Study of Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Four Derivatives of Substituted Aryl Hydrazones of 1,8‐Naphthalimide

Four 1,8‐naphthalimide hydrazone molecules with different electron‐donating groups have been applied in the study of linear and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties. These compounds showed strong green emission in solution. Their NLO properties such as two‐photon absorption (TPA) behavior with femtosecond laser pulses ca. 800 nm and excited‐state absorption (ESA) behavior with nanosecond laser pulses at 532 nm were investigated. Compound 4 presented the largest two‐photon cross section (550 GM) among them due to two factors: the conjugated length of compound 4 is the longest and the electron‐donating ability of compound 4 is the strongest. Different from TPA behavior, compound 2 showed the best nonlinear absorption properties at 532 nm and its nonlinear absorption coefficient and third‐order nonlinear optical susceptibilities χ ⁽³⁾ were up to 1.41×10^?10 MKS and 4.65×10^?12 esu, respectively. Through the modification of the structure, the nonlinear optical properties of these compounds at different wavelengths (532 and 800 nm) were well tuned. The great broad‐band nonlinear optical properties indicate hydrazones are good candidates for organic nonlinear optical absorption materials.     

An insight into phenomenal optical non‐linearities arising from synergistic relationship between selected BODIPYs and noble metal nanoparticles

Materials with large and quick non‐linear optical response, excellent photo thermal stability, cost effectiveness and off resonant non‐linear absorption (NLA) are essential requirements for a good optical limiting (OL). Among them, organic systems and π‐conjugated polymers are getting special interest because of their flexibility in structural modification that leads to the tuning of optical and electronic properties that are suitable for working under large bandwidth. Here, we report a drastic enhancement of non‐linear optical activity and exceptional OL action of two organic–inorganic hybrid system based on BODIPY and Au and Ag nanoparticles (NPs). The organic system taken was certain set of BODIPYs with different substitution at the para and meta positions. All the compounds were found to be exhibiting good reverse saturable absorption (RSA) behaviour and negative non‐linear refraction property. An attempt was made to improve the non‐linear optical (NLO) property of the BODIPY by forming nanohybrids with Au and Ag NPs, and the best NLO active candidate among the studied system was chosen for it. A significant enhancement in NLO property was observed on hybrid system formation. The optical limiting (OL) threshold of the hybrid (1 J/cm²) was reduced almost 1/5 times than that of the parent compound (5.2 J/cm²), and this value is comparable with the benchmark OL materials like C₆₀. The mechanism behind the NLA is found to be the combination of excited state absorption (ESA) and two‐photon absorption (TPA). The enhanced NLA and OL action of C? Ag/Au nanohybrids are attributed to the synergetic effect among the two parent components as well as the local field effects of NPs. Enhancement in non‐linear optical property is found to be stronger in hybrid system with Au NPs and is due to the resonant charge transfer and intense local field effect on exciting with 532‐nm pulse compared with that of Ag NPs. Both the parent compounds and the nanohybrids exhibit negative non‐linearity, and the non‐linear refraction is also found to be enhanced. The improved NLA and OL property of hybrid system guarantees successful usage of the strategy in OL applications.     

Synthesis of third‐order non‐linear optical polymers based on conjugated poly(heteroarylene methines)

A series of 10 new poly(heteroarylene methylenes) containing one pyrrole or thiophene ring alternating with a carbon atom in the main chain were synthesized and characterized. The polymers which were synthesized in the air were found to be partially dehydrogenated by the oxygen, that is, the bridge carbon atoms between pyrrole or thiophene rings were partially sp³ atoms and partially sp² atoms. However the polymers which were synthesized in the flowing nitrogen atmosphere were found to be deoxidized, that is the bridge atoms were sp³ atoms. The deoxidized polymers could be oxidatively dehydrogenated with tetrchlorobenzoquinone. These polymers are useful model systems to investigate the effect of conjugation length on the electronic and optical properties of conjugated polymers. Third‐order optical non‐linearities of the reulting polymers were studied by z‐scan techniques. The results show that the reulting polymers exhibited large third‐order optical non‐linear susceptibilities as large as 10^?8 esu. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Aggregation‐Induced Emission and Sensing Characteristics of Triarylborane–Oligothiophene–Dicyanovinyl Triads

