No abstract

Three 5,7-pi-extended 8-benzyloxyquinolines, namely 5,7-diphenyl-, 5,7-bis(biphenyl-4-yl)- and 5,7-bis(4-dibenzothiophenyl)-8-benzyloxyquinoline were prepared and investigated as fluorescent pH-probes in nonaqueous solution. Absorption and photoluminescence spectra of the introduced compounds also including the starting material 8-benzyloxy-5,7-dibromoquinoline as well as their N-protonated counterparts were recorded and the results were rationalized by quantum-chemical calculations. A pronounced red shift of the emission occurred upon protonation of the non halogenated derivatives, while the dibromo-derivative is hardly emissive and is virtually not protonated under the conditions used. The diphenyl- and the bis(biphenyl)-derivative especially show promising photoluminescence quantum yields both in the parent and the protonated state making them candidates for the active component in pH sensing applications.

A series of liquid crystalline compounds based on 2,7‐bis(biphenyl)fluorenes was synthesised by a Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction and subsequent etherification with different bromoalkenes. By simple variations of the chain lengths the temperature range in which the nematic mesophase is present could be tuned. The described approach offers the possibility of covalent incorporation of the mesogens into polymers via olefin metathesis techniques, resulting in enlarged stability of the mesophase. Monomers and polymers could be easily aligned on rubbed polyimide substrates as revealed by polarised absorption spectroscopy.