ON THE ORIGIN OF LOW TEMPERATURE THERMOLUMINESCENCE IN NUCLEIC ACID BASES: EXCITATION AND EMISSION SPECTRAL STUDIES

Abstract. Thermoluminescence excitation spectra of adenine, guanine, thymine and 1,3-dimethyluracil were observed to be similar to their phosphorescence excitation spectra. Intensity dependence studies of thermoluminescence induced by ultraviolet light suggest that thermoluminescence could not be due to biphotonic ionisation of the molecule by UV. Evidence is presented which demonstrates that the fluorescence component observed in thermoluminescence of some compounds may not be due to triplet-triplet fusion. Further, phosphorescence and thermoluminescence measurements following excitation with monochromatic light at very low intensities and short durations have shown for both a linear dependence on excitation intensity. It thus appears that direct entry of the electrons from the traps into the singlet manifold is necessary for explaining the fluorescence component of thermoluminescence.     

Luminescence of metal complexes of chelate-substituted tetraphenylporphyrin

The luminescence and absorption spectra of some metal complexes of new tetraphenylporphyrin derivatives containing a chelating group with a heavy atom in the ligand structure were studied and compared with the properties of the zinc complex of unsubstituted tetraphenylporphyrin. The quantum yields of fluorescence and phosphorescence of liquid and frozen solutions of these compounds were measured. The life-times of delayed emission have been estimated, and the nature of bands in the absorption and luminescence spectra of the complexes and their relation with the structure are discussed.     

Fluorescent and phosphorescent pyrimidine labels : α-Diketone derivatives of uracil and thymine

The syntheses of 1-(3,4-dioxopentyl)uracil (V), 1-(2,3-dioxobutyl)uracil (XIIa), 1-(2,3-dioxobutyl)-3-methyluracil (XIIb) and 1-(2,3-dioxobutyl)thymine (XIIc) are described. These are the first compounds to be prepared which have α-diketone functions attached to biologically important pyrimidines. Preparation of the dioxopentyluracil was by oximation of 1-(4-oxopentyl)uracil, and of the dioxobutyl compounds was by alkylation of the appropriate pyrimidine with the dimethoxy ketal of bromobiacetyl, followed by hydrolysis under special conditions. The characteristics of the absorption and emission spectra in various solvents are presented and discussed. Dioxopentyl uracil exhibits both phosphorescence and fluorescence at room temperature; the dioxobutyl pyrimidines are fluorescent but non-phosphorescent under the same conditions. The fluorescence quantum yields of all four compounds are about 0.2%, similar to those of biacetyl or 2,3-pentanedione.     

Quasi-linear fluorescence and phosphorescence of some aromatic and heterocyclic compounds in tetrahydrofuran at 77 K

The fluorescence and phosphorescence emission spectra of 31 polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and a number of heterocyclic compounds have been studied in tetrahydrofuran and in n-paraffin solvents at 77 K. A comparison of the characteristics of the quasi-linear luminescence emission observed in these solvents has been made. The effect of the presence of peroxide impurities in the tetrahydrofuran solvent on the emission spectrum observed for coronene has been investigated.     

THERMOLUMINESCENCE OF NUCLEIC ACID CONSTITUENTS IN SOLUTION AFTER U.V.-IRRADIATION

Abstract— The thermoluminescence of purines and pyrimidines has been studied in ethylene glycol (EG)/water (2:1) glass matrices after ultraviolet (u.v.) irradiation at 77°K. An investigation of the mechanism of thennoluminescence has been made for adenine. The thermoluminescence involved biphotonic ionisation and recombination. The thermoluminescence depended on the square of the excitation light intensity, and the observed lifetime of the second photonabsorbing intermediate was the same as the phosphorescence lifetime. The emission spectrum lay in the same wavelength region as the phosphorescence spectrum. It was possible to bleach the thennoluminescence with visible light.     

Sensitized phosphorescence of benzil-doped ladder-type methyl-poly(para-phenylene)

The delayed luminescence and phosphorescence of ladder-type methyl-poly(para-phenylene) (MeLPPP) doped with benzil at a concentration of 20% by weight has been measured. The introduction of benzil leads to a dramatic reduction of the polymer singlet emission. At the same time, a new band with maximum at 611 nm appears, corresponding to the phosphorescence of MeLPPP. The phosphorescence decay on the short time scale is close to an exponential law with a time decay of 15 ms. This indicates that benzil can efficiently sensitize the phosphorescence of the polymer. In addition, a broad and featureless emission is observed in the delayed luminescence spectra of benzil-doped MeLPPP, which is attributed to an exciplex formed between the polymer host and the dopant. We further observe that the delayed fluorescence is enhanced by the addition of benzil. It is concluded that the delayed fluorescence of benzil-doped MeLPPP is mainly due to the annihilation of triplet excitons on the polymer. Finally, efficient triplet-triplet energy transfer from the benzil-doped polymer to the red-emitting phosphorescent dye Pt(II)octaethylporphyrin is established.     

