Marked difference in singlet-chemiexcitation efficiency between syn-anti isomers of spiro[1,2-dioxetane-3,1′-dihydroisobenzofuran] for intramolecular charge-transfer-induced decomposition

Spiro[1,2-dioxetane-3,1′-dihydroisobenzofuran] syn-3 bearing a hydroxy group at the 6-position (as a model syn-rotamer of parent dioxetane 4 bearing a 3-hydroxyphenyl group) and its isomer anti-3 (as a model anti-rotamer of 4) were synthesized. When these spiro-dioxetanes were treated with tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) in DMSO, anti-3 emitted light with high efficiency (Φ^CL = 0.41), while the respective value for syn-3 was only 1/10 for anti-3. This significant difference in Φ^CL between syn-3 and anti-3 was attributed to the difference in their singlet-chemiexcitation efficiencies.     

Synthesis and fluoride-induced chemiluminescent decomposition of bicyclic dioxetanes substituted with a 2-hydroxynaphthyl group

Five bicyclic dioxetanes bearing a 2-hydroxynaphthyl group, 1aA-1eA, were synthesized and their chemiluminescent decomposition was examined by the use of tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) as a base in DMSO. It was found that these dioxetanes hold completely the ‘odd/even’ relationship between the substitution pattern of hydroxy as a trigger on the naphthalene ring and their chemiluminescent efficiency, and that dioxetane 1aA exhibited chemiluminescence with the highest efficiency among those for the oxynaphthyl-substituted dioxetanes hitherto known. The significant change in chemiluminescent efficiency depending on the substitution pattern was clarified to be attributed to the marked change in singlet-chemiexcitation efficiency for charge-transfer-induced chemiluminescence (CTICL) of 1aA-1eA. In respect of the rate of CTICL-decomposition, ‘odd/even’ relationship was observed for 1aA-1dA.     

Chemiluminescence in anisotropic microenvironment: splitting of chemiluminescence efficiency for charge-transfer-induced decomposition of optically active bicyclic dioxetanes bearing a 2-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl-4-yl moiety under chiral recognition

Four optical isomers of dioxetane 2 bearing a 2-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl-4-yl moiety decomposed with accompanying emission of light on treatment with three base systems. The chemiluminescence efficiencies of all isomers were practically the same for tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) in DMSO system, whereas they split into two diastereomer-groups for 18-crown-6 ether complex of t-BuOK in benzene-THF system. For the base system using t-BuOK complex of optically active crown ether, (Ra,Ra)-7 or (Sa,Sa)-7, the chemiluminescence efficiencies split further into four. The shape of chemiluminescence spectrum, maximum wavelength, and the rate of decomposition were also different between each of the four stereoisomers.     

Base-induced decomposition of dioxetanes bearing a 3-hydroxyphenyl moiety substituted with a proton-donating group at the 4-position: effect of intramolecular hydrogen bonding on decomposition rate and chemiluminescence efficiency

Bicyclic dioxetanes bearing a 3-hydroxyphenyl moiety substituted with an amidomethyl group (3a-c) or a hydroxymethyl group (4) were synthesized. On treatment with tetrabutylammonium fluoride in CH₃CN, they decomposed rapidly with accompanying emission of blue light. Their decomposition rates and chemiluminescence efficiencies were found to be affected by the intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the phenoxy anion and the adjacent proton-donating group.     

Intramolecular charge-transfer-induced chemiluminescent decomposition of 1,2-dioxetanes bearing a phenylmethanide anion

Dioxetanes (1) bearing a phenyl moiety substituted with a methylene or methine having an electron-withdrawing group(s) (-CH₂-Ew or -CH(X)-Ew) and dioxetane (2) bearing a 3-(1-cyanoethenyl)phenyl group were synthesized. Treatment of dioxetanes (1) with tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) caused their decomposition with accompanying emission of light with maximum wavelength at 530-758 nm. The Michael addition of a bis(methoxycarbonyl)methanide anion to dioxetane (2) produced initially an unstable dioxetane bearing a phenylmethanide anion, decomposition of which gave light with maximum wavelength at 710-740 nm. Intramolecular cyclopropanation without decomposition of the dioxetane ring took place concurrently for the Michael reaction-induced decomposition of 2 with the bis(methoxycarbonyl)chloromethanide anion.     

