Aggregation processes of perylene bisimide diimidazolium salts

The supramolecular aggregation of three diimidazolium- functionalized perylene bisimides, differing in the alkyl chain length was investigated. These salts form aggregates in solvents like chloroform, dichloromethane, and glycerol. Solvent-, concentration-, and temperature-dependent spectroscopic studies were carried out, evidencing the occurrence of an isodesmic, enthalpy-driven aggregation process, underpinned by p–p stacking and hydrogen bonding. Moreover, dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements and SEM images revealed that these salts aggregate in chloroform into elongated structures.