Synthesis and photophysical properties of blue emission maleimide molecules with dual-state emission (DSE) effects

Abstract

Maleimide derivatives are widely synthesized as luminescent materials due to their excellent structural advantages and good chemical stability. In this article, we have designed and synthesized two new dual-state emission (DSE) molecules that use maleimide as the skeleton and introduce different amounts of conjugation-induced rigidity biphenyl by Suzuki–Miyaura coupling. The obtained fluorophores show bright blue fluorescence emission both in solution and solid state, displaying DSE effects. Moreover, the fluorophores also display positive solvatochromic effects in solvent of different polarity, and they response to the addition of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and triethylamine (TEA), displaying reversible acidochromic behavior.