Investigation of Luminescent Triplet States in Tetranuclear CuI Complexes: Thermochromism and Structural Characterization

To develop new and flexible Cu^I containing luminescent substances, we extend our previous investigations on two metal-centered species to four metal-centered complexes. These complexes could be a basis for designing new organic light-emitting diode (OLED) relevant species. Both the synthesis and in-depth spectroscopic analysis, combined with high-level theoretical calculations are presented on a series of tetranuclear Cu^I complexes with a halide containing Cu₄X₄ core (X=iodide, bromide or chloride) and two 2-(diphenylphosphino)pyridine bridging ligands with a methyl group in para (4-Me) or ortho (6-Me) position of the pyridine ring. The structure of the electronic ground state is characterized by X-ray diffraction, NMR, and IR spectroscopy with the support of theoretical calculations. In contrast to the para system, the complexes with ortho-substituted bridging ligands show a remarkable and reversible temperature-dependent dual phosphorescence. Here, we combine for the first time the luminescence thermochromism with time-resolved FTIR spectroscopy. Thus, we receive experimental data on the structures of the two triplet states involved in the luminescence thermochromism. The transient IR spectra of the underlying triplet metal/halide-to-ligand charge transfer (³M /XLCT) and cluster-centered (³CC) states were obtained and interpreted by comparison with calculated vibrational spectra. The systematic and significant dependence of the bridging halides was analyzed.     

Synthesis,X-ray Structures,and Photoluminescence of the Octahedral Cu4I4 Cluster with Bulky Bidentate Bis(phosphanyl)amine Ligand

The reaction of C₁₀H₇-1-N(PPh₂)₂ ( 1 ) with two equivalents of CuI in acetonitrile resulted in the formation of octahedron Cu₄I₄[ 1 ]₂ complex ( 2 ). The crystal structure of 2 showed it adopted a rare octahedral arrangement. The rectangular Cu₄ plane is μ⁴-capped by two of the iodides and is placed in axial positions above and below the Cu₄-plane form an octahedron, whereas the other two iodides are bonded to two copper atoms in a μ²-fashion. The luminescence of complex 2 arises from a triplet halide-to-ligand charge transfer (³XLCT) excited state and ³CC (Cu₄I₄ cluster-centered) excited state are not involved in the luminescence by the rigid bidentate ligand 1 in spite of the short Cu^I–Cu^I bond length. Complex 2 was identified and characterized by multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR) and IR spectroscopy. Crystal structure determinations of 1 and 2 were carried out.     

Photoinduced charge transfer in porphyrin-C60 oligomer

Photoinduced electron transfer (ET) between C₆₀ and porphyrin (P) in a new polymer containing porphyrin, poly(p-phenylenevinylene), and pendant fullerene units has been investigated by nanosecond transient absorption and phosphorescence spectroscopy. Compared to the physically doping material systems, binding porphyrin/C₆₀ through chemical bonds in a polymer detains the formation of the triplet states of porphyrins and C₆₀. The formation of intermediate charge transfer state (CSS) of P⁺-C₆₀ ^? was observed, which led to the delayed formation of triplet states of porphyrins and C₆₀. The reduced opto-electronic properties, such as optical limiting performance, were also observed, which resulted from the delayed formation of triplet states. The results presented in this article are significant in understanding the complicated spectral characteristics of the triplet state and charge transfer of the porphyrin and C₆₀ complexes, and are therefore related to the controllable performance of the new materials in applications.     

