One-step synthesis of perylenediimides exhibiting near-infrared absorption and emission by amino–yne click reaction

The facile synthesis of chromophores with near-infrared (NIR) absorption and emission is of particular interest due to their wide range of applications. Here we report a one-step synthesis of amino-functionalized perylenediimides exhibiting NIR absorption and emission via a catalyst-free amino-yne click reaction. We also demonstrate the post-modification of polyethylenimine by the click reaction, resulting in the formation of a polymeric NIR chromophore with an emission peak at 913 nm in the solid state.