Crystallization-induced phosphorescence, remarkable mechanochromism, and grinding enhanced emission of benzophenone-aromatic amine conjugates

Abstract Pure organic luminogens with efficient room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) and remarkable mechanochromism are highly desired in view of their fundamental significance and technical applications. Herein, four twisted pure organic luminogens based on benzophenone and aromatic amines were synthesized and their photophysical properties were thoroughly investigated. They exhibit crystallization-induced phosphorescence (CIP), giving bright fluorescence and phosphorescence dual emission in crystals. Upon grinding, they become amorphous and emit predominantly red-shifted fluorescence, demonstrating remarkable mechanochromism. Furthermore, three of them even demonstrate greatly enhanced emission upon grinding, which is rarely observed in twisted D-A structured luminogens.