Multi‐Stimuli‐Induced Mechanical Bending and Reversible Fluorescence Switching in a Single Organic Crystal

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie Vol. 134; no. 1
• Main Authors: Zheng, Xin, Liu, Xiaojing, Liu, Lijie, Li, Xiaochuan, Jiang, Song, Niu, Caoyuan, Xie, Puhui, Liu, Guoxing, Cao, Zhanqi, Ren, Yunlai, Qin, Yuchen, Wang, Jianji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 03.01.2022
• Subjects: chemical deformation; Chemistry; Conjugation; Crystal pulling; Crystal structure; Crystals; Elastic bending; Electronic structure; External stimuli; Fluorescence; Hydrogen bonding; Integration; mechanochromism; Molecular machines; Organic crystals; photomechanical bending; Plastics; single crystal; Single crystals; Smart materials; Stimuli; Switching; Synergistic effect; Vapors; Volatile acids
• ISSN: 0044-8249; 1521-3757
• DOI: 10.1002/ange.202113073

Fluorescent single crystals that respond to multiple external stimuli are of great interest in molecular machines, sensors, and displays. The integration of photo‐ or acid‐induced fluorescence enhancement and bending in one organic crystal, however, has not been reported yet. Herein, we report the interesting plastic photomechanical bending and switching on of the fluorescence of an azine crystal in a single‐crystal transformation, due to extended π‐conjugation and molecular slippage. Moreover, the fluorescent plastic bending driven by multiple volatile acid vapors was firstly observed, and attributed to the synergistic effect of push–pull electronic structure and hydrogen bonding. The single crystal also shows high elasticity under external force. In addition, reversible fluorescence switching can be triggered by grinding and solvent fuming, as well as by the adsorption and desorption of HCl vapor. The integration of plastic, elastic bending and switch‐on fluorescence into one single crystal provides a new strategy for next‐generation smart materials. A slender single crystal based on azine exhibits controllable plastic bending and fluorescence enhancement upon UV light irradiation or acid vapor fuming, as well as elastic bending under external force and mechanoresponsive fluorescence. This is the first smart single crystal exhibiting fluorescence lit up upon bending triggered by UV light irradiation and exposure to acid.