Efficient luminescence from easily prepared fluorine–boron core complexes based on benzothiazole and benzoxazole

•A series of brightly luminescent, BF-cored complexes were synthesized from readily available precursors in high yield.•The molecule structures were based on the benzothiazole and benzoxazole backbones.•The emission maxima of these BF-cored complexes spanned 70 nm in the visible spectrum from 450 nm (blue) to 520 nm (green).•The photoluminescence quantum yields ranged from 0.16 to 0.8 in dichloromethane.•Chelating position shifting on the naphthalene ring result in large different optical properties.

A series of brightly luminescent fluorine–boron cored complexes were synthesized from readily available precursors in high yield and were structurally characterized. The molecular structures were based on the benzothiazole and benzoxazole frameworks. The emission maxima of these fluorine–boron cored complexes spanned 70 nm in the visible spectrum from 450 nm (blue) to 520 nm (green). The photoluminescence quantum yields ranged from 0.16 to 0.8 in dichloromethane at room temperature. Altering the chelating position on the naphthalene ring provides a means to tailor the optical properties of the complexes.

Graphical abstractA series of brightly luminescent, fluorine–boron cored complexes were synthesized from readily available precursors and the mission maxima of these fluorine–boron complexes spanned 70 nm in the visible spectrum from 450 nm (blue) to 520 nm (green).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide