Spectrophotometric and spectroscopic studies of complexation of 8-hydroxyquinoline with π acceptor metadinitrobenzene in different polar solvents

The complexation of electron donor–acceptor complexes of 8-hydroxyquinoline (8HQ) and metadinitrobenzene (MNB) have been studied spectrophotometrically and thermodynamically in different polar solvent at room temperature. A new absorption band due to charge transfer (CT) transition is observed in the visible region. A new theoretical model has been developed which take into account the interaction between electronic subsystem of 8HQ and MNB. The results indicate the extent of charge transfer complexes (CTCs) formation to be more in less polar solvents. Stoichiometry of the complex was found to be 1:1 by straight line method and ¹H NMR between donor and acceptor at the maximum absorption bands. Ionization potential (I_D) and resonance energy (R_N) were determined from the CT transition energy in different solvents. The formation constants of the complexes were determined in different polar solvents from which ΔG° formation of the complexes was estimated and also extinction coefficient of the charge transfer complex (CTC) was calculated. Oscillator strength, transition dipole strengths and maximum wavelength of the CTC (λ_CT) in various solvents and IR spectra of the CTC have also been discussed. It has been observed that all parameters described above changed with change in polarity and concentration of donor.     

Antimony Complexes for Electrocatalysis: Activity of a Main‐Group Element in Proton Reduction

Main‐group complexes are shown to be viable electrocatalysts for the H₂‐evolution reaction (HER) from acid. A series of antimony porphyrins with varying axial ligands were synthesized for electrocatalysis applications. The proton‐reduction catalytic properties of TPSb(OH)₂ (TP=5,10,15,20‐tetra(p ‐tolyl)porphyrin) with two axial hydroxy ligands were studied in detail, demonstrating catalytic H₂ production. Experiments, in conjunction with quantum chemistry calculations, show that the catalytic cycle is driven via the redox activity of both the porphyrin ligand and the Sb center. This study brings insight into main group catalysis and the role of redox‐active ligands during catalysis.     

Transient Absorption Spectral characterization of Electron Transfer between Fullerenes（C60／C70）and N,N,N’，N’—Tetra（p—methylphenyl）—4,4’—diamino—1,1’—diphenyl Sulphide（TPDAS）

In search of new systems with a photoexcited redox pair which exhibits a strong and stable photoinduced absorption band to understand the photophyscial and photochemical properties of electron transfer between fullernes (C60/C70) and organic donor[N,N,N’，N’-tetra(p-methylphenyl)-4,4’-diamino-1,1’-diphenyl sulphide(TPDAS)],we studied characteristic absorption spectra in the near-IR region obtained from 532nm nanosecond laser flash photolysis of a mixture of the fullerenes (C60/C70) and TPDAS in polar solvents.When fullerenes (C60/C70)were photoexcithed,the rise of the radical anion of fullerenes (C60/C70)with the rapid decay of their excited triplet states were observed in benzonitrile.It can be deduced that the electron transfer reaction does take place from TPDAS to excithed triplet state of rullerens(C60/C70).The rate consants(ket)and quantum yiekls(φet) of this process have been also evaluated.     

Studies on Properties of Tetra‐p‐nitro‐tetra‐O‐alkylcalix[4]arenes

Ibis paper reports the properties of the novel tetra‐p‐nitro‐tetra‐O‐alkyl‐calix[4]arenes (alkyl= n‐C₄H₉, 1; n‐C₈H₁₇ 2; n‐C₁₂H₂₅, 3; n‐C₁₆H₃₃, 4). X‐ray crystallographic analysis and ¹H NMR revealed that they exist as pinched‐cone conformation in crystal or cone conformation in solution. EFISH experiments at 1064 nm in CHCl₃, indicated that tetra‐p‐nitro‐tetra‐O‐butyl‐calix[4]arene (1) has higher hyperpolarizability β, values than the corresponding reference compound p‐nitro‐phenyl butyl ether, without red shift of the charge transfer band. Compounds 2, 3 and 4 with longer alkyl chains can form monolayer at the air/water.     

Concise Synthesis and Two‐Photon‐Excited Deep‐Blue Emission of 1,8‐Diazapyrenes

Efficient violet–blue‐emitting molecules are especially useful for applications in full‐color displays, solid‐state lighting, as well as in two‐photon absorption (TPA) excited frequency‐upconverted violet–blue lasing. However, the reported violet–blue‐emitting molecules generally possess small TPA cross sections. In this work, new 1,8‐diazapyrenes derivatives 3 with blue two‐photon‐excited fluorescence emission were concisely synthesized by the coupling reaction of readily available 1,4‐naphthoquinone O,O‐diacetyl dioxime ( 1 ) with internal alkynes 2 under the [{RhCl₂Cp*}₂]–Cu(OAc)₂ (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl ligand) bimetallic catalytic system. Elongation of the π‐conjugated length of 1,8‐diazapyrenes 3 led to the increase of TPA cross sections without the expense of a redshift of the emission wavelength, probably due to the rigid planar structure of chromophores. It is especially noteworthy that 2,3,6,7‐tetra(4‐bromophenyl)‐1,8‐diazapyrene ( 3c ) has a larger TPA cross section than those of other molecules reported so far. These experimental results are explained in terms of the effects of extension of the π‐conjugated system, intramolecular charge transfer, and reduced detuning energy.     

Low‐Band‐Gap BODIPY Conjugated Copolymers for Sensing Volatile Organic Compounds

Conjugated polymers with strong photophysical properties are used in many applications. A homopolymer ( P1 ) and five new low band gap copolymers based on 4,4′‐difluoro‐4‐bora‐3a,4a‐diaza‐s‐indacene (BODIPY) and acceptors 3,6‐dithienyldiketopyrrolopyrrole ( P2 ), phthalimide ( P3 ), benzotriazole ( P4 ), 4,7‐dithienyl[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5g]quinoxaline ( P5 ), and 2,5‐dithienylthieno[3,4‐b]pyrazine ( P6 ) were prepared by means of Sonogashira polymerization. The characterization of polymers by using ¹H NMR, absorption, and emission spectroscopy is discussed. All polymers with high molecular weights (M_n) of 16 000 to 89 000 g mol^?1 showed absorption maxima in the deep‐red region (λ=630–760 nm) in solution and exhibited significant redshifts (up to 70 nm) in thin films. Polymers P2 , P5 , and P6 showed narrow optical band gaps of 1.38, 1.35, and 1.38 eV, respectively, which are significantly lower than that of P1 (1.63 eV). The HOMO and LUMO energy levels of the polymers were calculated by using cyclic voltammetry measurements. The LUMO energy levels of BODIPY‐based alternating copolymers were independent of the acceptors; this suggests that the major factor that tunes the LUMO energy levels of the polymers could be the BODIPY core. All polymers showed selective and reproducible detection of volatile organic solvents, such as toluene and benzene, which could be used for developing sensors.     

Efficient Intramolecular Charge Transfer in Oligoyne‐Linked Donor–π–Acceptor Molecules

Studies are reported on a series of triphenylamine–(C?C)_n–2,5‐diphenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole dyad molecules (n=1–4, 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 , respectively) and the related triphenylamine‐C₆H₄–(C?C)₃–oxadiazole dyad 5 . The oligoyne‐linked D–π–A (D=electron donor, A=electron acceptor) dyad systems have been synthesised by palladium‐catalysed cross‐coupling of terminal alkynyl and butadiynyl synthons with the corresponding bromoalkynyl moieties. Cyclic voltammetric studies reveal a reduction in the HOMO–LUMO gap in the series of compounds 1 – 4 as the oligoyne chain length increases, which is consistent with extended conjugation through the elongated bridges. Photophysical studies provide new insights into conjugative effects in oligoyne molecular wires. In non‐polar solvents the emission from these dyad systems has two different origins: a locally excited (LE) state, which is responsible for a π*→π fluorescence, and an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state, which produces charge‐transfer emission. In polar solvents the LE state emission vanishes and only ICT emission is observed. This emission displays strong solvatochromism and analysis according to the Lippert–Mataga–Oshika formalism shows significant ICT for all the luminescent compounds with high efficiency even for the longer more conjugated systems. The excited‐state properties of the dyads in non‐polar solvents vary with the extent of conjugation. For more conjugated systems a fast non‐radiative route dominates the excited‐state decay and follows the Engelman–Jortner energy gap law. The data suggest that the non‐radiative decay is driven by the weak coupling limit.     

