High Fluorescence Quantum Yield Research Articles

Solid-State Emissive meso-Aryl/Alkyl-Substituted and Heteroatom-Mixed BOPPY Dyes: Syntheses, Structures, Physicochemical, Redox Properties, and Computational Analysis.

A series of solid-state emissive meso-aryl/alkyl-substituted and heteroatom-mixed bisBF2-anchoring fluorophore incorporating pyrrolyl-pyridylhydrazone (BOPPY) dyes have been developed by a one-pot condensation of ketonized or formylated pyrroles and 2-heterocyclohydrazine as well as the subsequent borylation coordination. Interestingly, the BOPPY dyes with meso-alkyl-substituted groups or oxygen-substituted pyridine moieties exhibit high fluorescence quantum yields (QYs) of up to 79%, the highest solid QY of 74%, and long lifetimes independent of polarity in the available BOPPYs. On the other hand, the BOPPYs with meso-aryl or N-substituted moieties display a high solution QY of up to 93% and slight emission wavelength maxima. However, the S-substituted BOPPY dye exhibited weak fluorescence in all studied solvents, which was attributed to the structural flexibility of the N-C-S bond and different from those BOPPYs with O or N substitution, indicated by quantum calculations. And the significant excited-state structural rearrangement in a polar solvent is further confirmed by femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy. More importantly, those novel and barely fluorescent BOPPYs in acetonitrile show advantageous aggregation-induced enhanced emission and viscosity-dependent activities. These advancements in the photophysical and electrochemical properties of BOPPY dyes offer valuable insights into their further development and potential applications.

N-Aryl-DABCO Salts as an Unprecedented Sensing Platform for the Detection of Thiols and Selenols.

Quaternary N-aryl-DABCO salts were introduced for the first time as a highly selective sensing platform for thiols and selenols. By employing this platform, a highly sensitive coumarin based "off-on" fluorescent probe was designed and synthesized. The probe possesses a good solubility in water, low background fluorescence, and, most importantly, demonstrates high selectivity to aryl thiols and selenols over their aliphatic counterparts and other common nucleophiles. A dramatic increase in fluorescence intensity is achieved through the selective cleavage of the quaternized DABCO-ring, yielding a piperazine derivatives with a high fluorescence quantum yield (~72 %). Moreover, stability of the probe to the most used reducing agents DTT and TCEP was demonstrated. The limits of detection for p-thiocresol and phenyl selenide were evaluated to be 22 nM and 6 nM, respectively.

Near-Infrared Perylenecarboximide Fluorophores for Live-Cell Super-Resolution Imaging.

Organic near-infrared (NIR) photoblinking fluorophores are highly desirable for live-cell super-resolution imaging based on single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM). Herein we introduce a novel small chromophore, PMIP, through the fusion of perylenecarboximide with 2,2-dimetheylpyrimidine. PMIP exhibits an emission maximum at 732 nm with a high fluorescence quantum yield of 60% in the wavelength range of 700-1000 nm and excellent photoblinking without any additives. With resorcinol-functionalized PMIP (PMIP-OH), NIR SMLM imaging of lysosomes is demonstrated for the first time in living mammalian cells under physiological conditions. Moreover, metabolically labeled nascent DNA is site-specifically detected using azido-functionalized PMIP (PMIP-N3) via click chemistry, thereby enabling the super-resolution imaging of nascent DNA in phosphate-buffered saline with a 9-fold improvement in spatial resolution. These results indicate the potential of PMIP-based NIR blinking fluorophores for biological applications of SMLM.

Efficient fluorescence probe for detection of naproxen in pharmaceutical formulations and water samples using MPA-capped CdTe/ZnS core-shell nanocrystal-neutral red: Experimental and computational studies

