Novel U-shaped donor–acceptor–donor (D–A–D) π-conjugated multi-functional molecules comprising dibenzo[a,j]phenazine (DBPHZ) as an acceptor and phenothiazines (PTZ) as donors have been developed. Most importantly, the D–A–D compounds exhibit not only distinct tricolor-changeable mechanochromic luminescence (MCL) properties but also efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). Quantum chemical calculations, X-ray diffraction analysis, and systematic studies on the photophysical properties indicated that the “two-conformation-switchable” PTZ units play a highly important role in achieving multi-color-changing MCL. Time-resolved photophysical measurements revealed that the developed D–A–D compounds also exhibit efficient orange-TADF. Furthermore, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) devices fabricated with the new TADF emitters have achieved high external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) up to 16.8%, which significantly exceeds the theoretical maximum (∼5%) of conventional fluorescent emitters.

A palladium catalyzed regioselective borylative ring opening reaction of 2-arylaziridines to give β-amino-β-arylethylborates was developed. The reaction reported herein represents the first example of ring-opening borylation of non-vinylic aziridines and direct borylative C(sp3)–N bond cleavage of neutral organic substrates. NMR studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggested that the active intermediate for the reaction is a PdL2 complex [L = P(t-Bu)2Me]. The multi-component artificial force-induced reaction method (MC-AFIR) located the transition states for the regioselectivity-determining aziridine ring opening that proceeds in an SN2 fashion, and explained the selectivity of the reaction. The full catalytic cycle consists of a selectivity-determining aziridine ring opening (oxidative addition), a proton transfer, phosphine ligand dissociation from the catalyst, boron–boron bond cleavage, and reductive elimination. Water is important to the drive the transmetalation step. The calculated overall mechanism and selectivity are consistent with the experimental results.

2-Halogenoimidazolium salts are found to catalyze aza-Diels–Alder reaction of aldimines with Danishefsky diene in an efficient manner. Comparative studies and titration experiments support the formation of halogen bonding between imines and catalysts.

A palladium-catalyzed stereospecific and regioselective cross-coupling of enantiopure 2-arylaziridines with arylboronic acids under mild conditions to construct a tertiary stereogenic center has been developed. N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands efficiently promote the coupling, suppressing β-hydride elimination. The enantiospecific cross-coupling allowed us for preparation of a series of biologically important 2-arylphenethylamine derivatives in an enantiopure form.

An oxidative skeletal rearrangement of 1,1′-binaphthalene-2,2′-diamines (BINAMs) that involves the cleavage of a strong C–C single bond of the binaphthalene unit and the nitrogen migration has been discovered. The unprecedented rearrangement enables access to a series of U-shaped azaacenes otherwise difficult to prepare in a selective manner by classical methods. Moreover, physicochemical properties of the unique azaacenes have been comprehensively investigated.

A straightforward synthetic method of both symmetric and unsymmetric aromatic azo compounds through an efficient and cross-selective oxidative dimerization of aromatic amines using tert-butyl hypoiodite (t-BuOI) under metal-free and mild conditions has been developed. This method was also found applicable to the synthesis of heteroaromatic azo compounds. The spectroscopic study indicates the involvement of N,N-diiodoanilines in the oxidative reaction as the key intermediate.

Novel U-shaped donor–acceptor–donor (D–A–D) π-conjugated multi-functional molecules comprising dibenzo[a,j]phenazine (DBPHZ) as an acceptor and phenothiazines (PTZ) as donors have been developed. Most importantly, the D–A–D compounds exhibit not only distinct tricolor-changeable mechanochromic luminescence (MCL) properties but also efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). Quantum chemical calculations, X-ray diffraction analysis, and systematic studies on the photophysical properties indicated that the “two-conformation-switchable” PTZ units play a highly important role in achieving multi-color-changing MCL. Time-resolved photophysical measurements revealed that the developed D–A–D compounds also exhibit efficient orange-TADF. Furthermore, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) devices fabricated with the new TADF emitters have achieved high external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) up to 16.8%, which significantly exceeds the theoretical maximum (∼5%) of conventional fluorescent emitters.

An oxidative skeletal rearrangement of 1,1′-binaphthalene-2,2′-diamines (BINAMs) that involves the cleavage of a strong C–C single bond of the binaphthalene unit and the nitrogen migration has been discovered. The unprecedented rearrangement enables access to a series of U-shaped azaacenes otherwise difficult to prepare in a selective manner by classical methods. Moreover, physicochemical properties of the unique azaacenes have been comprehensively investigated.