Excitation spectra of dibenzoborole containing pi-electron systems: controlling the electronic spectra by changing the p(pi)-pi* conjugation

We report time-dependent density functional theory calculations of the vertical excitation energies for the singlet states of three-coordinate 5H-dibenzoborole (DBB) derivatives and four-coordinate 5-fluoro-5H-dibenzoborole ion (FDBB) derivatives. These molecules show remarkable hypsochromic (blue) shifts in their fluorescence spectra and bathochromic (red) shifts in their absorption spectra when the bridging boron atoms change their coordination number from three to four. We constructed a series of derivatives of DBB and FDBB and studied how the energies of the electronic excitations change. The states with prominent oscillator strength in all of the DBB and FDBB derivatives show similar shifts of their excitation energies upon coordination. The three-coordinate DBB derivative 5-(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)-2,8-dimethoxy-3,7-bis[p-(N,N-diphenylamino)phenyl]-5H-dibenzo[d,b]borole has an intense absorption at 3.25 eV, which shifts in the four-coordinate FDBB derivative 5-fluro-5-(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)-2,8-dimethoxy-3,7-bis[p-(N,N-dip henylamino)phenyl]-5H-dibenzo[d,b]borole ion to 3.17 eV. The experimental absorption peaks are 3.43 and 3.31 eV, respectively. In addition, we investigated and analyzed the nature of these electronic excitations using attachment/detachment density plots, with which we characterized the changes in electron density that arose from the excitations.     

Sigma/pi versus pi/pi conjugation: DFT studies on oligocyclopropenones and related systems

DFT studies on oligocyclopropenones and related systems 5(n)-9(n) are reported. A strong sigma/pi interaction between the pi system and the sigma framework of the three-membered rings is observed in almost all cases, leading to a perpendicular arrangement of the pi systems in the most favored conformation. Also the shape of cyclic congeners is strongly influenced by sigma/pi interactions.     

Structures and vibrational spectra of the sulfur-rich oxides SnO (n = 4-9): the importance of pi*-pi* interactions

The structures of a large number of isomers of the sulfur oxides S(n)O with n = 4-9 have been calculated at the G3X(MP2) level of theory. In most cases, homocyclic molecules with exocyclic oxygen atoms in an axial position are the global minimum structures. Perfect agreement is obtained with experimentally determined structures of S(7)O and S(8)O. The most stable S(4)O isomer as well as some less stable isomers of S(5)O and S(6)O are characterized by a strong pi*-pi* interaction between S==O and S==S groups, which results in relatively long S--S bonds with internuclear distances of 244-262 pm. Heterocyclic isomers are less stable than the global minimum structures, and this energy difference approximately increases with the ring size: 17 (S(4)O), 40 (S(5)O), 32 (S(6)O), 28 (S(7)O), 45 (S(8)O), and 54 kJ mol(-1) (S(9)O). Owing to a favorable pi*-pi* interaction, preference for an axial (or endo) conformation is calculated for the global energy minima of S(7)O, S(8)O, and S(9)O. Vapor-phase decomposition of S(n)O molecules to SO(2) and S(8) is strongly exothermic, whereas the formation of S(2)O and S(8) is exothermic if n<7, but slightly endothermic for S(7)O, S(8)O, and S(9)O. The calculated vibrational spectra of the most stable isomers of S(6)O, S(7)O, and S(8)O are in excellent agreement with the observed data.     

Lewis acidity/basicity of pi-electron systems: theoretical study of a molecular interaction between a pi system and a Lewis acid/base

Molecular interactions between pi systems having different pi-electron character (benzene, hexafluorobenzene, and borazine), and a Lewis acid/base (borane and ammonia) were theoretically studied. An attractive interaction between benzene, the electron-rich pi system, and borane was observed. On the other hand, repulsive interactions between benzene and ammonia was observed when the lone pair of nitrogen points toward the benzene ring. In contrast, an attractive interaction between hexafluorobenzene, an electron-deficient pi system, and ammonia was observed. Unexpectedly, a weak attractive interaction between hexafluorobenzene and borane was also observed. Borazine shows an interaction both to borane and ammonia. The attraction between the nitrogen atom of borazine and borane was larger than that between the boron atom of borazine and ammonia.     

