Pyrophosphate-triggered nanoaggregates with aggregation-induced emission

A novel tetraphenylethene-based probe bearing bis-imidazolium anion donors is herein reported for pyrophosphate anion recognition. This probe can self-assemble finite, small sphere nanoaggregates with very weak emission in aqueous solution, and changes into large rod-like nanoaggregates with strong aggregation-induced emission upon binding with the pyrophosphate anion.