Photophysics of trans-4-(dimethylamino)-4'-cyanostilbene and its use as a solvation probe

Electronic structure calculations, steady-state electronic spectroscopy, and femtosecond time-resolved emission spectroscopy are used to examine the photophysics of trans-4-(dimethylamino)-4'-cyanostilbene (DCS) and its solvent dependence. Semiempirical AM1/CI calculations suggest that an anilino TICT state is a potential candidate for the emissive state of DCS in polar solvents. But observation of large and solvent-independent absorption and emission transition moments in a number of solvents (M(abs) = 6.7 +/- 0.4 D and M(em) = 7.6 +/- 0.8 D) rule out the involvement of any such state, which would have a vanishingly small transition moment. The absorption and steady-state emission spectra of DCS evolve in a systematic manner with solvent polarity, approximately as would be expected for a single, highly polar excited state. Attempts to fit the solvatochromism of DCS using standard dielectric continuum models are only partially successful when values of the solute dipole moments suggested by independent measurements are assumed. The shapes of the absorption and emission spectra of DCS change systematically with solvent polarity in a manner that is semiquantitatively reproduced using a coupled-state model of the spectroscopy. Kerr-gate emission measurements show that the emission dynamics of DCS down to subpicosecond times reflect only solvent relaxation, rather than any more complicated electronic state kinetics. The spectral response functions measured with DCS are well correlated to those previously reported for the solvation probe coumarin 153, indicating DCS to be a useful alternative probe of solvation dynamics.     

Solvent-dependent vibrational frequencies and reorganization energies of two merocyanine chromophores

Absorption and resonance Raman spectra have been measured over a wide range of solvents for two merocyanine dyes containing the indoline ("Fischer" base) electron donor group with different accepting groups. One appears to be near the cyanine limit (equal contributions of the neutral and zwitterionic resonance forms to both ground- and excited-state structures) based on electrooptic absorption data showing a very small dipole moment change upon electronic excitation. The resonance Raman spectra of both molecules show significant frequency shifts and intensity redistributions that evolve monotonically with increasing solvent polarity and are consistent with increasing zwitterionic character of the ground-state structure. The vibrational reorganization energies of both molecules, obtained by simulating the absorption band shapes, are smaller in polar solvents than in nonpolar or weakly polar ones, consistent with a more cyanine-like structure at higher solvent polarities. However, the vibrational reorganization energies of both molecules exceed 700 cm(-1) in all solvents, larger than in many true cyanine dyes, and the optical absorption maxima do not correlate well with either solvent polarity or vibrational reorganization energy. This indicates some limitations to the structural conclusions that can be reached from the two-state model for pi-conjugated donor-acceptor systems.     

Spectroscopic and theoretical study of the molecular and electronic structures of a terthiophene-based quinodimethane.

The UV/Vis, infrared absorption, and Raman scattering spectra of 3',4'-dibutyl-5,5"-bis(dicyanomethylene)-5,5"-dihydro-2,2':5',2"-terthiophene have been analyzed with the aid of density functional theory calculations. The compound exhibits a quinoid structure in its ground electronic state and presents an intramolecular charge transfer from the terthiophene moiety to the C(CN)2 groups. The molecular system therefore consists of an electron-deficient terthiophene backbone end-capped with electron-rich C(CN)2 groups. The molecule is characterized by a strong absorption in the red, due to the HOMO-->LUMO pi-pi* electronic transition of the terthiophene backbone that shifts hypsochromically on passing from the solid state to solution and with the polarity of the solvent. The analysis of the vibrational spectra confirms the structural conclusions and supports the existence of an intramolecular charge transfer. Vibrational spectra in several solvents and as a function of temperature have also been studied. Significant frequency upshifts of the vibrations involved in the pi-electron-conjugated pathway have been noticed upon solution in polar solvents and with the lowering of the temperature. Finally, we propose a quinoid molecule as a reliable structural and electronic model for dication species in doped oligothiophenes or for bipolaron charged defects in doped polythiophene.     

Synthesis, Structure, and Complexing Property of p-tert-Butylcalix

p-tert-Butylcalix[4]arene 1,3-digallate, which contains a nonbonded close contact between galloyl groups, was synthesized and its structure was determined by dynamic (1)H NMR and X-ray crystallography. The electronic spectra showed that a new absorption band of the complexes appeared at a longer wavelength region upon adding Ag(+) ion. This spectral shift was explained in terms of the interaction between the facing galloyl groups of the lower rim of the calixarene framework.     

