Non-conjugated anthracene derivatives and their mechanofluorochromic properties

A series of non-conjugated methylene–anthracene Schiff base derivatives (DNCAs) were designed and synthesized. Photoluminescence emission spectra indicated that DNCA-4 and DNCA-12 showed obviously mechanofluorochromic properties, and distinctive 26- and 37-nm hypochromic shifts were observed, respectively. The experiment results revealed that there is no specific relationship between alkoxy chain lengths and their stimuli–response behavior. The PXRD profiles demonstrated a transformation from crystalline to amorphous state upon grinding.