ABSORPTION AND EMISSION STUDIES OF ELECTRONIC STATES OF N-ARYLBENZAMIDES

Abstract— Absorption and emission spectra of several N-arylbenzamides have been measured. The quantum yields for their fluorescence were found to be dependent on matrix viscosity and temperature. Singlet-triplet splittings for these compounds were determined from their emission spectra and found to be abnormally small for π. π* states (˜ 1500 cm^-1). Indeed, the phosphorescence maxima of N-arylbenzamides occur slightly to the blue relative to their fluorescence maxima. Intersystem crossing efficiencies were determined for several of these compounds and are consistent with S₁→ S ₀ radiationless decay.     

Small-molecule based thermally activated delayed fluorescence materials with dual-emission characteristics

Organic thermally activated delayed fluorescence(TADF)emitters have attracted increasing concerns,owing to their atypical photophysical features that can pave the way to the innovative engineering applications.As cutting-edge type of luminescent molecules,however,most of them only exert a single-wavelength emission from the lowest excited state,according to Kasha’s rule.To develop their potential applications in multicolor luminescence and multi-functional luminescent probes for biological imaging,researchers have begun to turn their attention to design organic TADF molecules with dual-emission characteristics,by employing an additional fluorescence,phosphorescence,or TADF signal within a single-component system.We herein summarized the design principles as well as the luminescence mechanism of organic donor-acceptor TADF compounds with dual-emission characteristics,the superiority of which can cover unique material applications in modern luminescencerelated fields.     

Luminescence properties of Pt(II) complexes containing polypyridine ligands with extended aromatic moieties

The luminescence properties of eleven Pt(ii) complexes containing polypyridine ligands with extended aromatic moieties have been studied, both in acetonitrile fluid solution at 298 K and in butyronitrile rigid matrix at 77 K. For comparison purposes, also the phosphorescence properties of three free ligands at 77 K in butyronitrile have been investigated. The absorption spectra of all the compounds exhibit intense bands (epsilon in the range 10(4)-10(5) M(-1) cm(-1)) in the UV region, which are attributed to spin-allowed ligand-centered (LC) transitions, and moderately intense bands (epsilon in the range 10(3)-10(4) M(-1) cm(-1)) in the visible region, which receive contribution from both spin-allowed LC transitions and spin-allowed metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) transitions. At low energy, less intense spin-forbidden MLCT bands are also present. At 77 K in rigid matrix, all the studied compounds exhibit structured and long-lived (lifetimes from 840 mus on the millisecond timescale) luminescence, which is attributed to triplet LC states in all cases. At room temperature in fluid solution the luminescence lifetime of all the compounds is largely shortened (nanosecond timescale), and most of the emission spectra are unstructured and red-shifted. For species exhibiting structured emission spectra even at room temperature, low luminescence quantum yields are always obtained (Phi < 10(4)), and their emission is assigned to triplet LC states, which mainly deactivate to the ground state by thermal-activated surface crossing to a closely-lying metal-centered (MC) triplet state. Compounds exhibiting unstructured emission show relatively high emission quantum yields (about 0.1) and their emission is assigned to a mixed LC/MLCT state.     

Light emission originating from photosystem II radical pair recombination is sensitive to zeaxanthin related non-photochemical quenching (NPQ)

We have used chlorophyll fluorescence, delayed luminescence and thermoluminescence measurements to study the influence of an artificial DeltapH in the presence or absence of zeaxanthin on photosystem II reactions. Energization of the pea thylakoid membranes induced non-photochemical fluorescence quenching and an increase in the overall luminescence emission of PSII during delayed luminescence and thermoluminescence measurements. This DeltapH-induced overall luminescence increase was caused by a strongly enhanced delayed luminescence in the seconds range before sample heating. In the subsequent thermoluminescence measurements the intensity of the B-band decreased after one and increased after two or more single turnover flashes. We propose that strong membrane energization shifted the redox potential of photosystem II radical pairs to more negative values causing the high delayed luminescence. The zeaxanthin-dependent non-photochemical fluorescence quenching component, however, did not alter thermoluminescence B-bands but decreased the delayed luminescence intensity by 30%. To our knowledge this is the first report that the radiative radical pair recombination, exhibited as delayed luminescence but not thermoluminescence emission, is sensitive to the antenna located zeaxanthin related non-photochemical fluorescence quenching. Our data can be interpreted within the frame of the exciton/radical pair equilibrium model that describes photosystem II as a shallow trap and incorporates the transfer of energy from the re-excitated reaction centre to the antenna of photosystem II.     

