Stilbene-Based Molecular Switches with Aggregation Induced Emission (AIE) Function Constructed by Supramolecular Strategy
Ling Liu, Taotao Hao, Wanhua Wu, Cheng Yang
Abstract
Stilbene derivatives have been widely used for the construction of molecular switches having stimulus-response properties.Unlike the well-known tetraphenyl ethylene derivatives that have aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties, it is a challenge to develop a stilbene molecular switch with AIE function.In this paper, a new type of stilbene molecular switch with AIE function was constructed by the supramolecular interaction of pillar [5]arene.This type of molecular switch has excellent thermal stability, and quantitative Z→E conversion can be achieved under acid catalysis.The light-driving reverse process achieved 87% of Z-configuration selectivity in the photostable state (PSS).The introduction of pillar[5]arene did not affect the switching performance of the parent compound.In a mixed solvent [tetrahydrofuran (THF)-H2O], a stable aggregate was formed due to the supramolecular self-assembly of pillar[5]arene, which showed the AIE performance that the parent stilbene derivative did not possess.This supramolecular strategy opens a new window for building AIE-type molecular switches.