Ultrafast Relaxation Dynamics of the Excited States of 1‐Amino‐ and 1‐(N,N‐Dimethylamino)‐fluoren‐9‐ones

The dynamics of the excited states of 1‐aminofluoren‐9‐one (1AF) and 1‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)‐fluoren‐9‐one (1DMAF) are investigated by using steady‐state absorption and fluorescence as well as subpicosecond time‐resolved absorption spectroscopic techniques. Following photoexcitation of 1AF, which exists in the intramolecular hydrogen‐bonded form in aprotic solvents, the excited‐state intramolecular proton‐transfer reaction is the only relaxation process observed in the excited singlet (S₁) state. However, in protic solvents, the intramolecular hydrogen bond is disrupted in the excited state and an intermolecular hydrogen bond is formed with the solvent leading to reorganization of the hydrogen‐bond network structure of the solvent. The latter takes place in the timescale of the process of solvation dynamics. In the case of 1DMAF, the main relaxation pathway for the locally excited singlet, S₁(LE), or S₁(ICT) state is the configurational relaxation, via nearly barrierless twisting of the dimethylamino group to form the twisted intramolecular charge‐transfer, S₁(TICT), state. A crossing between the excited‐state and ground‐state potential energy curves is responsible for the fast, radiationless deactivation and nonemissive character of the S₁(TICT) state in polar solvents, both aprotic and protic. However, in viscous but strong hydrogen‐bond‐donating solvents, such as ethylene glycol and glycerol, crossing between the potential energy surfaces for the ground electronic state and the hydrogen‐bonded complex formed between the S₁(TICT) state and the solvent is possibly avoided and the hydrogen‐bonded complex is weakly emissive.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Contracted and Expanded Porphyrins with meso‐CF3 Groups

Corrole and sapphyrin with the smallest meso‐substituents reported so far were prepared in a one‐pot synthesis that relies on a non‐aldehydic precursor for introducing CF₃ groups. The substantial amounts of products obtained by this facile pathway allowed for the full characterization of 5,10,15‐tris(trifluoromethyl)corrole, the access to a variety of stable chelates thereof and investigations that disclose the unique structural and chemical properties induced by the CF₃ substituents. The novel 5,10,15,20‐tetra(trifluoromethyl)sapphyrin undergoes only single protonation, which according to its crystal structure is stabilized by favorable non‐bonding F/H interaction between the meso‐CF₃ and the inverted pyrrolic NH.     

Long‐Lived Room‐Temperature Deep‐Red‐Emissive Intraligand Triplet Excited State of Naphthalimide in Cyclometalated IrIII Complexes and its Application in Triplet‐Triplet Annihilation‐Based Upconversion

Cyclometalated Ir^III complexes with acetylide ppy and bpy ligands were prepared (ppy=2‐phenylpyridine, bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) in which naphthal ( Ir‐2 ) and naphthalimide (NI) were attached onto the ppy ( Ir‐3 ) and bpy ligands ( Ir‐4 ) through acetylide bonds. [Ir(ppy)₃] ( Ir‐1 ) was also prepared as a model complex. Room‐temperature phosphorescence was observed for the complexes; both neutral and cationic complexes Ir‐3 and Ir‐4 showed strong absorption in the visible range (ε=39600 M ^?1 cm^?1 at 402 nm and ε=25100 M ^?1 cm^?1 at 404 nm, respectively), long‐lived triplet excited states (τ_T=9.30 μs and 16.45 μs) and room‐temperature red emission (λ_em=640 nm, Φ_p=1.4 % and λ_em=627 nm, Φ_p=0.3 %; cf. Ir‐1 : ε=16600 M ^?1 cm^?1 at 382 nm, τ_em=1.16 μs, Φ_p=72.6 %). Ir‐3 was strongly phosphorescent in non‐polar solvent (i.e., toluene), but the emission was completely quenched in polar solvents (MeCN). Ir‐4 gave an opposite response to the solvent polarity, that is, stronger phosphorescence in polar solvents than in non‐polar solvents. Emission of Ir‐1 and Ir‐2 was not solvent‐polarity‐dependent. The T₁ excited states of Ir‐2 , Ir‐3 , and Ir‐4 were identified as mainly intraligand triplet excited states (³IL) by their small thermally induced Stokes shifts (ΔE_s), nanosecond time‐resolved transient difference absorption spectroscopy, and spin‐density analysis. The complexes were used as triplet photosensitizers for triplet‐triplet annihilation (TTA) upconversion and quantum yields of 7.1 % and 14.4 % were observed for Ir‐2 and Ir‐3 , respectively, whereas the upconversion was negligible for Ir‐1 and Ir‐4 . These results will be useful for designing visible‐light‐harvesting transition‐metal complexes and for their applications as triplet photosensitizers for photocatalysis, photovoltaics, TTA upconversion, etc.     

