Integrating Aggregation Induced Emission and Twisted Intramolecular Charge Transfer via Molecular Engineering

Abstract The pursuit of sensitive fluorescent chromophores with integrated aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) and twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) properties are attractive due to the tunable emission properties and increased intensity. However, this type of chromophore has yet to be exemplified mechanistically. In this study, a strategy is presented for manipulating the formation of TICT and the AIE effect through molecular engineering. The feasibility of TICT properties is validated by theoretical calculations and ultrafast spectroscopies. By precisely adjusting the hydrophobicity of the donor group, the fluorescence is significantly enhanced through the addition of poor solvent. These findings not only provide mechanistic elucidation for chromophores exhibiting integrated TICT and AIE properties in various environmental conditions but also underscore the critical factors for the systematic design of chromophores with high tunability and strong emissions.