Synthesis and Spectra Characteristics of Novel 3‐(para‐Bromophenyl)‐7‐(substituted vinyl) Coumarins

Five new coumarin derivatives ( 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e ) with extending para‐bromophenyl at the 3‐position and substituted vinyl at the 7‐position were synthesized and characterized by FT‐IR, ¹H NMR, and element analysis. The absorption and fluorescence characteristics of compounds 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e showed significant dependences on its molecular structure, which possessed large Stokes shifts (up to 8309 cm^?1) and high fluorescence quantum yield (up to 0.80) in CH₂Cl₂. These advantageous spectral properties should allow use in many areas.     

π‐Aryl/heteroaryl conjugated coumarin‐thiazoles: Synthesis,optical spectral and nonlinear optic properties

A series of π‐aryl/heteroaryl conjugated coumarin‐thiazole systems 8a‐f has been synthesized by using Hantzsch thiazole protocol and Wittig olefination as the keys. In the UV‐Visible spectra of 8a‐f , a main absorption band associated with a dominant π‐π* transition is observed in the region of 338 to 390 nm. Qualitatively, the values of λ_max have been found to correlate satisfactory with the donor/acceptor characteristics of the π‐attached chromophores. Marked changes observed in the absorption maxima of 8a under acidic conditions are rationalized on the basis of mono‐or bis‐protonation and modification of the donor/acceptor properties of chromophores undergoing protonation. The emission spectra of 8a‐f , obtained by exciting the molecules at their main absorption bands showed emission maxima in the region of 429 nm to 537 nm, with relatively high Stokes shifts of 145 and 171 nm being observed for 8a and 8e , carrying a π‐donor, dimethylaminophenyl and a π‐acceptor, p‐nitrophenyl chromophore, respectively. Although, the first hyperpolarisability β, measured by the hyper‐Reileigh scattering (HRS) technique are modest (12 to 23 × 10^?30 esu), all the compounds exhibited complete transparency in the frequency doubling region at 532 nm and showed high thermal stability (T_d from 330 to 365 °C).     

Effect of the Substitution Pattern on the Intramolecular Charge‐Transfer Emissions in Organoboron‐Based Biphenyls,Diphenylacetylenes, and Stilbenes

Three series of organoboron‐based molecules, including biphenyls 1a , 1b , 1c , diphenylacetylenes 2a , 2b , 2c , and stilbenes 3a , 3b , 3c , in which the electron‐accepting boryl and the electron‐donating amino groups are introduced at different positions, have been comprehensively investigated to explore the effect of the substitution pattern on the intramolecular charge‐transfer emissions. In cyclohexane solution, the change of substitution pattern from p,p′ to o,p′ by introduction of boryl at the lateral o‐position rather than the terminal p‐position leads to bathochromism in the absorption and emission spectra. With further variation of the amino position from the terminal p′‐position in o,p′‐substitution to the lateral o′‐position in an o,o′‐substitution pattern, a blueshift was observed in the absorption owing to the less‐efficient conjugation extension of the amino group as the result of sp³ hybridization. It is notable that the emission of the three series of molecules changes with completely different trends. Only the emission of the biphenyl is redshifted further from o,p′‐substituted 1b to o,o′‐substituted 1a , whereas o,o′‐substituted diphenylacetylene 2a maintains almost the same spectrum as that of o,p′‐substituted diphenylacetylene 2b and the fluorescence of o,o′‐substituted stilbene 3a is even blueshifted compared with o,p′‐substituted stilbene 3b . As a result, the o,o′‐substituted biphenyl 1a shows the longest emission wavelength despite the limited conjugation of the parent biphenyl skeleton. The long emission wavelength of 1a may arise from its extremely twisted structure, which would cause a significant structural relaxation in the exited state. In the solid state, 1a still keeps almost the longest emission wavelength. In addition, its quantum yield is also among the highest. The unusual properties, intense solid‐state emission together with long emission wavelength, and particularly large Stokes shift, which are difficult to attain by structural modification of other parent π‐conjugated frameworks, have been achieved by the introduction of boryl and amino groups at the o,o′‐positions of the biphenyl skeleton.     

