3-Aroylbenzocoumarin-Based Luminogens: Bright Solid-State Emission, AIE Properties and Cell Imaging Application

Area of Science:

• Organic Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Photophysics

Background:

• Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) is crucial for solid-state luminescent materials.
• Benzocoumarin derivatives are explored for their photophysical properties.
• Understanding structure-property relationships is key for designing advanced luminogens.

Purpose of the Study:

• Synthesize novel 3-aroylbenzocoumarin derivatives.
• Investigate their aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and solid-state fluorescence.
• Correlate molecular structure with photophysical behavior and potential applications.

Main Methods:

• Organic synthesis of 3-aroylbenzocoumarin derivatives.
• Single crystal X-ray diffraction for structural analysis.
• Spectroscopic studies (UV-Vis absorption, fluorescence emission) in solution and solid states.
• Cell imaging experiments.

Main Results:

• Synthesized 3-aroylbenzocoumarins exhibit AIE and solid-state fluorescence.
• Molecular packing in π-dimers suggests excimer formation, leading to large Stokes shifts and broad emission.
• Benzocoumarin shape influences AIE: linear derivatives show larger Stokes shifts, bent derivatives show better AIE performance.
• Electronic effects of aroyl groups and polymorphism were observed.
• Two methoxy-containing derivatives demonstrated successful cell imaging.

Conclusions:

• 3-aroylbenzocoumarins are promising AIE luminogens with aggregation-enhanced excimer emission.
• Molecular geometry (linear vs. bent) is a critical factor in tuning AIE properties and Stokes shifts.
• These compounds show potential for solid-state lighting and biological imaging applications.