Photophysics of Anionic Bis(4H-imidazolato)CuI Complexes

In this paper, the photophysical behavior of four panchromatically absorbing, homoleptic bis(4H-imidazolato)Cu^I complexes, with a systematic variation in the electron-withdrawing properties of the imidazolate ligand, were studied by wavelength-dependent time-resolved femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. Excitation at 400, 480, and 630 nm populates metal-to-ligand charge transfer, intraligand charge transfer, and mixed-character singlet states. The pump wavelength-dependent transient absorption data were analyzed by a recently established 2D correlation approach. Data analysis revealed that all excitation conditions yield similar excited-state dynamics. Key to the excited-state relaxation is fast, sub-picosecond pseudo-Jahn-Teller distortion, which is accompanied by the relocalization of electron density onto a single ligand from the initially delocalized state at Franck-Condon geometry. Subsequent intersystem crossing to the triplet manifold is followed by a sub-100 ps decay to the ground state. The fast, nonradiative decay is rationalized by the low triplet-state energy as found by DFT calculations, which suggest perspective treatment at the strong coupling limit of the energy gap law.     

Luminescence properties of Cu+ in zeolites. In situ study of thin layers

Thin layers of zeolites A and X with different alkali cations partially exchanged by Cu²⁺ have been prepared on glass or quartz supports. X-ray powder diffraction of these samples yield surprisingly good patterns. A sample chamber for in situ luminescence spectroscopy is described which allows the monitoring of the luminescence of Cu⁺ during the reduction of Cu²⁺, as a function of the reducing gas, the pretreatment, the water content and other parameters. Such luminescence measurements have shown that Cu²⁺ is reduced with CO and with H₂ to some extent already at room temperature. The first electronic absorption observed in Cu⁺ zeolites occurs in the near UV and is attributed to a Cu⁺ (4s^*) ← zeolite-oxygen lone-pair LMCT transition. Out of this charge transfer state luminescence occurs with a large Stokes shift which is caused by structural relaxation. The position of the emission depends on the alkali co-cations. In zeolite A this shift is correlated with the size of the unit cell. No correlation has been observed in zeolite X. The luminescence intensity is remarkably influenced by the degree of hydration going through a pronounced maximum that depends on the co-cation and on the type of zeolite.     

Red Light-Emitting Thermally-Activated Delayed Fluorescence of Naphthalimide-Phenoxazine Electron Donor-Acceptor Dyad: Time-Resolved Optical and Magnetic Spectroscopic Studies

We prepared an orthogonal compact electron-donor (phenoxazine, PXZ)-acceptor (naphthalimide, NI) dyad ( NI-PXZ ), to study the photophysics of the thermally-activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), which has a luminescence lifetime of 16.4 ns (99.2 %)/17.0 μs (0.80 %). A weak charge transfer (CT) absorption band was observed for the dyad, indicating non-negligible electronic coupling between the donor and acceptor at the ground state. Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy shows a fast charge separation (CS) (ca. 2.02∼2.72 ps), the majority of the singlet CS state is short-lived, especially in polar solvents (τ_CR = 10.3 ps in acetonitrile, vs. 1.83 ns in toluene, 7.81 ns in n-hexane). Nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy detects a long-lived transient species in n-hexane, which is with a mixed triplet local excited state (³LE) and charge separated state (³CS), the lifetime is 15.4 μs. In polar solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran and acetonitrile, a neat ³CS state was observed, whose lifetimes are 226 ns and 142 ns, respectively. Time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) spectra indicate the existence of strongly spin exchanged ³LE/³CT states, with the effective zero field splitting (ZFS) |D| and |E| parameters of 1484 MHz and 109 MHz, respectively, much smaller than that of the native ³NI state (2475 and 135 MHz). It is rare but solid experimental evidence that a closely-lying ³LE state is crucial for occurrence of TADF and this ³LE state is an essential intermediate state to facilitate reverse intersystem crossing in TADF systems.     

