Unlocking Multicolor Emissions in the Crystalline State through Dimerization and Configurational Transformation of a Single Fluorophore

Abstract

Multicolor luminescent materials with tunable properties hold great promise for a wide range of applications in materials science. Unfortunately, the conventional approach to achieving multicolor emissions by blending multiple types of fluorophores is hindered by limitations, notably, spectral instability, aggregation-caused quenching, and energy transfer. The pursuit of multicolor emissions from a single type of fluorophore in the solid state has, until now, remained a formidable challenge. In this study, we have introduced N,N′-diphenyl dihydrodibenzo[a,c]-phenazines (DPAC), augmented with two o-carboranyl units, to create a novel fluorophore CbDPAC. The CbDPAC crystal exhibits three distinct emission bands peaking at 405, 470, and 620 nm, respectively, arising from a rich intermolecular interaction network that generates novel emission centers, such as conformational isomers and excimers. This work inspires the rational molecular engineering of smart fluorophores with tailorable properties and inaugurates diverse possibilities for stimuli-responsive luminescent technologies.

Molecular design and architectonics towards film-based fluorescent sensing

“…Efforts to compress space using micro-sized sensor components are underway, but exploring sensitive materials offers an additional promising strategy. By utilizing the excitation-dependent solid-state materials, 135,147 it is possible to create a virtual sensing array. In this array, excitation lights of different wavelengths excite the sensitive materials at various time gates, generating distinct signal patterns for discriminative sensing.…”

“…19(a)). The excited-state energy of the excimer/exciplex is lower than that of the monomer, 147 leading to a long-wavelength emission band (in comparison to that of the monomers).…”