Probing molecular wires: synthesis, structural, and electronic study of donor-acceptor assemblies exhibiting long-range electron transfer

A series of donor-acceptor arrays (C60-oligo-PPV-exTTF; 16-20) incorporating pi-conjugated oligo(phenylenevinylene) wires (oligo-PPV) of different length between pi-extended tetrathiafulvalene (exTTF) as electron donor and C60 as electron acceptor has been prepared by multistep convergent synthetic approaches. The electronic interactions between the three electroactive species present in 16-20 were investigated by UV-visible spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Our studies clearly show that, although the C60 units are connected to the exTTF donors through a pi-conjugated oligo-PPV framework, no significant electronic interactions are observed in the ground state. Interestingly, photoinduced electron-transfer processes over distances of up to 50 Angstroms afford highly stabilized radical ion pairs. The measured lifetimes for the photogenerated charge-separated states are in the range of hundreds of nanoseconds (approximately 500 ns) in benzonitrile, regardless of the oligomer length (i.e., from the monomer to the pentamer). A different lifetime (4.35 micros) is observed for the heptamer-containing array. This difference in lifetime has been accounted for by the loss of planarity of the oPPV moiety that increases with the wire length, as established by semi-empirical (PM3) theoretical calculations carried out with 19 and 20. The charge recombination dynamics reveal a very low attenuation factor (beta = 0.01 +/- 0.005 Angstroms(-1)). This beta value, as well as the strong electron coupling (V approximately 5.5 cm(-1)) between the donor and the acceptor units, clearly reveals a nanowire behavior for the pi-conjugated oligomer, which paves the way for applications in nanotechnology.     

Enhanced functionality for donor-acceptor oligothiophenes by means of inclusion of BODIPY: synthesis, electrochemistry, photophysics, and model chemistry

We have synthesized several new push-pull oligothiophenes based on the boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) moiety as the electron acceptor and the more well-known oligothiophenes substituted with N,N-dialkylamino functions to enhance their electron-donor ability. A complete characterization of the electronic properties has been carried out; it consists of their photophysical, electrochemical, and vibrational properties. The compounds have been studied after chemical treatment with acids and after oxidation. In this regard, they can be termed as NIR dyes and amphoteric redox electroactive molecules. We have described the presence of dual fluorescence in these molecules and fluorescence quenching either by energy transfer or, in the push-pull molecules, by electron exchange. The combination of electrochemical and proton reversibility along with the interesting optical properties of the new species offer an interesting platform for sensor and material applications.     

An anthracene-appended beta-cyclodextrin-based dyad: study of self-assembly and photoinduced electron-transfer processes

The self-assembly of a beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD)-based supramolecular dyad is reported, in which the donor anthracene moiety is covalently linked to the smaller rim of the beta-CD and the acceptor pyromellitic diimide (PMDI) is encapsulated within the beta-CD cavity. Encapsulation of the PMDI into the beta-CD cavity was studied by a variety of techniques, which suggested that PMDI is encapsulated so as to position the aromatic part at the centre of the cavity with the 2-propyl end at the narrower rim among the overhanging primary OH groups and the N-ethylpyridinium end situated at the wider rim exposed to water. Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) in the system was studied by fluorescence quenching and laser flash photolysis techniques. At [PMDI]<10(-4) M, the equilibrium is in favour of the free molecules, and under these conditions fluorescence quenching is negligible and diffusion-mediated electron transfer involving the triplet excited state of anthracene predominates. At higher concentrations of PMDI, the equilibrium is largely in favour of the supramolecular dyad and intra-ensemble PET processes predominate. The experimentally determined electron-transfer rate constant agrees very well with that calculated by using the Marcus equation. It was observed that a fraction of the ion pairs survived for more than 200 micros.     

Donor-substituted 1,1,4,4-tetracyanobutadienes (TCBDS): new chromophores with efficient intramolecular charge-transfer interactions by atom-economic synthesis