Schiff base supported mononuclear organotin(IV) complexes: Syntheses,structures and fluorescence cell imaging

Three mononuclear organotin(IV) complexes supported by Schiff bases have been synthesized. The complexes [(C₆H₅)₂Sn(L)] ( 1 ), [(t‐Bu)₂Sn(L)] ( 2 ) and [(t‐Bu)₂Sn(L')] ( 3 ) (L, L' = deprotonated Schiff bases) were obtained in good yield by the reaction of Schiff bases H ₂ L or H ₂ L′ with corresponding diorganotin dichlorides respectively. All newly synthesized complexes were characterized by means of FT‐IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn) NMR spectroscopy. In addition, single crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses were employed to establish the solid state molecular structures of these complexes. The structures of 1 – 3 reveal that all complexes are mononuclear with a five‐coordinated tin(IV) centre in it. The absorption and emission properties of all complexes have been investigated. Moreover, cytotoxicity and fluorescence cell imaging studies of theses complexes have been performed.     

Optical spectroscopy of europium 3,5-dinitrosalicylates—Intense red luminophores

It was found, that alkali metal-europium dinitrosalicylates of composition M₃Eu(3,5-NO₂-Sal)₃·nH₂O (M = Li, Na, K, Cs) are intense red luminophores with wide excitation band. Using methods of optical spectroscopy we studied the influence of nitrogroups and alkali metal counterions on Eu³⁺ luminescence efficiency and on processes of excitation energy transfer to Eu³⁺ ion in compounds synthesized. The Eu³⁺ luminescence and Eu³⁺ luminescence excitation spectra, as well as vibrational IR and Raman spectra were investigated. Details of the structure of compounds were discussed. The network of hydrogen bonds in lanthanide dinitrosalicylates is weakening at introduction of large alkali metal ions in compounds and at the increase of the temperature. As a consequence, the long-wavelength shift of the intraligand charge transfer (ILCT) band in Eu³⁺ excitation spectra arises at inclusion of Cs⁺ cations instead of Li⁺ in the crystal lattice of europium dinitrosalicylates and at heating of these compounds. To obtain the energy of the lowest excited triplet state the phosphorescence spectra of alkali metal-gadolinium compounds M₃Gd(3,5-NO₂-Sal)₃·nH₂O, of alkali metal dinitrosalicylate and salicylate salts were measured with time delay. Change of the energies of ligand electronic states and ligand–metal charge transfer state (LM CTS) can give a two-three orders of magnitude enhancement of the Eu³⁺ luminescence efficiency in dinitrosalicylates in comparison with salicylates and ten-fold enhancement at the substitution of Li⁺ and Na⁺ for Cs⁺ in dinitrosalicylates.     

A new stepped tetranuclear copper(II) complex: synthesis,crystal structure and photoluminescence properties

Binuclear and tetranuclear copper(II) complexes are of interest because of their structural, magnetic and photoluminescence properties. Of the several important configurations of tetranuclear copper(II) complexes, there are limited reports on the crystal structures and solid‐state photoluminescence properties of `stepped' tetranuclear copper(II) complexes. A new Cu^II complex, namely bis{μ₃‐3‐[(4‐methoxy‐2‐oxidobenzylidene)amino]propanolato}bis{μ₂‐3‐[(4‐methoxy‐2‐oxidobenzylidene)amino]propanolato}tetracopper(II), [Cu₄(C₁₁H₁₃NO₃)₄], has been synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, FT–IR, solid‐state UV–Vis spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The crystal structure determination shows that the complex is a stepped tetranuclear structure consisting of two dinuclear [Cu₂(L )₂] units {L is 3‐[(4‐methoxy‐2‐oxidobenzylidene)amino]propanolate}. The two terminal Cu^II atoms are four‐coordinated in square‐planar environments, while the two central Cu^II atoms are five‐coordinated in square‐pyramidal environments. The solid‐state photoluminescence properties of both the complex and 3‐[(2‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzylidene)amino]propanol (H₂L ) have been investigated at room temperature in the visible region. When the complex and H₂L are excited under UV light at 349 nm, the complex displays a strong blue emission at 469 nm and H₂L displays a green emission at 515 nm.     