Testing computational models of hyperpolarizability in a merocyanine dye using spectroscopic and DFT methods

The structural and electronic properties of a highly solvatochromic merocyanine dye, 2-(3-cyano-5,5-dimethyl-4-(3-(1-octadecylpyridin-4(1H)-ylidene)prop-1-enyl)furan-2(5H)-ylidene)malononitrile (pyr3pi), have been investigated using UV-vis, NMR, hyper-Rayleigh scattering, and Raman spectroscopies and further interpreted using computational chemistry. Spectroscopic data indicate that pyr3pi exists in its zwitterionic form even in low polarity solvents with electronic absorption spectra showing a hypsochromic shift with an increase in solvent polarity and NMR experiments indicating an increasingly zwitterionic structure in chloroform as the temperature is lowered. Raman spectra in increasingly polar solvents show small variations of the structure that are consistent with a change toward a structure with more zwitterionic character. However, comparison of the calculated and experimental vibrational energies and intensities and comparison of NMR coupling constants with calculated bond order indicate that calculations underestimate the amount of charge separation seen in low polarity solvents. Although for this system density functional theory (DFT) calculations and the two-state model qualitatively reproduce negative solvatochromism, they fail to reproduce the trends in hyperpolarizability seen experimentally. This is attributed to solvent field DFT calculations underestimating the degree of charge separation in reaction fields representing low polarity solvents.     

Relation between molecular structure and spectral characteristics of some chelating mono-azo dyes based on o-hydroxy aryl aldehydes and carboxylic acids

The electronic absorption spectra of some chelating mono-azo compounds have been studied in some organic solvents of varying polarities. The u.v. bands in ethanol and cyclohexane are assigned in the light of electronic transitions. The effect of microscopic and macroscopic solvent polarity parameters are also discussed. The i.r. spectra of the solid compounds as KBr discs as well as the ¹H NMR spectra have also been assigned and discussed in relation to molecular structure. The azo ⇌ hydrazone tautomerism in some of these compounds is assured. The study indicated that the colour of the materials depends on the polarity and the formation of intermolecular H-bonds with the solvent molecules.     

Two-Photon Solvatochromism II: Experimental and Theoretical Study of Solvent Effects on the Two-Photon Absorption Spectrum of Reichardt’s Dye

In this study, we report on the influence of solvent on the two-photon absorption (2PA) spectra of Reichardt’s dye (RD). The measurement of 2PA cross-sections is performed for three solvents (chloroform, dimethyl formamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide) using the Z-scan technique. The key finding of this study is the observation that the cross-section, corresponding to the 2PA of the intramolecular charge-transfer state, diminishes substantially upon increasing the solvent polarity. To unravel the solvent dependence of the 2PA cross-section, the electronic structure of RD is determined using a hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) approach, in which polarization between the solute and solvent is taken into account by using a self-consistent scheme in the solvent polarization. The two-state approximation proves to be adequate for the studied system, and allowed the observed solvent-polarity-induced decrease of the 2PA cross-section to be related to the decrease of the transition moment and the increase in the excitation energy.     

Theoretical modeling of the spectroscopic absorption properties of luciferin and oxyluciferin: A critical comparison with recent experimental studies

Firefly luciferin and its oxidated form, oxyluciferin, are two heterocyclic compounds involved in the enzymatic reaction, catalyzed by redox proteins called luciferases, which provides the bioluminescence in a wide group of arthropods. Whereas the electronic absorption spectra of d-luciferin in water at different pHs are known since 1960s, only recently reliable experimental electronic spectra of oxyluciferin have become available. In addition oxyluciferin is involved in a triple chemical equilibria (deprotonation of the two hydroxyl groups and keto-enol tautomerism of the 4-hydroxythiazole ring), that obligates to select during an experiment a predominant species, tuning pH or solvent polarity besides introducing chemical modifications. In this study we report the absorption spectra of luciferin and oxyluciferin in each principal chemical form, calculated by means of perturbed matrix method (PMM), which allowed us to successfully introduce the effect of the solvent on the spectroscopic absorption properties, and compare the result with available experimental data.     

