Aggregation-induced emission of scandium complexes with 2-naphtoyltrifluoroacetone

[Display omitted] •Sc(III) complex with 2-naphtoyltrifluoroacetone shows aggregation-induced emission.•Fluorescence efficiency of Sc(III) complex is ∼68 times higher in H2O than DMF.•Rhodamine dyes could be sensitized using complex aggregates as energy donors. AIEgens represent a special class of molecules, which are emissive in aggregated state, but show almost no fluorescence in dissolved form. Herein we report on the aggregation-induced emission properties of scandium complex with 2-naphtoyltrifluoroacetone ([Sc(NTA)3]). Fluorescence quantum yield of the complex increases ∼68 times, from 0.005 to 0.34, in aqueous solution by comparison with solution in dimethylformamide. This scandium complex is also emissive in powder form or as a film on a glass substrate, indicating that restriction of intramolecular motions facilitates complex fluorescence. The sensitized fluorescence of rhodamine 6 G and rhodamine B was observed in mixed aggregates of complexes and dyes showing the possibility to use [Sc(NTA)3] as efficient energy donor.