Second‐Order Nonlinear Optical Properties of a Dithienylethene–Indolinooxazolidine Hybrid: A Joint Experimental and Theoretical Investigation

The nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of a double photochrome molecular switch are reported for the first time by considering the four trans forms of a dithienylethene–indolinooxazolidine hybrid. The four forms are characterized by means of hyper‐Rayleigh scattering (HRS) experiments and quantum chemical calculations. Experimental measurements provide evidence that the pH‐ and light‐triggered transformations between the different forms of the hybrid are accompanied by large variations of the first hyperpolarizability, which makes this compound an effective multistate NLO switch. Quantum chemical calculations conducted at the time‐dependent Hartree–Fock and time‐dependent DFT levels agree with the experimental data and allow a complete rationalization of the NLO responses of the different forms. The HRS signal of the forms with an open indolinooxazolidine moiety are more than one order of magnitude larger than that measured for the other forms, whereas the open/closed status of the dithienylethene subunit barely influences the dynamic NLO properties. However, extrapolation of the NLO responses to the static limit leads to univocally distinguishable intrinsic responses for three of the various forms. This hybrid system thus acts as a highly efficient multistate NLO switch for eventual exploitation in optical memory systems with multiple storage and nondestructive readout capacity.     

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.     

Tetrazine Chromophore‐Based Metal–Organic Frameworks with Unusual Configurations: Synthetic,Structural, Theoretical,Fluorescent, and Nonlinear Optical Studies

Three unusual three‐dimensional (3D) tetrazine chromophore‐based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) {(Et₄N)[WS₄Cu₃(CN)₂(4,4′‐pytz)_0.5]}_n ( 1 ), {[MoS₄Cu₄(CN)₂(4,4′‐pytz)₂] ? CH₂Cl₂}_n ( 2 ), and {[WS₄Cu₃(4,4′‐pytz)₃] ? [N(CN)₂]}_n ( 3 ; 4,4′‐pytz=3,6‐bis(4‐pyridyl)tetrazine) have been synthesized and characterized by using FTIR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction, gel permeation chromatography, steady‐state fluorescence, and thermogravimetric analysis; their identities were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. MOF 1 possesses the first five‐connected M/S/Cu (M=Mo, W) framework with an unusual 3D (4⁴?6⁶) topology constructed from T‐shaped [WS₄Cu₃]⁺ clusters as nodes and single CN^?/4,4′‐pytz bridges as linkers. MOF 2 features a novel 3D MOF structure with (4²⁰?6⁸) topology, in which the bridging 4,4′‐pytz ligands exhibit unique distorted arch structures. MOF 3 displays the first 3D MOF structure based on flywheel‐shaped [WS₄Cu₃]⁺ clusters with a non‐interpenetrating honeycomb‐like framework and a heavily distorted “ACS” topology. Steady‐state fluorescence studies of 1 – 3 reveal significant fluorescence emissions. The nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of 1 – 3 were investigated by using a Z‐scan technique with 5 ns pulses at λ=532 nm. The Z‐scan experimental results show that the π‐delocalizable tetrazine‐based 4,4′‐pytz ligands contribute to the strong third‐order NLO properties exhibited by 1 – 3 . Time‐dependent density functional theory studies afforded insight into the electronic transitions and spectral characterization of these functionalized NLO molecular materials.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Cross‐Conjugated Perphenylated iso‐Polydiacetylenes

Monodisperse, cross‐conjugated perphenylated iso‐polydiacetylene (iso‐PDA) oligomers, ranging from monomer 15 to pentadecamer 25 , have been synthesized by using a palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling protocol. Structural characteristics elucidated by X‐ray crystallographic analysis demonstrate a non‐planar backbone conformation for the oligomers due to the steric interactions between alkylidene phenyl groups. The electronic absorption spectra of the oligomers show a slight red‐shift of the maximum absorption wavelength as the chain length increases from dimer 17 b to pentadecamer 25 , a trend that has saturated by the stage of nonamer 22 . Fluorescence spectroscopy confirms that the pendent phenyl groups present on the oligomer framework enhance emission, and the relative emission intensity consistently increases as a function of chain length n. The molecular third‐order nonlinearities, γ, for this oligomer series have been measured via differential optical Kerr effect (DOKE) detection and show a superlinear increase as a function of the oligomer chain length n. Molecular modeling and spectroscopic studies suggest that iso‐PDA oligomers (n>7) adopt a coiled, helical conformation in solution.     

