Modular three-component synthesis, photophysics, and electronic structure of solid-state and aggregate luminescent α-sulfenylated aroyl- S , N -ketene acetals

A modular one-pot three-component synthesis affords a-sulfenylated aroyl- S , N -ketene acetals. These merocyanines show E / Z -isomerization, charge-transfer absorption, and strong solid-state and aggregation-induced emission from blue to orange.