A wide variety of monomeric and oligomeric, donor-substituted 1,1,4,4-tetracyanobutadienes (TCBDs) have been synthesized by [2+2] cycloaddition between tetracyanoethylene (TNCE) and donor-substituted alkynes, followed by electrocyclic ring opening of the initially formed cyclobutenes. Reaction yields are often nearly quantitative but can be affected by the electron-donating power and steric demands of the alkyne substituents. The intramolecular charge-transfer (CT) interactions between the donor and TCBD acceptor moieties were comprehensively investigated by X-ray crystallography, electrochemistry, UV-visible spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. Despite the nonplanarity of the new chromophores, which have a substantial twist between the two dicyanovinyl planes, efficient intramolecular CT interactions are observed, and the crystal structures demonstrate a high quinoid character in strong donor substituents, such as N,N-dimethylanilino (DMA) rings. The maxima of the CT bands shift bathochromically upon reduction of the amount of conjugative coupling between strong donor and acceptor moieties. Each TCBD moiety undergoes two reversible, one-electron reduction steps. Thus, a tri-TCBD derivative with a 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzene core shows six reversible reduction steps within an exceptionally narrow potential range of 1.0 V. The first reduction potential E(red,1) is strongly influenced by the donor substitution: introduction of more donor moieties causes an increasingly twisted TCBD structure, a fact that results in the elevation of the LUMO level and, consequently, a more difficult first reduction. The potentials are also strongly influenced by the nature of the donor residues and the extent of donor-acceptor coupling. A careful comparison of electrochemical data and the correlation with UV-visible spectra made it possible to estimate unknown physical parameters such as the E(red,1) of unsubstituted TCBD (-0.31 V vs Fc+/Fc) as well as the maxima of highly broadened CT bands. Donor-substituted TCBDs are stable molecules and can be sublimed without decomposition. With their high third-order optical nonlinearities, as revealed in preliminary measurements, they should become interesting chromophores for ultra-thin film formation by vapor deposition techniques and have applications in opto-electronic devices.     

A novel fluorophore with dual fluorescence: local excited state and photoinduced electron-transfer-promoted charge-transfer state.

Absorption and emission spectra of 9-N,N-dimethylaniline decahydroacridinedione (DMAADD) have been studied in different solvents. The fluorescence spectra of DMAADD are found to exhibit dual emission in aprotic solvents and single emission in protic solvents. The effect of solvent polarity and viscosity on the absorption and emission spectra has also been studied. The fluorescence excitation spectra of DMAADD monitored at both the emission bands are different. The presence of two different conformation of the same molecule in the ground state has lead to two close lying excited states, local excited (LE) and charge transfer (CT), and thereby results in the dual fluorescence of the dye. A CTstate involving the N,N-dimethylaniline group and the decahy droacridinedione chromophore as donor and acceptor, respectively, has been identified as the source of the long wavelength anomalous fluorescence. The experimental studies were supported by ab initio time dependent-density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations performed at the B3LYP/6-31G* level. The molecule possesses photoinduced electron transfer (PET) quenching in the LE state, which is confirmed by the fluorescence lifetime and fluorescent intensity enhancement in the presence of transition metal ions.     

Using single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy to study electron transfer.

Techniques in single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy now allow sophisticated studies of photophysical processes in single molecules. As interest grows in the possibilities of molecular electronics, researchers have begun to turn these techniques to the study of electron transfer. Electron-transfer reactions have now been detected and measured at the single-molecule level in a variety of systems and on a variety of timescales by adapting techniques from previous single-molecule fluorescence studies.     

Fused donor-acceptor ligands in RuII chemistry: synthesis, electrochemistry and spectroscopy of [Ru(bpy)3-n(TTF-dppz)n](PF6)2.

Three ruthenium(II) polypyridine complexes of general formula [Ru(bpy)(3-n)(TTF-dppz)n](PF6)2 (n=1-3, bpy=2,2'-bipyridine), with one, two or three redox-active TTF-dppz (4',5'-bis(propylthio)tetrathiafulvenyl[i]dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine) ligands, were synthesised and fully characterised. Their electrochemical and photophysical properties are reported together with those of the reference compounds [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2, [Ru(dppz)3](PF6)2 and [Ru(bpy)2(dppz)](PF6)2 and the free TTF-dppz ligand. All three complexes show intraligand charge-transfer (ILCT) fluorescence of the TTF-dppz ligand. Remarkably, the complex with n=1 exhibits luminescence from the Ru(2+)-->dppz metal-to-ligand charge-transfer ((3)MLCT) state, whereas for the other two complexes, a radiationless pathway via electron transfer from a second TTF-dppz ligand quenches the (3)MLCT luminescence. The TTF fragments as electron donors thus induce a ligand-to-ligand charge-separated (LLCS) state of the form TTF-dppz- -Ru(2+)-dppz-TTF(+). The lifetime of this LLCS state is approximately 2.3 micros, which is four orders of magnitude longer than that of 0.4 ns for the ILCT state, because recombination of charges on two different ligands is substantially slower.     