The design, synthesis and aggregation‐induced emission properties of a new series of triarylborane–oligothiophene–dicyanovinyl (DCV) conjugates 4 – 6 (A–D–A’ type molecular configuration) are reported. The optical properties of 4 – 6 can be modulated by judiciously varying the number of thiophene units between electron deficient boryl and dicyanovinyl units. Compound 6 with terthiophene spacer showed highly red‐shifted absorption and emission compared to 5 and 4 with bithiophene and monothiophene spacers, respectively. Compounds 5 and 6 show aggregation‐induced emission enhancement in water/THF mixtures. Compounds 5 and 6 also showed solvent viscosity dependent emission characteristics. All the three compounds show distinct optical responses for small anions such as fluoride and cyanide. Filter paper strips coated with compounds 5 and 6 can detect F^? and CN^? in aqueous media with different colorimetric responses.     

Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Quadrupolar Oligothiophene‐Cored Chromophores Containing Dimesitylboryl Moieties as π‐Accepting End‐Groups: Syntheses,Structures, Fluorescence,and One‐ and Two‐Photon Absorption

Quadrupolar oligothiophene chromophores composed of four to five thiophene rings with two terminal (E)‐dimesitylborylvinyl groups ( 4 V – 5 V ), and five thiophene rings with two terminal aryldimesitylboryl groups ( 5 B ), as well as an analogue of 5 V with a central EDOT ring ( 5 VE ), have been synthesized via Pd‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions in high yields (66–89 %). Crystal structures of 4 V , 5 B , bithiophene 2 V , and five thiophene‐derived intermediates are reported. Chromophores 4 V , 5 V , 5 B and 5 VE have photoluminescence quantum yields of 0.26–0.29, which are higher than those of the shorter analogues 1 V – 3 V (0.01–0.20), and short fluorescence lifetimes (0.50–1.05 ns). Two‐photon absorption (TPA) spectra have been measured for 2 V – 5 V , 5 B and 5 VE in the range 750–920 nm. The measured TPA cross‐sections for the series 2 V – 5 V increase steadily with length up to a maximum of 1930 GM. We compare the TPA properties of 2 V – 5 V with the related compounds 5 B and 5 VE , giving insight into the structure–property relationship for this class of chromophore. DFT and TD‐DFT results, including calculated TPA spectra, complement the experimental findings and contribute to their interpretation. A comparison to other related thiophene and dimesitylboryl compounds indicates that our design strategy is promising for the synthesis of efficient dyes for two‐photon‐excited fluorescence applications.     

Conformational Tuning of the Intramolecular Electronic Coupling in Molecular‐Wire Biruthenium Complexes Bridged by Biphenyl Derivatives

The synthesis and characterization of a series of biphenyl‐derived binuclear ruthenium complexes with terminal {RuCl(CO)(PMe₃)₃} moieties and different structural arrangements of the phenyl rings are reported. Electrochemical studies revealed that the two metal centers of the binuclear ruthenium complexes interact with each other through the biphenyl bridge, and the redox splittings ΔE_1/2 show a strong linear correlation with cos² ?, where ? is the torsion angle between the two phenyl rings. A combination of electrochemical, UV/Vis/NIR, and in situ IR differential spectroelectrochemical analysis clearly showed that: 1) the intramolecular electronic couplings in the binuclear ruthenium complexes could be modulated by changing ?; 2) the electronic ground state of the mixed‐valent cations changes from delocalized to localized through the biphenyl bridge with increasing torsion angle ?, that is, the redox processes of these complexes change from significant involvement of the bridging ligand to an oxidation behavior with less participation of the bridge.     

噻吩基卟啉衍生物的单光子和双光子吸收性质的理论研究

本文理论上研究了两个系列的噻吩基卟啉衍生物,这种衍生物在可见光区具有大的双光子吸收截面。用密度泛函理论和ZINDO-SOS方法,计算了分子的几何构型、电子结构,单光子和双光子吸收性质。结果显示噻吩单元的数目影响分子的单光子和双光子吸收性质。具有两个或三个噻吩基团的噻吩基卟啉衍生物在较大范围内具有可用于实际应用中的双光子吸收响应,这一性质有利于这类分子在光限幅中的应用。插入乙炔基有利于扩大共轭范围,增加分子的双光子吸收截面。同时,乙炔基团的加入导致了单光子和双光子波长的红移。从高透明性和相对大的非线性光学响应考虑,噻吩基卟啉衍生物是一类有应用前景的双光子吸收材料。     

