Discovery of Functional Luminescence Properties Based on Flexible and Bendable Boron‐Fused Azomethine/Azobenzene Complexes with O,N,O‐Type Tridentate Ligands

Azomethine (C=N) and azo (N=N) scaffolds are a part of structural units in poly(p-phenylene azomethine) (PAM) azo) (PAZ), respectively. Poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) is known to be one luminescent π-conjugated polymers, meanwhile PAM PAZ, which the aza-substituted PPV analogues, regarded as weak or no emissive materials. However, by boron complexation, intense emission can induced. Furthermore, environment-sensitivity stimuli-responsivity were also observed. In this review, we demonstrate unique versatile properties based on “flexible bendable” systems composed boron-fused azomethine azobenzene complexes (BAm BAz) with O,N,O-type tridentate ligands. The luminophores showed intriguing optical behaviors, such thermosalient effect, aggregation-induced (AIE) crystallized-induced (CIE). Moreover, highly efficient emissions both solution film states observed from polymers. We illustrate results mechanisms these series our recent studies BAm BAz