Controlling the fluorescence quantum yields of benzothiazole-difluoroborates by optimal substitution

Precise tuning of the fluorescence quantum yield, vital for countless applications of fluorophores, remains exceptionally challenging due to numerous factors affecting energy dissipation phenomena often leading to its counterintuitive behavior. In contrast to the absorption and emission wavelength which can be precisely shifted to the desired range by simple structural changes, no general strategy exists for controllable modification of the fluorescence quantum yield. The rigidification of the molecular skeleton is known to usually enhance the emission and can be practically realized via the limiting molecular vibrations by aggregation. However, the subtle balance between the abundant possible radiative and non-radiative decay pathways makes the final picture exceptionally sophisticated. In the present study, a series of nine fluorophores obtained by peripheral substitution with two relatively mild electron donating and electron withdrawing groups are reported. The obtained fluorescence quantum yields range from dark to ultra-bright and the extreme values are obtained for the isomeric molecules. These severe changes in emission efficiency have been shown to arise from the complex relationship between the Franck–Condon excited state and conical intersection position. The experimental findings are rationalized by the advanced quantum chemical calculations delivering good correlation between the measured emission parameters and theoretical radiative and internal conversion rate constants. Therefore, the described substituent exchange provides a method to rigorously adjust the properties of molecular probes structurally similar to thioflavin T.

A full palette of FQY (form ca. 0 to 98%) was covered by exchanging two groups in a series of nine compounds. The darkest (OMe/CF₃) and brightest (CF₃/OMe) are isomers. All experimental data are supported by TD-DFT calculations.     

4-(二乙氨基)水杨醛席夫碱的合成、光谱性质和热稳定性及量化计算

合成了两种酰腙类席夫碱4-(二乙氨基)水杨醛噻吩-2-甲酰腙(H_2L~1)和4-(二乙氨基)水杨醛异烟酰腙一水合物(H_2L~2·H_2O),利用元素分析、IR光谱、UV光谱和FL光谱及热重分析对其进行了表征.实验结果表明,两种化合物在可见光区均可产生荧光,最大发射峰波长分别为504和525nm.热分解温度分别为254和278℃.用Gaussian 09程序包对H_2L~1进行了量化计算,结果表明,该化合物的水杨基和酰腙基是金属离子很好的配位点.     

Visual pigments. V. Ground and excited-state acid dissociation constants of protonated all-trans retinal schiff base and correlation with theory.

Abstract— The acid dissociation constants of protonated all-trans retinal Schiff base (SB-H⁺) in a 50% water-methanol solution at 0°C is 6–95 for the ground state and nominally 16–65 for the first excited singlet state, with a potential range of ? 12–21. These values are in qualitative agreement with the results of semiempirical MO calculations, which indicate that the total charge density on nitrogen is greater in the first excited singlet than in the ground state (Q_N* > Q_N). However, pertinent to vision, CNDO/2 calculations on all-trans and 11-cis Schiff base and SB-H⁺ indicate that, for torsional angles of approximately 80–100° around the 11–12 double bond, Q_N* < Q_N. This result suggests that it may be possible for the proton to come off the imine nitrogen during isomerization from 11 -cis SB-H⁺ to all-trans SB-H⁺. The potential consequence of this during isomerization of rhodopsin is the initiation of unfolding of the protein opsin.     

Fluorescence spectra,fluorescence quantum yields and fluorescence lifetimes of polymers having trans-1,2-dicarbazolylyclobutane or carbazolyl group

Quantum yields, lifetimes and shapes of fluorescence from polymers containing the trans-1,2-dicarbazolylcyclobutane (DCZB) or carbazolyl structures were studied in N,N-dimethylformamide. No sandwich-type excimer formation was observed for DCZB polymers. The so-called second excimer observed in poly(9-vinylcarbazole) might also be produced in poly(9-ethyl-3-vinylcarbazole).     

