| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 175569 | Dyes and Pigments | 2015 | 8 Pages |
•A series of novel constitutional isomers containing dinuclear gold(I) units have been synthesized.•These diisocyano-based dinuclear gold(I) complexes 1-3 all exhibit excellent AIE property.•Ortho-isomer luminogen 1 shows switchable mechanochromic behavior.•Meta-isomer luminogen 2 exhibits reversible mechanical force-induced luminescence enhancement effect.•No mechanochromism phenomenon is found for para-isomer luminogen 3.
A series of constitutional isomers containing dinuclear gold(I) units were designed, synthesized and characterized using IR spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics of the complexes were investigated by photoluminescence (PL) and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The results indicated that gold(I) complexes 1-3 exhibited significant AIE phenomena. PL spectroscopy, used to probe their solid-state mechanochromic properties, suggested ortho-isomer luminogen 1 exhibited reversible mechanochromic fluorescence, whereas meta-isomer luminogen 2 showed switchable mechanical force-induced luminescence enhancement behavior. No mechanochromism behavior was observed for para-isomer luminogen 3. Powder X-ray diffraction indicated that the morphology phase conversion between crystalline and amorphous states is responsible for the mechanochromism or mechanical force-induced emission enhancement characteristics.
Graphical abstractConstitutional isomers containing gold(I) units all exhibit significant AIE property. Ortho-isomer exhibits reversible mechanochromic fluorescence. Meta-isomer shows switchable mechanical force-induced luminescence enhancement behavior. Para-isomer exhibits no mechanochromism behavior.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide
