Responsive mechanism and molecular design of di-2-picolylamine-based two-photon fluorescent probes for zinc ions

The properties of one-photon absorption(OPA), emission and two-photon absorption(TPA) of a di-2-picolylaminebased zinc ion sensor are investigated by employing the density functional theory in combination with response functions.The responsive mechanism is explored. It is found that the calculated OPA and TPA properties are quite consistent with experimental data. Because the intra-molecular charge transfer(ICT) increases upon zinc ion binding, the TPA intensity is enhanced dramatically. According to the model sensor, we design a series of zinc ion probes which differ by conjugation center, acceptor and donor moieties. The properties of OPA, emission and TPA of the designed molecules are calculated at the same computational level. Our results demonstrate that the OPA and emission wavelengths of the designed probes have large red-shifts after zinc ions have been bound. Comparing with the model sensor, the TPA intensities of the designed probes are enhanced significantly and the absorption positions are red-shifted to longer wavelength range. Furthermore, the TPA intensity can be improved greatly upon zinc ion binding due to the increased ICT mechanism. These compounds are potential excellent candidates for two-photon fluorescent zinc ion probes.     

Computational design of ratiometric two-photon fluorescent Zn2+ probes based on quinoline and di-2-picolylamine moieties

To improve two-photon absorption (TPA) response of a newly synthesized probe, a series of ratiometric two-photon fluorescent Zn²⁺ sensors based on quinoline and DPA moieties have been designed. The one-photon absorption, TPA, and emission properties of the experimental and designed probes before and after coordination with Zn²⁺ are investigated employing the density functional theory in combination with response functions. The design consists of two levels. In the first level of design, five probes are constructed through using several electron acceptors or donors to increase accepting or donating ability of the fluorophores. It shows that all the designed probes have stronger TPA intensities at longer wavelengths with respect to the experimental probe because of the increased intra-molecular charge transfer. Moreover, it is found that the probe 4 built by adding an acyl unit has the largest TPA cross section among the designed structures due to the form of longer conjugated length and more linear backbone. One dimethylamino terminal attached along the skeleton can improve TPA intensity more efficiently than two side amino groups. Therefore, in the second level of design, a new probe 7 is formed by both an acyl unit and a dimethylamino terminal. It exhibits that the TPA cross sections of probe 7 and its zinc complex increase dramatically. Furthermore, the fluorescence quantum yields of the designed probes 4 and 7 are calculated in a new way, which makes use of the relation between the computed difference of dipole moment and the measured fluorescence quantum yield. The result shows that our design also improves the fluorescence quantum yield considerably. All in all, the designed probes 4 and 7 not only possess enhanced TPA intensities but also have large differences of emission wavelength upon Zn²⁺ coordination and strong fluorescence intensity, which demonstrates that they are potential ratiometric two-photon fluorescent probes.     

Zn2+ responsive two-photon fluorescent probes based on branch structure: a computational investigation

A series of zinc ion fluorescent probes on the basis of multi-branched ligands were investigated in theory. The three-branched ligand TPPA (N,N,N′,N′-tetraphenyl-p-phenylenediamine) has better three-dimensional spatial localisation, which can detect zinc at the parts per million level. The complex coordinated with Zn²⁺ can show a significant improvement in two-photon absorption (TPA) cross-section in the near-infrared (NIR) excitation region. The calculated results reveal that the stability and sensitivity of Zn²⁺ complexes will be enhanced by increasing the number of branches. The selectivity of double phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPA) ligand to Zn²⁺ will be better compared to Cd²⁺. With regard to the studied ligands single phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (SPPA), two connected single phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (2CSPPA), DPPA and TPPA, λ^EM_max shows a red-shift and ?^EM gets stronger upon the addition of Zn²⁺. Most of the molecules exhibit TPA peaks in the NIR region. The theoretical investigations demonstrate that DPPA-Zn²⁺ shows good TPA activity at a telecommunication wavelength.     

Isomerism and coordination mode effects on two-photon absorption of tris(picolyl)amine-based fluorescent probes for zinc ions

One-photon absorption and two-photon absorption(TPA) properties of three tris(picolyl)amine-based zinc ion sensors are investigated by employing the density functional response theory in combination with the polarizable continuum model.The different isomer and coordination geometry of each probe are taken into account. Special emphasis is placed on the effects of isomerism and the coordination mode on the optical properties. The intra-molecular charge transfer(ICT)properties are specified by natural bond orbital charge analysis. It is shown that the isomerism has non-negligible effects on TPA properties of free ligands. It is found that both the TPA wavelength and the cross section are highly dependent on the coordination mode. When the zinc ion connects with the picolyl unit in the middle of a ligand, the zinc complex has a large TPA intensity in a long wavelength range due to the increased ICT mechanism.     

