Elucidating the molecular structural origin of efficient emission across solid and solution phases of single benzene fluorophores

Jung-Moo Heo, Jihyun Park, Maria F. Flórez-Angarita, Liangxuan Wang, Changhoon Yu, Jinho Choi, Hochul Woo, Begoña Milián-Medina, Adam J. Matzger, Min Sang Kwon (), Johannes Gierschner () and Jinsang Kim ()
Additional contact information
Jung-Moo Heo: University of Michigan
Jihyun Park: University of Michigan
Maria F. Flórez-Angarita: Campus Cantoblanco
Liangxuan Wang: Campus Cantoblanco
Changhoon Yu: University of Michigan
Jinho Choi: University of Michigan
Hochul Woo: University of Michigan
Begoña Milián-Medina: 46100 Burjassot
Adam J. Matzger: University of Michigan
Min Sang Kwon: Seoul National University
Johannes Gierschner: Campus Cantoblanco
Jinsang Kim: University of Michigan

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Achieving high quantum yields for organic fluorophores in both solution and in the polycrystalline solid state is a significant yet challenging goal, as most fluorophores typically emit effectively in only one phase. In this study, we introduce 1,1’-(2,5-dimethoxyterephthaloyl)-bis(glutraimide) (TGlu), a novel ‘single benzene’-based organic fluorophore featuring an alkoxy donor and an N-acyl-glutarimide acceptor. TGlu achieves close-to-unity fluorescence quantum yields in both solution and in the polycrystalline state. Through systematic studies involving four additional structural analogues of TGlu, we unveiled that the acceptor group within the single benzene core plays a crucial steric and electronic role in achieving high fluorescence efficiency in both phases. Furthermore, we demonstrated the versatility of this new fluorophore in various applications. In solution, TGlu serves as a highly effective photocatalyst for photoinduced energy/electron transfer reversible addition−fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization while in its single-crystal form, TGlu exhibits highly efficient waveguiding properties.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60316-0

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