Photophysical properties, complexometry, and aggregation-induced emission of a 2-donor-substituted 3-ethynylquinoxaline

4-(3-((4-Methoxyphenyl)ethynyl)quinoxalin-2-yl)-N,N-dimethylaniline (MEQDMA) shows intense solid-state luminescence. As related derivatives MEQDMA is highly emission solvatochromic with considerable redshifted emission in polar solvents and a large change of dipole moment according to Lippert-Mataga analysis. A UV/Vis screening with several mono-, di- and trivalent metal triflates reveals complexation with scandium and aluminium triflate. The former is characterized by Job plots, forming a 1:1 M:L complex with a complex formation constant KML = 2700 L2 & sdot; mol-1. In addition, MEQDMA also emits upon induced aggregation in binary acetonitrile/water or isopropanol/ water solutions at higher water content.