Reversible multistimuli-response fluorescent switch based on tetraphenylethene-spiropyran molecules

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Organic Chemistry
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) materials offer unique optical properties.
• Spiropyrans (SP) are known for their photochromic and acidchromic behavior.
• Functionalizing SP with AIE-active units like tetraphenylethene (TPE) can create novel responsive materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize two structurally similar TPE-functionalized SP molecules.
• To investigate the impact of the linkage position between TPE and SP on their properties.
• To explore their aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and multi-stimuli responsive color-changing characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Chemical synthesis of TPE-functionalized spiropyran derivatives.
• Spectroscopic analysis (UV-Vis, fluorescence) to study optical properties.
• Photochromic and acidchromic testing under different stimuli (light, acid).

Main Results:

• Both synthesized molecules exhibited AIE properties.
• The molecules displayed multi-stimuli responsive color changes, including photochromism and acidchromism.
• Altering the linkage position between TPE and SP significantly influenced the extended π-conjugation, leading to distinct photochromic and acidchromic behaviors.

Conclusions:

• The linkage position of TPE to SP is a critical factor in tuning the photophysical and responsive properties of such molecules.
• These findings enable the rational design of advanced functional materials with tailored optical responses.
• The study highlights the potential of TPE-SP conjugates as dual-responsive fluorescent switches.