Restriction of Photoinduced Twisted Intramolecular Charge Transfer

An intensive investigation of structure–property relationships in the aggregation‐induced enhanced emission (AIEE) of luminescent compounds is essential for the rational design of highly emissive solid‐state materials. In the AIEE‐active compounds N,N′‐bis[3‐hydroxy‐4‐(2′‐benzothiazolyl)phenyl]isophthalamide and N,N′‐bis[3‐hydroxy‐4‐(2′‐benzothiazolyl)phenyl]‐5‐tert‐butylisophthalamide, fast photoinduced twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) of the enol excited state is found to be mainly responsible for the weak emission of their dilute solutions. The photoinduced TICT enol excited state is formed with a greatly distorted configuration, due to the large rotation about the C? N single bond. This facilitates nonradiative TICT decay from the normal enol excited state to the highly twisted enol excited state, rather than proton‐transfer decay to the keto excited state. In aggregates, photoinduced nonradiative deactivation of TICT is strongly prohibited, so that excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) becomes the dominant decay, and hence contributes greatly to the subsequent emission enhancement of the keto form. Molecular design and investigation of analogous single‐armed compounds further verifies this kind of AIEE mechanism.     

Understanding the aggregation induced emission enhancement for a compound with excited state intramolecular proton transfer character

A few of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) compounds have been discovered for their aggregation induced emission enhancement (AIEE). To understand the AIEE mechanism, an ESIPT compound BTHPB (N-(4-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-3-hydroxyphenyl)benzamide) with simple structure was designed and synthesized. BTHPB showed apparent AIEE property and the emission efficiency was observed as high as 0.27 in the aggregates. On the basis of viscochromism experiments and calculations employing the linear coupling model, the restriction of the rotation between the two subunits taken place in ESIPT was considered as the main factor for the AIEE. The micro- and femtosecond transient absorption experiments offered evidence for the considerations. Additionally, we also observed a negative effect of aggregation on the fluorescence emission in the system. So the AIEE of ESIPT compound BTHPB originated from the combination effects of positive and negative factors induced by the aggregation.     

基于聚集荧光增强体系的掺杂纳米粒子的可调控荧光发射与能量传递性质研究

通过再沉淀法制备了平均粒径200 nm左右的N,N'-双[4-(2'-苯并噻唑)-3-羟苯基]-5-叔丁基异酞酰胺(DHBIA)有机纳米粒子. 纳米粒子呈现出明显的聚集诱导荧光增强(AIEE)性质. 基于DHBIA聚集体的强荧光发射强度, 当其中掺杂有红光发射化合物N,N'-双[(4-二苯胺)-苯甲醛缩]二氨基马来腈(PBDM)作为能量受体时, 可清楚地观察到掺杂纳米颗粒中两种组分间的能量传递现象. 结果表明: 通过改变分子PBDM在体系中的掺杂浓度, 可实现对体系发光由绿色到红色的调控.     

激发态分子内质子转移(ESIPT)发色团修饰的树枝形聚合物合成及光物理研究

设计合成了0～4代外围修饰激发态分子内质子转移(ESIPT)发色团的聚酰胺-胺树枝形聚合物G0～G4,化合物结构经过IR,1H NMR,13C NMR和MS表征.稳态光谱研究表明,树枝形聚合物在四氢呋喃溶液中形成了聚集体,发色团酮式发光随着化合物代数增大呈先增加后减小的变化.质子化树枝形聚合物G1-H～G4-H能溶于水,并在水中形成20 nm左右的聚集体,发色团在聚集体疏水区中构象受限,仅发射酮式发光,并且发光强度受树枝形聚合物分子大小的影响.     

Reactions of perfluoro(2,3-epoxy-2-methylpentane) with o-phenylenediamine and ethylenediamine

Perfluoro(2,3-epoxy-2-methylpentane) reacted with o-phenylenediamine and ethylenediamine via cleavage of the C-C bond to produce 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-N-[2-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylethylamino)-phenyl]propanamide and 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-N-[2-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylethylamino)ethyl]-propanamide, respectively. Presumably, these compounds are formed as a result of rearrangement of intermediate ketone generated by intramolecular haloform-type reaction. According to the NMR and X-ray diffraction data, 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-N-[2-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethylethylamino)phenyl]propanamide in crystal exists as Z conformer with respect to the amide C-N bond.     

