A new diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)
derivative, DPPA-4-Caz, with a
distorted molecular conformation has been synthesized, exhibiting
aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and mechanofluorochromic (MFC)
properties, with a solid-state fluorescence quantum yield of 0.286
and a 37 nm redshift in emission upon grinding. This compound can
exhibit either AIE or aggregation-caused quenching effect, and these
totally contradictory phenomena are attributed to its two polymorphic
forms correspondingly. When the molecule bending is S-type, a loose
intermolecular packing pattern is formed in the aggregation state,
where the aromatic rings’ rotation is constrained, leading
to luminescence. When bending is Z-type, the molecules are parallel-stacked
and quench upon aggregation. Five other compounds with similar structures
were also synthesized in order to investigate the effects of substituents
and alkyl chain length on the properties of AIE and MFC. The results
show that the electronic effect of the substituent plays a major role
in the production of AIE, while the alkyl chain length has a greater
effect on MFC properties.