Clickable Polymerization‐Induced Emission Luminogens Toward Color‐Tunable Modification of Non‐Traditional Intrinsic Luminescent Polymers

Abstract

Non‐traditional intrinsic luminescent (NTIL) polymer is an emerging field, and its color‐tunable modification is highly desirable but still rarely investigated. Here, a click chemistry approach for the color‐tunable modifications of NTIL polymers by introducing clickable polymerization‐induced emission luminogen (PIEgen), is demonstrated. Through Cu‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition click chemistry, a series of PIEgens is successful prepared, which is further polymerized via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Interestingly, after clickable modification, these monomers are nonemissive in both solution and aggregation states; while, the corresponding polymers exhibit intriguing aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) characteristics, confirming their PIEgen characteristics. By varying alkynyl substitutions, color‐tunable NTIL polymers are achieved with emission wavelength varying from 448 to 498 nm, revealing a series of PIEgens and verifying the importance of modification of NTIL polymers. Further luminescence energy transfer application is carried out as well. This work therefore designs a series of clickable PIEgens and opens a new avenue for the modification of NTIL polymers via click chemistry, which may cause inspirations to the research fields including luminescent polymer, NTIL, click chemistry, AIE and modification.