Radiative and radationless decay of exciplexes of 1,12-benzperylene

Many molecules in their excited states react with other species having suitable electron donor or acceptor properties to form complexes (exciplexes) stable only in the excited state. This letter reports a study of the modes of decay of a series of exciplexes in which the donor molecule (1,2-benzperylene) formed exciplexes with a series of dimethylaniline derivatives. By measuring the flourescence and intersystem crossing quantum yields, together with the fluorescence lifetimes of the exciplexes, it was possible to derive the rate constants for fluorescence, radationless decay to the ground state, and intersystem crossing. The first two decay processes were found to show a marked sensitivity to the exciplex energy, while the intersystem crossing rate constant was affected only by the presence of heavy atoms.     

Experimental study of singlet-triplet energy transfer in liquid solutions

It has been found that fluorescence quenching of 9,10-dibromo-,9,10-dichloro-and 9,10-dicyano-anthracene by aromatic hydrocarbons is due not to singlet-triplet energy transfer but to donor-acceptor interactions leading to the formation of short-lived exciplexes. The 9,10-dicyanoanthracene exciplexes fluoresce and their radiationless deactivation occurs via population of the dicyanoanthracene triplet state. The decay of exciplexes of halo-anthracenes with arenes due to the heavy-atom effect occurs exclusively via intersystem crossing to the halo-anthracene triplet state.     

Ultrafast Decay of the Excited Singlet States of Thioxanthone by Internal Conversion and Intersystem Crossing

The experimental ultrafast photophysics of thioxanthone in several aprotic organic solvents at room temperature is presented, measured using femtosecond transient absorption together with high‐level ab initio CASPT2 calculations of the singlet‐ and triplet‐state manifolds in the gas phase, including computed state minima and conical intersections, transition energies, oscillator strengths, and spin–orbit coupling terms. The initially populated singlet ππ* state is shown to decay through internal conversion and intersystem crossing processes via intermediate nπ* singlet and triplet states, respectively. Two easily accessible conical intersections explain the favorable internal conversion rates and low fluorescence quantum yields in nonpolar media. The presence of a singlet–triplet crossing near the singlet ππ* minimum and the large spin–orbit coupling terms also rationalize the high intersystem crossing rates. A phenomenological kinetic scheme is proposed that accounts for the decrease in internal conversion and intersystem crossing (i.e. the very large experimental crescendo of the fluorescence quantum yield) with the increase of solvent polarity.     

Activation Enthalpy and Entropy for the Decay of 9-Cyanophenanthrene Exciplexes

Activation parameters were studied for the decay of 9-cyanophenanthrene exciplexes with some weak electron donors (the Gibbs energy of electron transfer G ^* _et ranging from –0.02 to –0.09 eV), which displayed fairly high emission in both nonpolar and polar aprotic solvents. It was shown that the activation enthalpy of decay for the exciplexes is low, while the activation entropy reaches –(100–150) J mol^–1 K^–1, which is consistent with the two possible decay mechanisms: by dissociation into free radical ions or by intersystem crossing into the triplet state.     

Lifetimes of partial charge transfer exciplexes of 9-cyanophenanthrene and 9-cyanoanthracene

The fluorescence decays of several exciplexes with partial charge transfer have been investigated in solvents of various polarity. The measured lifetimes are found to be in reasonable agreement with the activation enthalpy and entropy of exciplex decay obtained earlier from the temperature dependence of the exciplex emission quantum yields. For exciplexes with 9-cyanophenanthrene substantial contribution of the higher local excited state into the exciplex electronic structure is found and borrowed intensity effect enhances the exciplex emission rate constants.     

The effect of solvent polarity on the photophysical properties of 4-cyano-(4'-methylthio)diphenylacetylene: a prototypic donor-acceptor system

The photophysical properties of the target compound are extremely sensitive to changes in solvent polarity since the lowest-energy excited states possess considerable charge-transfer character. Excitation results in a greatly increased dipole moment, with the resultant excited singlet state retaining a lifetime of ca. 1 ns in all solvents. Radiative decay involves coupling between the lowest-energy excited singlet state and both the ground state and an upper excited singlet state. The level of coupling to the upper singlet decreases in non-polar solvents, presumably due to symmetry factors. The radiative rate constant decreases smoothly with increasing solvent polarity function as the molecule acquires an ever increasing dipolar character. Non-radiative decay includes both intersystem crossing and internal conversion, but the former process dominates in polar solvents. The excited singlet state lifetime is very weakly dependent upon temperature in the solid state. However, in polar solutions where the Stokes' shift decreases with decreasing temperature, there is clear evidence for an activated process. This is believed to involve coupling to the upper-lying singlet excited state.     