N,N′‐Bis(Salicylidene)‐1,2‐Cyclohexanediamine Lanthanide(III) Coordination Polymers: Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Luminescence Properties

The salen‐type ligand H₂L [H₂L = N,N′‐bis(salicylidene)‐1,2‐cyclohexanediamine] was utilized for the synthesis of two lanthanide(III) coordination polymers [LnH₂L(NO₃)₃MeOH]_n [Ln = Eu ( 1 ) and Ln = Lu ( 2 )]. The single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses of 1 and 2 revealed that they are isomorphous and exhibit one‐dimension neutral structure, in which H₂L effectively functions as a bridging ligand and give rise to a chain‐like polymer. The luminescent properties of polymers in solid state and in solution were investigated and 1 exhibits typical red luminescence of Eu^III ions in solid state and dichloromethane solution and 2 emits the ligand‐centered blue luminescence. The energy transfer mechanisms in these luminescent lanthanide polymers were described through calculation of the lowest triplet level of ligand H₂L.     

Photoinduced Electron Transfer in Tetrathiafulvalene−Porphyrin−Fullerene Molecular Triads

The two molecular triads 1a and 1b consisting of a porphyrin (P) covalently linked to a fullerene (C₆₀) electron acceptor and tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) electron‐donor moiety were synthesized, and their photochemical properties were determined by transient absorption and emission techniques. Excitation of the free‐base‐porphyrin moiety of the TTF−P_{2 H}−C₆₀ triad 1a in tetrahydro‐2‐methylfuran solution yields the porphyrin first excited singlet state TTF−¹P_{2 H}−C₆₀, which undergoes photoinduced electron transfer with a time constant of 25 ps to give TTF−P_{2 H}^.+−C₆₀^.−. This intermediate charge‐separated state has a lifetime of 230 ps, decaying mainly by a charge‐shift reaction to yield a final state, TTF^.+−P_{2 H}−C₆₀^.−. The final state has a lifetime of 660 ns, is formed with an overall yield of 92%, and preserves ca. 1.0 eV of the 1.9 eV inherent in the porphyrin excited state. Similar behavior is observed for the zinc analog 1b . The TTF‐P_Zn^.+−C₆₀^.− state is formed by ultrafast electron transfer from the porphyrinatozinc excited singlet state with a time constant of 1.5 ps. The final TTF^.+−P_Zn−C₆₀^.− state is generated with a yield of 16%, and also has a lifetime of 660 ns. Although charge recombination to yield a triplet has been observed in related donor‐acceptor systems, the TTF^.+−P−C₆₀^.− states recombine to the ground state, because the molecule lacks low‐energy triplet states. This structural feature leads to a longer lifetime for the final charge‐separated state, during which the stored energy could be harvested for solar‐energy conversion or molecular optoelectronic applications.     

Electron Transfer between Hydrogen‐Bonded Pyridylphenols and a Photoexcited Rhenium(I) Complex

Two pyridylphenols with intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the phenol and pyridine units have been synthesized, characterized crystallographically, and investigated by cyclic voltammetry and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Reductive quenching of the triplet metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer excited state of the [Re(CO)₃(phen)(py)]⁺ complex (phen=1,10‐phenanthroline, py=pyridine) by the two pyridylphenols and two reference phenol molecules is investigated by steady‐state and time‐resolved luminescence spectroscopy, as well as by transient absorption spectroscopy. Stern–Volmer analysis of the luminescence quenching data provides rate constants for the bimolecular excited‐state quenching reactions. H/D kinetic isotope effects for the pyridylphenols are on the order of 2.0, and the bimolecular quenching reactions are up to 100 times faster with the pyridylphenols than with the reference phenols. This observation is attributed to the markedly less positive oxidation potentials of the pyridylphenols with respect to the reference phenols (≈0.5 V), which in turn is caused by proton coupling of the phenol oxidation process. Transient absorption spectroscopy provides unambiguous evidence for the photogeneration of phenoxyl radicals, that is, the overall photoreaction is clearly a proton‐coupled electron‐transfer process.     

