Visible light triggered aggregation-induced emission switching with a donor–acceptor Stenhouse adduct

Abstract

A novel visible light triggered aggregation-induced emission compound derived from a donor–acceptor Stenhouse adduct (DASA) and the tetraphenylethylene (TPE) moiety was synthesized and photophysical behaviors were investigated by UV-vis and photoluminescence spectra. The new visible light-responsive molecule exhibited outstanding properties of photochromism. Its emission and absorption intensities could be reversibly changed upon alternating visible light irradiation and heating due to structural photoisomerization both in solution and solid film. Visible light triggered fluorescent surface relief patterns have also been fabricated through the soft-lithographic contact printing method.