Stacking‐Induced Diamagnetic/Paramagnetic Conversion of Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridin‐2(3 H)‐one Derivatives: Near‐Infrared Absorption and Magnetic Properties in the Solid State

Herein, we present three imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridin‐2(3 H)‐one derivatives that are diamagnetic in solution, but paramagnetic in the solid state, possibly owing to a stacking‐induced formation of phenoxide‐type radicals. Notably, a larger bathochromic shift of the absorption (even up to the near‐ infrared region) of these three compounds was observed in the solid state than in solution, which was attributable to the ordered columnar stacking arrangements or their single‐electron character as radicals in the solid state. Interestingly, compared to that in solution, (E)‐3‐(pyridin‐4′‐ylmethylene)imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine 2(3 H)‐one displayed a largely red‐shifted emission (centered at 660 nm, with tailing above 800 nm) in the solid state. A larger bathochromic shift (260 nm) of the emission is an indication of better order and tight stacking in the solid state, which is brought about by the rigid and polar acceptor. These three compounds also reveal different magnetic susceptibilities at 300 K, thus implying that they possess various columnar stacking structures. Most interestingly, these three radicals exhibit unusual ferromagnetic‐to‐antiferromagnetic phase transitions, which can be attributed to anisotropic contraction and non‐uniform slippage of the columnar stacking chains.     

Enhanced gelation property due to intra-molecular hydrogen bonding in a new series of bis(amino acid)-functionalized pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide organogelators

A series of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide derivatives containing two α-amino acid pendant groups was prepared and characterized. Three of the synthesized compounds obtained from this series, all having aromatic amino acid side chains, were found to be excellent organogelators toward aromatic solvents (mgc∼10-20 mg/mL), alcoholic solvents (mgc∼4-15 mg/mL), and CCl₄ (mgc∼4-10 mg/mL). It was found that the intra-molecular hydrogen bonds between the pyridine dicarboxamide N-Hs and the pyridine N atom were the key structural elements for gel formation. This series of compounds represented one of the rare examples where both inter- and intra-molecular hydrogen bonds were needed for effective gel formation. FTIR, ¹H NMR, and CD spectroscopy revealed that both hydrogen bonding and π-π aromatic stacking were the driving forces for gelation.     

Thiazole Boron Difluoride Dyes with Large Stokes Shift,Solid State Emission and Room-Temperature Phosphorescence

The small Stokes shift and weak emission in the solid state are two main shortcomings associated with the boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) family of dyes. This study presents the design, synthesis and luminescent properties of boron difluoro complexes of 2-aryl-5-alkylamino-4-alkylaminocarbonylthiazoles. These dyes display Stokes shifts (Δλ, 77–101 nm) with quantum yields (ϕ_FL) up to 64.9 and 34.7 % in toluene solution and in solid state, respectively. Some of these compounds exhibit dual fluorescence and room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) emission properties with modulable phosphorescence quantum yields (ϕ_PL) and lifetime (τ_p up to 251 μs). The presence of intramolecular H-bonds and negligible π-π stacking revealed by X-ray crystal structure might account for the observed large Stokes shift and significant solid-state emission of these fluorophores, while the enhanced spin-orbit coupling (SOC) of iodine and the self-assembly driven by halogen bonding, π-π and C−H^…π interactions could be responsible for the observed RTP of iodine containing phosphors.     

Clockwise helical stacking of triphenylbenzene-based organogelator induced by peripheral chirality

We report on the synthesis and self-assembly of a new discotic organogelator based on π-conjugated triphenylbenzene with three peripheral chiral substituents. It is found that the introduction of chiral groups to the C₃-symmetric molecule led to a hexagonal columnar chiral stacking of the molecules in a clockwise direction in the organogel fibers. And the fluorescent emission of the gel decreased significantly compared to the monomer state at the same concentration, as a result of the aggregation of the nonplanar triphenylbenzene core in the gel phase.     

