Accessing Tunable Afterglows from Highly Twisted Organic AIEgens via Effective Through-Space Conjugation

Nonaromatic, cross-conjugated, and highly twisted luminogens consisting of acylated succinimides demonstrate aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics and tunable multicolor photoluminescence and afterglows in their single crystals. Effective through-space conjugation among different moieties bearing n/π electrons promote the SOC and ISC transitions and lead to diverse emissive clusters with concurrently rigidified conformations, thus allowing readily tunable emissions. Derived from it, the proof of concept application for advanced anti-counterfeiting is illustrated. These results should spur the rational design of novel nonaromatic AIEgens, and moreover advance the understanding of the origin of tunable multicolor afterglows.