Unprecedented Sensitization of Visible and Near‐Infrared Lanthanide Luminescence by Using a Tetrathiafulvalene‐Based Chromophore

Ligand L was synthesized and then coordinated to [Ln(hfac)₃] ? 2 H₂O (Ln^III=Tb, Dy, Er; hfac^?=1,1,1,5,5,5‐hexafluoroacetylacetonate anion) and [Ln(tta)₃]?2 H₂O (Ln^III=Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er, Yb; tta^?=2‐thenoyltrifluoroacetonate) to give two families of dinuclear complexes [Ln₂(hfac)₆( L )] ? C₆H₁₄ and [Ln₂(tta)₆( L )] ? 2 CH₂Cl₂. Irradiation of the ligand at 37 040 cm^?1 and 29 410 cm^?1 leads to tetrathiafulvalene‐centered and 2,6‐di(pyrazol‐1‐yl)‐4‐pyridine‐centered fluorescence, respectively. The ligand acts as an organic chromophore for the sensitization of the infrared Er^III (6535 cm^?1) and Yb^III (10 200 cm^?1) luminescence. The energies of the singlet and triplet states of L are high enough to guarantee an efficient sensitization of the visible Eu^III luminescence (17 300–14 100 cm^?1). The Eu^III luminescence decay can be nicely fitted by a monoexponential function that allows a lifetime estimation of (0.49±0.01) ms. Finally, the magnetic and luminescence properties of [Yb₂(hfac)₆( L )] ? C₆H₁₄ were correlated, which allowed the determination of the crystal field splitting of the ²F_7/2 multiplet state with M_J=±1/2 as ground states.     

Anionically Substituted 1,1′,1″‐Methylidynetris[1H‐pyrazole] Ligands for the Formation of Neutral Lanthanide Complexes in Water: Synthesis,Characterization, and Photophysical Properties

The six‐step synthesis of the new podand‐type ligand 6,6′,6″‐[methylidenetri(1H‐pyrazole‐1,3‐diyl)]tris[pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid] (LH₃) is described. Reaction of LH₃ with LnCl₃ ?6 H₂O (Ln=Eu, Gd, Tb) in MeOH resulted in the isolation of [LnL]?HCl complexes characterized by elemental analysis, mass and IR spectroscopy. Photophysical studies of the Eu and Tb complexes in aqueous solutions revealed the characteristic luminescence features of the metal atoms, indicative of an efficient ligand‐to‐metal energy‐transfer process. Determination of the luminescence quantum yields in H₂O showed the Tb complex to be highly luminescent (?=15%), while, for the Eu complex, the quantum efficiency was only 2%. Excited‐state‐lifetime measurements in H₂O and D₂O evidenced the presence of ca. three H₂O molecules in the first coordination sphere of the complexes. Investigation of the Gd complex allowed the determination of the ligand‐centered triplet state and showed the ligand to be well suited for energy transfer to the metal. The luminescence properties of the complexes are described, and the properties of the ligand as a suitable complexation pocket is questioned.     

Regulation of excitation and luminescence efficiencies of europium and terbium benzoates and 8-oxyquinolinates by modification of ligands

The opportunities of optimisation of luminance of the lanthanide compounds by modification of ligands are discussed. Variations of the excitation and luminescence efficiencies at introduction of nitro- (NO₂), sulfo- (SO₃⁻), hydroxy- (OH), amino- (NH₂), and phenylamino- (NHC₆H₅) groups in the aromatic ligands were studied. Investigation of luminescence and luminescence excitation spectra of europium and terbium compounds with 10 derivatives of benzoic acid, 2-furancarboxylic acid and their adducts with 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2′-bipyridine was undertaken. Study of the spectra of lanthanide 8-oxyquinolinates was carried out also. Luminescence efficiencies were measured at 77 and 300 K. Paths of the energy transfer from the ligands to Ln³⁺ ion were examined. Influence of radicals on the energies of the ligand triplet states and on the energies of the ligand–metal charge transfer states (LM CTS) of europium compounds was analysed. High luminescence efficiencies of europium and terbium benzoates, and terbium anthranylates and salicylates were obtained. Effect of increasing the luminescence efficiencies of europium salicylates and 8-oxyquinolinates at introduction of acceptor nitro-and sulfo-groups in the ligand was revealed. Channel of dissipation of the excitation energy through the ligand π^*–n transition of europium and terbium nitro- and dinitrobenzoates was found. Influence of relative positions of the lowest triplet levels of two non-equivalent ligands of compound on the energy transfer to Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions was considered.     

