New indeno[1,2-c]pyran-3-ones bearing different substituents at the pyran moiety were synthesized and their photophysical properties were investigated. In solution all compounds were found to be blue emitters and the trans isomers exhibited significantly higher fluorescence quantum yields (relative to 9,10-diphenylanthracene) as compared to the corresponding cis isomers. The solid-state fluorescence spectra revealed an important red shift of λmax due to intermolecular interactions in the lattice, along with an emission-band broadening, as compared to the solution fluorescence spectra.
Keywords: UV–vis spectra; indenopyran-3-ones; organic fluorophores; pyrones; solid-state emission spectra; solution emission spectra.