Preparation and Acid‐Responsive Photophysical Properties of T‐Shaped π‐Conjugated Molecules Containing a Benzimidazole Junction

T‐shaped π‐conjugated molecules with an N‐methyl‐benzimidazole junction have been synthesized and their acid‐responsive photophysical properties owing to the change in the π‐conjugation system are discussed. T‐shaped π‐conjugated molecules consist of two orthogonal π‐conjugated systems including a phenyl thiophene extended from the 2‐position and alkyl phenylenes connected through various π‐spacers from the 4,7‐positions of the N‐methyl‐benzimidazole junction. The π‐spacers, such as thiophene, ethyne, and ethane, have an effect on the acid response of photophysical properties in terms of changes in conformation, excited‐state energy and charge‐transfer (CT) characteristics. In particular, the π‐conjugated molecule with ethynyl spacers exhibited a marked redshift in the fluorescence spectrum with a large Stokes shift upon the addition of acid, whereas the other molecules showed substantial quenching. The redshift in emission was studied in detail by temperature‐dependent fluorescence measurements, which indicated the transition to a CT state over the finite activation energy at the excited state. The change in the frontier molecular orbitals upon acid addition was further discussed by means of DFT calculations.     

Tuning the Electronic Properties and Acid‐Response Behavior of N‐Heteroacene‐Based π‐Conjugated Liquids by Changing the Number of π‐Conjugated Substituents

We have designed and synthesized two room‐temperature‐fluorescent π‐conjugated liquids based on the N‐heteroacene framework ( 1 and 2 ). These two π‐conjugated liquids, which contained one and two thiophene rings, respectively, exhibited different electronic properties and rheology behaviors. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis of dithiophene‐appended compound 4 revealed that two thiophene rings hindered the interactions of the imino N atoms with acids through the formation of interactions between the S atoms of the thiophene rings and the imino N atoms of the pyrazine group. On the other hand, monothiophene‐appended molecules 1 and 3 each contained an unhindered imino N atom on the opposite site to the thiophene ring. Upon dissolving various acids with different pK_a values in compounds 1 and 2 , these slight structural differences gave rise to marked differences in their acid‐response behaviors, thereby resulting in the emission of variously colored fluorescence in the liquid state. Furthermore, when acids with lower pK_a values was dissolved in compounds 1 and 2 , phase transition occurred from an isotropic liquid state to a self‐organized liquid‐crystalline phase.     

Building Molecular Complexity from Quinizarin: Conjoined Coumarins and Coronene Analogs

The double Knoevenagel condensation of 1,4‐dibenzoyloxyanthraquinone with methyl esters of arylacetic acids affords a series of compounds based upon a previously unknown 1,8‐dioxa‐benzo[e]pyrene‐2,7‐dione heterocyclic core. The aryl groups incorporated in the 3‐ and 6‐positions can be oxidatively coupled to the π‐expanded backbone to produce a further new heterocyclic core: 1,10‐dioxa‐dibenzo[dj]coronene‐2,9‐dione. The intriguing optical properties of these π‐expanded coumarin derivatives are discussed and rationalized through quantum chemical calculations. The broad absorption bands of 1,8‐dioxa‐benzo[e]pyrene‐2,7‐dione‐based dyes are attributed to both HOMO?1→LUMO and HOMO→LUMO transitions, which have a similar energy. Weakly coupled electron‐donating aryl substituents result in a moderate bathochromic shift of both the absorption and emission by 30–60 nm in toluene. The emissive properties of these compounds are in part determined by the oscillator strength of the main transition, lifetimes of the excited state, and by the energy match of the excited state with a triplet state of a similar energy. The 1,10‐dioxa‐dibenzo[dj]coronene‐2,9‐dione displays a much smaller Stokes shift, yet a markedly increased fluorescence quantum yield of 90 % owing to the increased rigidity compared with the 1,8‐dioxa‐benzo[e]pyrene‐2,7‐dione core.     

1-(Imidazol-1-yl)-indolizines—two-step synthesis and optical properties

A one-pot process leading to complex aromatic heterocyclic compounds has been designed. Kröhnke methodology has been used to synthesize indolizines bearing an aldimino-substituent at position 1. Further reaction of these compounds with 1,2-diketones and ammonium acetate led to tetra-substituted imidazoles in 5–28% overall yield. The resulting compounds display strong absorption of UV radiation and emission of a blue light accompanied with large Stokes shifts. Replacing the aryl substituents with thiophene at position 3 of the indolizine and position 2 of the imidazole produce a further red shift of the absorption (vs products with substituted benzene rings) as a result of a more planar conformation in the ground state.     

