Environment‐Sensitive Fluorophores with Benzothiadiazole and Benzoselenadiazole Structures as Candidate Components of a Fluorescent Polymeric Thermometer

An environment‐sensitive fluorophore can change its maximum emission wavelength (λ_em), fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_f), and fluorescence lifetime in response to the surrounding environment. We have developed two new intramolecular charge‐transfer‐type environment‐sensitive fluorophores, DBThD‐IA and DBSeD‐IA, in which the oxygen atom of a well‐established 2,1,3‐benzoxadiazole environment‐sensitive fluorophore, DBD‐IA, has been replaced by a sulfur and selenium atom, respectively. DBThD‐IA is highly fluorescent in n‐hexane (Φ_f=0.81, λ_em=537 nm) with excitation at 449 nm, but is almost nonfluorescent in water (Φ_f=0.037, λ_em=616 nm), similarly to DBD‐IA (Φ_f=0.91, λ_em=520 nm in n‐hexane; Φ_f=0.027, λ_em=616 nm in water). A similar variation in fluorescence properties was also observed for DBSeD‐IA (Φ_f=0.24, λ_em=591 nm in n‐hexane; Φ_f=0.0046, λ_em=672 nm in water). An intensive study of the solvent effects on the fluorescence properties of these fluorophores revealed that both the polarity of the environment and hydrogen bonding with solvent molecules accelerate the nonradiative relaxation of the excited fluorophores. Time‐resolved optoacoustic and phosphorescence measurements clarified that both intersystem crossing and internal conversion are involved in the nonradiative relaxation processes of DBThD‐IA and DBSeD‐IA. In addition, DBThD‐IA exhibits a 10‐fold higher photostability in aqueous solution than the original fluorophore DBD‐IA, which allowed us to create a new robust molecular nanogel thermometer for intracellular thermometry.     

Host–Guest Recognition and Fluorescence of a Tetraphenylethene‐Based Octacationic Cage

We report the synthesis and characterization of a three‐dimensional tetraphenylethene‐based octacationic cage that shows host–guest recognition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. coronene) in organic media and water‐soluble dyes (e.g. sulforhodamine 101) in aqueous media through CH???π, π–π, and/or electrostatic interactions. The cage?coronene exhibits a cuboid internal cavity with a size of approximately 17.2×11.0×6.96 ų and a “hamburger”‐type host–guest complex, which is hierarchically stacked into 1D nanotubes and a 3D supramolecular framework. The free cage possesses a similar cavity in the crystalline state. Furthermore, a host–guest complex formed between the octacationic cage and sulforhodamine 101 had a higher absolute quantum yield (Φ_F=28.5 %), larger excitation–emission gap (Δλ_ex‐em=211 nm), and longer emission lifetime (τ=7.0 ns) as compared to the guest (Φ_F=10.5 %; Δλ_ex‐em=11 nm; τ=4.9 ns), and purer emission (Δλ_FWHM=38 nm) as compared to the host (Δλ_FWHM=111 nm).     

Solvatochromism,Reversible Chromism and Self‐Assembly Effects of Heteroatom‐Assisted Aggregation‐Induced Enhanced Emission (AIEE) Compounds

Two compounds, 9,10‐bis[2‐(quinolyl)vinyl]anthracene (BQVA) and 9,10‐bis[2‐(naphthalen‐2‐yl)vinyl]anthracene (BNVA), have been synthesised and investigated. Both of them have aggregation‐induced enhanced emission (AIEE) properties. Heteroatom‐assisted BQVA shows solvatochromism, reversible chromism properties and self‐assembly effects. When increasing the solvent polarities, the green solution of BQVA turns to orange with a redshift of the fluorescence emission wavelengths from λ=527 to 565 nm. Notably, BQVA exhibits reversible chromism properties, including mechano‐ and thermochromism. The as‐prepared BQVA powders show green fluorescence (λ_em=525 nm) and the colour can turn into orange (λ_em=573 nm) after grinding. Interestingly, the orange colour can return at high temperature. Based on these reversible chromism properties, a simple and convenient erasable board has been designed. Different from BQVA, non‐heteroatom‐assisted BNVA has no clear chromic processes. The results obtained from XRD, differential scanning calorimetry, single‐crystal analysis and theoretical calculations indicate that the chromic processes depend on the heteroatoms in BQVA. Additionally, BQVA also exhibits excellent self‐assembly effects in different solvents. Homogeneous nanospheres are formed in mixtures of tetrahydrofuran and water, which are then doped into silica nanoparticles and treated with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane to give amino‐functionalised nanoparticles (BQVA?AFNPs). The BQVA?AFNPs could be used to stain protein markers in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.     