The distinct optical properties of surface-engineered quantum dots, featuring high fluorescent quantum yields and biocompatibility, render them valuable tools for precise and selective sensing and biosensing applications spanning diverse fields, including medicine, environmental monitoring, and diagnostics. In this study, we have successfully fabricated a new “OFF-ON” fluorescent probe based on 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) - capped CdTe/ZnS QDs and neutral red (NR) for the determination of Naproxen (NAP) in pharmaceutical formulations and water samples. The as-prepared MPA-TGA-CdTe/ZnS QDs exhibit a robust photoluminescent emission, peaking at 544 nm upon excitation with a 380 nm wavelength. The quantum yield measurement for the TGA-CdTe QDs was ascertained to be 29.3 %. The findings displayed that the fluorescence emission of MPA-TGA-CdTe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) could be significantly quenched by increasing neutral red concentration, which can be attributed to the formation of non-fluorescent NR- MPA-TGA-CdTe/ZnS QDs complex (NR-MPA energy level 1.15 Kcal/mol). Upon the addition of naproxen, there was a noticeable enhancement in fluorescence intensity because of the formation of the strong complex between naproxen and NR (NR-NAP energy level: −1.54 Kcal/mol), leading to the detachment of NR from the surface of quantum dots. Consequently, the MPA-TGA-CdTe/ZnS QDs became activated, resulting in the restoration of fluorescence intensity of MPA-TGA-CdTe/ZnS QDs. The enhancement of fluorescence intensity exhibited a direct relationship with the concentration of naproxen, following a linear trend within the concentration range of 2.00 × 10−1 to 27.3 µmol/L with the detection limits of 7.0 × 10−2 µmol/L. Moreover, computational studies were also used to validate the MPA-TGA-CdTe/ZnS QDs turn-off-ON sensor for sensing naproxen. The interactions of NAP, NR, and MPA-TGA-CdTe/ZnS QDs made a solid base for controlling the fluorescent reversibility of QDs. The as-prepared quantum dots were subjected to cytotoxicity studies using an MTT assay and AAS technique. These findings revealed that MPA-TGA-CdTe/ZnS QDs have greater biocompatibility and lower toxicity, making them attractive for biological applications. The recoveries of naproxen detection using the proposed fluorescent probe in various pharmaceutical formulations and water samples ranged from 97.4 % to 102 %, with a relative standard deviation of less than 5 %.

Discovery of an indolium-based, turn-on fluorescent ligand that represses the Neuroblastoma RAS expression by targeting the 5′-UTR G-quadruplex structure

The RNA G-quadruplex (RG4) at 5′-UTRs of Neuroblastoma RAS (NRAS) mRNA is considered to modulate the NRAS translation, providing new opportunities for interfering with NRAS hyperactivation. Therefore, targeting this RG4 structure by small molecules seems to be an alternative strategy for treating cancers with NRAS mutations or overexpression. In this study, we have developed a promising fluorescent ligand, which exhibited an extremely high fluorescence quantum yield as well as a relatively strong binding affinity with NRAS RG4. Then, this ligand was demonstrated to be able to illuminate the cellular RG4 structures. Furthermore, this ligand remarkably suppressed the translation level of NRAS mRNA, leading to the inhibition of downstream MAPK and AKT signaling pathways in NRAS-amplified MCF-7 cells. Increase of cell apoptosis as well as decrease of cell growth and migration were also detected in tumor cells treated with the ligand. Therefore, a novel and promising fluorescent ligand targeting NRAS RG4 was presented in this study, providing a potential strategy for the "undruggable" protein target.

Boron- and Oxygen-Doped π-Extended Helical Nanographene with Circularly Polarised Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence.

Helical nanographenes have garnered substantial attention owing to their finely adjustable optical and semiconducting properties. The strategic integration of both helicity and heteroatoms into the nanographene structure, facilitated by a boron-oxygen-based multiple resonance (MR) thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), elevates its photophysical and chiroptical features. This signifies the introduction of an elegant category of helical nanographene that combines optical (TADF) and chiroptical (CPL) features. In this direction, we report the synthesis, optical, and chiroptical properties of boron, oxygen-doped Π-extended helical nanographene. The π-extension induces distortion in the DOBNA-incorporated nanographene, endowing a pair of helicenes, (P)-B2NG, and (M)-B2NG exhibiting circularly polarized luminescence with glum of -2.3×10-3 and +2.5×10-3, respectively. B2NG exhibited MR-TADF with a lifetime below 5 μs, and a reasonably high fluorescence quantum yield (50 %). Our molecular design enriches the optical and chiroptical properties of nanographenes and opens up new opportunities in multidisciplinary fields.

2,2'-Tethered Binaphthyl-Embedded One-Handed Helical Ladder Polymers: Impact of the Tether Length on Helical Geometry and Chiroptical Property.

Synthetic breakthroughs diversify the molecules and polymers available to chemists. We now report the first successful synthesis of a series of optically-pure 2,2'-tethered binaphthyl-embedded helical ladder polymers based on quantitative and chemoselective ladderization by the modified alkyne benzannulations using the 4-alkoxy-2,6-dimethylphenylethynyl group as the alkyne source, inaccessible by the conventional approach lacking the 2,6-dimethyl substituents. Due to the defect-free helix formation, the circular dichroism signal increased by more than 6 times the previously reported value. The resulting helical secondary structure can be fine-tuned by controlling the binaphthyl dihedral angle in the repeating unit with variations in the 2,2'-alkylenedioxy tethering groups by one carbon atom at a time. The optimization of the helical ladder structures led to a strong circularly polarized luminescence with a high fluorescence quantum yield (28 %) and luminescence dissymmetry factor (2.6×10-3 ).

2,2′‐Tethered Binaphthyl‐Embedded One‐Handed Helical Ladder Polymers: Impact of the Tether Length on Helical Geometry and Chiroptical Property

AbstractSynthetic breakthroughs diversify the molecules and polymers available to chemists. We now report the first successful synthesis of a series of optically‐pure 2,2′‐tethered binaphthyl‐embedded helical ladder polymers based on quantitative and chemoselective ladderization by the modified alkyne benzannulations using the 4‐alkoxy‐2,6‐dimethylphenylethynyl group as the alkyne source, inaccessible by the conventional approach lacking the 2,6‐dimethyl substituents. Due to the defect‐free helix formation, the circular dichroism signal increased by more than 6 times the previously reported value. The resulting helical secondary structure can be fine‐tuned by controlling the binaphthyl dihedral angle in the repeating unit with variations in the 2,2′‐alkylenedioxy tethering groups by one carbon atom at a time. The optimization of the helical ladder structures led to a strong circularly polarized luminescence with a high fluorescence quantum yield (28 %) and luminescence dissymmetry factor (2.6×10−3).

Photoinduced Electron Transfer-Based Glutathione-Sensing Theranostic Nanoprodrug with Self-Tracking and Real-Time Drug Release Monitoring for Cancer Treatment.

The rapid development of nanomedicine has considerably advanced precision therapy for cancer treatment. Superior to traditional chemotherapy, emerging theranostic nanoprodrugs can effectively realize inherent self-tracking, targeted drug delivery, stimuli-triggered drug release, and reduced systemic toxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs. However, theranostic nanoprodrugs with real-time drug release monitoring have remained rare so far. In this work, we developed a new glutathione-responsive theranostic nanoprodrug with a high drug-loading content of 59.4 wt % and an average nanoscale size of 46 nm, consisting of the anticancer drug paclitaxel and a fluorescent imaging probe with a high fluorescence quantum yield, which are linked by a disulfide-based glutathione-sensitive self-immolating linker. The strong fluorescence emission of the fluorophore enables efficacious self-tracking and sensitive fluorescence "ON-OFF" glutathione sensing. Upon encountering high-level glutathione in cancer cells, the disulfide bond is cleaved, and the resulting linker halves spontaneously collapse into cyclic small molecules at the same pace, leading to the simultaneous release of the therapeutic drug and the fluorescence-OFF imaging probe. Thereby, the drug release process is efficiently monitored by the fluorescence change in the nanoprodrug. The nanoprodrugs exerted high cytotoxicity toward various cancer cells, especially for A549 and HEK-293 cells, in which the nanoprodrugs generated better therapeutic effects than free paclitaxel. Our work demonstrated a new modality of smart theranostic nanoprodrugs for precise cancer therapy.

BN‐Isosteres of Nonacene with Antiaromatic B2C4 and N2C4 Heterocycles: Synthesis and Strong Luminescence**

AbstractEmbedding both boron and nitrogen into the backbone of acenes to generate their isoelectronic structures has significantly enriched the acene chemistry to offer appealing properties. However, only small BN‐heteroacenes have been extensively investigated, with BN‐heptacenes as the hitherto longest homologue. Herein, we report the synthesis of three new nonacene BN‐isosteres via incorporating a pair of antiaromatic B2C4 and N2C4 heterocycles, representing a new length record for BN‐heteroacenes. The distance between the B2C4 and N2C4 rings affects the contribution of the charge‐separated resonance forms, leading to tunable antiaromaticity of the two heterocycles. The adjusted local antiaromaticity manifests substantial influence on the molecular orbital arrangement, and consequently, the radiative transition rate of BN‐3 is greatly enhanced compared with BN‐1 and BN‐2, realizing a high fluorescence quantum yield of 92 %. This work provides a novel design concept of large acene BN‐isosteres and reveals the importance of BN/CC isosterism on their luminescent properties.