Radiationless decay in exciplexes with variable charge transfer

Rate constants for radiative decay, radiationless decay, and intersystem crossing are reported for a series of excited states formed by reaction of cyanoanthracene acceptors with alkylbenzenes as donors in several solvents of moderate to low polarity. The excited states have widely varying degrees of charge transfer, from essentially pure electron transfer states to pure locally excited states. The data illustrate the fundamental factors that control the contrasting relative efficiencies of radiative and radiationless processes in electron transfer compared to locally excited states. The radiationless decay rate constants can be described quantitatively as a function of the extent of charge transfer using weighted contributions from a locally excited decay mechanism and a pure electron-transfer type mechanism. The factors that control the rate constants for radiationless decay in excited states with intermediate charge-transfer character are discussed.     

Enhanced triplet formation by twisted intramolecular charge-transfer excited states in conjugated oligomers and polymers

The triplet yield and intersystem crossing rate of a set of conjugated oligomers and polymers that, in polar solvents, form a charge-transfer state with a twisted conformation has been investigated. It was observed that in these dibenzothiophene-fluorene oligomers a greater than 10-fold increase on the triplet yield is achieved by simply changing the medium polarity to favor the formation of the twisted charge-transfer state, while the fluorescence lifetime is only slightly increased. The increase in the intersystem crossing rate is attributed to the improved mixing between the singlet and triplet states in the twisted excited state. In analogous polymers, the intersystem crossing rate does not show the same increase, most likely because of the greater energetic and conformational disorder increasing the intersystem crossing rate at all times, regardless of the formation of the twisted charge-transfer state or not.     

The photophysics of some intramolecular ternary complexes formed between aryl and amino groups

The fluorescence properties of (3)–(6) in solvents of varying polarity have been examined and the conclusion reached that in non-polar solvents they exhibit fluorescence (low quantum yield) from an intramolecular ternary complex. In polar solvents very little fluorescence is observable. Although each compound exhibits extensive intramolecular fluorescence quenching, the quantum yield of localised triplet naphthalene in non-polar solvents remains relatively high indicating that intersystem crossing occurs in the non-relaxed exciplex.     

The structure and decay dynamics of exciplexes derived from dibenzoyl-methanatoboron difluoride and alkylbenzenes in cyclohexane

Dibenzomethanatoboron difluoride (DBMBF2) interacted with alkylbenzenes from its singlet excited state to form exciplexes ranging from weak polarity up to contact radical ion pairs (CRIP); this exciplex series shows the characteristics in the Marcus "normal" region. In cyclohexane these exciplexes gave intense fluorescence spectra and high quantum yields (phi(infinity)ex). The dipole moment of these exciplexes calculated from the solvatochromic shift of the fluorescence maximums (vmax) was used to estimate the coefficient ("a" and "c") of the CT and LE terms in the exciplex wavefunction. On the basis of the measured lifetimes and phi(infinity)ex of these exciplexes, the radiative (k(ex)f) and nonradiative (k(ex)NR) rate constants were calculated. The former k(ex)f were also computed from a semi-empirical approach based on the assumption that the exciplex wavefunction could be adequately described by CT and LE states, and that *DBMBF2 primarily contributes to the probability of exciplex emission. Two results agree with each other with small systematic deviations for those less polar exciplexes. The plots of k(ex)r and k(ex)NR (or their logarithmic value) against the LE contribution (c2) and transition energy gaps (hvmax) afford better correlation than those against -deltaG(-et). This indicates the role played by the LE contribution in generating the stabilization energy (U(s)) in these exciplexes through the A-D+)<==> *AD) resonance interaction; U(s), in turn, modifies -deltaG(-et) to afford the decay driving force hvmax. Also, those plots from k(ex)f values (being determined directly from experiments) show better correlation than those from k(ex)NR. In contrast to the CRIP type exciplexes in the Marcus "inverted" region, these k(ex)f and k(ex)NR increase in the common trend with increasing transition energy gaps. The k(ex)NR plots show less steep slopes and attains more quickly a minimum toward the CRIP region; the latter is identified as the turning point from the "normal" to "inverted" region. Both the attenuation and reversal of the k(ex)NR value with increasing polarity are believed to be generated by the emerging contribution of the intersystem crossing process as an additional nonradiative process, which is induced by the increased spin-orbit coupling in highly polar exciplexes.     

