D-A-D type dinitriles with vapor-dependent luminescence in the solid state

Abstract

D-A-D (Donor-Acceptor-Donor) type dinitriles linked by a styryl or phenylethynyl group have been prepared. These groups were introduced to increase the flexibility and the size of the π-conjugation in the chromophores. Both compounds showed strong emission in the solid state, AIE (aggregation-induced emission) behavior, and mechanochromism. The fluorescence color of ground powder changed by organic solvent vapor (vapochromism). Especially, the emission color of the styryl dinitrile after exposures depends on the solvent, while that of the phenylethynyl dinitrile is the same after exposure to different solvents. These results were explained by single crystal and powder XRD measurements, which revealed that the flexible styryl linker leads to a loose crystal packing, resulting in a dinitrile with multi-state microcrystalline structures. This methodology based on the flexible linker allows for the detection of small organic molecules without transition metals.