Novel Multifunctional Hybrid Molecules Constructed from β‐Carboline and Naphthalene Anhydride: Aggregation, Deaggregation and Fluorescence Detection

Abstract

AbstractA series of hybrid molecules (CA‐1, CA‐2, CA‐3 and CA‐4) containing carbazole, β‐carboline, naphthalene anhydride linked together by triazole ring were synthesized via click chemistry reaction. The photophysical properties of four hybrid molecules showed that aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) phenomenon was discovered as the water‐phase ratio increases. According to X‐ray single crystal diffraction date of CA‐3, it was clearly revealed that CA‐3 and CA‐4 with β‐carboline unit aggregated in water solution through π‐π stacking and hydrogen bonding. Significantly, the coordination of CA‐3 and CA‐4 to metal ions effectively promoted molecular deaggregation. In addition, CA‐3 successfully developed into a ratio fluorescent probe for Al3+ detection in tap water due to its fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) effect, providing a feasible way for sensing applications of multifunctional hybrid molecules.