Excited-state behavior of N-phenyl-substituted trans-3-aminostilbenes: where the "m-amino effect" meets the "amino-conjugation effect"

The electronic spectroscopy and photochemistry of the trans isomers of 3-(N-phenylamino)stilbene (m1c), 3-(N-methyl-N-phenylamino)stilbene (m1d), 3-(N,N-diphenylamino)stilbene (m1e), and 3-(N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)amino)stilbene (m1f) and their double-bond constrained analogues m2a-m2c and m2e are reported. When compared with trans-3-aminostilbene (m1a), m1c-m1e display a red shift of the S0 --> S1 absorption and fluorescence spectra, lower oscillator strength and fluorescence rate constants, and more efficient S1 --> T1 intersystem crossing. Consequently, the N-phenyl derivatives m1c-m1e have lower fluorescence quantum yields and higher photoisomerization quantum yields. The corresponding N-phenyl substituent effect in m2a-m2e is similar in cyclohexane but smaller in acetonitrile. This is attributed to the weaker intramolecular charge transfer character for the S1 state of m2 so that the rates for intersystem crossing are less sensitive to solvent polarity. It is also concluded that N-phenyl substitutions do not change the triplet mechanism of photoisomerization for m1 in both nonpolar and polar solvents. Therefore, the "m-amino conjugation effect" reinforces the "m-amino effect" on fluorescence by further reducing its rate constants and highlights the N-phenyl-enhanced intersystem crossing from the "amino-conjugation effect" by making S1 --> T1 the predominant nonradiative decay pathway.     

Temperature effect on the competition between the processes of 9-cyanophenanthrene exciplex decay

The activation parameters of internal conversion, intersystem crossing, and dissociation into radical ions were determined for the exciplexes of 9-cyanophenanthrene with 1,3,5- and 1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene. The activation enthalpies for the different processes of exciplex decay were found to be close for a given exciplex in a given solvent, thus allowing a linear approximation for the temperature dependence of the logarithm of the exciplex lifetime.Translated from Khimiya Vysokikh Energii, Vol. 39, No. 1, 2005, pp. 26–31.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Dogadkin, Dolotova, Soboleva, Kuzmin, Plyusnin, Pozdnyakov, Grivin.     

Spin-orbit Coupling and Intersystem Crossing in 4H-Pyran-4-thione： CASSCF//TD-B3LYP Study

The intersystem crossing channels of gaseous 4H-pyran-4-thione were investigated using the CASSCF//TD-B3LYP methods and group theory. Using the effective one-electron spin-orbit Harniltonian, the strengths of spin-orbit coupling were estimated, which plays an essential role in the spin transitions between different spin states. Calculated results show that phosphorescence and non-radiative decay via intersystem crossing to the So state are concurrent processes occurring at the T1 state. A rapid depletion of the S1 state via intersystem crossing to the T1 state can be mediated by the T2 state, if spin relaxation is fast within the triplet levels. Our calculated results are in close agreement with experimental observations.     

Charge transfer complexing in the course of triplet state quenching of carbocyanine dyes by nitroxyl radical

Quenching of triplet states of carbocyanine dyes by nitroxyl radical has been investigated by the flash photolysis method. Quenching of triplet state carbocyanine dyes with one polymethyne chain occurs via enhanced intersystem crossing on exchange interaction with the radical. Quenching of triplet state carbocyanine dyes with two polymethyne chains occurs via partial charge transfer in the collision complex with the radical. In the second case, an increase in the dielectric constant of the solvent leads to an increase of the rate of quenching. In high polarity solvents (propanol, methanol) complete electron transfer from dye triplet state to radical occurs. Kinetic and spectral characteristics of a new dye radical (Dye.⁺) are reported.     

