A switchable red-emitting fluorophore involving a 7.6.6 defect

Abstract

An acridine unit entangled into a macrocyclic derivative forms a very efficient fluorophore featuring the confinements of a 7.6.6 defect. The designed and unoccupied internal cavity in the significantly rigidified environment changes the optical properties, serving as a switch between on and off states. The observed behaviour unequivocally confirms a dominating influence of the hydrogen-like interaction for quenching the emission properties within organic chromophores.