Title: How to Manipulate Through-Space Conjugation and Clusterolumi-nescence of Simple AIEgens with Isolated Phenyl Rings?
Abstract: <a>Apart from the traditional through-bond conjugation (TBC), through-space conjugation (TSC) is gradually proved as another important interaction in photophysical processes, especially for the recent observation of clusteroluminescence from nonconjugated molecules. </a>Herein, <a>simple and nonconjugated triphenylmethane (TPM) and its derivatives with electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups were synthesized</a>, and their photophysical properties were systematically studied. <a>TPM was characterized with visible clusteroluminescence due to the intramolecular TSC. Experimental and theoretical results showed that the introduction of electron-donating groups into TPM could </a><a>red-shift </a>the wavelength and increase the efficiency of clusteroluminescence simultaneously, due to the increased electronic density and stabilization of TSC. However, TPM derivatives with electron-withdrawing groups showed inefficient or even quenched clusteroluminescence caused by the vigorous excited-state intramolecular motion and intermolecular photoinduced electron transfer process. This work provides a reliable strategy to manipulate TSC and clusteroluminescence.