Design, synthesis and structural investigation of a novel class of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) molecular scaffolds

Abstract

Through a SbCl₃-promoted C–H functionalization, a series of α-substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines were synthesized, which exhibited aggregation-induced emission characteristics. Single-crystal structural analysis revealed that the α-substituent restricted intramolecular rotation in the aggregated state constitutes the primary mechanism for the AIE phenomenon.