Poly(arylene ynonylene) with an aggregation-enhanced emission characteristic: a fluorescent sensor for both hydrazine and explosive detection

A high molecular weight poly(arylene ynonylene) with an aggregation-enhanced emission characteristic was synthesized in high yield by a newly developed polymerization route. Its emission can be turned 'on' by hydrazine, as well as 'off' by picric acid, demonstrating the first fluorescent sensor that works for both hydrazine and explosives detection.