A highly selective on/off fluorescence sensor for cadmium(II)

A polypyridyl ligand, 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexakis(2-pyridyl)dipyrazino[2,3-f:2',3'-h]quinoxaline (HPDQ), was found to have excellent fluorescent selectivity for Cd(2+) over many other metal ions (K(+), Na(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Ni(2+), Co(2+), Cu(2+), Ag(+), Hg(2+), Zn(2+), and Cr(3+)) based on the intramolecular charge-transfer mechanism, which makes HPDQ a potential fluorescence sensor or probe for Cd(2+). An obvious color change between HPDQ and HPDQ + Cd(2+) can be visually observed by the naked eye. The structure of the complex HPDQ-Cd has been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Density functional theory calculation results on the HPDQ and HPDQ-Cd complexes could explain the experimental results.     

A fluorogenic probe for the copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne ligation reaction: modulation of the fluorescence emission via 3(n,pi)-1(pi,pi) inversion

Chemoselective ligation reactions represent a powerful approach for labeling of proteins or small molecules in a biological environment. We report here a fluorogenic probe that is activated by click chemistry, a highly versatile bio-orthogonal and chemoselective ligation reaction which is based on the azide moiety as the functional group. The electron-donating properties of the triazole ring that is formed in the course of the coupling reaction was effectively utilized to modulate the fluorescence output of an electronically coupled coumarin fluorophore. Under physiological conditions the probe is essentially nonfluorescent and undergoes a bright emission enhancement upon ligation with an azide. Time-resolved emission spectroscopy and semiempirical quantum-mechanical calculations suggest that the fluorescence switching is due to an inversion of the energy ordering of the emissive 1(pi,pi*) and nonemissive 3(n,pi*) excited states. The rapid kinetics of the ligation reaction render the probe attractive for a wide range of applications in biology, analytical chemistry, or material science.     

Photophysics of a xanthenic derivative dye useful as an "on/off" fluorescence probe

The photophysical behavior of a new fluorescein derivative has been explored by using absorption and steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements. The influence of ionic strength, as well as total buffer concentration, on both the absorbance and fluorescence has been investigated. The apparent acidity constant of the dye determined by absorbance is almost independent of the added buffer and salt concentrations. A semiempirical model is proposed to rationalize the variations in the apparent pKa values. The excited-state proton-exchange reaction around the physiological pH becomes reversible upon addition of phosphate buffer, inducing a pH-dependent change of the steady-state fluorescence and decay times. Fluorescence decay traces, collected as a function of total buffer concentration and pH, were analyzed by global compartmental analysis, yielding the following values of the rate constants describing excited-state dynamics: k01 = 1.29 x 10(10) s(-1), k02 = 4.21 x 10(8) s(-1), k21 approximately 3 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1), k12B= 6.40 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1), and k21B = 2.61 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1). The decay rate constant values of k01, k21, k21B, along with the low molar absorption coefficient of the neutral form, mean that coupled decays are practically monoexponential at buffer concentrations higher than 0.02 M and any pH. Thus, the pH and buffer concentration can modulate the main lifetime of the dye.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic study of diphenylamino-substituted phenylene-(poly)ethynylenes: remarkable effect of acetylenic conjugation modes

A series of diphenylamino-substituted phenylene-(poly)ethynylenes were successfully synthesized by a combination of Sonogashira coupling and double elimination protocol of β-substituted sulfones. When UV-light was irradiated, the amino-substituted phenylene-(poly)ethynylene emitted strong luminescence. The emission underwent a large bathochromic shift in polar solvent because of stabilization of their charge-separated excited states. Analyses of fluorescence life times of aminoacetylenes revealed that radiationless process was suppressed in the polar solvent CH₂Cl₂, resulting in high quantum yields.     

