Luminous, fully aliphatic polyamides: Multicolor photoluminescence, their pH and solvent dependency

Novel luminous aliphatic polyamides were obtained from a condensation reaction of ethylene diamines and malonyl dichloride in the presence of triethylamine. These polymers appeared in blackish red and reddish orange solids and unusually exhibited a visible light-emission. Their fluorescence properties were significantly dependent on the excitation wavelength, media polarity, and acidity. These polymers emitted fairly strong visible lights in a wide range from blue to near yellow when excited at wavelengths longer than 305 nm. The emission bands significantly shifted to longer wavelengths during the increase in the polarity of the solvent used. Their fluorescence intensities significantly increased under acidic conditions.