Synthesis of a Multi-Stimulus Responsive RGB Fluorescent Organic Molecule Based on Dark Through-Bond Energy Transfer Mechanism.

In this study, a novel multi-stimulus responsive RGB fluorescent organic molecule, RTPE-NH, was designed and synthesized based on the combination of aggregation-induced emission tetraphenylethylene (TPE) luminophore and acid-responsive fluorescent molecular switch Rhodamine B. RTPE-NH exhibits aggregation-induced emission behavior, as well as UV irradiation-stimulus and acid-stimulus responsive fluorescence properties. It could emit orange-red (R), green(G), and blue(B) light in both solution and PMMA film under 365 nm excitation. The dark through-bond energy transfer (DTBET) mechanism was proposed and supported by control experiments and TD-DFT calculations. The synthesis and application of RTPE-NH could accelerate the development of organic smart materials with high sensitivity and excellent optical properties.