The Role of Hydrogen‐Bonding Interactions in the Ultrafast Relaxation Dynamics of the Excited States of 3‐ and 4‐Aminofluoren‐9‐ones

The dynamics of the excited states of 3‐ and 4‐aminofluoren‐9‐ones (3AF and 4AF, respectively) are investigated in different kinds of solvents by using a subpicosecond time‐resolved absorption spectroscopic technique. They undergo hydrogen‐bonding interaction with protic solvents in both the ground and excited states. However, this interaction is more significant in the lowest excited singlet (S₁) state because of its substantial intramolecular charge‐transfer character. Significant differences in the spectroscopic characteristics and temporal dynamics of the S₁ states of 3AF and 4AF in aprotic and protic solvents reveal that the intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interaction between the S₁ state and protic solvents plays an important role in its relaxation process. Perfect linear correlation between the relaxation times of the S₁ state and the longitudinal relaxation times (τ_L) of alcoholic solvents confirms the prediction regarding the solvation process via hydrogen‐bond reorganization. In the case of weakly interacting systems, the relaxation process can be well described by a dipolar solvation‐like process involving rotation of the OH groups of the alcoholic solvents, whereas in solvents having a strong hydrogen‐bond‐donating ability, for example, methanol and trifluoroethanol, it involves the conversion of the non‐hydrogen‐bonded form to the hydrogen‐bonded complex of the S₁ state. Efficient radiationless deactivation of the S₁ state of the aminofluorenones by protic solvents is successfully explained by the energy‐gap law, by using the energy of the fully solvated S₁ state determined from the time‐resolved spectroscopic data.     

一种经(E)-α-碘代烯基砜的钯催化交叉偶联反应立体选择合成(1Z,3E)-2-芳砜基取代的1,3-二烯的新方法

（E）-α-Stannylvinyl phenyl（or p-tolyl）sulfones underwent an iododestannylation reaction to afford （E）-α-iodovinyl phenyl（or p-tolyl）sulfones 1, which reacted with （E）-alkenylzirconium（IV） complexes 2 produced in situ by hydrozirconation of terminal alkynes in the presence of a Pd（PPh3）4 catalyst to afford stereoselectively （1Z,3E）-2- phenyl（or p-tolyl）sulfonyl-substituted 1,3-dienes 3 in good yields.     

Photoinduced Charge‐Transfer Interactions on a Graphene/Block Copolymer Electrostatically Bound to Tetracationic Porphyrin in Aqueous Media

Stable dispersions of exfoliated graphene in aqueous media with the aid of the amphiphilic block copolymer poly(isoprene‐b‐acrylic acid) (PI‐b‐PAA), in the form of its anion, were used to electrostatically bind cationic 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(1‐methyl‐4‐pyridinio)porphine tetra(p‐toluenesulfonate) (H₂P⁴⁺). A new graphene/PI‐b‐PAA^?–H₂P⁴⁺ ensemble was formed and examined by dynamic light scattering, UV/Vis and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. The efficient fluorescence quenching of H₂P⁴⁺ in the graphene/PI‐b‐PAA^?–H₂P⁴⁺ ensemble was probed by using steady‐state and time‐resolved photoluminescence, suggesting that electron/energy‐transfer phenomena occur within the nanoensemble. Blank experiments validated the concept of electrostatic interactions that govern the formation of graphene/PI‐b‐PAA^?–H₂P⁴⁺ ensemble, which signified the importance of graphene as an electron acceptor toward the preparation of some new donor–acceptor systems. Finally, kinetic analysis of the lifetime profiles of the fluorescence emission gave information regarding the quenching rate constant and quantum yield of the singlet excited state of H₂P⁴⁺ in the graphene/PI‐b‐PAA^?–H₂P⁴⁺ ensemble.     