Rotamer-dependent chemiluminescence in the intramolecular charge-transfer-induced decomposition of bicyclic dioxetanes bearing a hydroxyaryl group

Base-induced chemiluminescent decomposition of acylamino-substituted dioxetane 1b bearing a 3-hydroxyphenyl group proceeded according to dual phase kinetics due to syn-anti isomerism of the aryl group. For dioxetane 7 bearing a 6-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl group, syn- and anti-rotamers were each isolated and their structures were determined by X-ray single crystallographic analysis. Both rotamers underwent base-induced decomposition accompanied by the emission of red light to exclusively give the same keto imide 8. However, a marked difference in chemiluminescence efficiency was observed between anti-7 and syn-7.     

Color modulation for intramolecular charge-transfer-induced chemiluminescence of bicyclic dioxetanes bearing a 3-hydroxy-5-naphthylphenyl moiety in the coordination sphere

Bicyclic dioxetanes 2a, 2b, and 3, bearing a 3-hydroxy-5-naphthylphenyl moiety underwent charge-transfer-induced decomposition with accompanying emission of light, the color of which changed from red to blue responding to a complex of crown ether with potassium t-butoxide used as a base. Furthermore, they afforded unusual chemiluminescence, the spectra of which displayed two peaks in some cases. It was observed for chemiluminescences in the coordination sphere with crown ether that their spectra did not coincide with the spectra of authentic emitters.     

Effects of substituents and counterions on the structures of silenolates: a computational investigation

The structures and charge distributions of substituted silenolates [H₂SiC(O)X]⁻ (X=H, SiH₃, Me, t-Bu, OMe, NMe₂; group A), [Y₂SiC(O)H]⁻ (Y=H, F, Me, Ph, SiH₃, SiMe₃; group B), and [Y₂SiC(O)X]⁻ (Y=Me, X=t-Bu, and Y=SiMe₃; X=t-Bu, OMe, NMe₂; group C) were examined through density functional theory calculations. The effects of the solvated counterion (K⁺, Li⁺, or MgCl⁺) and coordination site (O or Si) on the properties of group C silenolates were also studied. The variation in the degree of π-conjugative reverse SiC bond polarization, ΣΦ_RP(π), calculated by natural resonance theory, was determined. The ΣΦ_RP(π) correlated with r(SiC) for both group A and B silenolates, and the correlation between ΣΦ_RP(π) and the sum of valence angles at Si, Σα(Si), was good for group A but poor for group B due to strong influence of the inductive effect. The SiC charge difference correlated well with ΣΦ_RP(π) for group A, but not for group B, again an effect of inductive substituent effects. The group C silenolates were coordinated to Li(THF)₃⁺, MgCl(THF)₄⁺, and K(THF)₅⁺ either via the O or Si atom. The coordination energies show that coordination to the hard O is preferred for Li⁺ and MgCl⁺, but the K⁺ ion coordinated simultaneously to Si and O. Coordination of the solvated metal ion to O resulted in shorter SiC bond length, an increased Σα(Si) value, and lower Δq(SiC) when compared to the naked silenolate. Choice of counterion and substituent provides a means to extensively vary the properties of silenolates such as their reactivity.     

Chemiluminescent decomposition of a dioxetane bearing a 3-(1-cyanoethenyl)phenyl moiety induced by Michael addition of an anion of malonate

A thermally stable dioxetane bearing a 3-(1-cyanoethenyl)phenyl group (1) was synthesized. Michael addition of an anion of malonate (3a,b) to a dioxetane (1) substituted with a 3-(1-cyanoethenyl)phenyl moiety took place to give an intermediary dioxetane bearing a benzylic anion, which decomposes rapidly with accompanying emission of crimson light. When an anion of chloromalonate (3c) was used as a base, intramolecular cyclopropanation of 3c occurred concurrently with the Michael-addition-induced chemiluminescent decomposition.     