Synthesis of directly linked zinc(II) porphyrin-imide dyads and energy gap dependence of intramolecular electron transfer reactions

A series of zinc(II) porphyrin-imide dyads (ZP-Im), in which an electron donating ZP moiety is directly connected to an electron accepting imide moiety in the meso position, have been prepared for the examination of energy gap dependence of intramolecular electron transfer reactions with large electronic coupling. The nearly perpendicular conformation of the imide moiety towards the porphyrin plane has been revealed by Xray crystal structures. The energy gap for charge separation, 1ZP* - Im --> ZP+ - Im-, is varied by changing the electron accepting imide moiety to cover a range of about 0.8 eV in DMF. Definitive evidence for electron transfer has been obtained in three solvents (toluene, THF, and DMF) through picosecond-femtosecond transient absorption studies, which have allowed us to determine the rates of photoinduced charge separation, 1ZP* - Im --> ZP+ - Im-, and subsequent thermal charge recombination ZP+ - Im- --> ZP - Im. The free-energy gap dependence (energy gap law) has been probed from the normal to the nearly top region for the charge separation rate alone, and only the inverted region for the charge recombination rate. Although both of the energy gap dependencies can be approximately reproduced by means of the simplified semiclassical equation, when we take into consideration the effect of the high frequency vibrations replaced by one mode of averaged frequency, many features, including the effects of solvent polarity and the electron tunneling matrix element on the energy gap law, differ considerably from those of the previously studied porphyrin-quinone systems, which have weaker interchromophore electronic interactions.     

p-Phenyleneethynylene molecular wires: influence of structure on photoinduced electron-transfer properties

A series of donor-acceptor arrays (exTTF-oPPE-C60) containing pi-conjugated oligo(phenyleneethynylene) wires (oPPE) of different length between pi-extended tetrathiafulvalene (exTTF) as electron donor and fullerene (C60) as electron acceptor has been prepared by following a convergent synthesis. The key reaction in these approaches is the bromo-iodo selectivity of the Hagihara-Sonogashira reaction and the deprotecting of acetylenes with different silyl groups to afford the corresponding donor-acceptor conjugates in moderate yields. The electronic interactions between the three electroactive species were determined by using UV-visible spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Our studies clearly confirm that, although the C60 units are connected to the exTTF donor through pi-conjugated oPPE frameworks, no significant electronic interactions are observed in the ground state. Theoretical calculations predict how a simple exchange from C=C double bonds (i.e., oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) to C triple chemical bond C triple bonds (i.e., oPPE) in the electron donor-acceptor conjugates considerably alters long-range electron transfer. Photoexcitation of exTTF-oPPE-C60 leads to the following features: a transient photoproduct with maxima at 660 and 1000 nm, which are unambiguously attributed to the photolytically generated radical-ion-pair state, [exTTF*+-oPPE-C60*]. Both charge-separation and charge-recombination processes give rise to a molecular-wire behaviour of the oPPE moiety with an attenuation factor (beta) of (0.2+/-0.05) A(-1).     

Photoinduced electron transfer in alpha-cyclodextrin-based supramolecular dyads: a free-energy-dependence study

Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) between alpha-cyclodextrin-appended pyrene (PYCD) and a few acceptor molecules was studied in aqueous solutions. The pyrene moiety in PYCD is located above the narrower rim of the alpha-CD and is fully exposed to water. The acceptors are monocyclic organic molecules and, upon dissolution in water in the presence of PYCD, a fraction of the donor-acceptor systems is present as supramolecular dyads and the remaining fraction as free molecules. Free-energy-dependence studies showed that electron transfer in the supramolecular dyads follows the Marcus equation. The donor-acceptor coupling and the reorganization energy were determined from fits of the data to the Marcus equation. The electronic coupling was found to be similar to those reported for hydrogen-bonded systems. It appears that the actual lambdaout values are somewhat lower than values calculated with the continuum model. The experimental design has also allowed, for the first time, a visual demonstration of the inverted region on the basis of the raw fluorescence lifetime data.     

Vectorial electron relay at ITO electrodes modified with self-assembled monolayers of ferrocene-porphyrin-fullerene triads and porphyrin-fullerene Dyads for molecular photovoltaic devices

Systematic series of indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes modified covalently with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of ferrocene-porphyrin-fullerene triads and porphyrin-fullerene dyads were designed to gain valuable insight into the development of molecular photovoltaic devices. The structures of SAMs on ITO have been investigated by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The photoelectrochemical and photophysical (fluorescence lifetime and time-resolved transient absorption) properties were also determined. The highest quantum yield of photocurrent generation (11 %) among donor-acceptor linked systems which are covalently attached to the surface of ITO electrodes was achieved with SAMs of ferrocene-zinc porphyrin-fullerene linked triad on ITO electrodes. The quantum yields of photocurrent generation correlate well with the charge-separation efficiency and the lifetime of the charge-separated state of the porphyrin-fullerene linked systems in solution. These results provide valuable information for the construction of photonic molecular devices and artificial photosynthetic systems on ITO electrodes.     