Modeling absorption spectra of molecules in solution

The presence of solvent tunes many properties of a molecule, such as its ground and excited state geometry, dipole moment, excitation energy, and absorption spectrum. Because the energy of the system will vary depending on the solvent configuration, explicit solute–solvent interactions are key to understanding solution-phase reactivity and spectroscopy, simulating accurate inhomogeneous broadening, and predicting absorption spectra. In this tutorial review, we give an overview of factors to consider when modeling excited states of molecules interacting with explicit solvent. We provide practical guidelines for sampling solute–solvent configurations, choosing a solvent model, performing the excited state electronic structure calculations, and computing spectral lineshapes. We also present our recent results combining the vertical excitation energies computed from an ensemble of solute–solvent configurations with the vibronic spectra obtained from a small number of frozen solvent configurations, resulting in improved simulation of absorption spectra for molecules in solution.     

Photophysical Properties of Intramolecular Charge Transfer in a Tribranched Donor–π–Acceptor Chromophore

The photophysical properties of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) in a novel tribranched donor–π–acceptor chromophore, triphenoxazine‐2,4,6‐triphenyl‐1,3,5‐triazine (tri‐PXZ‐TRZ), with thermally activated delayed fluorescence character was investigated in different aprotic solvents by steady‐state spectroscopy and femtosecond and nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy measurements. Increasing the solvent polarity led to a significant increase in the Stokes shift. The large Stokes shift in highly polar solvents was attributed to ICT properties upon excitation; this resulted in a strong interaction between the tri‐PXZ‐TRZ molecule and the surrounding solvent, which led to a strong solvation process. Quantum‐chemical calculations and changes in the dipole moment showed that this compound has a large degree of ICT. Furthermore, an apolar environment helped to preserve the symmetry of tri‐PXZ‐TRZ and to enhance its emission efficiency. The femtosecond and nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy results indicated that the excited‐state dynamics of this push–pull molecule were strongly influenced by solvent polarity through the formation of a solvent‐stabilized ICT state. The excited‐state relaxation mechanism of tri‐PXZ‐TRZ was proposed by performing target model analysis on the femtosecond transient absorption spectra. In addition, the delayed fluorescence of tri‐PXZ‐TRZ was significantly modulated by a potential competition between solvation and intersystem crossing processes.     

UV/Vis, IR and 1H NMR spectrophotometric studies of some bisazo-dianil compounds based on bis-(hydroxy, formyl) phenylazo phenylene and anthranilic acid

The electronic absorption spectra of some bisazo-dianils are studied in organic solvents of different polarity and in buffer solutions of varied pH. The different absorption bands are assigned to the corresponding electronic transitions, the solvent effect on the CT band energy is also discussed. The spectral study in buffer solutions is utilized for the determination of the pKa of the phenolic OH-groups. The important bands in the IR spectra as well as the signals of the 1H NMR spectra are assigned and discussed in relation to molecular structure. The fluorescence spectra of the compounds are recorded. The fluorescence quantum yield and pK in the ground and excited states are determined.     

Studies of Orcein and Its Metal Complexes I. Spectral Behaviour of Orcein. Medium Effect and Ionisation Constants

The electronic absorption spectrum of orcein is studied in organic solvent of varied polarities and water-organic solvent mixtures with different pH. The absorption bands are assigned and the effect of solvent polarity on their position is discussed. The pk_a of the acid-base equilibria set are determined and commented upon in relation to nature and proportion of the organic solvent added. The main bands of the ir spectrum and signals of the ¹H nmr spectrum are as well discussed. The mixing of orcein with transition metal ions leads to drastic changes in colour and hence the visible absorption spectra of both organic compound and metal ions.     

New highly fluorescent ketocyanine polarity probes

The syntheses and spectral properties of three new and highly fluorescent solvent polarity probes are described. They are found to be extremely sensitive to solvent polarity in that spectral red shifts in both absorption and fluorescence spectra occur upon increasing solvent polarity. Excitation and emission data of the dyes in a set of different polar solvents are given. The emission data are compared with the standard ET^N values of solvent polarity and a linear correlation is obtained over a wide range. The origin of the unusual solvatochromic properties is discussed in terms of the resonance structures of this new group of molecular probes. Their outstanding features include high spectral sensitivity to polarity, high molar absorptivities, high fluorescence quantum yields, longwave excitation and emission, insignificant quenching by oxygen, and a sufficient stability in aqueous solution. Therefore, the new probes are considered to be advantageous over other polarity probes used so far in probing biochemical and biological systems.     