Absolute fluorescence quantum yields for vapour-phase benzene and naphthalene,and comments on the non-radiative processes

Optic—acoustic measurements have been employed in the determination of absolute quantum yields for benzene and naphthalene. Heat yields are measured by a method using oxygen quenching of both triplet and singlet states. For vibrationally relaxed excited singlet states the fluorescence quantum yields, φ^B_f, are 0.16 ± 0.02 and 0.79 ± 0.02 for benzene and naphthalene respectively. For 0.07 torr naphthalene at room temperature with 248 nm excitation, φ_f = 0.35 ± 0.03 and the quantum yield of internal conversion is less than 0.05. The decay of the highly vibrationally excited triplet state is dominated by vibrational relaxation for 0.07 torr naphthalene, but for benzene, even at high pressures, strong competition comes from an indirect coupling process to the ground state.     

Absolute fluorescence quantum yields by relative fluorescence and photoacoustic measurements of low level luminescence quenching

A method is reported which allows absolute fluorescence quantum yields Φ_F to be obtained from relative fluorescence and non-radiative emission (photoacoustic) data. Absolute calibration procedures, external standards, and total fluorescence quenching are eliminated through use of low concentrations of a heavy atom quencher. The relative decrease in fluorescence emission and increase in non-radiative emission as a function of the quencher concentration are related to Φ_F through a set of simultaneous equations. Fluorescence quantum yields of Φ_F = 0.59 ± 0.03 for cresyl violet perchlorate in EtOH and Φ_F = 0.55 ± 0.02 for quinine sulfate in 0.1 N H₂SO₄ are reported.     

Microhydration of protonated nucleic acid bases and protonated nucleosides in the gas phase

Thermochemical data, ΔH _n ^o , ΔS _n ^o , and ΔG _n ^o , for the hydration of protonated nucleic acid bases and protonated nucleosides have been experimentally studied by equilibrium measurements using an electrospray high-pressure mass spectrometer equipped with a pulsed ion-beam reaction chamber. For protonated nucleobases the hydration enthalpies were found to be similar for all studied systems and varied between 12.4–13.1 kcal/mol for the first and 11.2–11.5 kcal/mol for the second water molecule. While for protonated nucleosides the water binding enthalpies (11.7–13.3 kcal/mol) are very close to those for protonated nucleobases, the entropy values are “more negative.” The structural and energetic aspects of hydrated ions are discussed in conjunction with the available theoretical data.     

Syntheses,characterization, crystal structures and fluorescence property of Zinc(II) complexes with Schiff bases

Two new mononuclear Schiff base zinc(II) complexes, [ZnCl₂(L¹)] ? MeOH (I) and [Zn(L²)₂] (II) (L¹ = 2-bromo-4-chloro-6-[(2-ethylammonioethylimino)methyl]phenolate; L² = 2-bromo-4-chloro-6-(isopropyliminomethyl)phenolate), have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, infrared and UV-Vis spectroscopy, and single-cyrstal X-ray diffraction (CIF files CCDC nos. 1408962 (I), 1408961 (II)). Complex I crystallizes in the triclinic space group \(P\overline 1\) with unit cell dimensions a = 9.859(1), b = 13.015(2), c = 19.817(3) Å, α = 73.591(2)°, β = 76.032(2)°, γ = 82.966(2)°, V = 2363.0(5) ų, Z = 4, R ₁ = 0.0925, and wR ₂ = 0.2257. Complex II crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with unit cell dimensions a = 7.6387(7), b = 22.307(2), c = 21.443(2) Å, β = 96.216(3)°, V = 3632.4(6) ų, Z = 8, R ₁ = 0.0651, and wR ₂ = 0.1100. The both Zn atoms in I is four-coordinated in a tetrahedral geometry by the NO donor set of the Schiff base ligand, and two Cl ligands. The Zn atom in II is in a tetrahedral geometry by two N and two O atoms from two Schiff base ligands. Crystals of the complexes are stabilized by hydrogen bonds and weak π…π interactions. Fluorescence property of the complexes have been determined.     

