Synthesis of Tetraarylethene Luminogens by C-H Vinylation of Aromatic Compounds with Triazenes

Tetraarylethenes are obtained by acid-induced coupling of vinyl triazenes with aromatic compounds. This new C-H activation route for the synthesis of aggregation-induced emission luminogens is simple, fast, and versatile. It allows the direct grafting of triarylethenyl groups onto a variety of aromatic compounds, including heterocycles, supramolecular hosts, biologically relevant molecules, and commercial polymers.