Fluorenyl-difluoroboron-β-diketonates with multi-stimuli fluorescent response behavior and their applications in a thermochromic logic gate device

Abstract Materials exhibiting multi-stimuli responsive luminescence are useful for applications in information encryption, fluorescence sensors, and optoelectronic devices. Herein, we report the development of fluorenyl-difluoroboron-β-diketonates that provide multi-stimuli responsive fluorescence. These complexes exhibit weak fluorescence in a diluted solution and aggregation-induced emission in the solid state. The solid-state emission color of these complexes can be tuned by grinding-fuming and grinding-heating cycles. Our experimental data reveal that propeller-shaped donor-acceptor structure and loose molecular packing structure induced by long alkyl chains are the key factors related to the stimuli response sensitivity. Furthermore, we demonstrate the information-process applications of these materials for use in a thermochromic logic gate device.