Syntheses, crystal structures, and fluorescence properties of Zinc(II) complexes with multi-dentate Schiff bases

Two new structurally similar mononuclear Schiff base zinc(II) complexes, [ZnBr(ClMP)] (I) and [ZnCl(NMP)] (II) (ClMP = 4-chloro-2-[(3-morpholin-4-ylpropylimino)methyl]phenolate; NMP = 4-nitro-2-[(3-morpholin-4-ylpropylimino)methyl]phenolate), and two new dinuclear Schiff base zinc(II) complexes, [Zn₂(EMP)₂I₂] (III), and [Zn₂(MPA)(CH₃OH)₂(N₃)₂] (IV) (EMP = 5-diethylamino-2-[(2-dimethylaminoethylimino)methyl]phenolate; MPA = N,N′-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)propane-1,3-diamine), have been prepared and characterized mainly by single-cyrstal X-ray diffraction. Complex I crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with unit cell dimensions: a = 15.116(3), b = 9.465(1), c = 23.714(4) Å, β = 104.358(2)°, V = 3286.9(8) ų, Z = 8, R ₁ = 0.0439, and wR ₂ = 0.0736. Complex II crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with unit cell dimensions: a = 7.253(2), b = 16.652(4), c = 13.568(3) Å, β = 96.600(2)°, V = 1627.8(6) ų, Z = 4, R ₁ = 0.0417, and wR ₂ = 0.0809. Complex III crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with unit cell dimensions: a = 27.962(2), b = 8.246(2), c = 31.605(3) Å, β = 90.343(2)°, V = 7287.4(15) ų, Z = 8, R ₁ = 0.0721, and wR ₂ = 0.1709. Complex IV crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with unit cell dimensions: a = 20.483(3), b = 11.344(2), c = 14.909(3) Å, β = 131.650(1)°, V = 2588.6(7) ų, Z = 4, R ₁ = 0.0343, and wR ₂ = 0.0792. Each Zn atom in I and II are four-coordinated in a tetrahedral geometry by the NNO donor set of the Schiff base ligand and one halide atom. The Zn atoms in III are in square pyramidal coordination, and those in IV are in octahedral and tetrahedral coordination. Thermal stability and fluorescence properties of the complexes I and II have also been determined.     

Exceptional near-infrared fluorescence quantum yields and excited-state absorptivity of highly conjugated porphyrin arrays

We show that meso-to-meso ethyne-bridged (porphinato)zinc(II) oligomers (PZnn structures) define exceptional low band gap organic materials that possess both large magnitude NIR S1 --> S0 fluorescence quantum yields and substantial S1 --> Sn absorptive cross-sections, tunable over a wide 850-1400 nm spectral window. These PZnn species possess fluorescence quantum yields (phif values) comparable to the highest reported for NIR laser dyes in the 750-900 nm regime; importantly, these emitters do not suffer from commonly cited tricarbocyanine dye drawbacks of poor photostability and substantial phif sensitivity to solvent polarity. Furthermore, tauo (kr-1) values determined using the Strickler-Berg method highlight the close correlation of fluorescence quantum yields with S0 --> S1 integrated oscillator strength and demonstrate a rare if not unique example of broad NIR spectral domain fluorescence energy modulation, where phif magnitudes follow a simple Strickler-Berg relationship.     

Simple, new technique for measurement of fluorescence quantum yields: Application to benzene vapor

A new technique is presented for measuring fluorescence quantum yields without recourse to comparison with “standards”. The first experiments involved a study of benzene in the vapor phase. The measured fluorescence quantum yield at 2537 Å, Φ_F = 0.19 ± 0.02.     

Synthetic,spectral, structural and antimicrobial studies of some Schiff bases 3-d metal complexes

The complexes of tailor made ligands with life essential metal ions may be an emerging area to answer the problems of multi-drug resistance (MDR). The coordination complexes of VO(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) with the Schiff bases derived from 3-bromobenzaldehyde/3-chlorobenzaldehyde with 2-aminophenol have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, electronic spectra, FT-IR, ESR, FAB mass, thermal and magnetic susceptibility measurements, FAB mass and thermal data show degradation of complexes. Both the ligands behave as bidentate coordinating through O and N donor. The complexes exhibit coordination number 4, 5 or 6. X-ray powder diffraction data shows that four (2, 3, 6 and 7) complexes are crystallized in tetragonal system. The in vitro biological screening effects of the investigated compounds were tested against the bacteria Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus fecalis and the fungi Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma polysporum and Candida albicans by serial dilution method. A comparative study of the MIC values of the Schiff base and their Co(II) (6) and Cu(II) (8) complexes, indicates that the metal complexes exhibit higher or lower antimicrobial activity than the free ligand (L₂).     