Self-assembled single-walled carbon nanotube:zinc-porphyrin hybrids through ammonium ion-crown ether interaction: construction and electron transfer

An ammonium ion-crown ether interaction has been successfully used to construct porphyrin-single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) donor-acceptor hybrids. The [18]crown-6 to alkyl ammonium ion binding strategy resulted in porphyrin-SWNT nanohybrids that are stable and soluble in DMF. The porphyrin-SWNT hybrids were characterized by spectroscopic, TEM, and electrochemical techniques. Both steady-state and time-resolved emission studies revealed efficient quenching of the singlet excited state of the porphyrins and free-energy calculations suggested that electron-transfer quenching occurred. Nanosecond transient absorption spectral results supported the charge-separation quenching process. Charge-stabilization was also observed for the nanohybrids in which the lifetime of the radical ion pairs was around 100 ns. The present nanohybrids were also used to reduce the hexyl viologen dication (HV2+) and to oxidize 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide in solution in an electron-pooling experiment. Accumulation of the radical cation (HV.+) was observed in high yields, which provided additional proof for the occurrence of photoinduced charge separation. The present study demonstrates that a hydrogen-bonding motif is a successful self-assembly method to build SWNTs bearing donor-acceptor nanohybrids, which are useful for light-energy harvesting and photovoltaic applications.     

Screening electronic communication through ortho-, meta- and para-substituted linkers separating subphthalocyanines and C60

We have prepared two complementary series of SubPc-C(60) (SubPc=subphthalocyanine) electron/energy donor-acceptor systems, in which the two constituents are linked through ortho-, meta-, or para-substituted phenoxy spacers. In one of the series (1 a) the SubPc units bear iodine atoms, while in the other series (1 b) diphenylamino groups are linked to the SubPc macrocycles. The iodine atoms and diphenylamino groups both influence the resulting oxidation potentials of the electron-donating SubPc. They also modulate the outcome of excited state interactions, namely, energy and/or charge transfer. In addition, we have studied the impact that the substitution pattern in the phenoxy spacer exerts onto intramolecular processes in the ground and excited states. Although some of these processes are governed by the spatial separation between both components, the different electronic coupling through ortho-, meta-, or para- connections also plays decisive roles in some cases.     

Noncovalent one-to-one donor-acceptor assembled systems based on porphyrin molecular gels for unusually high electron-transfer efficiency

A new approach for fabricating donor-acceptor assembled systems is demonstrated, based on J-type ordered aggregation of a low-molecular zinc porphyrin derivative and subsequent integration of a pyridylated fullerene derivative with coordination and orientation onto the porphyrin aggregates. This system achieves unusually high efficiencies in fluorescence quenching during one-to-one mixing of the donor and acceptor. Moreover, the Stern-Volmer constant (K(SV)) and association constant (K) of this system are 2520 and 56 times higher, respectively, than those of the corresponding nonassembled system. The quenching efficiency is thermotropically switchable, since ordered-to-disordered transitions are essential characteristics of noncovalent low molecular assemblies.     

A density functional study to choose the best fluorophore for photon-induced electron-transfer (PET) sensors

Anthracenes bearing aliphatic or aromatic amino substituents, which behave as molecular sensors, have shown their potential to act as photon-induced electron-transfer (PET) systems. In this PET, the fluorophore moieties are responsible for electron release during protonation and deprotonation. The principle of hard and soft acids and bases (HSAB) deals with both intra- and intermolecular electron migration. It is possible to calculate the localized properties in terms of Fukui functions in the realm of density functional theory (DFT) and thus calculate and establish a numerical matchmaking procedure that will generate an a priori rule for choosing the fluorophore in terms of its activity. We calculated the localized properties for neutral, anionic, and cationic systems to trace the course of the efficiency. A qualitative scale is proposed in terms of the feasibility of intramolecular hydrogen bonding. To investigate the effect of the environment of the nitrogen atom on protonation going from mono- to diprotonated systems, we calculated the partial density of states and compared the activity sequence with reactivity indices. The results show that location of the nitrogen atom in an aromatic ring does not influence the PET, but for aliphatic chains it plays a role. Furthermore, the protonation/deprotonation scenario has been explained. The results show that the reactivity indices can be used as a suitable property for scaling the activity of fluorophore molecules for the PET process.