A series of pyrimidine derivatives bearing one, two or three triphenylamine/9-ethylcarbazole substituents has been synthesized by Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. All compounds showed absorption bands in the UV region and the emission of violet-blue light upon irradiation. Protonation led to quenching of the fluorescence, although some derivatives remained luminescent with the appearance of a new red-shifted band in the spectra. Accurate control of the amount of acid enabled white photoluminescence to be obtained both in solution and in solid state.
Keywords: fluorescence; intramolecular charge transfer; pyrimidines; white-light emission.