Insight into the Clustering-Triggered Emission and Aggregation-Induced Emission Exhibited by an Adamantane-Based Molecular System

Chemical
clustering of a nonemissive and non-AIEgen of Cb-Ph endowed
a molecular system (Ad-4CP) with unique dual
emissions in the solution state, a typical clustering-triggered emission
(CTE), and high emission efficiency in the aggregated state, an aggregation-induced
emission (AIE). The CTE was ascribed to intramolecular charge transfer
(CT); however, the AIE was ascribed to both intra- and intermolecular
CTs. The two-level CTs make the Ad-4CP exhibit remarkable
excitation-dependent emissions. We believe that the present work not
only delivers a peculiar molecular system with both CTE and AIE properties
but also provides an example on how molecular engineering promotes
the rational design of CTE and AIE systems via clusterization of suitable
structural units.