Multicolor Amplified Spontaneous Emissions Based on Organic Polymorphs That Undergo Excited‐State Intramolecular Proton Transfer

Two polymorphs emitting near‐infrared ( 1 R form: α phase, λ_em=702 nm, Φ_f=0.41) and orange‐red fluorescence ( 1 O form: β phase, λ_em=618 nm, Φ_f=0.05) were synthesized by finely controlling the crystallization conditions of compound 1 , a structurally simple excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT)‐active molecule. Multicolor amplified spontaneous emissions (ASEs) were realized, for the first time, based on these polymorphs. Notably, the 1 O crystal underwent heating‐induced phase transformation from the β phase to the α form in a single‐crystal to single‐crystal (SCSC) manner accompanied with an unprecedented ASE changing. The ASE behavior of polymorphs 1 R , 1 O as well as the ASE changing during SCSC was investigated. The feasibility of multicolor lasing based on the present organic polymorphs was confirmed, which may provide a new development strategy for organic laser science and technology.     

Highly Luminescent and Water‐Soluble Two‐Dimensional Supramolecular Organic Framework: All‐Organic Photosensitizer Template for Visible‐Light‐Driven Hydrogen Evolution from Water

A highly fluorescent (Φ_F=0.60) and water‐soluble two‐dimensional (2D) honeycomb‐shaped supramolecular organic framework (SOF) was successfully synthesized in pure aqueous solution via self‐assembly of novel cyanostilbene‐functionalized trilateral guest molecules and cucurbit[8]uril hosts. The size of this fluorescent 2D SOF was >500 nm in diameter, 1.7 nm in thickness, and 3.9 nm in the honeycomb pore diameter. This 2D SOF holds potential as a new all‐organic photosensitizer template for photocatalytic H₂ evolution from pure water.     

Long‐Lived Room‐Temperature Deep‐Red‐Emissive Intraligand Triplet Excited State of Naphthalimide in Cyclometalated IrIII Complexes and its Application in Triplet‐Triplet Annihilation‐Based Upconversion

Cyclometalated Ir^III complexes with acetylide ppy and bpy ligands were prepared (ppy=2‐phenylpyridine, bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) in which naphthal ( Ir‐2 ) and naphthalimide (NI) were attached onto the ppy ( Ir‐3 ) and bpy ligands ( Ir‐4 ) through acetylide bonds. [Ir(ppy)₃] ( Ir‐1 ) was also prepared as a model complex. Room‐temperature phosphorescence was observed for the complexes; both neutral and cationic complexes Ir‐3 and Ir‐4 showed strong absorption in the visible range (ε=39600 M ^?1 cm^?1 at 402 nm and ε=25100 M ^?1 cm^?1 at 404 nm, respectively), long‐lived triplet excited states (τ_T=9.30 μs and 16.45 μs) and room‐temperature red emission (λ_em=640 nm, Φ_p=1.4 % and λ_em=627 nm, Φ_p=0.3 %; cf. Ir‐1 : ε=16600 M ^?1 cm^?1 at 382 nm, τ_em=1.16 μs, Φ_p=72.6 %). Ir‐3 was strongly phosphorescent in non‐polar solvent (i.e., toluene), but the emission was completely quenched in polar solvents (MeCN). Ir‐4 gave an opposite response to the solvent polarity, that is, stronger phosphorescence in polar solvents than in non‐polar solvents. Emission of Ir‐1 and Ir‐2 was not solvent‐polarity‐dependent. The T₁ excited states of Ir‐2 , Ir‐3 , and Ir‐4 were identified as mainly intraligand triplet excited states (³IL) by their small thermally induced Stokes shifts (ΔE_s), nanosecond time‐resolved transient difference absorption spectroscopy, and spin‐density analysis. The complexes were used as triplet photosensitizers for triplet‐triplet annihilation (TTA) upconversion and quantum yields of 7.1 % and 14.4 % were observed for Ir‐2 and Ir‐3 , respectively, whereas the upconversion was negligible for Ir‐1 and Ir‐4 . These results will be useful for designing visible‐light‐harvesting transition‐metal complexes and for their applications as triplet photosensitizers for photocatalysis, photovoltaics, TTA upconversion, etc.     

