Synthesis of Tetraarylethene Luminogens by C−H Vinylation of Aromatic Compounds with Triazenes

Tetraarylethenes are obtained by acid‐induced coupling of vinyl triazenes with aromatic compounds. This new C−H activation route for the synthesis of aggregation‐induced emission luminogens is simple, fast, and versatile. It allows the direct grafting of triarylethenyl groups onto a variety of aromatic compounds, including heterocycles, supramolecular hosts, biologically relevant molecules, and commercial polymers. Glowing couple: A simple and versatile coupling method to make tetraarylethenes, which display active aggregation‐induced emission, from aromatic compounds and vinyl triazenes is described. The novel C−H vinylation approach allows installation of the triarylethenyl group onto simple unactivated arenes, heteroarenes, supramolecular hosts, bioactive molecules, and polymers.