Accessing the long-lived triplet excited states in bodipy-conjugated 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl) benzothiazole/benzoxazoles and applications as organic triplet photosensitizers for photooxidations

Bodipy derivatives containing excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) chromophores 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl) benzothiazole and benzoxazole (HBT and HBO) subunits were prepared (7-10). The compounds show red-shifted UV-vis absorption (530-580 nm; ε up to 50000 M(-1) cm(-1)) and emission compared to both HBT/HBO and Bodipy. The new chromophores show small Stokes shift (45 nm) and high fluorescence quantum yields (Φ(F) up to 36%), which are in stark contrast to HBT and HBO (Stokes shift up to 180 nm and Φ(F) as low as 0.6%). On the basis of steady state and time-resolved absorption spectroscopy, as well as DFT/TDDFT calculations, we propose that 7-9 do not undergo ESIPT upon photoexcitation. Interestingly, nanosecond time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy demonstrated that Bodipy-localized triplet excited states were populated for 7-10 upon photoexcitation; the lifetimes of the triplet excited states (τ(T)) are up to 195 μs. DFT calculations confirm the transient absorptions are due to the triplet state. Different from the previous report, we demonstrated that population of the triplet excited states is not the result of ESIPT. The compounds were used as organic triplet photosensitizers for photooxidation of 1,5-dihydroxylnaphthalene. One of the compounds is more efficient than the conventional [Ir(ppy)(2)(phen)][PF(6)] triplet photosensitizer. Our result will be useful for design of new Bodipy derivatives, ESIPT compounds, and organic triplet photosensitizers, as well as for applications of these compounds in photovoltaics, photocatalysis and luminescent materials, etc.     

A CASSCF/CASPT2 insight into excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer of four imidazole derivatives

Excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) of four imidazole derivatives, 2‐(2′‐hydroxyphenyl)imidazole (HPI), 2‐(2′‐hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole (HPBI), 2‐(2′‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1H‐phenanthro[9,10‐d]imidazole (HPPI) and 2‐(2′‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐phenanthro[9,10‐d]imidazole (HPPPI), were studied by the sophisticated CASSCF/CASPT2 methodology. The state‐averaged SA‐CASSCF method was used to optimize their geometry structures of S₀ and S₁ electronic states, and the CASPT2 calculations were used for the calibration of all the single‐point energies, including the absorption and emission spectra. A reasonable agreement is found between the theoretical predictions and the available experimental spectral data. The forward ESIPT barriers of four target compounds gradually decrease with the increase of molecular size. On the basis of the present calculations, it is a plausible speculation that the larger the size, the faster is the ESIPT rate, and eventually, HPPPI molecule can undergo a completely barrierless ESIPT to the more stable S₁ keto form. Additionally, taking HPI as a representative example, the radiationless decays connecting the S₀ and S₁/S₀ conical intersection structures were also studied by constructing a linearly interpolated internal coordinate (LIIC) reaction path. The qualitative analysis shows that the LIIC barrier of HPI in the keto form is remarkably lower than that of its enol‐form, indicating that the former has a big advantage over the latter in the nonradiative process. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Femtosecond dynamics on excited-state proton/charge-transfer reaction in 4'-N,N-diethylamino-3-hydroxyflavone. The role of dipolar vectors in constructing a rational mechanism

The excitation behaviors for 4'-N,N-diethylamino-3-hydroxyflavone (Ia) have been investigated via femtosecond fluorescence upconversion approaches to gain detailed insights into the mechanism of the proton/charge-transfer coupling reaction. In polar solvents such as CH2Cl2 and CH3CN, in addition to a slow, solvent-polarity-dependent rate (a few tens of picoseconds(-1)) of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reported previously, early femtosecond relaxation dynamics clearly reveal that the proton-transfer tautomer emission consists of a rise component of a few hundred femtoseconds. The temporal spectral evolution at the time domain of zero to a few hundred femtoseconds further resolves two distinct emission bands consisting of a proton-transfer tautomer emission and a time-dependent Stokes shifted emission. The results, in combination with ab initio calculations on the dipolar vectors for normal and tautomer species, lead us to unveil the importance of the relationship of the dipolar vectors among various states, and hence the corresponding solvation energetics in the overall ESIPT reaction. We conclude a similar dipolar character between ground-state normal (N) and excited proton-transfer tautomer (T*) species, whereas due to the excited-state intramolecular charge transfer (ESICT), the normal excited state (N*) possesses a large dipolar change with respect to N and T*. ESIPT is thus energetically favorable at the Franck-Condon excited N*, and its rate is competitive with respect to the solvation relaxation process. After reaching the solvent equilibration, there exists an equilibrium between N* and T* states in, for example, CH3CN. Due to the greatly different equilibrium polarization between N* and T*, both forward and reversed ESIPT dynamics are associated with a solvent-induced barrier. The latter viewpoint of the equilibrium type of ESIPT in Ia is in agreement with the previous reports based on steady-state, picosecond, and femtosecond dynamic approaches.     

