Anti-Kasha Emissive Organic Materials: Molecular Design, Fundamental Strategies, Mechanistic Insights, and Emerging Applications

Abstract

Anti-Kasha emissive materials commonly exhibit dual or multiple emission bands originating from different excited states. Such unconventional photophysical behavior enables white-light emission and stimuli-responsive luminescence, broadening applicability in modern optical applications. Achieving and rationally controlling anti-Kasha emission demands a systematic understanding of both molecular design principles and associated excited-state mechanistic pathways. In this review, we summarize organic systems showing pronounced anti-Kasha emission, with emphasis on molecular design strategies and structure–property correlations. These materials are categorized based on their emission pathways, with representative recent examples highlighted to provide insights into the origin and regulation of anti-Kasha emissions. Furthermore, the applications of anti-Kasha emissive systems are discussed in the context of optoelectronic and biomedical fields. Finally, key challenges and future prospects in this emerging field are outlined to encourage deeper investigations and accelerate the development of next-generation Anti-Kasha emissive materials.