Pd-Catalysed Direct Arylation of Distyrylbenzene: Strong Dual-state Fluorescence and Electrochromism.

Distyrylbenzenes (DSBs) are well-known for their strong multicolour fluorescence. Fluorescence tuning of DSB via further functionalization/arylation, on the other hand, is uncommon. This paper reports a Pd-catalysed direct arylation approach for introducing different aryl groups onto fluorobenzene-containing DSB moiety (7) in high yields (67-72 %). The versatile methodology allows the substitution of neutral [tolyl (1)], electron-deficient [p-formyl benzene (2), p-acetyl benzene (3), p-nitrobenzene (4)] and electron-rich [carbazole (5), triphenylamine (6)] aryl groups. The electron-deficient aryls render mono-substitution, while the electron-rich counterparts promote di-substitution. The compounds (1-6) show blue, green, and yellow fluorescence in both the solution and solid states; the fluorescence quantum yields reach >98 % and the peak maxima span from 425 to 560 nm. The mono-carbazole DSB (5) exhibit white light emission (WLM) in polar solvents (acetone, DMF, CH3CN, DMSO and NMP) with very high fluorescence quantum yields (φf) of 60-80 %. For WLM, such high efficiency (φf) is somewhat uncommon. Moreover, visible-to-NIR reversible electrochromism is demonstrated by the TPA-integrated DSB (6). The colour of 6 changes from pristine light yellow to orange, and the absorption maxima shifts from 372 to 1500 nm when a positive potential of 1.0 V vs Ag/Ag+ is applied. Moreover, the system shows high colouration efficiency in the NIR region with fast switching speeds for colouration and decolouration as fast as 0.98 s and 1.05 s.

An all-electron acceptor-based semiconducting polymer nanoprobe for in vivo high brightness NIR-II fluorescence imaging

In vivo fluorescence imaging within the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1000−1700 nm) has advantages of a higher spatial resolution, and deeper tissue penetration depth than that in traditional near-infrared (NIR-I, 750−950 nm). However, currently reported most of imaging materials showed very low fluorescence quantum yield. Here, we developed a new all-acceptor strategy to design and synthesize a new diketopyrrolopyrrole-based semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (PDP NPs) with high quantum yield (∼1.3 %–0.13 %) by Stille reaction of weak and moderate electron acceptor. Such high fluorescence quantum yield may be attributed to the all-acceptor strategy effectively reducing the polymeric intrachain charge-transfer effect. The fluorescence quantum yield (0.13 %) of PDP NPs was higher than currently reported most of semiconducting polymer nanoparticles. Thus, the PDP NPs-enhanced NIR-II imaging exhibited clear microvascular networks in living mice as well as xenograft 4T1 tumor with high signal-to-background ratio and spatial resolution. This study not only introduced an all-acceptor strategy to fabricate diketopyrrolopyrrole-based semiconducting polymer nanoparticles, but also provided a convenient and effective approach to amplify the effectiveness of imaging in vivo.

Pyrene‐Appended Luminescent Probes for Selective Detection of Toxic Heavy Metals and Live Cell Applications

AbstractHeavy metal contamination has become a global environmental problem and currently drawn much attention from researchers in worldwide. High exposure to heavy metals can lead to problems like kidney, liver and brain damage, skin and lung cancer, etc. Rapid and sensitive detection of heavy metals is of immense importance in environmental monitoring. Over the past few decades, enormous efforts have been made to design various sensors to identify and monitor these harmful metal ions. In Comparison with other methods, fluorescence‐based chemosensors have received extensive attention because of the advantages of high sensitivity, low cost, real‐time monitoring, simple operation, etc. The pyrene derivatives are significant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with strong fluorescence. They are widely used as fluorescent probes in many applications due to their easy modification, high fluorescence quantum yield, and strong fluorescence emission in live cells, outstanding cell permeability, and very low cytotoxicity. The SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation alarm a strong strategy, and careful identification of the risk connected to environmental pollutants needs urgent attention in this situation. Therefore, we highlight different types of pyrene‐based fluorophores and the fluorescence mechanisms for the sensitive and selective detection methodology of Arsenic, Mercury, Cadmium, Lead, and Chromium heavy metals.