Synthesis and Fluorescence Properties of Pyrimidine‐Based Diboron Complexes with Donor–π–Acceptor Structures

Pyrimidine‐based diboron complexes bearing β‐iminoenolate ligands and phenyl groups as bulky substituents on the boron atoms were synthesized as novel fluorescent dyes, and their fluorescence properties were investigated in solution and in the solid state. The diboron complexes with donor–π–acceptor structures showed positive solvatochromism in the fluorescence spectra. The cyano derivative exhibited the most dramatic redshift of the fluorescence maximum F_max with increasing solvent polarity (from 551 nm in n‐hexane to 710 nm in acetonitrile). The diboron complexes showed solid‐state fluorescence in the range of 578–706 nm with fluorescence quantum yields of 0.06–0.28. Additionally, the trifluoromethyl derivative exhibited solvent‐inclusion solid‐state fluorescence. The trifluoromethyl derivative formed toluene‐inclusion and ethyl acetate‐inclusion crystals. The toluene‐inclusion crystal (F_max=668 nm, Φ_f=0.16) showed a blueshifted F_max and higher Φ_f value compared to the original trifluoromethyl derivative (F_max=694 nm, Φ_f=0.08) in the solid state. On the other hand, the F_max (709 nm) and Φ_f (0.04) values of the ethyl acetate‐inclusion crystal were redshifted and lower, respectively.     

A Highly Luminescent Tetramer from a Weakly Emitting Monomer: Acid‐ and Redox‐Controlled Multiple Complexation by Cucurbit[7]uril

The tetrahedral, shape‐persistent molecule 1 ⁴⁺, containing four pyridylpyridinium units connected through a central carbon atom, exhibits unexpected photophysical properties including a substantially redshifted absorption (2350 cm^?1) and a very strong fluorescence (Φ_em=40 %), compared with the monomer 2 ⁺ (Φ_em=0.4 %). Density functional theory calculations on the structure and spectroscopic properties of 1 ⁴⁺ and 2 ⁺ show that exciton interactions, homoconjugation, and orbital nature account for the observed differences in their photophysical properties. The protonated tetramer binds four cucurbit[7]uril molecules and the host/guest interactions can be controlled by chemical (acid/base) as well as redox stimuli.     

Circularly Polarized Luminescence from Helically Chiral N,N,O,O‐Boron‐Chelated Dipyrromethenes

Helically chiral N,N,O,O‐boron chelated dipyrromethenes showed solution‐phase circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) in the red region of the visible spectrum (λ_em(max) from 621 to 663 nm). The parent dipyrromethene is desymmetrised through O chelation of boron by the 3,5‐ortho‐phenolic substituents, inducing a helical chirality in the fluorophore. The combination of high luminescence dissymmetry factors (|g_lum| up to 4.7 ×10^?3) and fluorescence quantum yields (Φ_F up to 0.73) gave exceptionally efficient circularly polarized red emission from these simple small organic fluorophores, enabling future application in CPL‐based bioimaging.     