Rational Design of Emissive NIR‐Absorbing Chromophores: RhIII Porphyrin‐Aza‐BODIPY Conjugates with Orthogonal Metal–Carbon Bonds

The facile synthesis of Group 9 Rh^III porphyrin‐aza‐BODIPY conjugates that are linked through an orthogonal Rh?C(aryl) bond is reported. The conjugates combine the advantages of the near‐IR (NIR) absorption and intense fluorescence of aza‐BODIPY dyes with the long‐lived triplet states of transition metal rhodium porphyrins. Only one emission peak centered at about 720 nm is observed, irrespective of the excitation wavelength, demonstrating that the conjugates act as unique molecules rather than as dyads. The generation of a locally excited (LE) state with intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT) character has been demonstrated by solvatochromic effects in the photophysical properties, singlet oxygen quantum yields in polar solvents, and by the results of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In nonpolar solvents, the Rh^III conjugates exhibit strong aza‐BODIPY‐centered fluorescence at around 720 nm (Φ_F=17–34 %), and negligible singlet oxygen generation. In polar solvents, enhancements of the singlet‐oxygen quantum yield (Φ_Δ=19–27 %, λ_ex=690 nm) have been observed. Nanosecond pulsed time‐resolved absorption spectroscopy confirms that relatively long‐lived triplet excited states are formed. The synthetic methodology outlined herein provides a useful strategy for the assembly of functional materials that are highly desirable for a wide range of applications in material science and biomedical fields.     

Photophysics,Excited‐state Double‐Proton Transfer and Hydrogen‐bonding Properties of 5‐Deazaalloxazines

The photophysical properties of 5‐deazaalloxazine and 1,3‐dimethyl‐5‐deazaalloxazine were studied in different solvents. These compounds have higher values of fluorescence quantum yields and longer fluorescence lifetimes, compared to those obtained for their alloxazine analogs. Electronic structure and S₀–S_i transitions were investigated using the ab initio methods [MP2, CIS(D), EOM‐CCSD] with the correlation‐consistent basis sets. Also the time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) has been employed. The lowest singlet excited states of 5‐deazaalloxazine and 1,3‐dimethyl‐5‐deazaalloxazine are predicted to have the π, π* character, whereas similar alloxazines have two close‐lying π, π* and n, π* transitions. Experimental steady‐state and time‐resolved spectral studies indicate formation of an isoalloxazinic excited state via excited‐state double‐proton transfer (ESDPT) catalyzed by an acetic acid molecule that forms a hydrogen bond complex with the 5‐deazaalloxazine molecule. Solvatochromism of both 5‐deazaalloxazine and its 1,3‐dimethyl substituted derivative was analyzed using the Kamlet–Taft scale and four‐parameter Catalán solvent scale. The most significant result of our studies is that the both scales show a strong influence of solvent acidity (hydrogen bond donating ability) on the emission properties of these compounds, indicating the importance of intermolecular solute–solvent hydrogen‐bonding interactions in their excited state.     

Tuning the Excited—state Properties of Cyclometalated Platinum（Ⅱ）Complexes of 6—Pheny1—2,2’bipyridine by Ancillary Acetylide Ligand

A series of luminescent cyclometalated platinum(Ⅱ）complexes,(C^N^N)Pt(C≡CR)[HC^N^N=4-(4-tolyl)-6-phenyl-2,2’-bipyridine;R=4-chlorophenyl(1),phenyl(2) and 4-tolyl(3)],were synthesized,and their spectroscopic properties have been examined.These complexes are brightly emissive both in fluid solution and in the solid state,attributed to triplet metal-to-ligand charge transfer(^3MLCT)state.The excited state energy can be tuned by ancillary acetylide ligands.The emission lifetimes in dichloromethand solution at room temperature were up to 1.64 μs and the emission quantum yields were in the range of 0.03-0.15.     

UV‐Dissipation Mechanisms in the Eumelanin Building Block DHICA

The UV‐dissipative mechanisms of the eumelanin building block 5,6‐dihydroxyindole‐2‐carboxylic acid (DHICA) and the 4,7‐dideutero derivative (DHICA‐d₂) in buffered H₂O or D₂O have been characterized by using ultrafast time‐resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Excitation of the carboxylate anion form, the dominating state at neutral pH, leads to dual fluorescence. The band peaking at λ=378 nm is caused by emission from the excited initial geometry. The second band around λ=450 nm is owed to a complex formed between the mono‐anion and specific buffer components. In the absence of complex formation, the mono‐anion solely decays non‐radiatively or by emission with a lifetime of about 2.1 ns. Excitation of the neutral carboxylic acid state, which dominates at acidic pH, leads to a weak emission around λ=427 nm with a short lifetime of 240 ps. This emission originates from the zwitterionic state, formed upon excitation of the neutral state by sub‐ps excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) between the carboxylic acid group and the indole nitrogen. Future studies will unravel whether this also occurs in larger building blocks and ESIPT is a built‐in photoprotective mechanism in epidermal eumelanin.     