Synthesis,One‐ and Two‐Photon Photophysical and Excited‐State Properties,and Sensing Application of a New Phosphorescent Dinuclear Cationic Iridium(III) Complex

A new phosphorescent dinuclear cationic iridium(III) complex ( Ir1 ) with a donor–acceptor–π‐bridge–acceptor–donor (D? A? π? A? D)‐conjugated oligomer ( L1 ) as a N^N ligand and a triarylboron compound as a C^N ligand has been synthesized. The photophysical and excited‐state properties of Ir1 and L1 were investigated by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and molecular‐orbital calculations, and they were compared with those of the mononuclear iridium(III) complex [Ir(Bpq)₂(bpy)]⁺PF₆^? ( Ir0 ). Compared with Ir0 , complex Ir1 shows a more‐intense optical‐absorption capability, especially in the visible‐light region. For example, complex Ir1 shows an intense absorption band that is centered at λ=448 nm with a molar extinction coefficient (ε) of about 10⁴, which is rarely observed for iridium(III) complexes. Complex Ir1 displays highly efficient orange–red phosphorescent emission with an emission wavelength of 606 nm and a quantum efficiency of 0.13 at room temperature. We also investigated the two‐photon‐absorption properties of complexes Ir0 , Ir1 , and L1 . The free ligand ( L1 ) has a relatively small two‐photon absorption cross‐section (δ_max=195 GM), but, when complexed with iridium(III) to afford dinuclear complex Ir1 , it exhibits a higher two‐photon‐absorption cross‐section than ligand L1 in the near‐infrared region and an intense two‐photon‐excited phosphorescent emission. The maximum two‐photon‐absorption cross‐section of Ir1 is 481 GM, which is also significantly larger than that of Ir0 . In addition, because the strong B? F interaction between the dimesitylboryl groups and F^? ions interrupts the extended π‐conjugation, complex Ir1 can be used as an excellent one‐ and two‐photon‐excited “ON–OFF” phosphorescent probe for F^? ions.     

Conformation‐Determined Through‐Bond versus Through‐Space Electronic Communication in Mixed‐Valence Systems with a Cross‐Conjugated Urea Bridge

Bis‐triarylamine 2 and cyclometalated diruthenium 6 (PF₆)₂ with a linear trans,trans‐urea bridge have been prepared, together with the bis‐triarylamine 3 and cyclometalated diruthenium 8 (PF₆)₂ with a folded cis,cis‐N,N‐dimethylurea bridge. The linear or folded conformations of these molecules are supported by single‐crystal X‐ray structures of 2 , 3 , and other related compounds. These compounds display two consecutive anodic redox waves (N ^{. +/0} or Ru^III/II processes) with a potential separation of 110–170 mV. This suggests that an efficient electronic coupling is present between two redox termini through the cross‐conjugated urea bridge. The degree of electronic coupling has been investigated by using spectroelectrochemical measurements. Distinct intervalence charge‐transfer (IVCT) transitions have been observed for mixed‐valent (MV) compounds with a linear conformation. The IVCT transitions can also be identified for the folded MV compounds, albeit with a much weaker intensity. DFT results support that the electronic communication occurs by a through‐bond and through‐space pathway for the linear and folded compounds, respectively. The IVCT transitions of the MV compounds have been reproduced by TDDFT calculations. For the purpose of comparison, a bistriarylamine and a diruthenium complex with an imidazolidin‐2‐one bridge and a urea‐containing mono‐triarylamine and monoruthenium complex have been synthesized and studied.     

Two‐photon excitation and optical limiting in polyfluorene derivatives

Fluorene‐based polymers are widely known materials due to a combination of features such as photoluminescence and electroluminescence, oxidative stability, and film‐forming ability. However, studies reporting nonlinear optical properties in this class of conjugated polymer are scarce. Here, we report a new class of polyfluorene derivatives poly(9,9′‐n‐dihexyl‐2,7‐fluorenedilvinylene‐alt‐1,4‐phenylenevinylene), poly(9,9′‐n‐dihexyl‐2,7‐fluorenedilvinylene‐alt‐2,5‐thiophene), and poly[(9,9‐di‐hexylfluorenediylvinylene‐alt‐1,4‐phenylenevinylene)‐co‐((9,9′‐(3‐t‐butylpropanoate) fluorene‐1,4‐phenylene)] displaying high two‐photon absorption (2PA) in the spectral range from a 490 to 1100 nm. The 2PA cross‐section peak values for these materials are as high as 3000 Göppert Mayer (1 GM = 1 × 10^?50 cm⁴ s/photon), which is related to the high degree of conjugation along the polymer backbone. The polymers that were used in this study presented a strong two‐photon luminescence and also displayed optical limiting behavior, which, in combination with their well‐established properties, make them highly suitable for nonlinear optical devices. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 50: 148–153, 2012     

