A Metal–Organic Supramolecular Box as a Universal Reservoir of UV, WL, and NIR Light for Long‐Persistent Luminescence

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie International Edition Vol. 58; no. 11; pp. 3481 - 3485
• Main Authors: Wang, Zheng, Zhu, Cheng‐Yi, Yin, Shao‐Yun, Wei, Zhang‐Wen, Zhang, Jian‐Hua, Fan, Ya‐Nan, Jiang, Ji‐Jun, Pan, Mei, Su, Cheng‐Yong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 11.03.2019
• Edition: International ed. in English
• Subjects: Absorption; Infrared radiation; Ligands; long persistent luminescence; Luminescence; metal–organic boxes; near-infrared light; Photon absorption; supramolecular chemistry; two-photon absorption; Ultraviolet radiation; two-photon absorption; near-infrared light; supramolecular chemistry; long persistent luminescence; metal-organic boxes
• ISSN: 1433-7851; 1521-3773; 1521-3773
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201812708

Long persistent luminescence (LPL) materials have a unique photophysical mechanism to store light radiation energy for subsequent release. However, in comparison to the common UV source, white‐light (WL) and near‐infrared (NIR) excited LPL is scarce. Herein we report a metal–organic supramolecular box based on a D–π–A‐type ligand. Owing to the integrated one‐photon absorption (OPA) and two‐photon absorption (TPA) attributes of the ligand, the heavy‐atom effect of the metal center, as well as π‐stacking and J‐aggregation states in the supramolecular assembly, LPL can be triggered by all wavebands from the UV to the NIR region. This novel designed supramolecular kit to afford LPL by both OPA and TPA pathways provides potential applications in anti‐counterfeiting, camouflaging, decorating, and displaying, among others. All paths lead to Rome: By the careful design of a donor–π–acceptor ligand with both one‐ and two‐photon absorption attributes (OPA and TPA), LPL could be triggered in an assembled metal–organic supramolecular box through either OPA or TPA pathways by several wavebands of light: UV, white (WL), and NIR (see picture). Such systems have potential for a range of applications, including anti‐counterfeiting, camouflaging, decorating, and displays.