Eosin-sensitized photoreduction of benzil with 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide

The mechanism of eosin-sensitized photoreduction of benzil with 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide — a model compound of NAD(P)H and the behavior of the excited states of eosin have been investigated. The effect of anthracene as a diffusion-controlled quencher of the photoreaction indicates that both excited triplet state and an unquenchable excited singlet state of eosin participated in the sensitized photoreaction. From the Stern-Volmer plot of quantum yield vs. anthracene concentration, the triplet reaction rate constant has been calculated to be 0.78 × 10⁸ L M^?1S^?1 while the singlet reaction rate constant determined from quenching of eosin fluorescence by benzil is equal to 7.2 × 10⁹ L M^?1S^?1. The singlet and triplet quantum yields are also determined to be 0.09 and 0.18 respectively. Since both the singlet and triplet energies of eosin are lower than that of benzil, energy transfer sensitization is not feasible. It is proposed that electron transfer from the excited eosin to benzil is responsible for the initiation.     

Photosensitization of carbazole derivatives in cationic polymerization with a novel sensitivity to near‐UV light

Photosensitizers based on the carbazole structure were designed and developed for cationic polymerization. Along with triarylsulfonium and diaryliodonium salts, the carbazole derivatives showed a high photosensitization effect in the cationic photopolymerization of epoxides. The photophysical properties of the carbazole derivatives were studied in terms of electronic absorption, fluorescence, and phosphorescence spectrometry. Moreover, a unique photosensitization mechanism of the carbazole derivatives was discussed after studies of the fluorescence quenching, redox behavior, and kinetics of the photopolymerization by time‐resolved fluorescence spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, and photo differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. The results confirmed the redox photosensitization of the carbazole derivatives in cationic polymerization. The photosensitization of the carbazole and its ring or N‐alkylated derivatives occurred predominantly in singlet excited states at the rate of the diffusion limit, whereas the carbazole derivatives with carbonyl substituents sensitized onium salts via triplet excited states on the basis of the Rehm–Weller equation in the photoinduced electron‐transfer process. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 90–100, 2000     

Determination of the electron transfer parameters of a covalently linked porphyrin-quinone with mesogenic substituents - optical spectroscopic studies in solution

The photoinduced electron transfer (PET) of a covalently linked porphyrin-quinone with mesogenic substituents was studied using visible and near-IR (NIR) spectroscopy. Mesogenic substituents were introduced at the porphyrin moiety in order to mimic the anisotropic membrane properties of the native reaction centre of photosynthesis. Photophysical characterization of this system in homogeneous solution is a prerequisite for a better understanding of the effects occurring in anisotropic medium. For this reason, we studied the fluorescence and phosphorescence quenching and lifetime of the charge-separated state. Time-resolved fluorescence measurements indicated an effective singlet PET. The complete set of PET parameters was calculated using Marcus theory of non-adiabatic electron transfer (ET). Steady state measurement of singlet oxygen luminescence, which allows indirect access to phosphorescence quenching, indicated that no triplet PET was involved in the decay processes. Using transient absorption spectroscopy, the lifetime of the charge-separated state was found to be 1.9 ns.     

Untersuchung reversibler Photoprozesse durch Blitzlichtphotolyse IV. Triplettzustände des 1, 3, 6′, 8′- tetramethyl-dehydrodianthrons

By means of the flash photolysis technique, transient absorption spectra attributed to tetramethyl-dehydrodianthrone (TMD) in both the photochromic and triplet states have been investigated in polymethylmethacrylate matrices and in the solvent triacetin. In polymethylmethacrylate matrices and in rigid glasses of triacetin the triplet state of TMD is heavily populated. Triplet-triplet absorption and phosphorescence measurements show that below 180°K the triplet decay follows first order kinetics with the decay constant k=11,3 ± 0,1 s^?1. In incompletely solidified triacetin glass it is possible to monitor the transient absorption of the photochromic and the triplet state simultaneously. It is shown that the photochromic state ¹A₁* is not generated via the triplet state. Therefore the authors suggest a kinetic scheme characterised by a direct singlet state - photochromic state transition.     

Absorption and emission spectra of isomeric tolunitriles

Absorption and emission characteristics ofo-, m- andp-tolunitriles in polar and non-polar solvents under different conditions have been investigated in detail. Solvatochromic shifts of band origin of these molecules in non-polar solvents show that their dipolemoments in the first excited singlet state are almost the same while its value in the second excited singlet is larger in the metathan in the para-isomer. Vibronic analyses of the low temperatures absorption, fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra of all the three molecules have provided evidence that these molecules are slightly distorted in the first excited singlet state while such distortion in the phosphorescence emitting triplet state is larger. The data on fluorescence and phosphorescence quantum yield and phosphorescence lifetime of the tolunitriles are reasonably interpreted as showing that in these molecules, particularly m-andp- tolunitriles, the internal conversion rate from the first excited singlet to the ground state is probably small and that the charge transfer character of the triplet state in thep-isomer is larger than that in the meta.     