双-β-萘甲基二胺及其衍生物的荧光光谱及分子内激发态复合物的形成

我们合成了N,N'-二甲基-二-β-萘甲基乙二胺(Ⅰ),N,N'-二甲基-二-β-萘甲基丙二胺(Ⅱ),N,N'-二-β-萘甲基哌嗪(Ⅲ)三个化合物,并测定了它们的荧光光谱。结果表明,它们既能形成分子内激基缔合物(excimer),又能形成分子内激基复合物(exciplex),与溶剂极性有关。在极性较大的溶剂如乙腈和甲醇中,由于激基复合物几乎完全解离因而不发射荧光,这时观察到的荧光峰蓝移而且强度增加,可以认为,这是激基缔合物存在的证明。这三个化合物的分子内激基缔合物形成的难易程度按Ⅱ>Ⅰ>Ⅲ的次序依次递降。     

Photophysical Properties of Some Methyl-Substituted Angelicins: Fluorometric and Flash Photolytic Studies

This paper describes the results of a study of the photophysical properties of various methyl-angelicins (MA) in solvents of different polarity and proticity. The behavior of their excited singlet and triplet states was investigated by fluorometry and nanosecond laser flash photolysis. On the basis of semiempirical (ZINDO/S-CI) calculations and the solvent effect on the absorption and fluorescence properties, the lowest excited singlet state (S₁) is assigned to a partially allowed π, π* state. The close lying S₂ state is n,π* in nature. The efficiency of the decay pathways of S₁ (fluorescence, intersystem crossing and internal conversion) strongly depends on the energy gap between the S₁ and S₂ states consistent with the manifestation of “proximity effect.” Thus, MA in cyclohexane decay only through S₁→ S₀ internal conversion, while in acetonitrile and ethanol, where the n, π* state is located at higher energy, their fluorescence and intersystem crossing increase significantly. The lowest excited triplet states (T₁) were characterized in terms of their absorption spectra, decay kinetics, molar absorption coefficients and formation quantum yields. The interaction of T₁ MA with molecular oxygen leads to an efficient formation of singlet oxygen, as evidenced by the appearance of characteristic IR phosphorescence centered at 1269 nm.     

Mechanistic study of the photochemical hydroxide ion release from 9-hydroxy-10-methyl-9-phenyl-9,10-dihydroacridine

The excited-state behavior of 9-hydroxy-10-methyl-9-phenyl-9,10-dihydroacridine and its derivative, 9-methoxy-10-methyl-9-phenyl-9,10-dihydroacridine (AcrOR, R = H, Me), was studied via femtosecond and nanosecond UV-vis transient absorption spectroscopy. The solvent effects on C-O bond cleavage were clearly identified: a fast heterolytic cleavage (τ = 108 ps) was observed in protic solvents, while intersystem crossing was observed in aprotic solvents. Fast heterolysis generates 10-methyl-9-phenylacridinium (Acr(+)) and (-)OH, which have a long recombination lifetime (no signal decay was observed within 100 μs). AcrOH exhibits the characteristic behavior needed for its utilization as a chromophore in the pOH jump experiment.     

Activated decay pathways for planar vs twisted singlet phenylalkenes

The ground state conformation, spectroscopy, and photochemical behavior of styrene and eight of its vinyl- and ring-methylated derivatives have been investigated. Introduction of methyl groups at the alpha-position of the vinyl group or the ortho positions of the phenyl results in increased phenyl-vinyl dihedral angles. Styrenes possessing both alpha-methyl and ortho-methyl groups adopt orthogonal geometries. Decreased planarity results in a progressive blue-shift in the lowest energy allowed pi,pi transition and a decrease in the singlet lifetime. Kinetic modeling of the temperature-dependent singlet lifetimes provides activation parameters for the activated decay pathway, which is assigned to C=C torsion for styrenes with phenyl-vinyl dihedral angles, phi, < 60 degrees. Planar styrenes have large torsional barriers (7 +/- 1 kcal/mol) and decay predominantly via intersystem crossing and fluorescence at room temperature. Styrenes with values of 30 degrees < phi < 60 degrees have smaller torsional barriers and decay predominantly via C=C torsion at room temperature. Highly nonplanar styrenes decay predominantly via relatively rapid, weakly activated intersystem crossing.     

Oxygen effect on the photoisomerization and photoionization of fumaronitrile through its exciplexes

The photoisomerization and photoionization reactions of fumaronitrile through its exciplexes with some aromatic electron donors has been studied with the aid of nanosecond laser photolysis and gas chromatography. The rate of the transcis isomerization reaction is found to be strongly enhanced by dissolved oxygen. The mechanism of the reaction is analysed quantitatively in terms of oxygen enhanced single—triplet intersystem crossing.