From ACQ to AIE: the suppression of the strong π-π interaction of naphthalene diimide derivatives through the adjustment of their flexible chains.

Unlike normal ACQ-to-AIE conversion by the introduction of aromatic rotors accompanying the realization of a twisted conformation and a prolonged π-system, in this communication, the adjustment of the flexible chains can reach this point with the tunable packing modes while the original π-system core and related properties of the aromatic naphthalene diimide remain nearly unchanged, providing an alternative approach for the inhibition of unwanted π-π stacking.