The first observation of the effect of dendritic structure to produce the triplet excited state of the core stilbene by dendron excitation

We report that both singlet and triplet energy transfers in stilbene-cored benzophenone dendrimers (trans-BPST) took place quite efficiently. On excitation (290 nm) of stilbene group, the intramolecular singlet energy transfer from the excited core stilbene to the benzophenone part (99.7%) was confirmed by quenching of the fluorescence from the core stilbene. The benzophenone in the excited singlet state is known to undergo intersystem crossing to give its excited triplet state quantitatively. However, the very weak phosphorescence from benzophenone part in trans-BPST was observed even at 77 K. The phosphorescence intensity of trans-BPST is only 1% of that of model compound (4-methylbenzophenone) at 77 K. During the irradiation, the absorption spectra also changed due to the trans-cis isomerization. This is probably due to the ultrafast triplet energy transfer from the benzophenone to produce the triplet state stilbene.     

Singlet exciton trapping and heterofission in tetracene doped anthracene crystals

In tetracene doped anthracene, the magnetic field modulation of prompt tetracene fluorescence following excitation into the anthracene singlet manifold has been measured as a function of the magnetic field orientation and optical excitation energy. The results show that this modulation with low energy excitation is caused by singlet heterofission into one anthracene triplet exciton and one tetracene triplet. With higher excitation energies this modulation is due to both the singlet heterofission and also singlet homofission into a pair of anthracene triplet excitons. Heterofission occurs mainly from anthracene molecules next to a tetracene and competes with the singlet trapping. From the singlet trapping rate and from the magnetic modulation of tetracene prompt fluorescence the heterofission rate is estimated as ≈10^?11s^?1.     

Energy transfer between benzophenone and biacetyl

Energy transfer from benzophenone to biacetyl in the gas phase was studied by measuring the intensity and decay time of phosphorescence and fluorescence of both compounds as a function of pressure and composition of the mixture. We have established that benzophenone transfers energy along two parallel channels: singlet→singlet with high efficiency, k_SS? 2 ×10⁸ torr^?1s^?1, and triplet→triplet with lower efficiency, k_TT?8 × 10⁵ torr^?1s^?1.     

Inherent Photon Energy Recycling Effects in the Up‐Converted Delayed Luminescence Dynamics of Poly(fluorene)–PtIIoctaethyl Porphyrin Blends

We present results of steady‐state and transient photoluminescence studies of molecularly doped poly(fluorene) films. We study blends with increasing content of the triplet emitter (2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18‐octaethyl‐porphyrinato)Pt^II (PtOEP) when dispersed in the polymeric poly(fluorene) matrix of the poly[9,9‐di‐(2‐ethylhexyl)‐fluorenyl‐2,7‐diyl] (PF26) derivative. We carry out a unified study of the photophysical reactions that are involved in the energy transfer processes in this system by probing the three luminescence processes of a) PF26 fluorescence, b) triplet–triplet annihilation (TTA) induced up‐converted PF26 delayed fluorescence and c) PtOEP phosphorescence. With increasing PtOEP content, the process of photon energy recycling in the PF26:PtOEP system is manifested from the quenching of the TTA‐induced up‐converted PF26 delayed fluorescence and it is rationalized with the use of Forster theory of resonant energy transfer. Based on the combined results of the photophysical and the transmission electron microscopy characterization of the as‐spun PF26:PtOEP films, we determine the onset of PtOEP aggregation at 2–3 wt % PtOEP content. The analysis of the photophysical data is based on the use of modified Stern–Volmer photokinetic models that are appropriate for the solid state. A static component in the PL quenching of PF26 is revealed for PtOEP contents below 2 wt %. The modified Stern–Volmer kinetic scheme further suggests that co‐aggregation effects between PF26 and PtOEP are operative with an association constant of ground state complex formation k_bind ～15–17 M ^?1. The involvement of the ground state heterospecies in the TTA‐mediated PF26 up‐converted luminescence is discussed. The participation of an electron‐exchange step, in the excited state energy transfer pathway between PtOEP and PF26, is proposed for the activation mechanism of the PF26 up‐converted fluorescence.     

FLUORESCENCE AND PHOTOOXIDATION OF 1—ANILINONAPHTHALENE—8—SULFONIC ACID IN REVERSED MICELLAR SOLUTIONS AND THE EFFECT OF CCl4

Abstract— The 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid solubilized in dodecylammonium propionate reversed micellar cyclohexanic solutions, emitted a strong fluorescence, and was photooxidized under aerobic conditions. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) highly quenched the fluorescence and remarkably enhanced the oxidation reaction. The fluorescence quenching obeyed the Stern-Volmer relation, and the photooxidation was caused by the singlet oxygen generated by the photosensitization of the dye. From the kinetic analysis, it was known that the intersystem crossing rate from the dye excited singlet to triplet was enhanced by CCl₄. Carbon tetrachloride did not quench the triplet state. The ratio of quantum yields for the oxidation in the presence and absence of CCl₄ was independent of the oxygen concentration in the reaction mixture. The fluorescence quenching constant and the intersystem crossing rate were obtained at various solubilized water contents.     