Fluoride-induced chemiluminescent decomposition of dioxetanes bearing a siloxyaryl moiety to produce an alkyl aryl ketone as an emitter

Tetrabutylammonium fluoride induces the decomposition of 1-tert-butyl-4,4-dimethyl-5-(3-siloxyphenyl)-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane (4a) in DMSO to form an oxyanion of aromatic ketone (14a) as an emitter with high singlet-chemiexcitation yield comparable with that for a chemically initiated electron exchange luminescence (CIEEL) active dioxetane producing an oxyanion of aromatic ester as an emitter. A 7-siloxynaphthalen-2-yl analog (4b) was found on similar treatment to emit light with the maximum wavelength the longest among CIEEL-active dioxetanes hitherto known.     

F-Induced ‘turn-on’ fluorescent chemosensor based on 1,3-alt thiacalix[4]arene

A new thiacalix[4]arene based fluorescent sensor 1 bearing two naphthyl groups has been synthesized in 1,3-alternate conformation. In the absence of fluoride ion, the receptor 1 is in ‘off-state’ showing no fluorescence emission. The presence of fluoride ion triggered the fluorescence emission to ‘on-state’. The receptor shows pronounced selectivity for fluoride ions. In THF, the presence of F⁻ ions induces the formation of a 1:1 (G:H) complex.     

Intramolecular charge transfer dual fluorescent sensors from 4-(dialkylamino)benzanilides with metal binding site within electron acceptor

Three fluoroionophores (2a-c) were designed as the intramolecular charge transfer (CT) dual fluorescent sensors for metal cations with metal binding site within the electron acceptor. These sensors were derived from 4-dialkylaminobenzanilides (alkyl=methyl, ethyl, and n-butyl) with the amido phenyl ring being an arm of 15-crown-5 thus bearing binding site for alkaline and alkaline earth metal cations. Compounds 2a-c were expected to have two possible CT channels of opposite direction. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of 2a-c and their crown-ether free model molecules 3a-c in a variety of solvents were recorded. Dual fluorescence was observed with 2a-c and was assigned to the LE and the CT states, respectively. In nonpolar or less polar solvents the CT occurring with 2a-c was identified as that occurred with benzanilides (BA) with the amido anilines being the electron donor (the BA-like CT), while in polar solvents such as acetonitrile (ACN), the CT was still mainly the BA-like. In the presence of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations in ACN, the CT dual fluorescence underwent substantial changes so as increased total quantum yield, red-shifted LE band and enhanced CT to LE intensity ratio. Binding of the metal cations at the 15-crown-5 moiety of 2a-c was shown to turn the CT direction that the dialkylamino group in the binding complexes being the electron donor while the benzo-15-crown-5 moiety now being within the electron acceptor. The occurrence of this CT enhances metal cation binding to 15-crown-5 ether in 2a-c, which was confirmed by the observed higher metal binding constants. Compounds 2a-c as the CT dual fluorescent sensors were shown to operate under the mechanism of the metal cation binding induced switching of the CT character from the BA-like to that occurred with 4-(dimethylamino)benzamides (the DMABA-like). Compounds 2a-c therefore represent successful examples for the CT dual fluorescent sensors for cations with the metal binding site within the electron acceptor and can be employed as sensitive ratiometric fluorescent sensors for metal cations of improved sensing performance.     

