Excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) fluorescence from 3-amidophthalimides displaying RGBY emission in the solid state

Fluorescence properties of phthalimide derivatives (1) incorporating sulfonamide and acetamide functionalities at the 3-position were investigated both in solution and in the solid states to reveal the effects of the amide functionalities on the fluorescence properties. In the solid state, sulfonamides 1a and 1b, respectively, gave off red (lambda(F)(max) 595 nm) and green (lambda(F)(max) 537 nm) emission through an ESIPT process. Acetamides 1c and 1d, respectively displayed blue (lambda(F)(max) 432 nm) and yellow (lambda(F)(max) 560 nm) emission. Through simply modifying the amide functionality, phthalimide 1 displayed multicolor RGBY emission in the solid state. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.