Binuclear Ruthenium Complexes with Benzo[1,2‐b;4,5‐b′]dithiophene Analogues as Bridge Ligands: Syntheses,Characterization and Notable Difference on Electronic Coupling

Diruthenium ethynyl complexes 1 – 3 ( 1 : 1,5‐dithia‐s‐indacene‐4,8‐dione; 2 : 4,8‐diethoxybenzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐ b']dithiophene; 3 : 4,8‐didodecyloxybenzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b']dithiophene) have been synthesized by incorporating the respective conjugated heterocyclic spacer and characterized by NMR and elemental analysis. The effects of bridge ligands’ properties on electronic coupling between redox‐active ruthenium terminal groups were investigated by electrochemistry, UV /vis/near‐IR and IR spectroelectrochemistry combined with density functional theory (DFT ) and time‐dependent DFT calculations. Electrochemistry results indicated that complexes 1 – 3 exhibit two fully reversible oxidation waves, and complexes 2 and 3 with electron‐rich and π‐conjuagted bridge ligands are characterized by excellent electrochemical properties. Furthermore, the larger ν(C ≡ C) separation from the IR spectroelectrochemical results of 2 and 3 and the intense NIR absorption features of singly oxidized species 2 ⁺ and 3 ⁺ revealed that their molecular skeletons have superior abilities to delocalize the positive charge. The spin density distribution from DFT calculations proved the conclusions of this study.     

Polar Diketopyrrolopyrrole‐Imidazolium Salts as Selective Probes for Staining Mitochondria in Two‐Photon Fluorescence Microscopy

Three rationally designed polar derivatives of diketopyrrolopyrrole consisting of 1,3‐dimethylimidazolium cationic units and benzene, thiophene, or furan rings as π spacers were synthesized and thoroughly studied. The obtained salts are soluble in polar organic solvents and show satisfactory solubility in water, which makes them suitable for the applications in bioimaging. Photophysical measurements revealed that the obtained derivatives are characterized by strong absorption and good fluorescence quantum yields. The corresponding two‐photon properties were also examined and showed that the synthesized salts exhibit large two‐photon absorption cross‐sections reaching 4000 GM (GM=Goeppert‐Mayer unit, 1 GM=10^?50 cm⁴ s photon^?1) and very high two‐photon brightness values exceeding 2000 GM. It was demonstrated that these salts can be safely applied in two‐photon fluorescence microscopy for selective staining of mitochondria in living cells.     

Novel Cr (III), Fe (III) and Ru (III) Vanillin Based Metallo‐Pharmaceuticals for Cancer and Inflammation Treatment: Experimental and Theoretical Studies

In this study, three novel complexes comprising trivalent Cr (III), Fe (III) and Ru (III) with imine ligand derived from 2‐amino‐3‐hydroxypyridine and o‐vanillin (H₂L) have been synthesized and characterized via wide range of spectroscopic and analytical tools such as ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR, infrared (IR) and UV–Vis spectrophotometry, conductivity and magnetic measurements. The obtained results along with DFT data confirmed a 1:1 (metal: ligand) stoichiometry with non‐planner geometries for the three complexes. The binding action and the docking study of the prepared metal‐complexes to calf thymus DNA was also studied by absorption spectra and viscosity technique, which revealed that the three complexes interact strongly with DNA through intercalative binding mode. Significantly, these metal‐imine complexes showed strong and efficient anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial activities against various gram‐positive (Microccus luteus), gram‐negative (Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescence) bacteria, and three strains of fungus. Moreover, all complexes exhibited more potent cytotoxicity effect on the outgrowth of different types of carcinoma cells, including human colon (HCT‐116 cell line), breast (MCF‐7 cell line), and hepatic cellular (HepG‐2), than the clinically‐proven Vinblastine standard.     

