Synthesis and exploratory photophysical investigation of donor‐bridge‐acceptor systems derived from N‐substituted 4‐piperidones

Abstract

Abstract We report a two‐step synthesis for N‐aryl‐ and N‐alkyl‐substituted 4‐piperidones, in which the N substituent can easily be varied. A number of intramolecular donor‐acceptor systems was synthesized from these piperidones by conversion of the carbonyl functionality. The influence of the N ‐aryl donor on the electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra was investigated systematically. It was concluded that some systems can be used as efficient fluorescent probes with a high sensitivity for solvent polarity.