ACQ‐to‐AIE Transformation: Tuning Molecular Packing by Regioisomerization for Two‐Photon NIR Bioimaging

作者:Dr. Yuanyuan Li; Dr. Shunjie Liu; Huwei Ni; Haoke Zhang; Dr. Hequn Zhang; Clarence Chuah; Chao Ma; Prof. Kam Sing Wong; Prof. Jacky W. Y. Lam; Prof. Ryan T. K. Kwok; Prof. Jun Qian; Prof. Xuefeng Lu; Prof. Ben Zhong Tang
来源:Angewandte Chemie, 2020, 132(31): 12922-12926.
DOI:10.1002/ange.202005785

摘要

The traditional design strategies for highly bright solid‐state luminescent materials rely on weakening the intermolecular π–π interactions, which may limit diversity when developing new materials. Herein, we propose a strategy of tuning the molecular packing mode by regioisomerization to regulate the solid‐state fluorescence. TBP‐ e ‐TPA with a molecular rotor in the end position of a planar core adopts a long‐range cofacial packing mode, which in the solid state is almost non‐emissive. By shifting molecular rotors to the bay position, the resultant TBP‐ b ‐TPA possesses a discrete cross packing mode, giving a quantum yield of 15.6±0.2 %. These results demonstrate the relationship between the solid‐state fluorescence efficiency and the molecule's packing mode. Thanks to the good photophysical properties, TBP‐ b ‐TPA nanoparticles were used for two‐photon deep brain imaging. This molecular design philosophy provides a new way of designing highly bright solid‐state fluorophores.