions in this field.