N,N-dimethyl-triarylmethanolation as a versatile approach for multiresponsive emission/absorption opposite materials with capability as naked-eye alcohol and C-H acidity indicator

Emission (A)/absorption (B) opposite material (A boolean OR B = U and A boolean AND B = 0) represents a novel material with potential applications as stimuli-responsive material, attributed to its dual responsive properties on both emission and absorption. Here, we demonstrate a N,N-dimethyl-triarylmethanolation strategy as a ver-satile approach for the molecular design of emission/absorption opposite materials with intriguing aggregation-induced emission, amorphization-induced emission, multiresponsive behaviors. In-vestigations on the structure-property relationship reveal that N,N-dimethyl-triarylmethanol moiety is essential to respond to stimuli including strong acid (HCl), weak acid (silica gel), water, alcohol, and C-H (acetylacetone (AcAc) and dimethyl malonate (DMM)). Attributed to the hydrogen bonding effect be-tween N,N-dimethyl-triarylmethanol moiety and very weakly acidic alcohols or C-H acids, it exhibits capability as active hydrogen (alcohol and C-H) acidity indicator. Further applications in the fields of encryption and carbonyl compounds detection are demonstrated as well. This work, therefore, dem-onstrates the proof of concept of a novel emission/absorption opposite material, which might cause inspiration in different research areas.(c) 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates a strategy using N,N-dimethyl-triarylmethanol to design emission/absorption opposite materials with aggregation-induced emission, amorphization-induced emission, and multiresponsive behaviors. These materials show responsive properties towards various stimuli including strong acid, weak acid, water, alcohol, and C-H acids. The study also presents further applications in encryption and detection of carbonyl compounds, providing inspiration for different research areas.