Photo‐controllable Luminescence from Radicals Leading to Ratiometric Emission Switching via Dynamic Intermolecular Coupling
Jia‐Ming Jin, Wen‐Cheng Chen, Jihua Tan, Yang Li, Yingxiao Mu, Ze‐Lin Zhu, Chen Cao, Shaomin Ji, Dehua Hu, Yanping Huo, Hao‐Li Zhang, Chun‐Sing Lee
Abstract
The development of photoinduced luminescent radicals with dynamic emission color is still challenging. Herein we report a novel molecular radical system (TBIQ) that shows photo-controllable luminescence, leading to a wide range of ratiometric color changes via light excitation. The conjugated skeleton of TBIQ is decorated with steric-demanding tertiary butyl groups that enable appropriate intermolecular interaction to make dynamic intermolecular coupling possible for controllable behaviors. We reveal that the helicenic pseudo-planar conformation of TBIQ experiences a planarization process after light excitation, leading to more compactly stacked supermolecules and thus generating radicals via intermolecular charge transfer. The photo-controllable luminescent radical system is employed for a high-level information encryption application. This study may offer unique insight into molecular dynamic motion for optical manufacturing and broaden the scope of smart-responsive materials for advanced applications.