Abstract
This paper reports the photophysical properties of E,E-1,4-bis(4-trifluoromethylstyryl)benzene (4CF3)
as a benchmark and discuss four other bis-styrylbenzene derivatives (BSDs): E,E-1,4-bis(2-
trifluoromethylstyryl)benzene (2CF3), E,E-1,4-bis(3-trifluoromethylstyryl)benzene (3CF3), E,E-1,4-
bis(4-cyanostyryl)benzene (4CN), and E,E-1,4-bis(4-nitrostyryl)benzene (4NO2.) The author confirmed
the microcrystals of 4CF3 for amplified spontaneous emission. The fluorescence quantum efficiency of
2CF3 in its solid state was much higher than that in its solution, suggesting that 2CF3 showed
aggregation-induced emission. The ionization potential values (IPs) of the BSDs were markedly affected
by the introduction position of the trifluoromethyl (CF3) group; the IPs of 2CF3, 3CF3, and 4CF3 were
‒5.9 eV, ‒6.7 eV, and ‒6.5 eV, respectively. The IP of 4CF3 was lower than those of 4NO2 and 4CN,
meaning the introduction of the CF3 group effectively lowered the IP.
