Aggregation-Induced Emission and Light-Harvesting Function of Tetraphenylethene-Based Tetracationic Dicyclophane

Here we report one-pot
synthesis of tetraphenylethene-based tetracationic
dicyclophane (1) and its self-assembly behaviors with
aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and light-harvesting function.
Confirmed by X-ray crystal structure and high resolution transmission
electron microscopy, this tetracationic dicyclophane can self-assemble
into a 3D supramolecular framework to form crystalline nanospheres
(2) finally, which exhibits a strong emission (ΦF = 97.7%) via AIE effect in aqueous solution. Interestingly,
AIE-active 2 as a single-molecule-based fluorescent supramolecular
platform can encapsulate an organic dye (e.g., Nile red) to form light-harvesting
nanospheres (3) further with a large red-shift (Δλ
= ∼70 nm), highly efficient energy-transfer ability (ΦET = 77.5%), and high antenna effect (14.3).