High‐Energy Long‐Lived Mixed Frenkel–Charge‐Transfer Excitons: From Double Stranded (AT)n to Natural DNA

The electronic excited states populated upon absorption of UV photons by DNA are extensively studied in relation to the UV‐induced damage to the genetic code. Here, we report a new unexpected relaxation pathway in adenine–thymine double‐stranded structures (AT)_n. Fluorescence measurements on (AT)_n hairpins (six and ten base pairs) and duplexes (20 and 2000 base pairs) reveal the existence of an emission band peaking at approximately 320 nm and decaying on the nanosecond time scale. Time‐dependent (TD)‐DFT calculations, performed for two base pairs and exploring various relaxation pathways, allow the assignment of this emission band to excited states resulting from mixing between Frenkel excitons and adenine‐to‐thymine charge‐transfer states. Emission from such high‐energy long‐lived mixed (HELM) states is in agreement with their fluorescence anisotropy (0.03), which is lower than that expected for π–π* states (≥0.1). An increase in the size of the system quenches π–π* fluorescence while enhancing HELM fluorescence. The latter process varies linearly with the hypochromism of the absorption spectra, both depending on the coupling between π–π* and charge‐transfer states. Subsequently, we identify the common features between the HELM states of (AT)_n structures with those reported previously for alternating (GC)_n: high emission energy, low fluorescence anisotropy, nanosecond lifetimes, and sensitivity to conformational disorder. These features are also detected for calf thymus DNA in which HELM states could evolve toward reactive π–π* states, giving rise to delayed fluorescence.     

New Anthracene Derivatives as Triplet Acceptors for Efficient Green‐to‐Blue Low‐Power Upconversion

Three new anthracene derivatives [2‐chloro‐9,10‐dip‐tolylanthracene (DTACl), 9,10‐dip‐tolylanthracene‐2‐carbonitrile (DTACN), and 9,10‐di(naphthalen‐1‐yl)anthracene‐2‐carbonitrile (DNACN)] were synthesized as triplet acceptors for low‐power upconversion. Their linear absorption, single‐photon‐excited fluorescence, and upconversion fluorescence properties were studied. The acceptors exhibit high fluorescence yields in DMF. Selective excitation of the sensitizer Pd^IIoctaethylporphyrin (PdOEP) in solution containing DTACl, DTACN, or DNA‐CN at 532 nm with an ultralow excitation power density of 0.5 W cm^?2 results in anti‐Stokes blue emission. The maximum upconversion quantum yield (Φ_UC=17.4 %) was obtained for the couple PdOEP/DTACl. In addition, the efficiency of the triplet–triplet energy transfer process was quantitatively studied by quenching experiments. Experimental results revealed that a highly effective acceptor for upconversion should combine high fluorescence quantum yields with efficient quenching of the sensitizer triplet.     

Site‐Selective Occupancy of Eu2+ Toward Blue‐Light‐Excited Red Emission in a Rb3YSi2O7:Eu Phosphor

Establishing an effective design principle in solid‐state materials for a blue‐light‐excited Eu²⁺‐doped red‐emitting oxide‐based phosphors remains one of the significant challenges for white light‐emitting diodes (WLEDs). Selective occupation of Eu²⁺ in inorganic polyhedra with small coordination numbers results in broad‐band red emission as a result of enhanced crystal‐field splitting of 5d levels. Rb₃YSi₂O₇:Eu exhibits a broad emission band at λ_max=622 nm under 450 nm excitation, and structural analysis and DFT calculations support the concept that Eu²⁺ ions preferably occupy RbO₆ and YO₆ polyhedra and show the characteristic red emission band of Eu²⁺. The excellent thermal quenching resistance, high color‐rendering index R_a (93), and low CCT (4013 K) of the WLEDs clearly demonstrate that site engineering of rare‐earth phosphors is an effective strategy to target tailored optical performance.