一种含芘葡萄糖衍生物的合成及其胶凝行为

合成并表征了一种荧光活性小分子胶凝剂——芘磺酰基-丙二胺-葡萄糖(PSDAPG), 考察了其在36种常见溶剂中的胶凝行为. 结果发现, PSDAPG可使其中16种溶剂胶凝. 对癸醇, PSDAPG表现出罕见的超级胶凝能力, 室温下最低胶凝浓度(MGC)达7.0×10-4 g·mL-1. 此外, PSDAPG还是一种既可胶凝水又可胶凝有机溶剂的双性胶凝剂. 扫描电镜(SEM)、傅立叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、核磁共振(1HNMR)和荧光光谱研究表明,在不同溶剂中, PSDAPG具有不同的聚集结构, 除了芘基之间的疏水π-π堆积作用外, 氢键作用是PSDAPG自发形成三维网络结构的重要驱动力. 实验研究还表明, 溶液态和凝胶态的PSDAPG荧光光谱均同时呈现芘的单体荧光和激基缔合物荧光光谱特征, 但两者的光谱形貌差异显著. 随凝胶的形成, 体系单体荧光发射增强, 激基缔合物荧光发射减弱,表明形成的三维网络结构阻碍了PSDAPG中芘单元的运动性, 使得以Birks途径形成激基缔合物的效率降低.     

Supramolecularly engineered perylene bisimide assemblies exhibiting thermal transition from columnar to multilamellar structures

Perylene 3,4:9,10-tetracarboxylic acid bisimide (PBI) was functionalized with ditopic cyanuric acid to organize it into complex columnar architectures through the formation of hydrogen-bonded supermacrocycles (rosette) by complexing with ditopic melamines possessing solubilizing alkoxyphenyl substituents. The aggregation study in solution using UV-vis and NMR spectroscopies showed the formation of extended aggregates through hydrogen-bonding and π-π stacking interactions. The cylindrical fibrillar nanostructures were visualized by microscopic techniques (AFM, TEM), and the formation of lyotropic mesophase was confirmed by polarized optical microscopy and SEM. X-ray diffraction study revealed that a well-defined hexagonal columnar (Col(h)) structure was formed by solution-casting of fibrillar assemblies. All of these results are consistent with the formation of hydrogen-bonded PBI rosettes that spontaneously organize into the Col(h) structure. Upon heating the Col(h) structure in the bulk state, a structural transition to a highly ordered lamellar (Lam) structure was observed by variable-temperature X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and AFM studies. IR study showed that the rearrangement of the hydrogen-bonding motifs occurs during the structural transition. These results suggest that such a striking structural transition is aided by the reorganization in the lowest level of self-organization, i.e., the rearrangement of hydrogen-bonded motifs from rosette to linear tape. A remarkable increase in the transient photoconductivity was observed by the flash-photolysis time-resolved microwave conductivity (FP-TRMC) measurements upon converting the Col(h) structure to the Lam structure. Transient absorption spectroscopy revealed that electron transfer from electron-donating alkoxyphenyl groups of melamine components to electron-deficient PBI moieties takes place, resulting in a higher probability of charge carrier generation in the Lam structure compared to the Col(h) structure.     

花生酸-钌有机螯合物Ru(phen)_3~(2+)的单分子膜和LB膜中分子聚集行为的研究

以功能性的钌有机螯合物Ru(phen)_3~(2+)作为亚相离子,花生酸在亚相表面 上形成稳定的单分子膜。π-A等温线和动态弹性测量表明,此膜因花生酸与钌螯离 子发生了静电相互作用而有更大的可压缩性,并在固态区发生了分子聚集。用垂直 法成功地制备了嵌有Ru(phen)_3~(2+)离子的超薄有序Y-型LB膜。光谱实验表明, 所得LB膜是稳定、均匀的层状三明治结构,在层面内Ru(phen)_3~(2+)与花生酸结 合成相对稳定的分子基团形成了J-聚体。     

D-A结构的9,9-二芳基芴类发光材料的合成、表征及性能

设计合成了一系列以三苯胺结构为核心的具有推电子-拉电子(D-A)结构的9,9-二芳基芴类有机小分子. 研究了介质极性对吸收与发射光谱行为的影响及分子结构与其发光能力的关系. 该类化合物荧光发射波长范围在430-530 nm. 并在特定极性溶剂中观察到双重荧光现象. 溶剂效应显示该类化合物随着介质极性的增加, 分子内电荷转移态(ICT)的荧光发射峰波长先红移后蓝移且荧光强度降低, 表现出扭曲的分子内电荷转移(TICT)行为. 该类化合物的最高占有分子轨道(HOMO)能级位于-5.24 - -5.50 eV, 且可以通过改变取代基电负性的强弱来调节. 所得化合物的玻璃化转变温度为192-206 °C, 热重分析(TGA)表明化合物的热分解温度都在400 °C以上, 具有良好的热稳定性.     

