ESIPT dyes with different Hammett substituent constants σ were facilely synthesized.
ESIPT dye with larger σ shows blue-shifted fluorescence spectra with improved Φf.
Unlike HBT displaying anion emission in PBS, HBT-CO2Me and HBT-CN show keto emission.
The theoretical calculations are well in line with the experimentally observed trends.
Crystal analysis show derivative with larger σ having stronger intramolecular H-bond.