Multi-stimuli-responsive aggregation-induced emission of boryl substituted phenothiazine

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive materials, especially multi-stimuli-responsive ones, represent a kind of intelligent materials with significant potential in high-tech innovations, owing to their ability to undergo physical property changes in response to external stimuli. This investigation produced three new functionalized donor–acceptor (D–A) fluorophores, specifically aminoboranes incorporating phenothiazyl groups (4a, 4b, and 4c), featuring analogous structural components. These aminoborane derivatives demonstrated excellent resistance to air/moisture degradation, along with reduced HOMO energy states compared to a CN-containing analog, 4d. Analysis indicated that these aminoborane compounds displayed fascinating photophysical characteristics, encompassing aggregation-induced emission (AIE). Notably, the diarylboryl-phenothiazines show case reversible and distinct multi-stimuli-responsive luminescence upon exposure to fluoride ions, voltage, and mechanical force. This investigation enhances understanding of molecular interaction mechanisms and structural modifications essential for developing advanced stimuli-responsive luminescent compounds.