Bis(pentafluorophenyl)-o-carborane and its arylthio derivatives: synthesis, electrochemistry and optical properties

Abstract

Synthesis of 1,2-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-o-carborane and its arylthio-derivatives is reported. The regioselective arylthiolation was successfully achieved via nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S_NAr) reaction. A series of bis(perfluoroaryl)-o-carboranes with various para-substituents showed strong multicolor emission in the solid-state (Φ_f up to 47%), suggesting an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) character in this motif.