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.