Photoresponsive Propeller‐like Chiral AIE Copper(I) Clusters

A pair of propeller‐like chiral trinuclear Cu^I clusters ( R/S‐Cu3 ) with unique photoinduced fluorescence enhancement were prepared. R/S‐Cu3 showed intense variable luminescence after UV light irradiation, which was attributed to the stepwise oxidation of ligand in the clusters. It exhibited typical aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) (α_AIE=17.3). Mechanism studies showed that metal cluster‐centered (MCC) and triplet metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (³MLCT) processes are the origin of the luminescence; the processes are regulated by a restriction of intramolecular motions mechanism in a different state. The chiral structure and AIE feature endow R/S‐Cu3 with remarkable circularly polarized luminescence (g_lum=2×10^?2) in the aggregated state. It shows good capability for producing reactive oxygen species. This work enriches the kinds of atomically precise AIE clusters, gains insight into their luminescence mechanism, and offers the prospect of application in multifunctional materials.     

Homo‐ and Heteronuclear Compounds with a Symmetrical Bis‐hydrazone Ligand: Synthesis,Structural Studies,and Luminescent Properties

Nine new coordination compounds have been synthesized by the reaction of salts of bivalent metal ions (a=Zn^II, b=Cu^II, c=Ni^II, d=Co^II) with the bis(benzoylhydrazone) derivative of 4,6‐diacetylresorcinol (H₄L). Three kinds of complexes have been obtained: homodinuclear compounds [M₂(H₂L)₂]?nH₂O ( 1 a , 1 b , 1 c , and 1 d ), homotetranuclear compounds [M₄(L)₂]?n(solv) ( 2 a and 2 c ), and heterotetranuclear compounds [Zn₂M₂(L)₂]?n(solv) ( 2 ab , 2 ac , and 2 ad ). The structures of the free ligand H₄L?2 DMSO and its complexes [Zn₂(H₂L)₂(DMSO)₂] ( 1 a* ), [Zn₄(L)₂(DMSO)₆] ( 2 a* ), and [Zn_0.45Cu_3.55(L)₂(DMSO)₆]?2 DMSO ( 2 ab* ) were elucidated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The ligand shows luminescence properties and its fluorimetric behavior towards M^II metals (M=Zn, Cu, Ni and Co) has been studied. Furthermore, the solid‐state luminescence properties of the ligand and compounds have been determined at room temperature. ¹H NMR spectroscopic monitoring of the reaction of H₄L with Zn^II showed the deprotonation sequence of the OH/NH groups upon metal coordination. Heteronuclear reactions have also been monitored by using ESI‐MS and spectrofluorimetric techniques.     

Copper(II) Complexes with Chiral Diaminodiamido Ligands: Solution and Structural Studies

