Multiple emissive triarylborane-A2H2 and triarylborane-Zn-A2H2 porphyrin conjugates

Abstract

Triarylborane-A₂H₂ (1) and triarylborane-Zn-A₂H₂ porphyrins (2) have been synthesized by acid catalyzed condensation of 4-dimesitylboryl-benzaldehyde and dipyrromethane under ambient conditions. Compounds 1 and 2 showed multiple emission bands upon excitation at the triarylborane dominated absorption region (350 nm). Detailed experimental and computational studies show that the multiple emission features of 1 and 2 arise as a result of a partial energy transfer from the donor (triarylborane) to the acceptor (porphyrin) moieties. Compounds 1 and 2 showed very high selectivities towards fluoride ions compared to other competing anions.