Redox control of meso-zinc(II) ferrocenylporphyrin based fluorescence switches

The efficient on/off switching of fluorescence from thienyl- and phenyl-substituted porphyrin-ferrocene dyads is achieved through redox control of excited-state electron-transfer quenching.     

The correction vector method for three-photon absorption: the effects of pi conjugation in extended rylenebis(dicarboximide)s

A correction vector method within the multireference determinant single and double configuration interaction approximation coupled with the semiempirical intermediate neglect of differential overlap Hamiltonian has been developed for the computation of single and multiphoton absorption spectra of conjugated molecules. We study the effect of pi conjugation on these properties in the extended rylenebis(dicarboximide)s. The one-, two-, and three-photon absorption cross sections of the lowest-lying excited states show a power law dependence on the conjugation length, with exponents of about 1.3, 2.6, and 5.6, respectively. The maximum value of the three-photon absorption cross section in these molecules is calculated to be 1.06x10(-78) cm6 s2photon2 for photon energy at 0.57 eV.     

Ratiometric fluorescence chemosensors for copper(II) and mercury(II) based on FRET systems

A system based on FRET mechanism, comprising a coumarin donor and a rhodamine acceptor, was developed for the selective and quantitative detection of metal ions. Fluorescent chemosensors RCs, linked by 1,2-diethylamine, exhibit significant fluorescence enhancement and excellent selectivity toward Cu²⁺. Fluorescent probes CRB and CR6G, linked by hydrazide, function as ratiometric receptors for Cu²⁺ chromogentically and fluorogentically in organic-aqueous media. Furthermore, the characteristic rhodamine-based fluorescence response of CRB (excitation at 550 nm) exhibits high selectivity for Hg(II). The construction of this kind of universal FRET system opens a broader prospect for future design of ratiometric fluorescent probes.     

Water soluble molecular switches of fluorescence based on the Ni(III)/Ni(II) redox change

The water soluble Ni(II) complexes of the cyclam derivatives with 1,3-benzodioxole and 1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene display the fluorescent emission typical of the covalently linked fluorophores, which results from a charge transfer excited state. On oxidation to Ni(III), the fluorescence is completely quenched due to the occurrence of an electron transfer (eT) process from the excited fluorogenic fragment Fl to the oxidized metal. Thus, fluorescence can be switched off/on at will, for several cycles, by consecutively oxidizing and reducing the metal center, in controlled potential electrolysis experiments both in acetonitrile and in aqueous 0.1 M HClO4. Occurrence of an eT process from Fl to Ni(III) ultimately depends upon the easy oxidation of Fl to Fl+, whereas failure of the occurrence of an eT process from Ni(II) to Fl has to be ascribed to the particular resistance of Fl fragments to the reduction.     

The impact of the pi-electron conjugation on (15)N, (13)C and (1)H NMR chemical shifts in push-pull benzothiazolium salts. Experimental and theoretical study

The (15)N as well as (13)C and (1)H chemical shifts of eight push-pull benzothiazolium iodides with various pi-conjugated chains between dimethylamino group and benzothiazolium moiety have been determined by NMR spectroscopy at the natural-abundance level of all nuclei in DMSO-d(6) solution. In general, the quaternary benzothiazolium nitrogen is more shielded [delta((15)N-3) vary between - 241.3 and - 201.9 ppm] with respect to parent 3-methylbenzothiazolium iodide [delta((15)N-3) = - 183.8 ppm], depending on the length and constitution of the pi-conjugated bridge. A larger variation in (15)N chemical shifts is observed on dimethylamino nitrogen, which covers the range of - 323.3 to - 257.2 ppm. The effect of pi-conjugation degree has a less pronounced influence on (13)C and (1)H chemical shifts. Experimental data are interpreted by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Reasonable agreement between theoretical and experimental (15)N NMR chemical shifts was found, particularly when performing calculations with hybrid exchange-correlation functionals. A better accord with experiment is achieved by utilizing a polarizable continuum model (PCM) along with an explicit treatment of hydrogen-bonding between the solute and the water present in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Finally, (13)C and (1)H NMR spectra were computed and analysed in order to compare them with available experimental data.     