Imidazole as a Donor/Acceptor Unit in Charge‐Transfer Chromophores with Extended π‐Linkers

Eleven new, stable, push–pull systems that feature 4,5‐bis[4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)phenyl]imidazole and 4,5‐dicyanoimidazole as the donor and acceptor moieties and the systematically extended and varied π‐linker were prepared and investigated. Evaluation of the measured UV/Vis spectra, electrochemical data (cyclic voltammetry (CV), rotating‐disc voltammetry (RDV), and polarography) and calculated β and γ polarizabilities showed efficient charge transfer (CT) in biimidazole‐type chromophores. Push–pull system 27 , which features a planar thiophene‐derived π‐linker, was revealed to be the most efficient chromophore within the studied series. This chromophore possessed the most bathochromically shifted CT band, the lowest electrochemical gap, and highest β and γ polarizabilities. The CT transition was most significantly affected by structural features such as π‐linker length, planarity, conjugating arrangement, and the presence of olefinic/acetylenic or 1,4‐phenylene/thiophene subunits in the π‐linker.     

A study of structural effects on linear and nonlinear response of bicompartmental Ni (II) Schiff base complexes

Herein we investigate imaginary third order NLO activity, optical limiting capability and first hyperpolarizabilities of five Ni (II) salen complexes using experimental and theoretical methods. The complexes are tuned to have different NLO response by changing mainly the diimine spacer group. Out of the compounds reported, the one with o‐phenylene spacer group exhibits the highest NLO activity comparable with that of polymers and semiconductors which is followed by the compound with ethylene spacer unit. The order of activity is a direct function of the degree of π‐delocalization. Further all the tested compounds returned outstanding optical limiting capabilities making them excellent materials for fabrication of such devices. The experimental results were substantiated with frontier orbital calculations carried out using DFT at M06/6‐31G* level of theory and complex with aromatic spacer group exhibits least energy gap and highest activity. The total dipole moment, polarizability and first hyperpolarizability were also calculated at the same level of theory which are also in line with the experimentally observed results.     

Tropone‐containing π‐conjugated polymers: Annulation of tropone onto benzene ring in the conjugated polymer

Tropone‐fused, various π‐conjugated polymers ( P2 – P5 ) were synthesized by the palladium‐catalyzed coupling reaction of 1,4‐dibromo‐6,8‐dimethyl‐7H‐benzocyclohepten‐7‐one with aromatic divinyl, diboronic acid, and diethynyl compounds. The molecular orbital calculation of the model compounds was performed to discuss effective conjugation length of the repeating unit of the polymers. The absorption spectra of phenylenevinylene‐type polymers shifted to longer wavelengths than the model compounds by about 60 nm. They exhibited green fluorescence [λ_max(em) = 544 and 561 nm]. The absorption spectrum of a phenylene‐type polymer blueshifted by 10 nm; however, that of a phenyleneethynylene‐type polymer redshifted by 83 nm as compared with their model compounds. They showed fluorescence with peak maxima at 457 and 489 nm, respectively. As a result, the absorption spectra of phenylene‐ and phenylenevinylene‐type polymers blueshifted, but that of a phenyleneethynylene‐type polymer redshifted by the annulation of tropone onto a benzene ring in the conjugated polymer. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1208–1215, 2004     

Aggregation‐Induced Emission and Sensing Characteristics of Triarylborane–Oligothiophene–Dicyanovinyl Triads

The design, synthesis and aggregation‐induced emission properties of a new series of triarylborane–oligothiophene–dicyanovinyl (DCV) conjugates 4 – 6 (A–D–A’ type molecular configuration) are reported. The optical properties of 4 – 6 can be modulated by judiciously varying the number of thiophene units between electron deficient boryl and dicyanovinyl units. Compound 6 with terthiophene spacer showed highly red‐shifted absorption and emission compared to 5 and 4 with bithiophene and monothiophene spacers, respectively. Compounds 5 and 6 show aggregation‐induced emission enhancement in water/THF mixtures. Compounds 5 and 6 also showed solvent viscosity dependent emission characteristics. All the three compounds show distinct optical responses for small anions such as fluoride and cyanide. Filter paper strips coated with compounds 5 and 6 can detect F^? and CN^? in aqueous media with different colorimetric responses.     

