V-shaped 4,6-bis(arylvinyl)pyrimidine oligomers: synthesis and optical properties

A series of V-shaped 4,6-bis(arylvinyl)pyrimidines have been efficiently prepared by aldol condensation between 4,6-dimethylpyrimidine and the appropriate aromatic aldehyde. The methodology also proved successful when dendritic first generation poly(phenylenevinylene) aldehydes were used. Moreover, asymmetrically functionalized molecules were also obtained by the stepwise incorporation of arms in a controlled manner. The optical absorption and emission properties of these systems were studied in different solvents and media. The materials display strong emission solvatochromism that is reflected by a large red shift in their fluorescence emission maxima on increasing the solvent polarity. This change is accompanied by a successive decrease in fluorescence intensity. This behavior suggests a highly polar emitting state, which is characteristic of compounds that undergo an internal charge transfer upon excitation. The abilities of these molecules to function as colorimetric and luminescence pH sensors were demonstrated with dramatic color changes and luminescence switching upon the introduction of acid.