Design and Synthesis of Coumarin–Imidazole Hybrid Chromophores: Solvatochromism,Acidochromism and Nonlinear Optical Properties

A set of linear and asymmetric coumarin–imidazole hybrid compounds having a N,N‐diethylamine at 7‐position and imidazole at 3‐position on the coumarin were synthesized. Insertion of thiophene π‐spacer between coumarin and imidazole moieties (5b, 5d) leads to redshifted absorption and emission compared to 5a and 5c. All the compounds show a noticeable response to trifluoroacetic acid with a redshifted absorption and an increase in emission intensity by twofold. The ratio of ground and excited state acidity constant was calculated using Förster energy cycle, and the ratios were found to be 0.25, 0.96, 0.52 and 1.87, respectively, for 5a‐5d. Due to the thiophene π‐spacer, elongation of π‐conjugation in 5b and 5d leads to high values of polarizability (α), first‐order hyperpolarizability (β) and second‐order hyperpolarizability (γ). Compound 5b exhibits a high value (895 GM) of two‐photon absorption cross section (σ2PA), measured using two‐level model.     

A Combined Experimental and Computational Study of Linear Ruthenium(II) Coordination Oligomers with End‐Capping Organic Redox Sites: Insight into the Light Absorption and Charge Delocalization

Two series of linear ruthenium coordination oligomers, [(Ntpy)Ru_n(tppz)_n?1(tpy)]²ⁿ⁺ (mono‐Ntpy series, n=1–3) and [(Ntpy)₂Ru_n(tppz)_n?1]²ⁿ⁺ (bis‐Ntpy series, n=1–3) have been prepared, where Ntpy is the capping ligand 4′‐di‐p‐anisylamino‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine, tppz is tetra‐2‐pyridylpyrazine, and tpy is 2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine. The electrochemical measurements evidence oxidation events from both the amine segments and the metal centers and reduction waves from tppz and the capping ligands. Both series complexes display much enhanced light absorption with respect to model complexes without terminal amine units. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed on both series and time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) calculations have been performed on the bis‐Ntpy‐series compounds (n=1–4) to characterize their electronic structures and excited states and predict the electronic properties of long‐chain polymers. Upon one‐electron oxidation, the mono‐Ntpy‐series monoruthenium and diruthenium complexes display N⁺‐localized transitions and metal‐to‐nitrogen charge‐transfer (MNCT) transitions in the near‐infrared (NIR) region. DFT and TD‐DFT computations on the one‐electron‐oxidized forms of the mono‐Ntpy‐series compounds (n=1–4) provide insight into the nature of the MNCT transitions and the degree of charge delocalization.     

Synthesis,structural and chemosensitivity studies of arene d6 metal complexes having N‐phenyl‐N´‐(pyridyl/pyrimidyl)thiourea derivatives

The d⁶ metal complexes of thiourea derivatives were synthesized to investigate its cytotoxicity. Treatment of various N‐phenyl‐N´ pyridyl/pyrimidyl thiourea ligands with half‐sandwich d⁶ metal precursors yielded a series of cationic complexes. Reactions of ligand (L1‐L3) with [(p‐cymene)RuCl₂]₂ and [Cp*MCl₂]₂ (M = Rh/Ir) led to the formation of a series of cationic complexes bearing general formula [(arene)M(L1)к²_(N,S)Cl]⁺, [(arene)M(L2)к²_(N,S)Cl]⁺ and [(arene)M(L3)к²_(N,S)Cl]⁺ [arene = p‐cymene, M = Ru ( 1 , 4 , 7 ); Cp*, M = Rh ( 2 , 5 , 8 ); Cp*, Ir ( 3 , 6 , 9 )]. These compounds were isolated as their chloride salts. X‐ray crystallographic studies of the complexes revealed the coordination of the ligands to the metal in a bidentate chelating N,S‐ manner. Further the cytotoxicity studies of the thiourea derivatives and its complexes evaluated against HCT‐116 (human colorectal cancer), MIA‐PaCa‐2 (human pancreatic cancer) and ARPE‐19 (non‐cancer retinal epithelium) cancer cell lines showed that the thiourea ligands displayed no activity. Upon complexation however, the metal compounds possesses cytotoxicity and whilst potency is less than cisplatin, several complexes exhibited greater selectivity for HCT‐116 or MIA‐PaCa‐2 cells compared to ARPE‐19 cells than cisplatin in vitro. Rhodium complexes of thiourea derivatives were found to be more potent as compared to ruthenium and iridium complexes.     

