Diphenyl-1-pyrenylphosphine: Photo-triggered AIE/ACQ transition with remarkable third-order nonlinear optical signal change

A propeller-like pyrene derivative of diphenyl-1-pyrenylphosphine (DPPP) is designed and synthesized. DPPP exhibits unique photo-triggered AIE/ACQ transition with remarkable third-order nonlinear optical signal change, which is proved to be originated from the photo-induced oxidation of phosphorus atom.