Dinitriles Bearing AIE‐Active Moieties: Synthesis,E/Z Isomerization,and Fluorescence Properties

Dinitriles bearing aggregation‐induced emission (AIE)‐active moieties [tetraphenylethylene (TPE) or diphenylphenanthrene (DPP)] were prepared. Compounds 4 (TPE‐linked) and 8 (DPP‐linked) showed considerably redshifted emission resulting from their large Stokes shifts and also strong fluorescence in the aggregated and solid states. Pure E and Z stereoisomers of both dinitriles were easily separated, and their isomerization equilibria and fluorescence properties were investigated. In addition to their pronounced AIEE behavior, 4 and 8 also showed various reversible chromic responses to external stimuli, namely, solvato‐, piezo‐, vapo‐, and thermochromism, which make them potential candidates for smart materials.