AIE-active aurones for circularly polarized luminescence and trace water detection

AIE-active phenyl- and [2.2]paracyclophanyl-based aurones (2-Ph and 2-PCP) were synthesized and investigated with different structures and photophysical properties. The results illustrated that the PCP ring can provide chirality, electron-donating ability and steric hindrance. Accordingly, (R_p)/(S_p)-2-PCP exhibit high sensitivity in trace water detection and aggregation-induced CPL with enhanced quantum yields and luminescence dissymmetry factors.