Base-gated photochromism of C3-Symmetric AIEgens through multicyano-sensitized benzene rings

It is extremely challenging but desirable to combine photoresponsive functions such as photochromism into aggregation-induced emission (AIE) molecules through a simple and low-cost strategy. Herein a series of C3-symmetric molecules with aggregation-induced emission and base-gated photochromism have been synthesized. The new compounds generally show excellent photophysical characteristics in solid-state with bright fluorescence and red-shifted emission by changing halogens and extending conjugation respectively. Compared with the more usual thiophene/furan-containing derivatives which show one-step discoloration, these C3-symmetric molecules which are constructed by low-cost benzene rings can only exhibit obvious photochromic behaviours in basic solutions, showing the great potential of detecting toxic organic bases and the base-gated function. Furthermore, we demonstrate this charming base-gated photochromism could be attributed to multicyano-sensitized benzene rings of these AIE luminogens through changing the number of cyano-vinylene bridges step-by-step.(c) 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, photoresponsive functions such as photochromism were successfully incorporated into aggregation-induced emission (AIE) molecules through a simple and low-cost strategy. A series of C3-symmetric molecules with aggregation-induced emission and base-gated photochromism were synthesized, showing excellent photophysical characteristics in solid-state. The base-gated photochromism of these molecules, constructed by low-cost benzene rings, can detect toxic organic bases, attributed to the multicyano-sensitized benzene rings of these AIE luminogens.