Tuning the structures and photophysical properties of 9,10-distyrylanthrance (DSA) via fluorine substitution

Abstract

Because of the differences in the position and degree of fluorine substitution, four fluorinated DSA (9,10-distyrylanthracene) derivatives, namely 9,10-bis(4-fluorostyryl)anthracene (4-BFSA), 9,10-bis(3-fluorostyryl)anthracene (3-BFSA), 9,10-bis(3,5-difluorostyryl)anthracene (BDFSA) and 9,10-bis(3,4,5-trifluorostyryl)anthracene (BTFSA), display different crystal packing and photophysical properties in the solid state. Furthermore, the photophysical properties in solution have been investigated. The results show that all the four compounds exhibit tunable aggregation-induced enhanced emission (AIEE) properties. Notably, DSA, 4-BFSA, 3-BFSA and BDFSA display solvatochromic properties. The relationship between their structures and photophysical properties was further discussed. This work has demonstrated that depending on the amount and position, fluorine substitution can tune the structures and photophysical properties of DSA effectively.