The Interaction of Ground and Excited States of Lumichrome with Aliphatic and Aromatic Amines in Methanol

The reaction of the ground and excited states of lumichrome (=7,8‐dimethylalloxazine=7,8‐dimethylbenzo[g]pteridine‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione) with aliphatic and aromatic amines was investigated in MeOH. In the presence of aliphatic amines of high basicity, new bands are observed in the absorption and fluorescence spectra. These bands arise in a proton‐transfer reaction from lumichrome, in the ground and in the singlet excited states, to the amine. On the other hand, amines with lower basicity such as triethanolamine (=2,2′,2″‐nitrilotris[ethanol]) and aromatic amines are not able to deprotonate lumichrome, and hence a quenching of the fluorescent emission takes place without changes in the spectral shape. In this case, bimolecular‐quenching rate constants were determined for the excited singlet and triplet states. Based on laser‐flash‐photolysis experiments, an electron‐transfer mechanism is proposed. Aliphatic amines yield lower rate constants than the aromatic ones for the same driving force. A notable difference arises in the limiting value reached by the singlet and triplet quenching rate constants by aromatic amines. For the singlet quenching, the limit is coincident with a diffusion‐controlled reaction, while those for triplet quenching reach a lower constant value, independent of the driving force. This is explained by an electron‐transfer mechanism, with a lower frequency factor for the triplet‐state process.     

Crystal Engineering of Room Temperature Phosphorescence in Organic Solids

We report a series of highly emissive azatriangulenetrione (TANGO) solids in which the luminescent properties are controlled by engineering the molecular packing by adjusting the steric size of substituents. The co‐alignment of “phosphorogenic” carbonyl groups within the π‐stacks results in an almost pure triplet emission in HTANGO, TCTANGO, TBTANGO and TITANGO, while their rotation by ≈60° in the sterically hindered tBuTANGO leads to an almost pure singlet emission. Despite strong π‐interactions, aggregation‐induced quenching and triplet–triplet annihilation are avoided in HTANGO and TCTANGO which display efficient phosphorescence in the solid state. To our knowledge, HTANGO with the solid‐state phosphorescence quantum yield of 42 % at room temperature is the most efficient phosphor composed of the 1^st/2^nd raw elements only.     

A thioxanthone‐based visible photoinitiator

Thioxanthone‐based 9‐(2‐Morpholine‐4yl‐acetyl)‐5‐thia‐napthasen‐12‐one (TX‐MPM) was synthesized and characterized as a one‐component novel visible photoinitiator. Its capability to act as an initiator for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was examined in photoreactor and also daylight. Photophysical properties: fluorescence and phosphorescence emission spectra and fluorescence quantum yield of TX‐MPM (?_f = 0.29) were determined. The phosphorescence lifetime was found 131 ms for TX‐MPM and 110 ms for initiator‐attached polymer (PMMA) at 77 K, indicated a π→π* nature of the lowest triplet state. A model compound, morpholino acetonapthone was used as quencher for the triplet states of TX‐MPM and the quenching rate constant was determined (k_q = 1.26 × 10⁹ M^?1s^?1). According to laser flash photolysis studies, intermolecular hydrogen abstraction process was more dominant path to the formation of the initiating radicals. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Long fluorescence lifetime of pyrazine vapors

By the study of the pressure dependence of the fluorescence and phosphorescence yields of pyrazine vapors in the pressure range of 10⁻²-10 torr it was established that the fluorescence decay is not exponential but contains a long component (τ ≈ 10⁻⁶–10⁻⁷ sec) corresponding to the “dilution” of the singlet radiative properties in the dense manifold of triplet levels. The phosphorescence is due exclusively to the collisionally induced relaxation from the quasi-stationary state to the pure triplet state.     

Delayed Fluorescent Emission from Pyrene Doped Phenanthrene Nanoparticles Based on Triplet-triplet Energy Transfer

Doped nanoparticles were prepared from pyrene and phenanthrene using a facile reprecipitation method. The doped nanoparticles presented unique delayed fluorescent emissions of pyrene under the unprotected condition. The ratio of the intensity of delayed fluorescence (I_DF) to that of phosphorescence (I_P) is about 4:1, which almost keeps unchanged with the decrease of pyrene content at room temperature. The intensity of the delayed fluorescence emissions is dependent on the relative content of pyrene, as well as the aggregation degree of nanoparticles. The delayed emissions are contributed to efficient triplet‐triplet energy transfer from phenanthrene (donor) to pyrene (acceptor). Steady fluorescence measurement have proved that the singlet‐singlet energy transfer process was also existent dominated by the radiation energy transfer mechanism.     

