Aggregation-induced emission and efficient solid-state fluorescence from tetraphenylethene-based N,C-chelate four-coordinate organoborons.

In it together: Thermally stable N,C-chelate four-coordinate organoborons were attained by grafting intramolecular B⋅ ⋅ ⋅N coordination into tetraphenylethene-pyridine and -quinoline adducts. They exhibit aggregation-induced emission characteristics (see figure), and high fluorescence quantum yields approaching unity in solid films.