Multicolor Tuning of Aggregation-Induced Emission through Substituent Variation of Diphenyl-o-carborane

We demonstrate multicolor tuning of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) derived from o-carborane. Both electron-donating and electron-accepting arylacetylenes underwent efficient palladium coupling reaction with bis(4-bromophenyl)-o-carborane, resulting in moderate yields. The emission spectra of these compounds span almost the entire visible spectrum (lambda(max) = 452-662 nm). Study on AIE mechanism indicated that CT-based emission of o-carborane derivatives was enhanced by the restriction of molecular motions. The computational study also suggests the possibility of precise color-control of AIE through substituent variation.