Synthesis of π‐conjugated polymer containing both thiophene and phosphole sulfide in the main chain by simultaneous post‐element transformation of organotitanium polymer

The synthesis and unique optoelectronic features of a π‐conjugated polymer containing both thiophene and 1‐phenylphosphole sulfide units (multiple heteroles) in the main chain by the post‐element transformation of a regioregular organometallic polymer possessing titanacyclopentadiene‐2,5‐diyl unit are described. The π‐conjugated polymer containing multiple heteroles was obtained in 73% yield by the simultaneous reaction of the organotitanium polymer with sulfur monochloride and dichlorophenylphosphine (0.6 equiv each), whose number‐average molecular weight (M_n) and the molecular‐weight distribution (M_w/M_n) were estimated to be 11,000 and 3.4, respectively, by the size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The π‐conjugated polymer thus obtained was found to have the high HOMO and the low LUMO energy levels due to the electron‐rich thiophene and electron‐deficient phosphole sulfide units, respectively, as supported by its cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis. Compared to a mixture of a polymer containing sole thiophene‐unit and that containing sole phosphole sulfide units, the π‐conjugated polymer‐containing multiple heteroles proved to exhibit interesting optical properties. For example, a specific emission peak was observed at 608 nm in the photoluminescence spectrum, which was not observed in the case of the thiophene‐containing polymer, the phosphole‐containing polymer, and their mixture. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 2519–2525     

Synthesis and Characterization of Donor–π‐Acceptor‐Based Porphyrin Sensitizers: Potential Application of Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

New porphyrin sensitizers based on donor–π‐acceptor (D‐π‐A) approach have been designed, synthesized, characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and their photovoltaic properties explored. N,N′‐Diphenylamine acts as donor, the porphyrin is the π‐spacer, and either carboxylic acid or cyanoacryclic acid acts as acceptor. All compounds were characterized by using ¹H NMR spectroscopy, ESI‐MS, UV–visible emission spectroscopies as well as electrochemical methods. The presence of aromatic groups between porphyrin π‐plane and acceptor group push the absorption of both Soret and Q‐bands of porphyrin towards the red region. The electrochemical properties suggests that LUMO of these sensitizers above the TiO₂ conduction band. Finally, the device was fabricated using liquid redox electrolyte (I^?/I₃^?) and its efficiency was compared with that of a leading sensitizer.     

Thiophene‐Based,Radial π‐Conjugation: Synthesis,Structure, and Photophysical Properties of Cyclo‐1,4‐phenylene‐2′,5′‐thienylenes

The synthesis of cyclo‐1,4‐phenylene‐2′,5′‐thienylenes (CPTs) as the first example of a thiophene‐based, radially π‐conjugated system is described. X‐ray crystal structures, UV‐vis absorption and emission spectra, and theoretical studies revealed the unique structural and photophysical properties of CPTs. With all of these unique structural and photophysical properties, the radially π‐conjugated CPTs are expected to open a door for the discovery and development of new functional organic materials.     

Thiophene‐Based,Radial π‐Conjugation: Synthesis,Structure, and Photophysical Properties of Cyclo‐1,4‐phenylene‐2′,5′‐thienylenes

The synthesis of cyclo‐1,4‐phenylene‐2′,5′‐thienylenes (CPTs) as the first example of a thiophene‐based, radially π‐conjugated system is described. X‐ray crystal structures, UV‐vis absorption and emission spectra, and theoretical studies revealed the unique structural and photophysical properties of CPTs. With all of these unique structural and photophysical properties, the radially π‐conjugated CPTs are expected to open a door for the discovery and development of new functional organic materials.     

Synthesis, Mesogenic and Spectroscopic Properties of 2,5-Disubstituted Thiophene Derivatives

Two series of 2,5-disubstituted thiophene derivatives （series 1： 2,5-bis（p-alkoxyphenylethynyl）thiophene and series 2： 2,5-bis[p-（p-alkoxyphenylethynyl）（phenylethynyl）]thiophene） were synthesized and characterized by ^1H NMR, ^13C NMR, HRMS and elemental analysis. The relationship between the structure and the mesogenic and spectroscopic properties has been discussed. The results show that compounds 1a-1f all exhibited an enantiotropic nematic mesophase, which was confirmed by the polarized optical microscopy （POM）, differential scanning calorimeter （DSC） and variable temperature powder X-ray diffraction （PXRD）. In contrast, the extended conjugated analogues 2a-2b had no liquid crystal properties. As for the spectroscopic properties, incorporating more phenylethynyl units results in red-shifted absorption and emission spectra, greatly enhanced quantum efficiency.     