Detection of the photochemical intermediate processes in phycobiliproteins

The delayed luminescence was applied to detect the intermediate processes of the excitedstate decay in the selectively excited phycobiliproteins. Phosphorescence spectra of the five types of phycobiliproteins, R-PE, CPC, APC, R-PC, PEC were reported in this article. The five phycobiliproteins showed different phosphorescence yields, the sequence of which was the same as that of the singlet oxygen yields. Based on the observation, it can be concluded that each of the chromophores possesses a characteristic phosphorescence emission. The delayed luminescence spectra of APC at different aggregation states (trimer, monomer and denatured APC) are researched. The lower aggregation APC showed less phosphorescence because of relative loose structures and less interaction with the surrounding proteins, while the denatured APC showed delayed fluorescence instead of phosphorescence because of triplet-triplet annihilation.     

Recent Advancements in and the Future of Organic Emitters: TADF‐ and RTP‐Active Multifunctional Organic Materials

Organic emitting compounds that are based on π‐conjugated skeletons have emerged as promising next‐generation materials for application in optoelectronic devices. In this Minireview, recent advances in the development of organic emitters that irradiate room‐temperature phosphorescence and/or thermally activated delayed fluorescence with extraordinary luminescence properties, such as aggregation‐induced emission, mechanochromic luminescence, and circularly polarized luminescence, are discussed.     

LUMINESCENCE STUDIES ON FORMYCIN, ITS AGLYCONE, AND THEIR N-METHYL DERIVATIVES: TAUTOMERISM, SITES OF PROTONATION AND PHOTOTAUTOMERISM

Abstract— A detailed study has been made of the luminescence spectra of 3-β-d -ribofuranosyl-7-amino-pyrazolo(4,3-d)pyrimidine (formycin A), 3-propyl-7-aminopyrazolo(4,3-d)pyrimidine (7APP), and their various N-methyl derivatives, at room temperature and in methanol-water glasses at 77 K. Comparisons of the foregoing, together with the observed dependence of the emission spectra of formycin and 7APP on excitation wavelength, demonstrated that these consist of two tautomeric species, N(1)H and N(2)H, both of which emit at 300 and 77 K. The two tautomers may be distinguished by the location of the emission maxima, especially for phosphorescence, and quantum yields for emission. Comparisons of the emission spectra of the protonated forms of 7APP and its N-methyl derivatives showed that the fluorescence of the cations of 7APP and its N,- and N₂-methyl derivatives originates from the forms protonated on N(4). By contrast, the forms protonated on N(6) contribute appreciably to the phosphorescence at 77 K. On the basis of the emission spectra at 77 K, it is concluded that the major tautomeric form of the formycin cation is N(1)H,N(4)H₊, but there is also some contribution by the form N(2)H,N(4)H₊. In acid medium at room temperature, there is photodissociation of a proton from the pyrazole ring of the formycin cation. This leads to formation in the state S! of the tautomeric species N(4)H, which does not exist in the ground state. This conclusion, similar to that previously reported for the analogous isomeric 4-aminopyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidines, is derived from a comparison of the fluorescence spectra of the cations of formycin and N₄-methylformycin, which exhibit two bands at 375 and 440 nm, the latter corresponding to the emission of the neutral form of N,i-methylformycin. The proposed mechanism of phototautomerization is supported by a study of solvent and salt effects.     

A color-tunable single-component luminescent molecule with multiple emission centers

For achieving smart materials with color-tunable emissions, the development of single-component systems exhibiting high durability and stability is desired but remains challenging, in comparison to multicomponent systems. Here, a single-component luminescent molecule (3-SPhF) with colorful emissions is successfully reported through different expressions of triplet excitons in radiative transitions. The time-resolved spectra confirm the existence of delayed fluorescence (τ = 282.5 μs), monomeric phosphorescence (τ = 497.7 ms) and aggregated-state phosphorescence (τ = 230.0 ms) in the crystal powder of 3-SPhF, which affords time-dependent afterglow and excitation-dependent emissions in a steady state. Furthermore, the relationships between ultra-long luminescence and stacking of the dibenzofuran group in single crystals are explored, providing evidence for the regularity of multiple emission centers in single-component compounds with dibenzofuran substituents.

Color tunable luminescent materials with multiple emission centers showing delayed fluorescence, single molecular phosphorescence and aggregated molecular phosphorescence are achieved, along with time-dependent and excitation-dependent properties.     

The effect of pH on the room-temperature phosphorescence properties of several purine and pyrimidine derivatives

Room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) spectra of eleven purines and pyrimidines adsorbed on Whatman No. 40 filter paper have been determined in acidic, neutral and basic media. RTP excitation and emission wavelengths do not vary significantly with pH. For most compounds, use of basic (pH approximately 13) solutions yields stronger RTP signals than use of neutral or acidic (pH approximately 1.6) solutions. Exceptions are adenine, theobromine and theophylline, which give larger RTP signals when in neutral than in basic conditions. The existence of differences in phosphorescence quantum yields between the various ionic species as well as of specific pH-related interactions with the substrate is discussed. Absolute limits of detection, ranging between 0.4 and 38 ng for selected compounds, depend on the pH of the analyte solution.     

