Solid-state emissive cyanostilbene based conjugated microporous polymers via cost-effective Knoevenagel polycondensation

A series of novel solid-state emissive conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) bearing an inherent aggregation induced emission (AIE) chromophore (i.e. cyanostilbene) was rationally designed and facilely synthesized by Knoevenagel polycondensation. The emission color, porosity, and topological structures were conveniently tuned by choosing different symmetrical monomers with tunable electronic properties. These highly emissive polymers were thoroughly characterized and their photophysical features were investigated by solid fluorescence spectroscopy and transient fluorescence decay spectrum. Our examples indicate a convenient way to produce solid-state emitting porous materials which could exhibit potential applications in lighting, sensing, bioimaging, and photocatalysis etc.