Multi-stimuli-responsive aggregation-induced emission of boryl substituted phenothiazine

Stimuli-responsive materials, especially multi-stimuli-responsive ones, represent a kind of intelligent materials with significant potential in high-tech innovations, owing to their ability to undergo physical property changes in response to external stimuli. This investigation produced three new functionalized donor-acceptor (D-A) fluorophores, specifically aminoboranes incorporating phenothiazyl groups (4a, 4b, and 4c), featuring analogous structural components. These aminoborane derivatives demonstrated excellent resistance to air/moisture degradation, along with reduced HOMO energy states compared to a CN-containing analog, 4d. Analysis indicated that these aminoborane compounds displayed fascinating photophysical characteristics, encompassing aggregation-induced emission (AIE). Notably, the diarylboryl-phenothiazines show case reversible and distinct multi-stimuli-responsive luminescence upon exposure to fluoride ions, voltage, and mechanical force. This investigation enhances understanding of molecular interaction mechanisms and structural modifications essential for developing advanced stimuli-responsive luminescent compounds.