Styryl Dyes as Two-Photon Excited Fluorescent Probes for DNA Detection and Two-Photon Laser Scanning Fluorescence Microscopy of Living Cells

Spectral-fluorescent properties of benzothiazole styryl monomer (Bos-3) and homodimer (DBos-21) dyes in presence of DNA were studied. The dyes enhance their fluorescence intensity in 2–3 orders of magnitude upon interaction with DNA. Studied styrylcyanines in DNA presence demonstrate rather high values of two-photon absorption (TPA) cross-section, which are comparable with the values of TPA cross section of the rhodamine dyes. An applicability of the styrylcyanines as probes for the fluorescence microscopy of living cells was studied. It was shown that both dyes are cell-permeable but homodimer dye DBos-21 produces noticeably brighter staining of HeLa cells comparing with monomer dye Bos-3. Molecules of DBos-21 initially bind to the nucleic acids- containing cell organelles (presumable mitochondria) and are able to penetrate into the cell nucleus. Thus, homodimer styryl DBos-21 dye is viewed as efficient stain for single-photon and two-photon excitation fluorescence imaging of living cells.     

Optical Properties of a New Two-photon Absorption Dye DEASPI

The two-photon absorption (TPA), TPA-induced frequency up-conversion emission, and two-photon pumped (TPP) frequency up-conversion lasing properties of a new synthesized dye Trans-4-［p-(N,N-diethylamino)styryl］-N-methylpyridinium iodide (DEASPI) were experimentally studied. This new dye has a moderate TPA cross-section of σ2=6.9×10-48 cm4*s/photon at 1064 nm, but exhibits a high lasing efficiency. The overall superradiant lasing conversion efficiency is as high as 10.7% at the pump energy of 2.14 mJ.     

Optical Properties of a New Two-photon Absorption Dye DEASPI

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The UV,blue and green up-conversion luminescence of PbF2+GeO2:Er2O3 pumped with 650 nm

A detailed study of the spectroscopic properties of the PbF₂+GeO₂:Er₂O₃ vitroceramic sample upon 650 nm excitation was investigated. The absorption, emission, excitation spectra, and time-resolved spectra have been measured. The up-conversion of red radiation (650 nm) into UV (368 nm and 379 nm), blue (406.8 nm) and green (522 nm and 540 nm) emissions is observed for Er³⁺ ions in the sample. The up-conversion process involves a two-photon absorption for the violet, blue, and green emission bands. A three-photon process happens for another violet (379 nm) band.     

两个新合成化合物EPVPC和OPVPC非线性光学特性的理论研究

在杂化密度泛函理论（DFT/B3LYP）的水平上，研究了最新实验室合成的两个化合物分子9-乙烷基-3-{2-[4-2-吡啶-4-乙烯基苯]-乙烯基}-9氢咔唑（EPVPC）和9-十八烷基-3-{2-[4-2-吡啶-4-乙烯基苯]-乙烯基}-9氢咔唑（OPVPC）的非线性光学特性。理论结果与现有的实验测量结果符合得的较好。利用扩展的少态模型方法计算了分子的双光子吸收截面，结果表明三态模型可以很好地描述它们的最大双光子吸收截面。数值模拟显示这两个化合物都具有较大的双光子吸收截面，并且，在低频范围内，OPVPC分子比EPVPC分子显示出较强的双光子吸收特性。     

Nonlinear two-photon absorption properties induced by femtosecond laser with the films of two novel anthracene derivatives

Two novel anthracene derivatives containing 4-vinylpyridine (FPEA) and 2-vinylpyridine (TPEA) poly(methyl methacrylate) films are prepared on quartz glass substrates. Their nonlinear absorption properties are investigated by using a 120-fs, 800-nm Ti:sapphire femtosecond pulsed laser operating at a 1-kHz repetition rate. The unique nonlinear absorption properties of these new compounds are observed by utilizing a Z-scan system. These two-photon absorption (TPA) properties are proven by the two-photon fluorescence excited at 800 nm. The FPEA and TPEA films have nonlinear TPA coefficients of 0.164 and 0.148 cm/GW and the TPA cross sections of 3.345 × 10-48 and 3.081 × 10-48 cm4 ·s/photon, respectively. The influence of the chemical structures on the nonlinear TPA properties of the compounds is also discussed. The highly nonlinear TPA activities of the films implied that the new anthracene derivatives are suitable materials with promising applications in super-high-density three-dimensional data storage and nano- or microstructure fabrication.     