Switchable fluorescent organogels and mesomorphic superstructure based on naphthalene derivatives

Bisurea-functionalized naphthalene organogelators via cooperative hydrogen bonding and pi-pi stacking interaction were designed and synthesized. The gelators showed excellent gelling capability in various solvents and performed switchable fluorescence in the gel state. The fluorescent emission of these compounds strongly depends on the aggregation of the fluorophore and is very sensitive to the temperature and chemical stimuli. A stronger and red-shifted emission was found in the gel state compared with the original solution. The gel-sol transition of the systems, as well as the fluorescent emission, is reversibly controlled by a change of the temperature or upon alternative addition of fluoride anions and protons. The influence of fluoride anions on the fluorescence and gel-sol processes is a result of the dissociation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds by bonding of fluoride anions with urea groups of the gelator. The obtained sol is turned to the gel state again upon addition of trifluoroacetic acid. Furthermore, polarizing optical microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering indicated that the gelator exhibited the liquid crystalline property and displayed the column phase.     

Self-assembly of oligo(para-phenylenevinylene)s through arene-perfluoroarene interactions: pi gels with longitudinally controlled fiber growth and supramolecular exciplex-mediated enhanced emission

The arene-perfluoroarene (ArH-ArF) interaction, which has been extensively studied in the field of solid-state chemistry, is exploited in the hierarchical self-assembly of oligo(para-phenylenevinylene)s (OPVs) with controlled longitudinal fiber growth that leads to gelation. The size of the self-assembled fibers of a pentafluorophenyl-functionalized OPV 5 could be controlled through C-FH--C hydrogen bonding and pi stacking. The ability of fluoroaromatic compounds to form excited-state complexes with aromatic amines has been utilized to form a supramolecular exciplex, exclusively in the gel state, that exhibits enhanced emission. Thus, the commonly encountered fluorescence quenching during the self-assembly of OPVs could be considerably prevented by exciplex formation with N,N-dimethylaniline (DMA), which only occurred for the fluorinated OPV and not for the non-fluorinated analogue 4. In the former case, a threefold enhancement in the emission intensity could be observed in the gel state, whereas no change in emission occurred in solution. Thus, the major limitations of spontaneous fiber growth and fluorescence self-quenching encountered in the self-assembly of OPVs could be controlled to a great extent by using the versatile ArH-ArF interaction.     

New dendritic gelator bearing carbazole in each branching unit: selected response to fluoride ion in gel phase

A new dendritic gelator with carbazole as the building block (HBCD) was synthesized. It was found that H-bonding between the amide groups and π-π interaction between the aromatic rings played predominant roles in the gel formation. Meanwhile, significant aggregation-induced emission enhancement was observed in the gel state due to the formation of J-aggregates and the restricted molecular motion. Notably, the gel state of HBCD can be destroyed upon addition of F(-), accompanied by fluorescence enhancement on account of the formation of N-HF(-), which could further lead to the increased coplanarity of HBCD. The sensory capability of HBCD exhibited a high selectivity towards F(-) instead of the Cl(-), Br(-), I(-) and AcO(-) anions, which could be explained by the fact that the steric hindrance of the dendrimer would go against the interactions between the larger anions and HBCD.     

Photoinduced electron transfer from the excited J-aggregate state of a thiacarbocyanine dye to TiO2 colloids

The photophysical properties of the J-aggregate of 3,3'-di(3-sulfopropyl)-4,5,4',5'-dibenzo-9-phenyl-thiacarbocyanine triethyl-ammonium salt in the absence and presence of TiO(2) colloids have been studied using UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, and ESR spectroscopy. The fluorescence emission of the J-aggregate decreases with increasing concentration of TiO(2) colloids. The average fluorescence lifetime of the J-aggregate in the presence of TiO(2) colloids is shorter than that in the absence of TiO(2) colloids. A strong photoinduced ESR signal has been observed during illumination by light with lambda=633 nm in the presence of TiO(2) and the ESR signal can be attributed to the J-aggregate radical cation. From the above results, it is concluded that photoinduced electron transfer from the excited singlet state of the J-aggregate to the conduction band of TiO(2) takes place and the electron transfer rate is about 1.5 x 10(8) s(-1).     

