2,5-bis(4-alkoxycarbonylphenyl)-1,4-diaryl-1,4-dihydropyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole (AAPP) AIEgens: tunable RIR and TICT characteristics and their multifunctional applications

• DOI: 10.1039/c7sc03076b
• Publication Date: 2017-08-31T09:34:33Z
• Authors: Kai Li; Yuanyuan Liu; Yuanyuan Li; Qi Feng; Hongwei Hou; Ben Zhong Tang
• Keywords: Pyrrole

Aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) have attracted extensive interest for their outstanding luminescence properties in the aggregated state and even solid state. In this work, we developed a series of novel AIEgens based on 2,5-bis(4-alkoxycarbonylphenyl)-1,4-diaryl-1,4-dihydropyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole (AAPP). The can be facilely synthesized through single-step reaction under mild conditions with satisfactory yields. Interestingly, AAPP was found to multiple luminous mechanisms that result variable fluorescence properties. propeller-like structure enables restricted intramolecular rotation (RIR) process which significantly enhances its (i.e. AIE fluorescence). addition, there is donor-acceptor interaction between heterocycle center alkoxycarbonyl units allows typical twisted charge transfer (TICT) dispersed state, resulting strong emissions non-polar or low-polarity solvents but quenching high-polarity solvents. Due tunable RIR TICT processes fluorescence, compounds exhibit multifunctional applications: (1) as reversible fluorescent thermometer, exhibited excellent fatigue resistance. There good linear relationship intensity temperature from 10 °C 60 °C. (2) desethyl derivative (CAPP) successfully applied detection Cd(ii) aqueous solution at neutral pH, showed 500-fold "turn-on" response selectivity.