Redox- and protonation-induced fluorescence switch in a new triphenylamine with six stable active or non-active forms

Abstract

The synthesis, photophysical and electrochemical properties as well as theoretical calculation studies of a newly designed triphenylamine derivative are described. This original compound displays one neutral form, three oxidized forms, and two protonated forms with distinct photophysical characteristics. The interplay of the emission with the protonation or the redox state (electrofluorochromism) has been explored and an on-off-on-off fluorescence switching was observed in the case of oxidation and an on-on-off fluorescence switching in the case of protonation.

Keywords: electrofluorochromism; fluorescence; molecular modeling; protonation; redox chemistry; triphenylamine.