Luminescence of the free bases of chelate-substituted tetraphenylporphyrin derivatives and their complexes with lutetium

The absorption and luminescence spectra of the free-base forms of some new tetrarphenylporphyrin derivatives bearing a chelating group or lutetium chelate as a substituent on the phenyl ring were studied with reference to the properties of unsubstituted tetrarphenylporphyrin. The fluorescence and phosphorescence quantum yields were measured for solutions of these compounds at various temperatures. The nature of the absorption and luminescence spectral bands of the complexes and their relation to the structure are discussed.     

Luminescence characteristics of several classes of drugs affecting the central nervous system

The excitation, fluorescence and phosphorescence characteristics of 29 compounds of psychopharmacological interest have been studied in ethanol at 77 k. Phosphorescence lifetimes are reported and the low-temperature luminescence spectra discussed. Luminescence characteristics of several important 1,4-benzodiazepines in acidic, basic and neutral solution are reported.     

ON THE LUMINESCENCE OF L-TRYPTOPHANE AND l-TYROSINE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION AT 77dK INDUCED BY X-RAYS AND U.V.-LIGHT

Abstract— The lumincscence arising from L-tryptophane and L-tyrosine in aqueous solutions at 77K during irradiation with u.v.-light and with X-rays has been studied. The spectra obtained with the two types of radiation were largely similar, differing only in that the yields of phosphorescence relative to fluorescence were considerably enhanced in the case of X-irradiation. The decay times observed for the exponentially decaying phosphorescence, being 6.6 sec and 2.7 sec for tryptophane and tyrosine respectively, were the same for both kinds of irradiation. The G-value of the X-ray induced luminescence was about 10 for both tryptophane and tyrosine. Thus, about 30 per cent of the total energy absorbed from X-rays in these compounds was re-emitted as light.
It was concluded that the X-ray induced fluorescence and phosphorescence originate from the same levels as does the luminescence caused by u.v.-light, i.e. the lowest excited singlet and the lowest triplet level of the aromatic structure of these compounds. In the case of X-irradiation the enhanced ratios between the yields of phosphorescence and fluorescence indicated that some process other than excitation directly from the ground state contributed considerably to the luminescence yields. Assuming this process to be a recombination between the ionized molecule and its electron, it was calculated that the contribution to the luminescence yield from excitations directly from the ground state relative to that from ionizations, was negligible for both compounds.     

Hydrogen bonding-induced oxygen clusters and long-lived room temperature phosphorescence from amorphous polyols

Developing non-conjugated luminescent polymers (NCLPs) with fluorescence and long-lived room-temperature phosphorescence is of great significance for revealing the essence of NCLPs luminescence, which has gradually attracted the attention of researchers in recent years. Herein, polymethylol (PMO) and poly(3-butene-1,2-diol) (PBD) with polyhydroxy structures were prepared and their luminescence behaviors were investigated to reveal the clusteroluminescence (CL) mechanism. Compared with polyvinyl alcohol with non-luminescent behavior, PMO and PBD exhibit cyan-blue fluorescence with quantum yields of ca. 12% and green room-temperature phosphorescence with lifetimes of ca. 89 ms in the solid state. Both fluorescence and phosphorescence exhibit typical excitation-dependent CL behavior. Experimental and theoretical analyses show that the strong hydrogen-bonding interaction of PMO and PBD greatly promotes the formation of oxygen clusters and the through-space n-n interaction of oxygen atoms, enabling fluorescence and phosphorescence emission. Our results have enormous implications for understanding the CL mechanism of NCLPs and provide a new polymer design strategy for the rational design of novel NCLPs materials.     

Non-protected fluid room temperature phosphorescence of several naphthalene derivatives

In our previous work, we reported that with TlNO(3) as a heavy atom perturber and Na(2)SO(3) as a deoxygenator, room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) emission of dansyl chloride and its amino acid derivatives can be induced directly from their aqueous solution without a protective medium. Is this kind of fluid luminescence phenomenon unique for the dansyl chloride compounds? The present work has shown that many naphthalene derivatives can also exhibit RTP emission in their aqueous solutions under similar conditions in the absence of a protective medium. Such an RTP emission phenomenon could be denoted as nonprotected fluid room temperature phosphorescence (NP-RTP). In order to further understand this new luminescence phenomenon, the substituent group effects and the favorable chemical structure of compounds for NP-RTP emissions are discussed in detail.