Design and synthesis of piezochromic materials based on push-pull chromophores: a mechanistic perspective

Computational analysis predicts that intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) exists in anthraquinone imide (AQI) derivatives with electron-donating substituents at the 6-position, such as 4-methoxylphenyl, 4-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl, and thiophene. However, for those with electron-withdrawing ones, no clear ICT interaction could be observed. We predicted, on the basis of the simulation results, that AQI derivatives with electron-donating substituents would be piezochromic. To verify this hypothesis, the corresponding AQI derivatives with various substituents were synthesized. Absorption spectra recorded with a diffuse reflectance method on powders revealed that 4-methoxylphenyl-, 4-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl-, and thiophene-substituted AQI exhibited piezochromism, but not 4-nitrophenyl-substituted AQI, which is in good agreement with the simulation results. Interestingly, redshifts of both the lower and higher energy absorption bands were observed along with redshifts of the emission spectra. However, XRD patterns before and after being pressed presented no significant changes, which was different from known piezochromic molecules described in the literature. An unprecedented mechanism in which enhanced ICT from better conjugation between the donor and acceptor segments induced by the decrease of θ under pressure could be responsible for the piezochromism of aryl-substituted AQIs is proposed.