AIE and reversible mechanofluorochromism characteristics of new imidazole-based donor-π-acceptor dyes.

Four new imidazole-based donor-π-acceptor 2a-2d dyes have been synthesized, and their solvatochromism, aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and mechanofluorochromic (MFC) properties were investigated. The new dyes 2a-2d were designed to have 1,4,5-triphenyl-1-imidazole as an electron donor (D) and 1-indanone, 1,3-indandione, 2-phenylacetonitrile and 2-thiopheneacetonitrile as electron acceptors (A) linked through a phenyl bridge. The maximum absorption wavelength of 2a-2d dyes in DCM solution appeared at 376, 437, 368, and 375 nm, respectively.