Abstract:
Boron-containing π-conjugated molecules have been intensively explored as versatile platforms for the development of functional materials, owing to the Lewis acidity and electron-deficient character derived from the empty p-orbital of boron. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to their complexes formed with weak Lewis bases, where the association–dissociation equilibrium is sensitive to external environment and stimuli. Among such systems, we focused on a bond dissociation behavior that occurs upon photoexcitation, and utilized it as a tool to control excited-state dynamics. This approach enabled us to design boron-doped fluorophores with tailored photophysical properties, including dual emission and circularly polarized luminescence.