Abstract

Three diaminodiamido ligands (S,S)-N,N′-bis(prolyl)ethanediamine (ProNN-2), (S,S)-N,N′-bis(N-methylvalyl)ethanediamine (Me₂ValNN-2), and (S,S)-N,N′-bis(N-methylphenylalanyl)-ethanediamine (Me₂PheNN-2) were synthesised and their complex formation equilibria with copper(II) investigated in aqueous solution by potentiometry and, for ProNN-2, by electronic spectrophotometry. ProNN-2 forms the species [CuLH]³⁺, [Cu₂L₂]⁴⁺, [Cu₂L₂H_?2]²⁺ and [CuLH_?2], Me₂PheNN-2 forms the complexes [CuLH]³⁺, [Cu₂L₂H_?2]²⁺ and [CuLH_?2], whereas Me₂ValNN-2 forms the monomer [CuLH_?1]⁺ but not the dimer. The dimeric cation [Cu₂L₂H_?2]²⁺, of Me₂PheNN-2 has severe steric requirements, as demonstrated by the X-ray crystal structure of the complex [Cu₂L₂H_?2]Cl₂· 12H₂O, of the corresponding non-methylated ligand. Since copper(II) complexes of the ligands examined are used as additives to the mobile phase to perform chiral resolution of D,L-amino acids in RP-HPLC, the present results provide valuable clues to an understanding of the mechanism of the enantiomeric separation.     

Intrinsic photogeneration of long-lived charges in a donor-orthogonal acceptor conjugated polymer

Efficient charge photogeneration in conjugated polymers typically requires the presence of a second component to act as electron acceptor. Here, we report a novel low band-gap conjugated polymer with a donor/orthogonal acceptor motif: poly-2,6-(4,4-dihexadecyl-4H-cyclopenta [2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene)-alt-2,6-spiro [cyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene-4,9′-fluorene]-2′,7′-dicarbonitrile, referred to as PCPDT-sFCN. The role of the orthogonal acceptor is to spatially isolate the LUMO from the HOMO, allowing for negligible exchange energy between electrons in these orbitals and minimising the energy gap between singlet and triplet charge transfer states. We employ ultrafast and microsecond transient absorption spectroscopy to demonstrate that, even in the absence of a separate electron acceptor, PCPDT-sFCN shows efficient charge photogeneration in both pristine solution and film. This efficient charge generation is a result of an isoenergetic singlet/triplet charge transfer state equilibrium acting as a reservoir for charge carrier formation. Furthermore, clear evidence of enhanced triplet populations, which form in less than 1 ps, is observed. Using group theory, we show that this ultrafast triplet formation is due to highly efficient, quantum mechanically allowed intersystem crossing between the bright, initially photoexcited local singlet state and the triplet charge transfer state. Remarkably, the free charges that form via the charge transfer state are extraordinarily long-lived with millisecond lifetimes, possibly due to the stabilisation imparted by the spatial separation of PCPDT-sFCN''s donor and orthogonal acceptor motifs. The efficient generation of long-lived charge carriers in a pristine polymer paves the way for single-material applications such as organic photovoltaics and photodetectors.

The spatial separation of PCPDT-sFCN''s donor and orthogonal acceptor motifs allows efficient photogeneration of extraordinarily long-lived charge carriers in the pristine polymer, providing an important step towards single-material optoelectronics.     

Triplet excited states of nitronaphthalenes. II. b-Nitronaphthalene

Nanosecond flash photolysis of b-nitronaphthalene (b-NO₂C₁₀H₇) in nonpolar and polar solvents shows a transient species with maximum absorption and lifetime dependent on solvent polarity. In deaerated n-hexane the absorption maximum and lifetime (1/k) are 425 nm and 530 nsec, while in deaerated ethanol the corresponding values are 470 nm and 1.7 ·sec. This transient absorption is attributed to the triplet excited state of b-NO₂C₁₀H₇, and the observed red shift as well as its longer lifetime in polar solvents are indicative of the intramolecular charge transfer character of this state. The change of dipole moment accompanying the transition T₁ → T_n, as well as rate constants for electron and proton transfer reactions involving the T₁ state of b-NO₂C₁₀H₇, were determined. The spectroscopic and kinetic data obtained in this work indicate that the triplet state of b-NO₂C₁₀H₇ behaves like a n-π* state in nonpolar media, while in polar solvents the n-π* character of the state is reduced with a simultaneous increase in the charge transfer character.