Sterol-containing Tetraphenylethenes: Synthesis, Aggregation-induced Emission, and Organogel Formation

Cholesterol- and stigmasterol-containing tetraphenylethenes (TPEs) (TPE-Chol and TPE-Stig) are facilely synthesized in satisfactory yields by Cu (I)-catalyzed click reaction of 1,2-bis(4-azidomethylphenyl)-1,2-diphenylethene and cholesteryl-4-ethylbenoate and sigmasteryl 11-(4-ethynylphenoxy)undecanoate, respectively. Whereas they are nonluminescent in solution, they become highly emissive when aggregated in the condensed phase. The molecules of TPE-Stig can self-assemble in methanol solution, generating organogels with gelation-induced emission characteristics.