Self-assembly of fluorescent diimidazolium salts: Tailor properties of the aggregates changing alkyl chain features

Abstract

Searching for new fluorescent organic salts to be used in biomedical and electrochemical field, we conjugated properties of imidazolium salts with the ones of naphthalene diimide core and we obtained some N,N′-bis-(1-alkyl-3-propylimidazolium)naphthalene diimide diiodides. We took into account alkyl chains going from hexyl to dodecyl, as well as hydrogenated and fluorinated alkyl tails. After determination of their thermal behaviour by differential scanning calorimetry, concentration-, and temperature-dependent spectroscopic studies (UV-vis and fluorescence) were performed evidencing the occurrence of isodesmic and enthalpy-driven self-assembly processes. Properties of aggregates were also investigated in the solid state by fluorescence spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Information obtained evidenced the formation of H-aggregates that are organized in spherical or disk-like structures.