Investigations on the triplet decay mechanisms of 1,2-benzanthracene in solution. I. Kinetics and quantum yields of delayed fluorescence

Measurements of the kinetics and quantum yields of delayed fluorescence over a large range of temperature and viscosity in ethanol and in a mixture of ethanol with ethylene glycol did not yield any evidence for a long range, viscosity independent mechanism leading to triplet-triplet annihilation. In the temperature range from −140°C to −100°C in ethanol, 60% of the annihilation processes produce an excited singlet state.     

Photodecomposition quantum yields of 3-chloro-3-methyldiazirine in the gas phase

A careful integration technique has allowed the determination of photodecomposition quantum yields Φ_D of 3-chloro-3-methyldiazirine at several wavelengths using conventional equipment. The results obtained are

A change of collision frequency from 5.0 × 10⁷ to 5.7 × 10¹⁰ does not alter the quantum yield which is also unaltered by oxygen. Our data are explained by a mechanism which includes two photodecomposition paths. The first is a direct photodissociation from the electronic state reached by the initial transition and the second involves methylchlorocarbene.     

Synthesis,characterization, and antioxidant activity of heterocyclic Schiff bases

Schiff base derivatives have gained great importance due to revealing a great number of biological properties. Schiff bases were synthesized by treatment of 4-amino-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-one ( 1 ) with various aldehydes in methanol at reflux. In addition, diamine was reacted with an aldehyde to yield the corresponding Schiff bases. The structures of synthesized Schiff bases were elucidated by spectroscopic methods such as microanalysis, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and FTIR. Antioxidant activities of synthesized Schiff bases were carried out using different antioxidant assays such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH^•) scavenging, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging, and reducing power activity. (E)-4-((1H-indol-3-yl)methyleneamino)-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-one ( 3 ), (E)-1,5-dimethyl-4-((2-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methyleneamino)-2-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-one ( 5 ), (E)-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-4-(thiophen-2-ylmethyleneamino)-1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-one ( 7 ), (E)-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-4-(quinolin-2-ylmethyleneamino)-1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-one ( 9 ), (1S,2S,N1,N2)-N1,N2-bis((1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)cyclohexane-1,2-diamine ( 11 ), and (1S,2S,N1,N2)-N1,N2-bis((2-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)cyclohexane-1,2-diamine ( 12 ) were synthesized in high yields. Compound 5 displayed a good ABTS^•+ activity. Compound 3 revealed the outstanding activity in all assays. Compound 7 has the best-reducing power ability in comparison to other synthesized compounds. Although compounds 5, 11, 12 are new, compounds 3, 7, 9 are known. Due to revealing a good antioxidant activity, the synthesized compounds ( 3, 5, 7 ) have the potential to be used as synthetic antioxidant agents.     

Synthesis,structure, and properties of new phosphorus Schiff bases

A series of new Schiff bases has been synthesized on the basis of (2-aminophenyl)triphenyl-phosphonium chloride and substituted salicylaldehydes. The structure of the prepared compounds has been established by means of IR, UV, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, as well as DFT B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) quantum-chemical simulation. The possible tautomerism and certain properties of the azomethines, including complex formation, have been studied.     

Synthesis, spectral characterization, biological and fluorescence studies of lanthanum(III) complexes with 3-substituted-4-amino-5-hydrazino-1,2,4-triazole Schiff bases

Some lanthanum(III) complexes have been synthesized by reacting lanthanum(III) nitrate with Schiff bases derived from 3-substituted-4-amino-5-hydrazino-1,2,4-triazole and substituted salicylaldehydes. All these complexes are soluble in DMF and DMSO and the low molar conductance values observed indicates that they are non-electrolytes. Elemental analyses suggest the complexes have 1:1 stoichiometry of the type La · L · NO₃ · H₂O, and they were characterized further by spectral and thermogravimetric methods. Fluorescence spectra of one of the representative Schiff bases (II) and its lanthanum(III) complex were investigated in various solvents; the complexes were evaluated for their biological activity.