TD-DFT Investigation of 2,5-Bis(2-benzothiazolyl)hydroquinone and 2,5-Bis(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-4-methoxyphenol

Density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations of two excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) molecules [2,5-bis(2-benzothiazolyl)hydroquinone and 2,5-bis(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-4-methoxyphenol] were performed to study their structural and photo-physical behavior upon excitation. The most stable structure was established by optimizing all possible rotamers. The vertical excitation and emission wavelengths obtained by using TD-DFT show very good correlation with the experimental values. A correlation has been established based on the absorption values to determine the contribution of stable rotamers.     

New mustard-linked 2-aryl-bis-benzimidazoles with anti-proliferative activity

We describe new methodology for the synthesis of symmetric bis-benzimidazoles carrying 2-aryl moieties, including 2-[4-(3'-aminopropoxy)phenyl] and 2-[4-(3'-aminopropanamido)phenyl] substituents, together with the synthesis of novel hybrid molecules comprising bis-benzimidazoles in ester and amide combination with the N-mustard chlorambucil. The in vitro activities of these compounds against five cancer cell lines are also provided.     

Excited-state intramolecular proton transfer in 2-(2'-arylsulfonamidophenyl)benzimidazole derivatives: the effect of donor and acceptor substituents

A series of water-soluble 2-(2'-arylsulfonamidophenyl)benzimidazole derivatives containing electron-donating and accepting groups attached to various positions of the fluorophore pi-system has been synthesized and characterized in aqueous solution at 0.1 M ionic strength. The measured pK(a)'s for deprotonation of the sulfonamide group of monosubstituted derivatives range between 6.75 and 9.33 and follow closely Hammett's free energy relationship. In neutral aqueous buffer, all compounds undergo efficient excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) to yield a strongly Stokes-shifted fluorescence emission from the phototautomer. Upon deprotonation of the sulfonamide nitrogen at high pH, ESIPT is interrupted to yield a new, blue-shifted emission band. The peak absorption and emission energies were strongly influenced by the nature of the substituents and their attachment positions on the fluorophore pi-system. The fluorescence quantum yield of the ESIPT tautomers revealed a significant correlation with the observed Stokes shifts. The study provides valuable information regarding substituent effects on the photophysical properties of this class of ESIPT fluorophores in an aqueous environment and may offer guidelines for designing emission ratiometric pH or metal-cation sensors for biological applications.     

Femtosecond dynamics on 2-(2'-hydroxy-4'-diethylaminophenyl)benzothiazole: solvent polarity in the excited-state proton transfer.

Detailed insights into the excited-state enol(N*)-keto(T*) intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction in 2-(2'-hydroxy-4'-diethylaminophenyl)benzothiazole (HABT) have been investigated via steady-state and femtosecond fluorescence upconversion approaches. In cyclohexane, in contrast to the ultrafast rate of ESIPT for the parent 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole (>2.9+/-0.3 x 10(13) s(-1)), HABT undergoes a relatively slow rate (approximately 5.4+/-0.5 x 10(11) s(-1)) of ESIPT. In polar aprotic solvents competitive rate of proton transfer and rate of solvent relaxation were resolved in the early dynamics. After reaching the solvation equilibrium in the normal excited state (N(eq)*), ESIPT takes place with an appreciable barrier. The results also show N(eq)*(enol)<-->T(eq)*(keto) equilibrium, which shifts toward N(eq)* as the solvent polarity increases. Temperature-dependent relaxation dynamics further resolved a solvent-induced barrier of 2.12 kcal mol(-1) for the forward reaction in CH(2)Cl(2). The observed spectroscopy and dynamics are rationalized by a significant difference in dipole moment between N(eq)* and T(eq)*, while the dipolar vector for the enol form in the ground state (N) is in between that of N(eq)* and T(eq)*. Upon N-->N* Franck-Condon excitation, ESIPT is energetically favorable, and its rate is competitive with the solvation relaxation process. Upon reaching equilibrium configurations N(eq)* and T(eq)*, forward and/or backward ESIPT takes place with an appreciable solvent polarity induced barrier due to differences in polarization equilibrium between N(eq)* and T(eq)*.     

