Aggregation-induced emission and remarkable piezochromism based on tetraphenylethene modified cyanostilbene derivative

Abstract The D-π-A-π-D type tetraphenylethene-based cyanostilbene derivative TPEAN had been designed and synthesized. Solvatochromic experiment and theoretical calculation illustrated that TPEAN occurred unique intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) process. Luminogen TPEAN also exhibited AIE activity. The nanoparticles gradually formed and emitted intense fluorescence at high water content in a mixture of THF/water. Interestingly, TPEAN displayed remarkable piezochromism. A emission color change from bright green to dark yellow occurred for the pristine solid of TPEAN after grinding treatment. This emitting color change could recover to its original state after fuming. The current work could be help us to effectively design molecular structure to achieve an obvious fluorescence response to external force.