New Fluorescent Labels: 4- and 7-Chlorofluorescein

A new mixture of 4- and 7-chlorofluorescein were synthesized by condensation of resorcinol with 3-chlorophthalic anhydride in the presence of methanesulfonic acid or zinc chloride. These regioisomers were successfully separated by chromatography. The photophysical properties were examined and their absorption and emission maxima at long wavelength, high fluorescence quantum yield, and narrow emission bandwidth were found, highly favorable for detecting multiple target substances in the same sample. Furthermore, 4(7)-chlorofluorescein was found to be strongly pH-dependent between 4.0 and 8.0, and could be used as pH-sensitive fluorescent probe to measure intracellular pH.     

Efficient two-photon absorption of CdSe-CdS/ZnS core-multishell quantum dots under the excitation of near-infrared femtosecond pulsed laser

We report that two-photon absorption (TPA) properties of semiconductor CdSe-core CdS/ZnS-multishell quantum dots (QDs) in toluene under excitation of femtosecond laser at 800 nm. The results show efficient TPA process and large TPA cross section of three types of size QDs, which is 1900, 5710, and 16060 GM (1 GM = 10⁻⁵⁰ cm⁴ s photon⁻¹), respectively. TPA cross section dramatically increases with increased core size, showing a strong size-dependence effect. Furthermore, two-photon excitation (TPE) fluorescence intensity not only depends on TPA capacity, but also relies on improved quantum yield resulting from passivation of QD surface by different coated monolayers (MLs). These facts in combination with the narrow fluorescence bandwidth make these QDs as promising probes for multicolor two-photon microscopy.     

Theoretical studies on the one- and two-photon absorption properties of azulenylporphyrins and azulene-fused porphyrins

The electronic structures, one-photon absorption (OPA) and two-photon absorption (TPA) properties of the azulenylporphyrins and azulene-fused porphyrins have been comparatively studied by using DFT/B3LYP/6-31G(d) and the ZINDO/SDCI method. With the number of azulenyl groups increasing, the OPA wavelengths of all molecules are red-shifted in 400--600~nm and the two-photon absorption cross section is gradually enlarged. The azulene-fused structures facilitate an expanding conjugated area and increasing TPA cross section. The origin of TPA properties of studied compounds is studied with a two-level model. In summary, the azulene-fused porphyrins exhibit strong two-photon absorption.     

氧化石墨烯-卟啉复合材料光限幅性能的理论研究

利用时域有限差分法数值求解速率-场强方程,研究了一系列共价连接的氧化石墨烯-卟啉复合材料在纳秒时域内的光限幅性质和双光子吸收. 计算结果表明,氧化石墨烯-卟啉复合分子与单独的卟啉分子相比展现出增强的光限幅效应,并且有着更大的双光子吸收截面.与之前得到的含重金属的卟啉分子具有更强非线性光学性质的结论不同,不含金属元素的卟啉分子与氧化石墨烯结合后展现出了更强的非线性光学性质. 理论计算的结果与实验测量符合较好. 此外,着重研究了介质的厚度和脉冲宽度对分子双光子吸收截面的影响. 结果表明,随着介质厚度的增加或者脉宽的变宽分子的动态双光子吸收截面增大.     

Synthesis and spectral properties of novel chlorinated pH fluorescent probes

Eight chlorinated fluoresceins have been synthesized by the reaction of chlorinated resorcinols with 4, 5, 6, 7-tetrachlorophthalic anhydride or 3, 6-dichloro-4-carboxyphthalic anhydride in the presence of methanesulfonic acid. The spectral properties of the chlorinated fluoresceins were studied. It was found that they have absorption and emission maxima at long wavelengths and high fluorescence quantum yields. Emission spectra of chlorinated fluoresceins shifted towards long wavelength with increase in chlorine. pH-dependent properties of chlorinated fluoresceins were studied in detail. These compounds showed a strongly pH-sensitive range of 3.0-7.0. These chlorinated fluoresceins will be used as pH probes for pH measurement of the cell because of the high quantum yield and strong pH-sensitivity.     

