Triphenylmethane-based single-component Ultralong room temperature phosphorescence

Triphenylmethane (TPM) dyes, as one of largest classes of commercial colorants, have been widely used in industry such as dying processes, antifungal agents in aquaculture, cell staining and analytical chemistry. Here a simple triphenylmethane derivatives showing ultralong room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) in air was described. Tris(2-methoxyphenyl)methane (TMPM) displays ultralong lifetimes of 0.74 s (crystal state, 298 K) and 1.15 s (THF solution, 77 K) and phosphorescence efficiency of 5.3 %. Single crystal analysis and theoretical calculation show that RTP phosphorescence might be determined by the space packing of molecules in solid-state. The present finding may update the application of triphenylmethane dyes and open a new chapter in the ultralong organic phosphorescence (UOP) research of triphenylmethane derivatives.