Self-assembly, AIEE and mechanochromic properties of amphiphilic α-cyanostilbene derivatives.

A series of amphiphilic α - cyanostilbene derivatives consisting of an α-cyanostilbene rodlike core with lipophilic and flexible alkyl chains at one end and a polar glycerol group at the opposite end have been synthesized and investigated by polarizing microscopy, DSC, X-ray scattering, SEM, UV-vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence measurements. These compounds can self-assemble into liquid crystalline phase sequence of SmA- Col hex / p 6 mm - Cub I / P m 3 ¯ n in the bulk states and multistimuli responsive organogels in organic solvents. They have reversible photoresponsive properties in solution, liquid crystalline state and gel state. They also show aggregation-induced enhanced emission (AIEE) property, meanwhile, they present excellent mechanochromic behavior and have a good reversibility of fluorescence conversion upon grinding-fuming process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]