Tactfully revealing the working mechanisms on a tetraarylimidazole derivative: AIE characteristic,ESIPT process and ICT effect integrating in one molecule

Recently, a novel tetraarylimidazole derivative 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-4-(4,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-phenol (be called MHBT herein) was architectured by our research group showing the fascinating synergy of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristic, excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) effect. Nevertheless, a detailed and reasonable interpretation of its mechanisms both in theory is urgently needed. Consequently, to unveil the working mechanism meticulously, herein, we tactfully applied density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) methods to illuminate the underlying mechanisms in different solvent conditions. After optimizing the structures, the geometric parameters of hydrogen bonds (HBs), the infrared (IR) vibrational spectrum, the reduced density gradient (RDG) isosurfaces were calculated in detail, vividly explaining how the enhancement of HBs behaved as the driving force to proceed ESIPT process. Simultaneously, the frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) combined with the potential energy curves (PECs) were conducted to interpretate the role and character of ICT and ESIPT in molecule MHBT. Further, the PECs of MHBT for dihedral angles in different organic solvents were calculated to compare the dominant torsion degree, rationalizing the AIE phenomenon from the view of the restriction of intramolecular rotation process. This work may well underpin the understanding of the interaction between different mechanisms in fluorescent dyes and thereby provide meaningful guideline for the design and construction of ideal molecules     

Electrochromic modulation of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer: the new principle in design of fluorescence sensors

Internal Stark effect (or internal electrochromy) consists of the shift of light absorption and emission bands under the influence of electric field produced by proximal charges. In the studies of 3-hydroxyflavone (3HF) derivatives exhibiting the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), we describe a new phenomenon - a very strong internal electrochromic modulation of this reaction. Fluorescence spectra of 3HF derivatives with charged groups attached to the chromophore from the opposite sides without pi-electronic conjugation, N-[(4'-diethylamino)-3-hydroxy-6-flavonyl]methyl-N,N-dimethyloctylammonium bromide and 4-[4-[4'-(3-hydroxyflavonyl)]piperazino]-1-(3-sulfopropyl)pyridinium, were compared with those of their neutral analogues in a series of representative solvents. The introduction of the proximal charge results in shifts of absorption spectrum and of both normal (N) and tautomer (T) emission bands, which correspond to initial and phototautomer states of the ESIPT reaction. The observed shifts are in accordance with the Stark effect theory. The direction of the shift depends on the position of the proximal charge with respect to the chromophore. The magnitude of the shift depends strongly on the solvent dielectric constant and on screening or unscreening produced by addition of the hydrophobic salts. In all of these cases, the spectral shifts are accompanied by extremely strong variations of relative intensities of N and T emission bands. This signifies a strong influence of internal electric field on the ESIPT reaction, which produces a dramatic change of emission color. Thus, the coupling of the initial electrochromic sensory signal with the ESIPT reaction allows for the breaking of the limit in magnitude of response inherent to common electrochromic dyes. This suggests a new principle of designing the ultrasensitive electrochromic two-wavelength fluorescence sensors and probes for analytical chemistry, macromolecular science, and cellular biology.     

ESIPT-regulated Mechanoresponsive Luminescence Process byIntroducing Intramolecular Hydrogen Bond in NaphthalimideDerivatives#br#

Herein, two compounds, 4-2′-hydroxybenzylidenehydrazinyl-N-butyl-1,8-naphthalimide(BN-1) and 4-benzylidenehydra-zinyl-N-butyl-1,8-naphthalimide(BN-2), were synthesized to explore the hydrogen bonding effect on mechanoresponsive luminescent(MRL). The results showed that compound BN-1 exhibited strong emission in solution and solid-state compared with compound BN-2. After grinding, the emission intensity of compound BN-1 sharply decreased by as much as 15 times with an obvious red-shift from 552 nm to 577 nm. The control compound BN-2, by contrast, did not change so much before and after grinding. Single crystal analysis suggests that BN-1 molecule formed strong intramolecular interaction via ―N=N···H―O hydrogen bond with a distance of 0.2632 nm. An excited-state intramolecular proton transfer(ESIPT) based fluorophore featured this intramolecular hydrogen bond. The intramolecular hydrogen bond as well as other intermolecular interactions can rigidify the molecular conformation of compound BN-1 in solid-state, and thus suppress the nonradiative pathways, resulting in strong emission. These intra- and intermolecular interactions were destroyed by mechanical stimuli, accompanied by molecular conformation change that decreases the luminescence and blocks the ESIPT process. The MRL process was also demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. The molecular stacking mode changed from crystalline to a disordered amorphous state after grinding.     