Bright Solid‐State Emission of Disilane‐Bridged Donor–Acceptor–Donor and Acceptor–Donor–Acceptor Chromophores

The development of disilane‐bridged donor–acceptor–donor (D‐Si‐Si‐A‐Si‐Si‐D) and acceptor–donor–acceptor (A‐Si‐Si‐D‐Si‐Si‐A) compounds is described. Both types of compound showed strong emission (λ_em=ca. 500 and ca. 400 nm, respectively) in the solid state with high quantum yields (Φ: up to 0.85). Compound 4 exhibited aggregation‐induced emission enhancement in solution. X‐ray diffraction revealed that the crystal structures of 2 , 4 , and 12 had no intermolecular π–π interactions to suppress the nonradiative transition in the solid state.     

Synthesis and comparison of the structure–property relationships of symmetric and asymmetric water‐soluble poly(p‐phenylene)s

Sodium salts of water‐soluble polymers poly{[2,5‐bis(3‐sulfonatopropoxy)‐1,4‐phenylene]‐alt‐[2,5‐bis(hexyloxy)‐1,4‐phenylene]} ( P1 ), poly{[2,5‐bis(3‐sulfonatopropoxy)‐1,4‐phenylene]‐alt‐[2,5‐bis(dodecyloxy)‐1,4‐phenylene]} ( P2 ), poly{[2,5‐bis(3‐sulfonatopropoxy)‐1,4‐phenylene]‐alt‐[2,5‐bis(dibenzyloxy)‐1,4‐phenylene]} ( P3 ), poly[2‐hexyloxy‐5‐(3‐sulfonatopropoxy)‐1,4‐phenylene] ( P4 ), and poly[2‐dodecyloxy‐5‐(3‐sulfonatopropoxy)‐1,4‐phenylene] ( P5 )] were synthesized with Suzuki coupling reactions and fully characterized. The first group of polymers ( P1 – P3 ) with symmetric structures gave lower absorption maxima [maximum absorption wavelength (λ_max) = 296–305 nm] and emission maxima [maximum emission wavelength (λ_em) = 361–398 nm] than asymmetric polymers P4 (λ_max = 329 nm, λ_em = 399 nm) and P5 (λ_max = 335 nm, λ_em = 401 nm). The aggregation properties of polymers P1 – P5 in different solvent mixtures were investigated, and their influence on the optical properties was examined in detail. Dynamic light scattering studies of the aggregation behavior of polymer P1 in solvents indicated the presence of aggregated species of various sizes ranging from 80 to 800 nm. The presence of alkoxy groups and 3‐sulfonatopropoxy groups on adjacent phenylene rings along the polymer backbone of the first set hindered the optimization of nonpolar interactions. The alkyl chain crystallization on one side of the polymer chain and the polar interactions on the other side allowed the polymers ( P4 and P5 ) to form a lamellar structure in the polymer lattice. Significant quenching of the polymer fluorescence upon the addition of positively charged viologen derivatives or cytochrome‐C was also observed. The quenching effect on the polymer fluorescence confirmed that the newly synthesized polymers could be used in the fabrication of biological and chemical sensors. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3763–3777, 2006     

Synthesis and properties of through‐space conjugated polymers based on cyano‐substituted poly(p‐arylenevinylene)s

New through‐space cyano‐substituted poly(p‐arylenevinylene)s containing a [2.2]paracyclophane unit were synthesized by the Knoevenagel reaction. Polymers 5 and 7 have cyano groups at α‐positions and β‐positions from the dialkoxyphenylene unit, respectively. Their optical and electrochemical behaviors were investigated in detail in comparison with their model compounds. Polymers 5 and 7 exhibited through‐space conjugation via the cyclophane units. Polymer 5 showed greenish blue emission (λ_max = 477 nm) in diluted solution with fluorescence quantum efficiency (?_F) of only 0.007, whereas polymer 7 emitted in the bluish green region (λ_max = 510 nm) with ?_F of 0.32. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 5979–5988, 2009     

Phenol‐Substituted Tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines: pH‐Dependent Fluorescence in Basic Media

Tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines (TPyzPzs) bearing one, two, four or eight 3,5‐di(tert‐butyl)‐4‐hydroxyphenol moieties were synthesized as zinc(II) complexes and metal‐free derivatives. The deprotonation of the phenol using tetrabutylammonium hydroxide induced the formation of a strong donor for intramolecular charge transfer that switched OFF the red fluorescence (λ_F～660 nm) of the parent zinc TPyzPzs. The changes were fully reversible for TPyzPzs with one to four phenolic moieties, and an irreversible modification was observed for TPyzPzs substituted with eight phenols. The sensors were anchored to lipophilic particles in water, and a pK_a approximately 12.5–12.7 was determined for the phenolic hydroxyl based on fluorescence changes in different buffers. In addition, a novel concept for fluorescence OFF‐ON‐OFF switching in metal‐free TPyzPzs bearing phenolic moieties upon addition of specific amounts of base was demonstrated.     

Rational Design of Emissive NIR‐Absorbing Chromophores: RhIII Porphyrin‐Aza‐BODIPY Conjugates with Orthogonal Metal–Carbon Bonds

The facile synthesis of Group 9 Rh^III porphyrin‐aza‐BODIPY conjugates that are linked through an orthogonal Rh?C(aryl) bond is reported. The conjugates combine the advantages of the near‐IR (NIR) absorption and intense fluorescence of aza‐BODIPY dyes with the long‐lived triplet states of transition metal rhodium porphyrins. Only one emission peak centered at about 720 nm is observed, irrespective of the excitation wavelength, demonstrating that the conjugates act as unique molecules rather than as dyads. The generation of a locally excited (LE) state with intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT) character has been demonstrated by solvatochromic effects in the photophysical properties, singlet oxygen quantum yields in polar solvents, and by the results of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In nonpolar solvents, the Rh^III conjugates exhibit strong aza‐BODIPY‐centered fluorescence at around 720 nm (Φ_F=17–34 %), and negligible singlet oxygen generation. In polar solvents, enhancements of the singlet‐oxygen quantum yield (Φ_Δ=19–27 %, λ_ex=690 nm) have been observed. Nanosecond pulsed time‐resolved absorption spectroscopy confirms that relatively long‐lived triplet excited states are formed. The synthetic methodology outlined herein provides a useful strategy for the assembly of functional materials that are highly desirable for a wide range of applications in material science and biomedical fields.     

An Efficient Synthesis and Fluorescent Properties of Pyrazole[3,4‐b]thieno[2,3‐e]pyridine Derivatives

A simple and efficient method for the synthesis of pyrazole[3,4‐b]thieno[2,3‐e]pyridine derivatives via the sequence of three‐component, catalyst‐free, and solvent‐free condensation and oxidation was described. The products feature a donor‐π‐conjugated acceptor fluorescent activity system, and the fluorescence emission wavelength was measured in methanol. Some products were fluorescent in solution emitting at blue light (λ_em = 430–505 nm).     

A High Contrast Tri‐state Fluorescent Switch: Properties and Applications

A high contrast tri‐state fluorescent switch (FSPTPE) with both emission color change and on/off switching is achieved in a single molecular system by fusing the aggregation‐induced emissive tetraphenylethene (TPE) with a molecular switch of spiropyran (SP). In contrast to most of the reported solid‐state fluorescent switches, FSPTPE only exists in the amorphous phase in the ring‐closed form owing to its highly asymmetric molecular geometry and weak intermolecular interactions, which leads to its grinding‐inert stable cyan emission in the solid state. Such an amorphous phase facilitates the fast response of FSPTPE to acidic gases and induces the structural transition from the ring‐closed form to ring‐open form, accompanied with the “Off” state of the fluorescence. The structural transition leads to a planar molecular conformation and high dipole moment, which further results in strong intermolecular interactions and good crystallinity, so when the acid is added together with a solvent, both the ring‐opening reaction and re‐crystallization can be triggered to result in an orange emissive state. The reversible control between any two of the three states (cyan/orange/dark) can be achieved with acid/base or mechanical force/solvent treatment. Because of the stable initial state and high color contrast (Δλ=120 nm for cyan/orange switch, dark state Φ_F<0.01 %), the fluorescent switch is very promising for applications such as displays, chemical or mechanical sensing, and anti‐counterfeiting.     