Two-photon absorption-induced optical properties of a new lasing dye in two solvents

Pumped by an infrared lasing and its frequency-doubling source, the fluorescence and superradiance emission properties of a new lasing dye trans-4-[4^′-(N,N-diethylamino)styryl]-N-methyl pyridinium methyl sulfate (abbreviated DEASPS), have been studied in benzyl alcohol and chloroform. The two-photon absorption (TPA) and emission properties of DEASPSare influenced by the solvents used. The emission wavelength of the dye in benzyl alcohol is redshifted relative to that in chloroform. The lifetime of two-photon absorption-induced fluorescence is about 529 ps in benzyl alcohol, whereas it is 340 ps in chloroform. Correspondingly, the one-photon-excited fluorescence lifetimes in the two solvents are also given. The upconversion efficiency of DEASPS in chloroform is higher than in benzyl alcohol. Finally, the effective molecular two-photon absorption cross-sections were measured by the nonlinear transmittance method. It is found that the optical limiting effect of the dye in benzyl alcohol is stronger than that in chloroform. Received: 3 May 2001 / Revised version: 6 July 2001 / Published online: 19 September 2001     

Two-photon absorption and nonlinear optical properties of a new organic dye PSPI

Trans-4-[p-(pyrrolidinyl)styryl]-N-methylpyridinium iodide (abbreviated as PSPI thereafter) is a two-photon absorption (TPA) dye newly synthesized by our research group. It possesses much larger TPA cross-section and much stronger upconversion fluorescence emission than those of common organic dye (such as rhodamine) when excited with near infrared (IR) radiation. TPA spectrum and upconversion efficiency spectrum of HEASPI solution at various wavelengths were measured. There is 34 nm blue shift for the central wavelength of the TPA induced absorption peak compared with two times of the linear absorption peak. The biggest molecular TPA cross-section σ₂^′ is 2.85×10⁻⁴⁷ cm⁴ s/photon at 930 nm. At 1064 nm, σ₂^′ is 3.12×10⁻⁴⁸ cm⁴ s/photon. The highest efficiency is 3.9% at 1010 nm, whereas 2.9% at 1064 nm. Its optical power limiting properties at 930 nm have also been illustrated.     

有机染料HEASPS在不同波长时的激发态吸收和双光子吸收性质研究

提出了有机染料反式 4 [4′ (N 羟乙基 N 乙基胺基 )苯乙烯基 ] N 甲基吡啶对甲苯磺酸盐 (简称HEASPS)非线性吸收的三态模型。认为在较短波长 (<1 0 0 0nm)时 ,双光子吸收和激发态吸收同时存在。成功地解释了该染料双光子吸收峰相对线性吸收峰的两倍的明显蓝移 ,以及最高上转换效率波长相对最强吸收波长的明显红移。提出了一种新的计算方法 ,利用不同波长的非线性透过率和不同波长的上转换效率 ,求出了该染料的双光子吸收截面和激发态吸收系数。     

Two-photon and two-photon-assisted slow light

We show that light pulses propagating in two-photon absorbing systems may present time delays like slow light produced via coherent population oscillations in one-photon interactions. Two regimes are numerically studied for a simplified two-level system: (a) a light pulse at frequency ω/2 undergoes two-photon absorption (TPA) and is delayed by the absorbing system (two-photon slow light) and (b) a light pulse at frequency ω is delayed in a system prepared by TPA of a light pulse at frequency ω/2 (two-photon-assisted slow light). The study carried out in solutions of dyes and dendrites shows significant delays, low distortion, and good transmission for easily reachable experimental conditions. The working principle can be applied to other media and can be used in telecommunications technology.     

Two-photon absorption and laser photolysis of trans-stilbene substitutes

The measured the two-photon absorption (TPA) cross sections of ethanol solution of trans-stilbene and its two substitutes excited by nanosecond radiation of the 2nd harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser (532 nm) are presented. To determine the TPA cross section, a method based on measurements of photochemical decomposition of molecules of the examined compounds having low photostability is suggested. The measured value of the TPA cross section of trans-stilbene in ethanol is found to be 25 GM, and the TPA cross sections of the trans-stilbene substitutes are found to be 60 and 70 GM. The TPA cross section of trans-stilbene substitutes obtained in the present paper is compared with the experimental and theoretical data obtained by other authors. The results of investigations demonstrate that the photochemical decomposition method can be successfully used to determine experimentally the two-photon absorption cross section of the compounds unstable under photoexcitation, including photochromatic molecules, biological objects, and radical photoinitiators.