Functional organogel with α-cyanostilbene scaffold: Aggregation enhanced emission and picric acid sensing

•Cyanostilbenes with two trifluoromethyl groups aid in the stable organogel formation.•The molecules show excellent aggregation induced emission properties.•Morphology of the gels shows fiber/rod-like structures different to that noted in the solution state.•The organogels show promise in colorimetric detection of picric acid in solution, gel and strip test.