Simple and Versatile Molecular Donors for Organic Photovoltaics Prepared by Metal‐Free Synthesis

Donor–acceptor molecules (D‐π‐A) built by connecting a diphenylhydrazone block to a dicyanovinyl acceptor group via various thiophene‐based π‐conjugating spacers ( 1 – 5 ) were synthesized from mono‐ or dialdehydes by a simple metal‐free procedure. Cyclic voltammetry and UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy show that the extension and/or increase of the donor strength of the spacer produces a decrease of the HOMO and LUMO energy level, a red shift of the absorption spectrum and an increase of the molecular absorption coefficient. Compared to solutions, the optical spectra of spin‐cast thin films of compounds 1–3 show a broadening and red shift of the absorption bands, consistent with the formation of J‐aggregates. In contrast the blue shift observed for the EDOT‐containing compounds 4 and 5 suggests the presence of H‐aggregates. Solution‐cast and vacuum‐deposited films of donors 1–5 were evaluated in solar cells with fullerene C₆₀ as acceptor. A power‐conversion efficiency among the highest reported for bilayer devices of basic configuration was obtained with compound 2 . On the other hand, the results obtained with 4 and 5 suggest that the presence of EDOT in the structure can have deleterious effects on the organization and performances of the donor material.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of several 3‐(coumarin‐4‐yl)tetrahydroisoxazole and 3‐(coumarin‐4‐yl)dihydropyrazole derivatives

A series of novel 3‐(coumarin‐4‐yl)tetrahydroisoxazoles 5a,b, 7, 9 and 3‐(coumarin‐4‐yl)dihydropyra‐zoles 13a‐d, 14,15a,b were synthesized from coumarin‐4‐carboxaldehyde 1 via the intermediate N‐methyl nitrone 3 and N‐phenyl or N‐methyl hydrazones 11a,b . These coumarin derivatives were isolated, characterized and evaluated in vitro for their ability to inhibit trypsin, β‐glucuronidase, soybean lipoxygenase and to interact with the stable radical 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl. The compounds were tested in vivo as anti‐inflammatory agents in the rat carrageenin paw edema assay. Compound 15a seems to be a lead molecule to be modified in order to improve the lipoxygenase inhibition. The results are discussed in terms of structural characteristics.     

Synthesis,characterizations, and electrochromic properties of donor–acceptor type polymers containing 2, 1, 3‐benzothiadiazole and different thiophene donors

Three donor–acceptor type π‐conjugated monomers containing 2, 1, 3‐benzothiadiazole (Tz) as the acceptor unit and different thiophene derivatives (thiophene, 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene, and thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene) as the donor units have been synthesized via Stille coupling reaction. The corresponding polymers are electrochemically deposited onto FTO glass by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The maximum absorption wavelength of the neutral polymers varies with the electron‐rich character of incorporated thiophene moieties, giving rise to tunable colors. In addition, the prepared polymer films demonstrate reasonable transmittance modulation, fast switching rate, high color efficiency and good stability, which meet the requirements of smart windows and electrochromic display applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2239–2246     

Excited‐state energy dynamics of conjugated polycarbogermane oligomers: Introduction effects of germanium atom into π‐conjugated molecular system

Excited‐state energy dynamics of the conjugated polycarbogermane oligomers, poly{[1,4‐bis(thiophenyl)buta‐1,3‐diyne]‐alt‐(dimethylgermane)} (PBTBD‐DMG; n = 33), poly{[1,4‐bis‐(thiophenyl)buta‐1,3‐diyne]‐alt‐(diphethylgermane)} (PBTBD‐DPG; n = 12), poly{[1,4‐bis(phenyl)buta‐1,3‐diyne]‐alt‐(dimethylgermane)} (PBPBD‐DMG; n = 36), and poly{[1,4‐bis(phenyl)buta‐1,3‐diyne]‐alt‐(diphenylgermane)} (PBPBD‐DPG; n = 2), were investigated by steady‐state and picosecond time‐resolved fluorescence spectroscopies in liquid solution. The introduction effect of a germanium atom into π‐conjugated oligomer backbones and the substitution effect of a methyl or phenyl group on the germanium atom are discussed from solvent polarity‐dependent studies. Steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence studies on the thiophene‐containing polycarbogermane (PBTBD‐DMG and PBTBD‐DPG) oligomers revealed considerable solvent polarity‐dependent characteristics, whereas those of the phenylene‐containing polycarbogermane (PBPBD‐DMG and PBPBD‐DPG) oligomers do not significantly show such characteristics. As the solvent polarity increased from n‐hexane to tetrahydrofuran, the steady‐state fluorescence spectra of PBTBD‐DMG and PBTBD‐DPG oligomers were significantly redshifted, and their fluorescence lifetimes seemed to change from ～624 to ～46 ps. These results suggest that the excited‐state dynamics of PBTBD‐DMG and PBTBD‐DPG oligomers are related to an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) emission process through (d‐p) π conjugation between the π‐conjugated system and unoccupied 4d orbitals of the germanium atom. These results are supported by quantum chemical (AM1 and CNDO/2) calculations. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 1298–1306, 2002