The invalidity of intermolecular proton transfer triggered twisted intramolecular charge transfer in excited state for 2-(4′-diethylamino-2′-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine

The excited-state dynamics of the excited-state proton transfer and intramolecular twisted charge transfer (TICT) reactions of a molecular photoswitch 2-(4′-diethylamino-2′-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine (DHP) in aprotic and alcoholic solvents have been theoretically investigated by using time-dependent density functional theory. The excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction of DHP proceeding upon excitation in all the solvents has been confirmed, and the dual emission has been assigned to the enol and keto forms of DHP. However, for methanol and ethanol solvents within strong hydrogen-bonded capacity, the intermolecular hydrogen bonds between DHP and methanol/ethanol would promote an excited-state double proton transfer (ESDPT) along the hydrogen-bonded bridge. Importantly, the previous proposed ESDPT-triggered TICT mechanism of DHP in methanol and ethanol was not supported by our calculations. The twist motion would increase the total energy of the system for both the products of ESIPT and ESDPT. According to the calculations of the transition states, the ESDPT reaction occurs much easier in keto form generated by ESIPT. Therefore, a sequential ESIPT and ESDPT mechanism of DHP in methanol and ethanol has been reasonably proposed.     

三种新型二苯砜氮杂环蕃N,N’-二对甲苯磺酰基-1,m-二氮杂[m.1]对环蕃-n-砜的合成与表征(m＝8,10,12; n＝15,17,19)

以N,N’-二对甲苯磺酰基-4,4’-二氨基二苯砜与二溴代烷为原料, 高度稀释条件下合成了三种新型有硫原子桥连的氮杂环蕃N,N’-二对甲苯磺酰基-1,8-二氮杂[8.1]对环蕃-15-砜(C); N,N’-二对甲苯磺酰基-1,10-二氮杂[10.1]对环蕃-17-砜(D); N,N’-二对甲苯磺酰基-1,12-二氮杂[12.1]对环蕃-19-砜(E). 提供了三种环蕃化合物的合成方法. 用IR, 1H NMR和元素分析证实了新化合物结构. 分析了化合物D的单晶结构数据, 为环蕃化合物的空间结构研究提供了晶体学依据.     

Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines susceptible to excited state intramolecular proton transfer: one-pot synthesis via an Ortoleva-King reaction

A short and efficient route to a broad range of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from 2-aminopyridines and acetophenones is achieved by a tandem, one-pot process starting with an Ortoleva-King reaction. Optimal conditions for the first step were established after examining various reaction parameters (solvent, reagent ratios, and temperature). The conditions identified (1st step, neat, 2.3 equiv of 2-aminopyridine, 1.20 equiv of I(2), 4 h, 110 °C; 2nd step, NaOH(aq), 1 h, 100 °C) resulted in the formation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines in 40-60% yields. The synthesis is compatible with various functionalities (OH, NMe(2), Br, OMe). Products containing a 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl) substituent undergo excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) in nonpolar and polar-aprotic solvents. Although ESIPT-type emission in nonpolar solvents is weak, the Stokes shifts are very high (11000 cm(-1)). The comparison of the properties of six ESIPT-capable imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines shows the influence of various substituents on emission characteristics. All of them also display strong, solid-state emission in blue-green-yellow region. 2-Aryl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines not capable of ESIPT emit in the blue region, displaying high fluorescence quantum yield.     

Theoretical exploration about excited state proton transfer mechanism for a series of phenol–quinoline compounds

In the present work, three novel phenols (10a,11‐dihydro‐4bH‐indeno[1,2‐b]quinolin‐4‐ol ( 1 ), 5,6‐dihydro‐benzo[c]acridin‐1‐ol ( 2 ), and 5,5,7,7a‐tetrahydro‐4aH‐13‐aza‐benzo[3,4]cyclohepta[1,2‐b]naphthalene‐1‐ol ( 3 )) have been explored theoretically in detail. Using density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT (TDDFT) methods, we inquire into the intramolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions and the excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. Exploring the steady‐state absorption and emission spectra under TDDFT/B3LYP/TZVP theoretical level in acetonitrile solvent, our calculated results demonstrate an experimental phenomenon. Based on analysis of the variations of geometrical parameters and infrared (IR) vibrational spectra, we confirm that O–H?N should be strengthened in the S₁ state. Investigating the frontier molecular orbitals (MOs) and the charge density difference (CDD) maps, it can be confirmed that the charge redistribution facilitates the tendency of the ESIPT process for 1 , 2, and 3 systems. By constructing potential energy curves, we confirm that the proton transfer should occur in the S₁ state. In particular, the ESIPT for 2 and 3 systems are nonbarrier processes in the S₁ state, which confirms that ESIPT should be exothermal spontaneously. This work explains previous experimental results and makes a reasonable assumption about the ESIPT mechanism for 1 , 2 and 3 systems. We sincerely hope our work can facilitate understanding and promoting applications about them in future.