Regulation of metal ion recognition by allosteric effects in thiacalix[4]crown based receptors

Three new ditopic receptors 3a-c based on thiacalix[4]arene of 1,3 alternate conformation possessing two different complexation sites have been designed and synthesized for both soft and hard metal ions. The imino nitrogens bind soft metal ion (Ag⁺/Pb²⁺/Cu²⁺) and the crown moiety binds K⁺ ion. The preliminary investigations show that 3a-c behave as ditopic receptors for Ag⁺/K⁺, Pb²⁺/K⁺, and Cu²⁺/K⁺ ions, respectively. In all the three receptors it was observed that the formation of 3a·Ag⁺/3b·Pb²⁺/3c·Cu²⁺ complex triggers the decomplexation of K⁺ ion from crown moiety and acts as a gateway, which regulates the binding of alkali metal to crown moiety. Thus, allosteric binding between metal ions ‘switch off’ the recognition ability of crown ether ring.     

From lithium ketazides to isomeric silylketazine-rings - imine-enamine tautomerism

Di(tert-butylmethyl)ketazine (I) reacts with n-BuLi in a 1:1 molar ratio to give a monolithium salt (II). The reaction of II with ^tBu₂SiF₂ in n-hexane leads, even in a 1:1 molar ratio, to the formation of the isomeric five- and four-membered ring compounds 1 and 2. Compound 1 has an endocyclic imine and an exocyclic enamine unit. The opposite is found for 2. The acyclic monosubstitution product, ^tBu₂SiFCH₂-C^tBuN-NC^tBuCH₃ (III) could not be isolated. It reacts with the lithium ketazide to give 1 or 2. I is reformed. The reaction in THF yields only the four-membered ring 2. In a comparable reaction of the lithium ketazide and (H₃C)₂SiF₂, the substitution product 3 could be isolated. A possible formation mechanism for 2 includes an intermediate silene IV. Both compounds 1 and 2 react with H₃C-OH under cleavage of the endocyclic Si-N-bond to give the addition product 5. The reaction mechanism includes a hydrogen shift from a nitrogen atom to a carbon atom via an imine-enamine tautomerism. In a 2:1 molar ratio, n-BuLi and the di(tert-butylmethyl)-ketazine (I) form the dilithium salt, 6. Compound 6 crystallizes from THF as trimer with four imine and two enamine units. A seven-membered ring (7) isomeric to 1 and 2 is the result of the reaction of 6 with ^tBu₂SiF₂. Compound 7 contains one imine and one enamine unit in the ring skeleton.The comparable reaction of the (CH₃)₃Si-substituted dilithium-di(tert-butylmethyl)ketazide and ^tBu₂SiF₂ yields the five-membered ring compound 8 with one endocyclic imine and one exocyclic enamine unit.Quantum chemical calculations of 1, 2, 7 and the intermediate silene IV have been carried out and show a low energy difference between the cyclic silyl-ketazine isomers.     

Chemiexcitation efficiency for the charge-transfer-induced chemiluminescent decomposition of 3-hydroxyphenyl-substituted dioxetanes in an aqueous system

The decomposition of 3-oxyphenyl-3-methoxy-4-(2′-spiroadamantane)-1,2-dioxetane (A) and 5-tert-butyl-4,4-dimethyl-1-(3-oxyphenyl)bicyclo[3.2.0]heptane (B) in NaOH/H₂O gives light in poor yield, which is several orders of magnitude lower than that in aprotic solvents. To understand the poor chemiluminescence efficiency in NaOH/H₂O, we investigated the behaviors of the authentic emitters, methyl 3-oxidobenzoate (C) and 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-3-oxopentyl 3-oxidobenzoate (D). We found that D was weakly fluorescent though hydrolyzed in NaOH/H₂O, and estimated that the singlet-chemiexcitation efficiency Φ_S was 6.1 × 10⁻³ for the decomposition of B in NaOH/H₂O. On the other hand, Φ_S for A could not be estimated, since C was hydrolyzed too rapidly to observe its fluorescence.     

