Tuning of Aggregation Enhanced Emission and Solid State Emission from 1,8-Naphthalimide Derivatives: Nanoaggregates, Spectra, and DFT Calculations

Four new 1,8-naphthalimide based compounds, 4-(1,3-dioxo-1H,3H-benzo[de]isoquinolin-2-ylmethyl)-benzoic acid (LH), 4(1,3-dioxo-1H,3H-benzo [de]isoquinolin-2-ylmethyp-benzoic acid methyl ester (LMe), 4-(1,3-dioxo-1H,3H-benzo[de]isoquinolin-2-ylmethyl)-benzoyl chloride (LCl), and 4-(1,3-dioxo-1H,3H-benzo [de]isoquinolin-2-ylmethyl)benzoic acid hydrazide (LN) are synthesized and characterized using spectral data and X-ray crystallography. They form nanoaggregates in aqueous-DMF solution and exhibited aggregation enhanced emission. The nano aggregates are characterized using their scanning electron and atomic force microscopy images. The emission intensity follows the order as LH > LMe > LCl > LN. Their photophysical properties are recorded both in solution and in the solid-state and are correlated with the nature of benzoic acid derivatives owing to the combinatorial effect of pi-pi stacking and intermolecular and intramolecular interactions. The density functional theory calculations empower the understanding of their molecular and cumulative electronic behaviors. Antiparallel dimeric interactions in the solid-state extend a herringbone arrangement to LH and 2D channel and stair-like arrangement for LCl and LN, respectively.