H-Bond assisted mechanoluminescence of borylated aryl amines: tunable emission and polymorphism?

Journal of Materials Chemistry C Pub Date: 2017-05-26 DOI: 10.1039/C7TC01676J

Abstract

Design, synthesis and structural characterization of borylated aryl amines, Mes2BAr {Ar = C6(CH3)4NR2 (1, 4); C6H4NR2 (2, 5); C6H3(NR2)2 (3, 6); R = H or CH3}, were reported. The intriguing optical signatures undoubtedly revealed their donor–acceptor characteristics and a bright tunable solid state emission is readily realized. The solid state luminescence characteristics of 1 and 3 were sensitive to mechanical stress with distinguishable emission color changes. Multiple strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds (N–H?N and N–H?π) accompanied by subtle conformational changes play a significant role in the piezochromic response. PXRD and FT-IR spectroscopic studies and insensitivity of substituted derivatives to mechanical stress support the above inference. Interestingly, compound 3 crystallized in two different polymorphic forms 3BP and 3GP, which showed distinct luminescence, i.e., green and blue color under UV light. Such changes are due to their distinct hydrogen-bond network assembly in the solid state. Quantum mechanical calculations were performed in order to corroborate the optical properties.

Graphical abstract: H-Bond assisted mechanoluminescence of borylated aryl amines: tunable emission and polymorphism
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