Isomer Selective Thermosalience and Luminescence Switching in Organic Crystals

Organic crystals that respond to external stimuli are interesting for the design of smart materials. Here, we show that molecular engineering can transform simple naphthalidenimine–boron complexesknown for their exciting photophysical propertiesinto functional materials that exhibit thermosalience and thermal-luminescence switching. Detailed crystallographic and spectroscopic investigations revealed the role of subtle molecular parameters in deciphering charge-transfer interactions, which in turn imparted dynamic properties to the crystals. The simultaneous observation of thermally induced jumping and luminescence switching makes these crystals ideal for optoelectronic applications.对外界刺激作出响应的有机晶体，在智能材料的设计研发中具有重要研究价值。本研究证实，通过分子工程策略，可将以优异光物理性质（photophysical properties）著称的简单萘亚胺-硼配合物（naphthalidenimine–boron complexes），转化为兼具热致弹跳特性（thermosalience）与热致发光切换特性的功能材料。通过细致的晶体学与光谱学表征分析，我们揭示了精细分子参数在解析电荷转移相互作用（charge-transfer interactions）中的关键作用，而该相互作用又赋予晶体动态响应特性。这类晶体可同时实现热诱导弹跳与发光切换，因此在光电子学（optoelectronic）应用中具备极佳的应用前景。