Multicolor tuning of aggregation-induced emission through substituent variation of diphenyl-o-carborane.

We demonstrate multicolor tuning of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) derived from o-carborane. Both electron-donating and electron-accepting arylacetylenes underwent efficient palladium coupling reaction with bis(4-bromophenyl)-o-carborane, resulting in moderate yields. The emission spectra of these compounds span almost the entire visible spectrum (λ(max) = 452-662 nm). Study on AIE mechanism indicated that CT-based emission of o-carborane derivatives was enhanced by the restriction of molecular motions. The computational study also suggests the possibility of precise color-control of AIE through substituent variation.