Charge-Segregated Stacking Structure with Anisotropic Electric Conductivity in NIR-Absorbing and Emitting Positively Charged π-Electronic Systems

Squarylium-based π-electronic cation with an augmented dipole was synthesized by methylation of zwitterionic squarylium. The cation formed various ion pairs in combination with anions, and the ion pairs exhibited distinct photophysical properties in the dispersed state, ascribed to the formation of J- and H-aggregates. The ion pairs provided solid-state assemblies based on cation stacking. It is noteworthy that complete segregation of cations and anions was observed in a pseudo-polymorph of the ion pair with pentacyanocyclopentadienide as a π-electronic anion. In the crystalline state, the ion pairs exhibited photophysical properties and electric conductivity derived from cation stacking. In particular, the charge-segregated ion-pairing assembly induces an electric conductive pathway along the stacking axis. The charge-segregated mode and fascinating properties were derived from the reduced electrostatic repulsion between adjacent π-electronic cations via dipole–dipole interactions.     

Modulation of the Self-Assembly of π-Amphiphiles in Water from Enthalpy- to Entropy-Driven by Enwrapping Substituents

Depending on the connectivity of solubilizing oligoethylene glycol (OEG) side chains to the π-cores of amphiphilic naphthalene and perylene bisimide dyes, self-assembly in water occurs either upon heating or cooling. Herein, we show that this effect originates from differences in the enwrapping capability of the π-cores by the OEG chains. Rylene bisimides bearing phenyl substituents with three OEG chains attached directly to the hydrophobic π-cores are strongly sequestered by the OEG chains. These molecules self-assemble at elevated temperatures in an entropy-driven process according to temperature- and concentration-dependent UV/Vis spectroscopy and calorimetric dilution studies. In contrast, for rylene bisimides in which phenyl substituents with three OEG chains are attached via a methylene spacer, leading to much weaker sequestration, self-assembly originates upon cooling in an enthalpy-driven process. Our explanation for this controversial behavior is that the aggregation in the latter case is dictated by the release of “high energy water” from the hydrophobic π-surfaces as well as dispersion interactions between the π-scaffolds which drive the self-assembly in an enthalpically driven process. In contrast, for the former case we suggest that in addition to the conventional explanation of a dehydration of hydrogen-bonded water molecules from OEG units it is in particular the increase in conformational entropy of back-folded OEG side chains upon aggregation that provides the pronounced gain in entropy that drives the aggregation process. Thus, our studies revealed that a subtle change in the attachment of solubilizing substituents can switch the thermodynamic signature for the self-assembly of amphiphilic dyes in water from enthalpy- to entropy-driven.     

含膦酰杂菲侧基的4-炔基苯甲酸酯对聚叠氮缩水甘油醚点击接枝反应及其聚集诱导发光增强性能

在CuI催化作用下,实现了含膦酰杂菲侧基的4-炔基苯甲酸酯(MAT4)与聚叠氮缩水甘油醚(GAP)的点击接枝反应,得到新型接枝聚合物G-M4,并由红外谱图确定了等摩尔反应.由于分子内含膦酰杂菲基团侧基之间较强的π-π和极性共同相互作用以及聚醚主链的柔顺性,使G-M4分子链内侧基之间相对空间位置比较固定,分子链构型规整,...     

Relative substituent position on the strength of π-π stacking interactions

It was observed that the relative position of the arene substituents has a profound influence on the strength of π-π stacking in the 9-benzyl-substituted triptycene system. A new series of model compounds (3a-i) capable of revealing quantitatively π-π stacking interactions was studied. This series of compounds (3a-i) has an ortho-substituted methyl group in one of the two interacting arenes and the syn/anti ratios were determined and compared to a series previously studied compounds (4a-i) that have a para methyl group on the corresponding arene. A greater than 50% increase in the strength of π-π stacking interactions was observed with the methyl group in the ortho position comparing to that in the para position. No difference in π-π stacking interactions was observed when the other aromatic ring was a pentafluorobenzoate group.     