Organotin(IV)-tetraphenylethylene acylhydrazone compounds with aggregation-induced emission property and application in anticancer therapy

Organotin (IV)-tetraphenylethylene (TPE) acylhydrazone compounds with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property were prepared and characterized. The organotin (IV) compounds showed a conspicuous fluorescence improvement with a high absolute fluorescence quantum yield of 25.2 % (ClSnTPE) in the aggregation state, and restriction of intramolecular rotation (RIR) contributed to this AIE property. Using suitable fluorescence, confocal tests verified that these compounds could accumulate in the mitochondria of A549 cancer cells and decrease the mitochondrial membrane potential. Meanwhile, compounds could improve the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and inhibit the cell cycle (G1/G0 phase), then contributing to apoptosis. In addition to favorable in-vitro anti-proliferative activity (the similar to cisplatin), these compounds could also suppress A549 cancer cell migration. Above all, organotin (IV)-TPE acylhydrazone compounds show the promise as the mitochondrial targeting anticancer drugs for further study.

3-/3,5-Styryl-Substituted BODIPY with N-Bridged Annulation: Synthesis and Spectroscopic Properties

AbstractThe development of organic dyes with high fluorescence quantum yield (FLQY) and tunable emission has significant application potential in biomedicine and material science. The synthesis of four N-bridged annulated BODIPY dyes with styryl units at the 3- and 3,5-positions of the BODIPY core, introduced by Knoevenagel condensation reaction, is reported. These dyes show high FLQY and tunable fluorescence. The intrinsic relationship between structure and properties is comprehensively analyzed through density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which is crucial for the rational design of new BODIPY dyes with desired properties for specific applications.

Promoting the Near-Infrared-II Fluorescence of Diketopyrrolopyrrole-Based Dye for In Vivo Imaging via Donor Engineering.

Small-molecule dyes for fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared region (NIR-II, 900-1880 nm) hold great promise in clinical applications. Constructing donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) architectures has been recognized to be a feasible strategy to achieve NIR-II fluorescence. However, the development of NIR-II dyes via such a scheme is hampered by the lack of high-performance electron acceptors and donors. Diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP), as a classic organic optoelectronic material, enjoys strong light absorption, high fluorescence quantum yield (QY), and facile derivatization. Nevertheless, its application in the NIR-II imaging field has been hindered by its limited electron-withdrawing ability and the aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) effect resulting from the planar structure of DPP. Herein, with DPP as an electron acceptor and through donor engineering, we have successfully designed and synthesized a DPP-based dye named T-27, in which the strong D-A interaction confers excellent NIR absorption and high-brightness NIR-II fluorescence tail emission. By strategically introducing long alkyl chains on the donor unit to increase intermolecular spacing and reduce the influence of solvent molecules, T-27 exhibits an improved anti-ACQ effect in aqueous solutions. After being encapsulated into DSPE-PEG2000, T-27 nanoparticles (NPs) show a relative NIR-II fluorescence QY of 3.4% in water, representing the highest value among the DPP-based NIR-II dyes reported to date. The outstanding photophysical properties of T-27 NPs enable multimode NIR-IIa bioimaging under 808 nm excitation. As such, the T-27 NPs can distinguish mouse femoral vein and artery and achieve cerebral vascular microscopic imaging with a penetrating depth of 800 μm, demonstrating the capability for high-resolution deep-tissue imaging. This work holds significant potential in the field of bioimaging and provides a new strategy for developing bright NIR-II dyes.

Unraveling the mystery of solvation-dependent fluorescence of fluorescein dianion using computational study.