具有平面结构的四齿肼基硫代甲酸苄酯席夫碱镍配合物的合成,晶体结构和三阶非线性光学性质研究

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Large Two‐Photon Absorption of Terpyridine‐Based Quadrupolar Derivatives: Towards their Applications in Optical Limiting and Biological Imaging

Developing organic chromophores with large two‐photon absorption (TPA) in both organic solvents and aqueous media is crucial owing to their applications in solid‐state photonic devices and biological imaging. Herein, a series of novel terpyridine‐based quadrupolar derivatives have been synthesized. The influences of electron‐donating group, type of conjugated bridge, as well as solvent polarity on the molecular TPA properties have been investigated in detail. In contrast to the case in organic solvents, bis(thienyl)‐benzothiadiazole as a rigid conjugated bridge will completely quench molecular two‐photon emission in aqueous media. However, the combination of alkylcarbazole as the donor and bis(styryl)benzene as a conjugation bridge can enlarge molecular TPA cross‐sections in both organic solvent and aqueous media. The reasonable two‐photon emission brightness for the organic nanoparticles of chromophores 3 – 5 in the aqueous media, prepared by the reprecipitation method, enables them to be used as probes for in vivo biological imaging.     

Synthesis, fluorescence, and two-photon absorption of a series of elongated rodlike and banana-shaped quadrupolar fluorophores: a comprehensive study of structure-property relationships

An extensive series of push-push and pull-pull derivatives was prepared from the symmetrical functionalization of an ambivalent core with conjugated rods made from arylene-vinylene or arylene-ethynylene building blocks, bearing different acceptor or donor end-groups. Their absorption and photoluminescence, as well as their two-photon-absorption (TPA) properties in the near infrared (NIR) region, were systematically investigated to derive structure-property relationships and to lay the guidelines for both spectral tuning and amplification of molecular TPA in the target region. Whatever the nature of the core or of the connectors, push-push systems were found to be more efficient than pull-pull systems, and planarization of the core (fluorene versus biphenyl) always leads to an increase in the TPA cross sections. In contrast, increasing the conjugation length as well as replacement of a phenylene moiety by a thienylene moiety in the conjugated rods did not necessarily lead to increased TPA responses. The present study also demonstrated that the topology of the conjugated rods can dramatically influence the TPA properties. This is of particular interest in terms of molecular engineering for specific applications, as both TPA properties and photoluminescence characteristics can be considerably affected. Thus, it becomes possible to optimize the transparency/TPA and fluorescence/TPA efficiency trade-offs for optical limiting in the red-NIR region (700-900 nm) and for two-photon-excited fluorescence (TPEF) microscopy applications, respectively.     

A Rational Design of Catechol‐Based Compounds: An Experimental and Theoretical Study of Optical Properties

Finely tuned optical properties : The optical properties of substituted protected catechol derivatives can be fine‐tuned (see scheme; TBDMS=tert‐butyldimethylsilyloxy). The DFT‐calculated polarisabilities are compared with experimental data.

     

Assembly of π‐Conjugated Phosphole Azahelicene Derivatives into Chiral Coordination Complexes: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

Aza[n]helicene phosphole derivatives have been prepared from aza[n]helicene diynes by the Fagan–Nugent route. Their photophysical properties (UV/Vis absorption and emission behavior) have been evaluated. Their behavior as P,N chelates towards coordination to Pd^II and Cu^I has been investigated: metal–bis(aza[n]helicene phosphole) assemblies are formed by a highly stereoselective coordination process, as demonstrated by X‐ray crystallography. An aza[6]helicene phosphole bearing an enantiopure helicene part has been obtained, which allows the preparation of enantiopure Pd^II and Cu^I complexes with original topologies and high molar rotation (MR) and circular dichroism (CD). The structure–property relationship established from the experimental data has been studied in detail by theoretical studies (TDDFT calculations of UV/Vis, CD, and MR). Aza[n]helicene phosphole derivatives show π conjugation extended over the entire molecule, and its influence on the MR of aza[6]helicene phosphole 5 c has been demonstrated. Finally, it has been shown that the nature of the metal (coordination geometry and electronic interaction) can have a great impact on the amplitude of the chiroptical properties in metal–bis(aza[n]helicene phosphole) assemblies.     

