Conformation Dependent Room Temperature Phosphorescence in Organic Materials

In solid-state emitters, structural factors such as packing, molecular arrangement, and crystallinity significantly impact their photophysical properties. Organic molecules with internal degrees of freedom are ideal candidates for exploring how conformational changes affect their luminescent properties. Fluorescent materials with structure dependent properties have been more widely investigated to date, while room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) is rarely observed in organic compounds. In this context, the structural phenomena involved in changes in RTP parameters are herein presented. Recent examples involving organic compounds in the solid state are highlighted, demonstrating conformation dependent RTP as a feature with promising applications such as in mechano-responsive materials, thermosensors, and vapochromic materials.