Different structures modulated mechanochromism and aggregation-induced emission in a series of Gold(I) complexes

Five novel gold(I) complexes with various isocyanide ligands have been synthesized and characterized in present work. The introduction of different terminal ligands endows distinct diverse properties to complexes 1-5: i) alkyl modified complexes 1-3 exhibit tricolor or bicolor mechanochromic behaviors due to the loosing packing formed through weak intermolecular C-H-F interactions, while aryl bridged complexes 4 and 5 are not mechano-responsive with tight pi-pi stackings; ii) all the target complexes present prominent but different aggregation-induced emission(AIE) characteristics caused by the inherent difference in their structures. Therefore, the above gold(I) complexes are anticipated to be used as fluorescent detectors and mechanosensors.