Photoinduced Triplet–Triplet Energy Transfer in a 2‐Ureido‐4(1H)‐Pyrimidinone‐Bridged,Quadruply Hydrogen‐Bonded Ferrocene–Fullerene Assembly

2‐Ureido‐4(1H)‐pyrimidinone‐bridged ferrocene–fullerene assembly I is designed and synthesized for elaborating the photoinduced electron‐transfer processes in self‐complementary quadruply hydrogen‐bonded modules. Unexpectedly, steady‐state and time‐resolved spectroscopy reveal an inefficient electron‐transfer process from the ferrocene to the singlet or triplet excited state of the fullerene, although the electron‐transfer reactions are thermodynamically feasible. Instead, an effective intra‐assembly triplet–triplet energy‐transfer process is found to be operative in assembly I with a rate constant of 9.2×10⁵ s^?1 and an efficiency of 73 % in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature.     

Thioxanthonation of fluorenone: Visible photoinitiator for radical polymerization

Thioxanthonation of fluorenone resulted in a new visible light initiator namely, indeno [1,2‐b]thioxanthene‐7,13‐dione (TX–FN). The detailed photophysical properties of the singlet and the triplet excited states of TX–FN are reported using steady‐state absorption, fluorescence, and phosphorescence, as well as laser flash photolysis techniques. Photoinitiated polymerization of MMA with TX–FN and CQ has been investigated in the presence and absence of a co‐initiator (MDEA). Additionally, Photo‐DSC studies were performed both in mono‐ and multiacrylate systems with TX–FN and parent compounds TX and FN. The obtained results were compared for formulations consisting of CQ. At low initiator concentrations, the conversions were lower than those obtained with TX–FN. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1012–1019     

The radicals formed by photoinduced electron transfer from hypocrellins to electron acceptors

The photoinduced electron transfer from excited singlet and triplet states of hypocrellins to three electron acceptors, namely, methyl viologen chloride (MV), tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone (TCQ) and 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyan-p-benzoquinone (DDQ), has been investigated by fluorescence and time-resolved transient absorption spectra. In acetonitrile solution, DDQ and TCQ quenched the fluorescence and T-T absorption of hypocrellins (HA and HB) efficiently, while neither fluorescence nor T-T absorption of them could be quenched by MV. The quenching resulted from the electron transfer between excited hypocrellins and the electron acceptors was controlled by diffusion. The rate constants of electron transfer from excited singlet and triplet of HA to DDQ are 9.20×10¹⁰ dm³ mol^?1 s^?1 and 1.28×10⁹ dm³ mol^?1 s^?1, respectively. The transient absorption spectra of the formed radical cations of hypocrellins are reported.     

Characterization of the Triplet State of Tanshinone IIA and its Reactivity by Laser Flash Photolysis

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) has the properties of cardiovascular protection, anti‐inflammation, antioxidation and anticancer. Its light‐induced instability has drawn our interests in its photochemistry. Therefore, laser flash photolysis herein was used to investigate the transient photochemistry of Tan IIA. Our results show that direct photoexcitation by 355 nm laser pulses or photosensitization by energy transfer can lead to the formation of the triplet state of Tan IIA (³Tan IIA*). The triplet absorption spectrum and molar absorption coefficient, and ISC quantum yield were determined. Self‐quenching of ³Tan IIA* by its ground state was identified as an autooxidation reaction. ³Tan IIA* was proved to react quickly with N, N‐dimethylaniline, tert‐butylhydroquinone and propyl gallate via electron transfer with the diffusion‐controlled rate constants. One of the products with maximum absorption around 390 nm was assigned to the radical anion of Tan IIA. Our results indicate that ³Tan IIA* is a reactive transient species and can be generated by photosensitization or direct photoexcitation. According to our results, the possible role of Tan IIA as a photosensitizer to induce potential phototoxicity via Type‐II pathway in the presence of O₂ can be predicted.     

Luminescence and triplet decay in quinoxaline vapors

The effects of the gas pressure on the quinoxaline triplet state kinetics and luminescence yields were studied in the 10^?3 ?10 torr pressure range. The non-exponential character of the fluorescence decay and long fluorescence lifetimes, previously reported, are confirmed. The collision-free lifetime of the “hot” triplet state measured by triplet—triplet absorption kinetics and by phosphorescence collisional induction is of the order of 100 μs, much longer than the long-fluorescence decay times (0.5–70 μs). The results are discussed on the basis of a model involving anharmonic coupling between triplet levels strongly and weakly coupled to the singlet.