Oxymethylcrowned chromene: photoswitchable stoichiometry of metal ion complex and ion-responsive photochromism

Chromene derivatives bearing oxymethyl-12-crown-4 (1), -15-crown-5 (2), -18-crown-6 (3) ether moieties, and non-cyclic analogue (4) were synthesized, and their metal ion binding properties and photochromism were examined. NMR titration with alkali metal ions revealed that 1 formed a 1:2 complex (metal ion: ligand) with Na⁺, while Li⁺ afforded a 1:1 complex of 1. In cases of K⁺ and Rb⁺, the complexes were a mixture of 1:1 and 1:2 complexes, but the formation of 1:1 complex was observed again with Cs⁺. Under UV irradiation, however, the complex stoichiometry of 1 with all alkali metal ions was 1:1. As a comparison of NMR spectra between the Li⁺ and Na⁺ complexes of 1 indicated considerable upfield shift for the chromene moiety of the Na⁺ complex, π-π stacking of the chromene moiety seems to induce formation of the 1:2 complex. These results indicate that the chromene moiety is not only to show photochromism but also to induce aggregation to form the 1:2 complex resulted in switching of the complex stoichiometry by UV irradiation. The formation of 1:2 complex appeared only with 1 because flexibility of the crown moieties for 2 and 3 interfered the formation of 1:2 complex. Studies on photochromism in the presence of a metal ion demonstrated that the chromene derivatives bearing crown ether moieties show ion-responsive photochromism depending on the metal ion binding ability of their crown ether moieties.     

Luminophore-immobilized mesoporous silica for selective Hg sensing

Novel mesoporous silica-immobilized rhodamine (MSIR) and silica particle-immobilized rhodamine (SPIR) anchored by a tren (N(CH₂CH₂NH₂)₃) were synthesized. The binding and adsorption abilities of both MSIR and SPIR for metal cations were investigated with fluorophotometry and ion chromatography, respectively. Both MSIR and SPIR show selectivity for Hg²⁺ ion over other metal cations because the Hg²⁺ ion selectively induces a ring opening of the rhodamine fluorophores. The sensitivity of the MSIR for Hg²⁺ ion is greater than that of the SPIR and the MSIR adsorbs 70% of Hg²⁺ ion while the SPIR does only 40%. The MSIR can be also easily recovered by treatment of a solution of TBA⁺OH⁻. For the application of Hg²⁺ detection in the environmental field, the MSIR-coated glass plate is also developed and exhibits an excellent function in visual and fluorescence changes with Hg²⁺ ion.     

Easy access to 4-nitrothiochroman S,S-dioxides via ring-enlargement from 3-nitrobenzo[b]thiophene

The (E)-2-aryl-1-[2-(methylthio)phenyl]-1-nitroethylenes 5 can easily be oxidized to the relevant sulfones 6 and effectively subjected to cyclization via an intramolecular Michael addition after metallation with lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide in THF. After quenching with ammonium chloride the 3-aryl-4-nitrothiochroman S,S-dioxides 2 are obtained as diastereomeric mixtures in good to excellent yields. Both yields and stereochemistry of the ring-closure step appear to be influenced by steric effects of the 3-aryl moiety. As sulfides 5 derive from an initial ring opening of 3-nitrobenzo[b]thiophene (1), the overall 1 to 2 process can be considered as an effective 5 to 6 ring enlargement of the sulfur heterocycle. A conformational ¹H NMR and molecular-mechanics investigation on the isolated diastereomeric 2 has also been accomplished.     

New cyano-substituted organic dyes containing different electrophilic groups: aggregation-induced emission and large two-photon absorption cross section

Three aggregation-induced emission active dyes (3a–c) were synthesized and their one- and two-photon absorption properties have been investigated. They were all found to be weakly fluorescent in THF solution, while they exhibited dramatic fluorescence enhancement in water/THF mixtures. The solid fluorescence of 3a–c was recorded and their fluorescence quantum efficiency (Φ_F) values were determined to be 8.0%, 8.1%, and 16.4%, respectively. Moreover, the two-photon absorption (2PA) cross-sections (σ) of 3a–c were measured and 3a showed the highest value of 702 GM. The excellent aggregation-induced emission and 2PA properties provide a promising alternative for biophotonic materials.