Fluorescein, one of the brightest fluorescent dye molecules, is a widely used fluorophore for various applications from biomedicine to industry. The dianionic form of fluorescein is responsible for its high fluorescence quantum yield. Interestingly, the molecule was found to be nonfluorescent in the gas phase. This characteristic is attributed to the photodetachment process, which out-competes the fluorescence emission in the gas phase. In this work, we show that the calculated vertical and adiabatic detachment energies of fluorescein dianion in the gas and solvent phases account for the drastic differences observed in their fluorescence characteristics. The functional dependence of these detachment energies on the dianion's microsolvation was systematically investigated. The performance of different solvent models was also assessed. The higher thermodynamic stability of fluorescein dianion over the monoanion doublet in the solvent phase plays a crucial role in quenching photodetachment and activating the radiative channel with a high fluorescence quantum yield.

Synthesis of Tough and Fluorescent Self-Healing Elastomers by Scandium-Catalyzed Terpolymerization of Pyrenylethenylstyrene, Ethylene, and Anisylpropylene.

The synthesis of fluorescent self-healing polymers by the incorporation of a fluorophore-containing olefin into a polyolefin backbone through catalyst-controlled multicomponent copolymerization is of fundamental interest and practical importance, but such an approach has remained unexplored to date. Herein, we report for the first time the synthesis of tough and fluorescent self-healing polymers by sequence-controlled terpolymerization of 4-[2-(1-pyrenyl)ethenyl]styrene (Pyr), ethylene (E), and anisylpropylene (AP) using a sterically demanding half-sandwich scandium catalyst. The resulting terpolymers consisted of relatively long alternating E-alt-AP sequences, isolated Pyr units, and short E-E blocks, which exhibited excellent tensile strength, remarkable self-healability, and high fluorescence quantum yield. The excellent mechanical and self-healing properties could be attributed to the nanophase separation of the crystalline E-E segments and the hard Pyr aggregates from a flexible E-alt-AP segment matrix, in which the Pyr units not only served as an efficient fluorophore but also played an important role in forming nanodomains and enhancing the polymer mobility. Furthermore, the styrenyl C═C bond of the Pyr unit in the terpolymers could undergo [2 + 2] cycloaddition under photoirradiation, which thus enabled the fabrication of a self-healable fluorescent two-dimensional image on a terpolymer film through photolithography. This work offers an unprecedented efficient protocol for the synthesis of a brand-new family of fluorescent self-healing materials, showcasing the high potential of catalyst-controlled sequence-regular copolymerization of different olefins for the creation of novel functional polymers.

One-Step Cascade Synthesis of ortho-bay-Imidazolo-Extended Perylene Biscarboximides (OBISIM) and Their Application as Broad-Spectrum Fluorescent Dyes.

A one-step synthesis of perylene dyes with lateral extension by condensed imidazoles in a cascade reaction of sodium amide and benzonitrile is described in which multiple extensions can be controlled by the reaction conditions. The extensions lead to bathochromic shifts in absorption and fluorescence while maintaining high fluorescence quantum yields. The condensed imidazole units cause additional absorption bands in the hypsochromic visible region, resulting in broad-band absorbers. Multiple extensions of the aromatic system enable the NIR spectral approach of the spectra. Energy transfer (fluorescence resonance energy transfer, FRET) of dyads with perylene biscarboximides is very efficient and achieves quantum yields close to unity regardless of the lengths and orientation of the spacer. Applications as broad-band-absorbing fluorescent dyes, such as in solar collectors, are discussed.

BN-Isosteres of Nonacene with Antiaromatic B2 C4 and N2 C4 Heterocycles: Synthesis and Strong Luminescence.

Embedding both boron and nitrogen into the backbone of acenes to generate their isoelectronic structures has significantly enriched the acene chemistry to offer appealing properties. However, only small BN-heteroacenes have been extensively investigated, with BN-heptacenes as the hitherto longest homologue. Herein, we report the synthesis of three new nonacene BN-isosteres via incorporating a pair of antiaromatic B2 C4 and N2 C4 heterocycles, representing a new length record for BN-heteroacenes. The distance between the B2 C4 and N2 C4 rings affects the contribution of the charge-separated resonance forms, leading to tunable antiaromaticity of the two heterocycles. The adjusted local antiaromaticity manifests substantial influence on the molecular orbital arrangement, and consequently, the radiative transition rate of BN-3 is greatly enhanced compared with BN-1 and BN-2, realizing a high fluorescence quantum yield of 92 %. This work provides a novel design concept of large acene BN-isosteres and reveals the importance of BN/CC isosterism on their luminescent properties.