Fine-tuning benzazole-based probe for the ultrasensitive detection of Hg2+ in water samples and seaweed samples.

Developing potentially toxic metal ion probes is significant for environment and food safety. Although Hg2+ probes have been extensively studied, small molecule fluorophores that can integrate two applications of visual detection and separation into one unit remain challenging to access. Herein, by incorporating triphenylamine (TPA) into tridentate skeleton with an acetylene bridge, 2,6-bisbenzimidazolpyridine-TPA (4a), 2,6-bisbenzothiazolylpyridine-TPA (4b) and 2,6-bisbenzothiazolylpyridine-TPA (4c) were first constructed, expectably showing distinct solvatochromism and dual-state emission properties. Since the diverse emission properties, the fluorescence detection of 4a-4b can be achieved with an ultrasensitive response (LOD = 10-11 M) and efficient removal of Hg2+. More interestingly, 4a-4b can not only be developed into paper/film sensing platform, but also reliably detect Hg2+ in real water and seaweed samples, with recoveries ranging from 97.3% to 107.8% and a relative standard deviation of less than 5%, indicating that they have excellent application potential in the field of environmental and food chemistry.

A new piezochromic fluorescence and aggregation-induced emission compound containing tetraphenylethylene and triphenylamine moieties with morphology-alterable property.

A novel piezochromic fluorescent (PCF) compound with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect and morphology-alterable emission property was developed. The amorphous and crystalline aggregates were obtained, and their spectroscopic properties and morphological structures were reversibly and repeatedly exhibited upon pressing (fuming) or annealing. The piezochromic fluorescent nature was generated through crystalline-amorphous phase transformation. It was proposed that AIE compounds existing a twisted propeller-shaped conformation will exhibit PCF activity. The common relationship betweeen AIE and PCF established will guide researchers in identifying and synthesizing more piezochromic fluorescent materials.

Comparison of responsive behaviors of two cinnamic acid derivatives containing carbazolyl triphenylethylene.

Two cinnamic acid derivatives (CPA and CPC) containing carbazolyl triphenylethylene moiety have been synthesized and characterized. The two derivatives possessed aggregation-induced emission property. They exhibited different and interesting responsive behaviors to solvents, water and metal ions. Considering the structural differences between the two derivatives resulting in different interactions between their molecules and the various media was proposed as a possible explanation for these observations. The intermolecular interactions of CPC were much stronger than those of CPA, which promoted molecular association through intermolecular hydrogen bonding to form multimers. It was found that CPC and CPA exhibited high sensitivity to K(+) and Mn(2+), respectively. It is suggested that the derivatives have potential technological applications in chemosensor fields.

Synthesis and characterization of triphenylethylene derivatives with aggregation-induced emission characteristics.

New aggregation-induced emission (AIE) compounds derived from triphenylethylene were synthesized. The thermal, photophysical, electrochemical and aggregation-induced emissive properties were investigated. All the compounds had strong blue light emission capability and good thermal stability. Their maximum fluorescence emission wavelengths were between 443 to 461 nm in solid states, while their glass transition temperatures ranged from 86 to 129 °C. The decomposition temperatures of the synthesized compounds were in the range of 432-534 °C. The synthesized compounds possessed aggregation-induced emission properties, namely exhibited enhanced fluorescence emission in aggregated states. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels estimated from the oxidation potentials were between 5.61 and 5.66 eV and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital/highest occupied molecular orbital (LUMO/HOMO) energy gap values were found to be in the range of 3.18-3.22 eV. The compounds 4-(4-(2,2-bis(4-(naphthalen-1-yl)phenyl)vinyl)phenyl) dibenzothiophene [(BN)(2)Bt] and 4-(4-(2,2-di(biphenyl-4-yl)vinyl)phenyl) dibenzothiophene [(BB)(2)Bt] exhibited vibronic fine-structure photoluminescence spectra when the water fraction was less than 70%.

Synthesis and properties of diphenylcarbazole triphenylethylene derivatives with aggregation-induced emission, blue light emission and high thermal stability.

New aggregation-induced emission materials derived from diphenylcarbazole triphenylethylene were prepared. The thermal, photophysical, electrochemical and aggregation-induced emissive properties were investigated. All the compounds had strong blue light emission capability and excellent thermal stability. Their maximum fluorescence emission wavelengths were between 450 to 460 nm in TLC plates, while their glass transition temperatures ranged from 162.2 to 182.4 °C. The decomposition temperatures of the synthesized compounds were all well over 500 °C. The synthesized compounds possessed aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties, which exhibited enhanced fluorescence emissions in aggregation states or in solid states. The HOMO energy levels estimated from the oxidation potentials were found in the range from 5.49 to5.52 eV. The lowest unoccupied molecular orbital/highest occupied molecular orbital (LUMO/HOMO) energy gaps (ΔEg) for the compounds were estimated from the onset absorption wavelengths of UV absorption spectra and ranged from 3.04 to 3.20 eV.