极性敏感的BDP分子溶剂化效应的光谱性质

合成了具有分子内电荷转移(ICT)性质的三重态光敏剂分子BDP,研究了其稳态吸收光谱、荧光光谱、荧光寿命、飞秒/纳秒瞬态吸收光谱及诱导产生单线态氧的能力等性质,发现强极性溶剂对BDP分子的溶剂化效应降低了其ICT态和第一激发三重态(T1态)的能量,从而降低了BDP分子单线态氧的产量.     

Synthesis and Electronic Structure of A_2B Type Halogen Atoms Substituted H_3-Triarylcorroles

Seven electron-deficient A_2 B type H_3-triarylcorroles have been synthesized and characterized. The solvent dependence of the electronic absorption and magnetic circular dichroism(MCD) spectra and a series of TD-DFT calculations have been used to analyze trends in the electronic structures. Significant differences are observed in the optical spectra when solvents of differing polarity are used,which can be assigned to the effect of NH-tautomerism.     

Solvent Effects on Spectral Property and Dipole Moment of the Lowest Excited State of Coumarin 343 Dye

Steady-state absorption and fluorescence spectra, and time-resolved fluorescence spectra of coumarin 343 (C343) were measured in different solvents. The effect of the solvent on the spectral properties and dipole moment of the lowest excited state of C343 were investigated. It was found that the absorption and fluorescence spectra red-shifted slightly and strongly with increasing solvent polarity, respectively, because the charge distribution of the excited state leaded to the increasing difference between the absorption and fluorescence spectra with increasing solvent polarity. The dipole moment of the lowest excited state of C343was determined from solvatochromic measurements and the quantum chemical calculation, and the results obtained from these two methods were fully consistent. Investigations of the time-resolved fluorescence of C343 in different solvents indicated that the fluorescence lifetimes increased nearly linearly with increasing solvent polarity from 3.09 ns in toluene to 4.45 ns in water. This can be ascribed to the intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions between C343 and hydrogen donating solvents.     

An experimental and theoretical study of excited-state dipole moments of some flavones using an efficient solvatochromic method based on the solvent polarity parameter, E(N)(T)

The electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra of some biologically active natural flavones have been recorded at room temperature (298 K) in solvents of different polarities. The effects of the solvents upon the spectral properties are discussed. Difference in fluorescence intensity of flavones has been explained on the basis of intersystem crossing and degree of non-planarity calculated theoretically using Austin Model 1 (AM1) method. Excited-state dipole moments have been determined using the solvatochromic method based on the microscopic solvent polarity parameter, E(N)(T). A reasonable agreement has been observed between experimental and AM1 calculated dipole moment changes. Our results are found to be quite reliable in view of the fact that the correlation of the solvatochromic Stokes shifts with microscopic solvent polarity parameter, E(N)(T) is superior to that obtained using bulk solvent polarity functions for all the systems studied here.     

FT-IR, UV—visible and X-ray studies of complexes of pyridine N-oxides with pentachlorophenol

The crystal structure of the 4-methoxy-2,6-dimethylpyridine N-oxide·pentachlorophenol complex has been determined by X-ray analysis. The O ··· O distance is 2.439(6) Å, the OHO angle is 152.3° and the hydrogen-bonded proton is close to the phenol molecule. The FT-IR spectra of pentachlorophenol complexes with some substituted pyridine N-oxides in the solid state and seven aprotic solvents of different polarity (ε from 2.27 to 37.5) show a broad absorption. The broad absorption shows weak dependence upon solvent polarity and is classified as type (ii). UV spectra show that in the investigated complexes protons are not transferred from the phenol to the N-oxides. Formamide (ε = 111) is a much stronger proton acceptor than the pyridine N-oxides. Pentachlorophenol in formamide is converted to the phenolate ion.     

Solvent effect of alcohols at the L-edge of iron in solution: X-ray absorption and multiplet calculations

The local electronic structure of Fe(III) and Fe(II) ions in different alcohol solutions (methanol, ethanol, propan-1-ol) is investigated by means of soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the iron L 2,3-edge. The experimental spectra are compared with ligand field multiplet simulations. The solvated Fe(III) complex is found to exhibit octahedral symmetry, while a tetragonal symmetry is observed for Fe(II). A decrease in the solvent polarity increases the charge transfer from the oxygen of the alcohol to the iron ions. This conclusion is supported by Hartree-Fock calculations of the Mulliken charge distribution on the alcohols. A larger charge transfer is further observed from the solvent to Fe(III) compared to Fe(II), which is connected to the higher positive charge state of the former. Finally, iron ions in solution are found to prefer the high-spin configuration irrespective of their oxidation state.