A series of near-infrared solid-state emitters based on the dicyanoisophorone electron acceptor group was synthesized. The solid-state spectroscopic properties were studied by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy and analyzed in light of the single crystal structures obtained by X-ray diffraction. This series of push-pull dipolar fluorophores differing only by the substituent groups on the donor end display interesting solid-state emission properties on crystal with an emission in the near-infrared ranging from 710 to 790 nm. The origin of the emission depends on the nature of the substituent groups that influence the crystal packing and trigger the formation of long chain of emitting aggregates.

(Poly)glycerol monoethers were synthesized in good yield and selectivity by the catalytic reductive alkylation of glycerol, diglycerol, and triglycerol with readily available, cheap and/or bio-sourced carboxylic acids. The reaction was catalyzed by 1 mol % of Pd/C under 50 bar H(2) using an acid ion-exchange resin as a recyclable cocatalyst. The catalytic system was recycled several times, and a mechanism is proposed for this transformation.