Discrimination of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons via modulated folding and fluorescence of an NDI-tetramer

Abstract

We report the synthesis of an electroactive, conformationally flexible NDI tetramer and its solvent-dependent folding. While both aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons facilitate its folding, the former enhances excimer emission, whereas the latter quenches emission by favouring the charge transfer process. This contrasting emission behaviour enables a rare differentiation between aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.