ESIPT‐Inspired Dual‐Mode Photoswitches with Fast Molecular Isomerization in the Solid State

Abstract

Photoswitchable materials have attracted considerable attention in various fields. Developing excellent solid‐state dual‐mode photoswitches is an important but challenging task. Herein, we propose a new strategy to construct an excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) inspired photoswitch (DiAH‐pht) that possesses aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) features and displays a fast molecular isomerization process characterized by dual‐mode behavior in the solid state. Mechanistic studies indicate that introduction of a bulky group can create a folded molecular conformation that provides adequate volume to facilitate photoisomerization and the enhanced ESIPT effect can boost the isomerization process. The feasibility of our strategy was further demonstrated by the activated photoisomerization performance of the Schiff base derivatives. Furthermore, DiAH‐pht shows good performance in the fields of dual‐mode information encryption and high‐density data storage.

Coordination Synergistic-Induced J-Aggregation Enhanced Fluorescent Performance of HBT-Excimers and Imaging Applications

“…Hydroxyphenyl-benzothiazole (HBT)-based derivatives have received considerable attention on account of their special optical properties, especially the typical mechanism of excited-state intermolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) . Numerous of fluorescent probes were designed based on this mechanism or in combination with other mechanisms for various species detection. − We have developed a series of HBT-based fluorescent probes with excellent fluorescent performances for monitoring metal ions and anions. − Especially, recent studies revealed that HBT is a kind of Janus-type ESIPT chromophore through tuning intramolecular H-bond . However, rare research about J -aggregation based on the HBT skeleton was reported.…”