Dinuclear Diphosphine Complexes of Gold(I) Alkynyls,the Effects of Alkynyl Substituents onto Photophysical Behavior

A series of dinuclear diphosphine complexes of gold(I) alkynyls containing bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethane/propane and alkynyl ligands with aromatic substituents (biphenyl, pyrene, and azobenzene) was synthesized and characterized using X‐ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. Photophysical parameters of the compounds obtained strongly depend on the nature of aromatic substituents in the alkynyl ligands. Azobenzene containing derivatives are non‐luminescent, whereas biphenyl and pyrene containing complexes display moderate emission both in solution and in solid state. The complexes with biphenyl substituents display strong heavy atom effect and show typical phosphorescent emission. In contrast, the complexes containing pyrene chromophore are fluorescent that points to the absence of spin orbit coupling in these systems, which additionally display static excimer emission in solid phase due to ground state π‐stacking of the pyrene moieties.     

Functional organogel based on a hydroxyl naphthanilide derivative and aggregation induced enhanced fluorescence emission

A new class of low molecular weight organogelator (LMOG) of hydroxyl naphthanilide moiety was suitably designed and synthesized and it forms gels through noncovalent interactions in hydrocarbon solvents. Self-assembly structure, hydrogen bonding interaction, and photophysical properties of organogelator 3-hydroxy-naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid (2-heptylcarbamoyl-phenyl)-amide (2) have been investigated by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), FT-IR, UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence combined with theoretical studies by hybrid density-functional theory (DFT) B3LYP and semi-empirical calculations AM1 with CI methods. It was found that gelation is completely thermoreversible, and it occurs due to the aggregation of the organogelator resulting in the formation of a fibrous network due to the π–π stacking interaction complemented by the presence of both inter- and intra-molecular hydrogen bonding. The self-assembled fibrillar networks in the gels were distinctly evidenced by SEM observations. FT-IR studies confirm that the common driving force for aggregation in the organogels and microsegregation in the mesophase is the occurrence of a tight intermolecular hydrogen bonded network that does not persist in diluted solution. Gelator 2 is very weakly fluorescent in solution, but its intensity is increased by almost 30–32 times in their respective gelled state depending on the nature of the gelling solvents. The aggregation induced emission enhancement is ascribed to the formation of J-aggregation and inhibition of intramolecular rotation in the gel state.     

Construction of Helical Structures with Multiple Fused Anthracenes: Structures and Properties of Long Expanded Helicenes

Polycyclic aromatic compounds consisting of four or five fused anthracene units were synthesized by PtCl₂-catalyzed cycloisomerization as novel long expanded helicenes. These compounds have helical structures with significant stacking of the terminal anthracene moieties at 0.33 nm interlayer distance. In the UV-vis and fluorescence spectra, the absorption and emission bands were red-shifted as the number of fused anthracene units was increased. The characteristic broad and long-lived emission bands of the long analogues are explained by the excimer-like stabilization of the excited state. These photophysical data as well as their cyclic voltammetric data are discussed on the basis of the π-conjugation and interlayer π⋅⋅⋅π interactions in the molecular structures and the molecular orbitals. The barrier and mechanism of helical inversion are also reported.     

Revisiting the photophysical properties and excited singlet-state dipole moments of several coumarin derivatives

The solvent effects on the electronic absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of several coumarins derivatives, containing amino, N,N-dimethyl-amino, N,N-diethyl-amino, hydroxyl, methyl, carboxyl, or halogen substituents at the positions 7, 4, or 3, were investigated in eight solvents with various polarities. The first excited singlet-state dipole moments of these coumarins were determined by various solvatochromic methods, using the theoretical ground-state dipole moments which were calculated by the AM1 method. The first excited singlet-state dipole moment values were obtained by the Bakhshiev, Kawski-Chamma-Viallet, Lippert-Mataga, and Reichardt-Dimroth equations, and were compared to the ground-state dipole moments. In all cases, the dipole moments were found to be higher in the excited singlet-state than in the ground state because of the different electron densities in both states. The red-shifts of the absorption and fluorescence emission bands, observed for most compounds upon increasing the solvent polarity, indicated that the electronic transitions were of π-π* nature.