Aggregation-Induced Emission-Active Donor-Substituted Aroyl-S,N-Ketene Acetals via Nucleophilic Amine Base Attack

Donor-substituted aroyl-S,N-ketene acetals can be rapidly obtained by nucleophilic attack of triethylamine at the acid chloride with concomitant decarbonylation followed by addition-elimination reaction of in situ generated enamines. These potent chromophores exhibit intensive solid-state emission and pronounced AIE (aggregation-induced emission) characteristics with high quantum yields. By changing the base to diisopropylethylamine, enlarged aroyl-S,N-ketene acetal bi- and trichromophores are easily accessible.

Automated summary

Donor-substituted aroyl-S,N-ketene acetals were rapidly synthesized by nucleophilic attack and decarbonylation, followed by addition-elimination reaction. These compounds exhibited intensive solid-state emission and pronounced aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics with high quantum yields. By changing the base, enlarged aroyl-S,N-ketene acetal bi- and trichromophores were easily accessible.