Chiral Phosphine Ligands from Amino Acids. II. A Facile Synthesis of Phosphinoserines by Nucleophilic Phosphination Reactions – X‐Ray Structure Analyses of Ar2P–CH2–CH(NHBOC)(COOMe) (Ar = Ph,m‐xylyl)

Phosphino derivatives of serine R₂P–CH₂–CH(NHBOC)(COOMe) ( 2 a – 2 d ) have been obtained in high yield by nucleophilic phosphination of N‐(tert.butoxycarbonyl)‐3‐iodo‐L‐alanine methylester with secondary phosphines R₂PH (R = Ph, 2‐tolyl, 3,5‐xylyl, cyclohexyl) in DMF using potassium carbonate as the base. Deprotection of 2 b with HCl affords the amino acid ester hydrochloride [2‐Tol₂P–CH₂–CH(NH₃)(COOMe)]⁺Cl^– ( 3 a ). The X‐ray structures of 2 a (space group P2₁/n) and 2 c (space group P 1) have been determined. The two enantiomers of 2 a or 2 c are interconnected by N–H…O hydrogen bridges forming dimers in the solid state.     

Tetrachloro-p-(o,p)-o-tribenzene: A Building Block for Diels–Alder Oligomers of Benzene and for a Laticyclic Conjugated Hexaene

Intermolecular cycloaddition of the bifunctional tetrachlorotribenzene 1 results in higher Diels–Alder oligomers of benzene ( 2 ), of which the linear and an angular hexamer (n=1) were characterized. The oligomers decompose above 110°C through stepwise extrusion of benzene and tetrachlorobenzene.     

Unusual Optical Properties of Mn‐doped ZnO: The Search for a New Red Pigment—A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study

A pigment of your imagination : A range of polycrystalline solid solutions of a zinc‐rich Zn_x?1Mn_xO system (see figure) have been prepared and studied in terms of their colour, diffuse reflectance spectra, Mn valence state and electronic structure. The intense optical absorption arises from Mn²⁺ doping and is thought to be due to forbidden or partially forbidden transitions between the valence and the conduction band.

     

Caught in the Hinact: Crystal Structure and Spectroscopy Reveal a Sulfur Bound to the Active Site of an O2‐stable State of [FeFe] Hydrogenase

[FeFe] hydrogenases are the most active H₂ converting catalysts in nature, but their extreme oxygen sensitivity limits their use in technological applications. The [FeFe] hydrogenases from sulfate reducing bacteria can be purified in an O₂‐stable state called H_inact. To date, the structure and mechanism of formation of H_inact remain unknown. Our 1.65 Å crystal structure of this state reveals a sulfur ligand bound to the open coordination site. Furthermore, in‐depth spectroscopic characterization by X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS), resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy and infrared (IR) spectroscopy, together with hybrid quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical (QM/MM) calculations, provide detailed chemical insight into the H_inact state and its mechanism of formation. This may facilitate the design of O₂‐stable hydrogenases and molecular catalysts.     

From Polymer to Size‐Defined Oligomers: A Highly Divergent and Stereocontrolled Construction of Chondroitin Sulfate A,C, D,E, K,L, and M Oligomers from a Single Precursor: Part 2

An efficient, stereocontrolled, and highly divergent approach for the preparation of oligomers of chondroitin sulfate (CS) A, C, D, E, K, L, and M variants, starting from a single precursor easily obtained by semisynthesis from abundant natural polymer is reported for the first time. Common intermediates were designed that allowed the straightforward construction of O‐sulfonated species either on the D ‐galactosamine unit (CS‐A, ‐C, and ‐E) or on both D ‐glucuronic acid and D ‐galactosamine units (CS‐D and CS‐K, ‐L, and ‐M). This strategy represents a successful improvement and brings a definitive answer toward the synthesis of such complex molecules with numerous relevant biological functions.     

Chemisorption,Morphology, and Structure of a n‐Type Perylene Diimide Derivative at the Interface with Gold: Influence on Devices from Thin Films to Single Molecules

We have investigated thin films of a perylene diimide derivative with a cyano‐functionalized core (PDI‐8CN₂) deposited on Au(111) single crystals from the monolayer to the multilayer regime. We found that PDI‐8CN₂ is chemisorbed on gold. The molecules experience a thickness‐dependent reorientation, and a 2D growth mode with molecular stepped terraces is achieved adopting low deposition rates. The obtained results are discussed in terms of their impact on field effect devices, also clarifying why the use of substrate/contact treatments, decoupling PDI‐8CN₂ molecules from the substrate/contacts, is beneficial for such devices. Our results also suggest that perylene diimide derivatives with CN bay‐functionalization are very promising candidates for single‐molecule electronic devices.