Development of non-symmetric thiophene-fused BODIPYs

A series of non-symmetric BODIPYs containing thieno[3,2-b]pyrrole moiety were synthesized in 21-63% yields. The absorption and emission maxima covered from the visible green to red region (λ_abs=532-647 nm; λ_em=547-664 nm; Φ_f=0.19-0.45). X-ray analysis indicated that the S-C bond lengths were shorter than those of thienopyrrole and thienohelicene by 0.03-0.05 Å. The crystal packing pattern suggested that strong π-π interaction, intermolecular C-H?F interaction, and weak S?π interaction existed. The tunable emission was achieved by structure modifications. Oxidation of BODIPY (λ_em=547 nm) with m-CPBA generated thiophene-1,1-dioxide derived BODIPY (λ_em=528 nm). Knoevenagel-type condensation of BODIPY with N,N-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde led to BODIPY (λ_em=693 nm) with extended conjugation.     

Wurster’s Blue‐type Cation Radicals Framed in a 5,10‐Dihydrobenzo[a]indolo[2,3‐c]carbazole (BIC) Skeleton: Dual Electrochromism with Drastic Changes in UV/Vis/NIR and Fluorescence

Electron‐donating dihydrobenzindolocarbazoles (BICs) 1 a – c , which adopt planar disk‐shaped geometries, were prepared by gold(I)‐catalyzed cyclization as a key step. Due to the presence of a 1,4‐phenylenediamine (PD) moiety in the framework, they undergo reversible one‐electron oxidation to the corresponding Wurster’s Blue (WB)‐type species that exhibits NIR absorptions up to λ=1200 nm. In the case of the N,N′‐dimethyl derivative, cation radical 1 c ^+. is stable enough to be isolated as a salt and X‐ray analysis indicated paraquinoid‐type bond alternation in the WB core unit, whereas the bond lengths in the peripheral benzene rings are identical to those in the neutral donor. Upon electrochemical interconversion, the redox pairs of 1 a – c and 1 a – c ^+. exhibited an electrochromic response in the UV/Vis/NIR region, which was accompanied by a drastic change in the fluorescence spectrum because only neutral donors 1 a – c are highly emissive (Φ_F: 0.7–0.8).     

Organic Crystals with Near‐Infrared Amplified Spontaneous Emissions Based on 2′‐Hydroxychalcone Derivatives: Subtle Structure Modification but Great Property Change

A series of highly efficient deep red to near‐infrared (NIR) emissive organic crystals 1 – 3 based on the structurally simple 2′‐hydroxychalcone derivatives were synthesized through a simple one‐step condensation reaction. Crystal 1 displays the highest quantum yield (Φ_f) of 0.32 among the reported organic single crystals with an emission maximum (λ_em) over 710 nm. Comparison between the bright emissive crystals 1 – 3 and the nearly nonluminous compounds 4 – 7 clearly gives evidence that a subtle structure modification can arouse great property changes, which is instructive in designing new high‐efficiency organic luminescent materials. Notably, crystals 1 – 3 exhibit amplified spontaneous emissions (ASE) with extremely low thresholds. Thus, organic deep red to NIR emissive crystals with very high Φ_f have been obtained and are found to display the first example of NIR fluorescent crystal ASE.     

A Nitrogen‐Doped Hexapole [7]Helicene versus Its All‐Carbon Analogue

Two synthetic nanographenes (NGs), N‐H7H and C‐H7H , were prepared. N‐H7H is doped with nitrogen, and C‐H7H is the all‐carbon analogue. Both are hexapole [7]helicenes (H7Hs), and their structures were identified by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Sharp contrasts in absorption (^absλ_max, 683 vs. 593 nm), emission (^emλ_max, 894 vs. 777 nm), and electrochemical behavior (^oxE₁, 0.28 vs. 0.53 V) were observed between N‐H7H and C‐H7H , and the origin of these differences was rationalized by theoretical calculations. Studies on N‐H7H and C‐H7H set a clear example to elucidate the remarkable effects of N‐doping on the physical properties of NGs.