Fluorescence activation of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane in the presence of reducing agents

A polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) has been decorated with eight peripheral 4'-vinylbiphenyl-3,5-dicarbaldehyde groups. Although this macromolecule is not fluorescent, reducing agents such as NaBH4 and LiAlH4 activate its fluorescence by turning the aldehydic functions into primary alcohols. Molecular dynamics calculations demonstrated similar spherical structures for both macromolecules regardless of whether the terminal functions were aldehyde or alcohol.