Bis(4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine) ruthenium (II) Complexes Containing 2‐Arylimidazo‐ [4,5‐f] [1,10] phenanthroline: Syntheses,Characterization and Third‐order Nonlinear Optical Properties

Four novel mononuclear ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(dmb)₂L]²⁺ [dmb = 4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine, L = imidazo‐[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline (IP), 2‐phenylimidazo‐[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline (PIP), 2‐(4′‐hydroxyphenyl)imidazo‐[4,5‐f] [1,10] phenanthroline (HOP), 2‐(4′‐dimethylaminophenyl) imidazo‐[4, 5‐f] [1,10] phenanthroline (DMNP)] were synthesized and characterized by ES‐MS, ¹H NMR, UV‐vis and electrochemistry. The nonlinear optical properties of the ruthenium(II) complexes were investigated by Z‐scan techniques with 12 ns laser pulse at 540 nm, and all of them exhibit both nonlinear optical (NLO) absorption and self‐defocusing effect. The corresponding effective NLO susceptibility |x³| of the complexes is in the range of 2.68 × 10^?12‐4.57 × 10^?12 esu.     

Robust Ethylenedioxythiophene–Vinylene Oligomers from Fragile Thiophene–Vinylene Cores: Synthesis and Optical,Chemical and Electrochemical Properties of Multicharged Shapes

Oligomers of ethylendioxythiophene–vinylene have been prepared. Their optical, electrochemical and chemical properties have been studied in detail by absorption and emission spectroscopy as well as cyclic voltammetry, Raman techniques and spectroelectrochemistry complemented with quantum chemical calculations. A comparison with their non‐ethylendioxy and non‐vinylene parents has been done. The inclusion of the EDO plus the vinylene function generates more robust electronic ground states regarding the largely flexible thiophene–vinylene (n TV) oligomeric homologues. The redox features of the new compounds are also rich of oxidative processes arising as an interesting stabilising balance effect between the oxygen fragment in the EDO groups (mesomeric effect) and the linear π‐conjugated structure. The oxidised species have been characterised, which show the ability for the formation of mixed valence charge‐transfer complexes and π dimers of different oxidation states, in particular, in the electrochemical medium, resulting that the electrochemical response is accounted for a succession of aggregation and electron‐transfer steps. With this work, a full understanding of the optical and electronic properties of these new oligomers in the context of the oligomer approach has been proposed.     

Water‐Soluble Triarylborane Chromophores for One‐ and Two‐Photon Excited Fluorescence Imaging of Mitochondria in Cells

Three water‐soluble tetracationic quadrupolar chromophores comprising two three‐coordinate boron π‐acceptor groups bridged by thiophene‐containing moieties were synthesised for biological imaging applications. Compound 3 containing the bulkier 5‐(3,5‐Me₂C₆H₂)‐2,2′‐(C₄H₂S)₂‐5′‐(3,5‐Me₂C₆H₂) bridge is stable over a long period of time, exhibits a high fluorescence quantum yield and strong one‐ and two‐photon absorption (TPA), and has a TPA cross section of 268 GM at 800 nm in water. Confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy studies in live cells indicated localisation of the chromophore at the mitochondria; moreover, cytotoxicity measurements proved biocompatibility. Thus, chromophore 3 has excellent potential for one‐ and two‐photon‐excited fluorescence imaging of mitochondrial function in cells.     

High Charge Delocalization and Conjugation in Oligofuran Molecular Wires

The extent of charge delocalization and of conjugation in oligofurans and oligothiophenes was studied by using mixed valence systems comprising oligofurans and oligothiophenes capped at both ends by ferrocenyl redox units. Using electrochemical, spectral, and computational tools, we find strong charge delocalization in ferrocene‐capped oligofurans which was stronger than in the corresponding oligothiophene systems. Spectroscopic studies suggest that the electronic coupling integral (H_ab) is roughly 30–50 % greater for oligofuran‐bridged systems, indicating better energy matching between ferrocene units and oligofurans. The distance decay constant (damping factor), β, is similar for oligofurans (0.066 A^?1) and oligothiophenes (0.070 A^?1), which suggests a similar extent of delocalization in the bridge, despite the higher HOMO–LUMO gap in oligofurans. Computational studies indicate a slightly larger extent of delocalization in furan‐bridged systems compared with thiophene‐bridged systems, which is consistent with oligofurans being significantly more rigid and less aromatic than oligothiophenes. High charge delocalization in oligofurans, combined with the previously reported strong fluorescence, high mobility, and high rigidity of oligofuran‐based materials makes them attractive candidates for organic electronic applications.