Mesogens with Aggregation-Induced Emission Formed by Hydrogen Bonding

In this contribution, we report a supramolecular approach toward mesogens showing aggregation-induced emission (AIE). AIE-active aromatic thioethers, acting as hydrogen-bond donors, were combined with alkoxystilbazoles as hydrogen-bond acceptors. Upon self-assembly, hydrogen-bonded complexes with monotropic liquid crystalline behavior were obtained. In addition, it was found that the introduction of a chiral citronellyl side chain leads to drastic bathochromic shift of the emission, which was not observed for linear alkyl chains. The mesomorphic behavior, as well as the photophysical properties as a solid and in the mesophase of the liquid crystalline assemblies, were studied in detail.