Fused Heterocyclic Polymers with Aggregation-Induced Emission: Synthesis and Applications

Fused heterocyclic polymers with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) have attracted much attention due to their unique photoelectric properties, efficient aggregate-state fluorescence, high thermal stability, and superamplification effect as fluorescence sensors as well as multiple functionalities. Among various synthetic methodologies toward fused heterocyclic AIE polymers, polymerization based on triple bond-containing monomers such as alkynes and (iso)cyanides is a powerful synthesis tool that can in situ generate fused heterocyclic units in polymer backbones in high efficiency. In this Review, we summarize the recent progress in the synthesis of nitrogen-, oxygen-, and multiple heteroatom-containing fused cyclic polymers with AIE features based on polymerizations of triple bond-containing monomers. Furthermore, the high-tech applications of the corresponding fused heterocyclic AIE polymers in the visualization of morphological structures, fluorescence chemo-sensors, stimuli-responsive materials, and photodynamic therapy are illustrated. Finally, perspectives on the challenges and future development directions of this field are discussed.