Dynamic redox systems based on bis(spiroxanthene)-type donors with a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon: preparation, X-ray structures, and electrochromic response with fluorescence change

The long C-C bonds (1.614(2)-1.630(2) Å) in newly prepared title donors 2-6 are cleaved upon two-electron oxidation to afford the bond-dissociated dicationic dyes 2²⁺-6²⁺, whose electron affinities are stronger than the corresponding biphenyl-2,2′-diyl dications 1²⁺ due to the spatial proximity of two xanthenylium units. Not only UV-vis but also fluorescence spectra changed drastically upon electrolysis since only colorless neutral donors are fluorescent.     

Infrared fluorescence and collisional energy transfer parameters for vibrationally excited azulene*(So): dependence on internal energy (Evib)

Infrared fluorescence (IRF) from the CH stretch modes of vibrationally excited gas-phase azulene^* was observed to depend on E_vib according to a simple model. The IRF time/pressure behavior shows that the average energy transferred per collision depends strongly on E_vib for azulene^* + azulene and azulene^* + argon collisions.     

Dual signal (color change and fluorescence ON-OFF) ensemble system based on bis(Dpa-Cu) complex for detection of PPi in water

We have developed simple dual signal (color change and fluorescence ON-OFF) ensemble systems based on a bis(Dpa-Cu^II) complex 1 for the detection of PPi in water. Dual signal takes place because of weak binding and fluorescence quenching effect of coordinatively unsaturated Cu^II complex for indicators and replacement of the indicators by more strongly binding PPi. As a consequence, these ensembles show a high selectivity and sensitivity for PPi over various anions including phosphate and its derivatives (AMP, ADP, and ATP) in water.     

Solvent-induced aggregation through metal...metal/pi...pi interactions: large solvatochromism of luminescent organoplatinum(II) terpyridyl complexes

A dramatic color change and tremendous emission enhancement have been "switched on" upon increasing diethyl ether ratio in acetonitrile or acetone solution of [Pt(tpy)(CC-CCH)]OTf, attributed to the formation of Pt...Pt and pi-pi interactions. Two crystal forms (dark-green and red) of [Pt(tpy)(CC-CCH)]OTf, together with [Pt(tBu3-tpy)(CC-CCH)]OTf, show different crystal-packing modes as revealed by X-ray crystallography.     

Transient palladadiphosphanylcarbenes: singlet carbenes with an "inverse" electronic configuration (p(pi)2 instead of sigma2) and unusual transannular metal-carbene interactions (piC-->Pd donation and sigmaPd-->C back-donation)

Upon treatment with [PdCl(allyl)]2, asymmetrically substituted alpha,alpha'-diphosphanyl diazo compounds eliminate dinitrogen to afford C-chlorodiphosphanylmethanide complexes in high yields. In the presence of a chloride-abstracting agent, such as sodium tetraphenylborate, the C-chlorodiphosphanylmethanide complexes react with pyridine and trimethylphosphine, readily affording the corresponding nitrogen and phosphorus ylides. The postulated intermediate in this process, namely palladadiphosphanylcarbenes, could not be spectroscopically characterized, but their transient formation was chemically supported further by a Lewis base exchange reaction between pyridine and 4-dimethylaminopyridine. This hypothesis has also been substantiated by computing the corresponding dissociation energy using two model systems featuring methyl groups at the phosphorus. Of particular interest, density functional theory calculations reveal that these palladadiphosphanylcarbenes have a singlet ground state with an "inverse" ppi2 electronic configuration and a distorted geometry associated with unusual transannular metal-carbene interactions (piC-->Pd donation and sigmaPd-->C back-donation).     

基于荧光猝灭的铜传感器研究

研究了过渡金属离子对荧光分子 1 萘胺二乙酸钠 (NADA)的荧光猝灭现象及其猝灭机理 ,并基于此建立铜离子传感体系。该铜离子传感器的检测限为8.2 7× 1 0 - 6mol/L ,定量检测范围为 2 .6 9× 1 0 - 5～ 1 .2 0× 1 0 - 4 mol/L。