Leveraging Solvatochromic and Mechanochromic Properties of Donor‐Acceptor‐Donor (D‐A‐D) Imines for Multimodal Information Encryption

ABSTRACT

By utilizing a donor‐acceptor‐donor (D‐A‐D) strategy, we have designed and synthesized two imines DN1 and DN2 . Notably, they have demonstrated prominent solvatochromism, displaying a wide range of fluorescence from blue to dark brown in solution. More importantly, in the solid state, they demonstrate pronounced mechanochromism, attributed to flexible molecular conformations within their inherent D‐A‐D structures. Specifically, they can undergo a transition from an initial ordered stacking conformation to a new disordered stacking arrangement upon mechanical stimulus. These findings underscore the critical roles of molecular conformation and stacking in achieving desirable photophysical properties.