Photolysis of 2,6-diphenyl-4h-pyran-4-thione and 2,6-diphenyl-4h-thiopyran-4-thione

Photolysis of 2,6-diphenyl-4H-pyran-4-thione and 2,6-diphenyl-4H-thiopyran-4-thione resulted in desulfurization and furnished 2,2′,6,6′-tetraphenyl-4,4′-di(pyranylidene) and 2,2′,6,6′-tetraphenyl-4,4′-di(thiopyranylidene) as the products. The mechanism was studied by quantum yield measurements. In dioxane, the quantum yield of di(pyranylidene) formation was concentration-dependent, while in benzene, it was independent of the concentration. The photoreaction proceeds via the triplet state of 2,6-diphenyl-4H-pyran-4-thione and 2,6-diphenyl-4H-thiopyran-4-thione and the H atom abstraction from solvents appears to be a key step in the formation ofdi(pyranylidene).     

Some aspects of room-temperature phosphorescence in liquid solutions

Experimental requirements for room-temperature phosphorescence measurements in liquids (RTPL) are discussed. Phosphorescence quantum yields and triplet lifetimes of some brominated naphthalenes and halogenated biphenyls at 77 K in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran and at room temperature in hexane are reported and compared. Surprisingly the naphthalenes show only little loss in quantum yields in going from 77 K to room temperature. Sensitized phosphorescence is discussed as a means of expanding the analytical potential of RTPL. Results with a model system of benzophenone as a donor (analyte) and 1,4-dibromonaphthalene as an acceptor are presented.     

Excitation-energy dependence of the phosphorescence quantum yields of pyridinecarboxaldehyde vapors

Emission and excitation spectra of 3- and 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde vapors have been measured at different pressures down to 10(-2)Torr. The phosphorescence quantum yield measured at low pressure as a function of excitation energy is nearly constant in the range of excitation energy corresponding to the S1(n, pi*) state, but it decreases abruptly at the S2(pi, pi*) threshold. The onset of the abrupt decrease of the yield corresponds to the location of the S2 absorption origin of each molecule, indicating that the nonradiative pathway depends on the type of the excited singlet state to which the molecule is initially excited. The relaxation processes are discussed based on the pressure and excitation-energy dependence of the phosphorescence quantum yield.     

Spectral-kinetic relationships for the room-temperature phosphorescence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in micellar solutions

Lifetimes of triplet sates of molecules of different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are measured in the system 0.1 M sodium dodecyl sulfate-0.025 M thallium nitrate-0.01 M sodium sulfite are measured, and the dependences of these quantities on the spectral luminescence characteristics are determined. Based on the obtained results, the application range of room-temperature phosphorimetry with time and spectral selection for the determination of individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mixtures is determined.     

The applicability of the second-derivative method to room-temperature phosphorescence analysis

The use of the second-derivative (d²) technique to overcome some of the problems encountered in room-temperature phosphorescence analysis is investigated. Despite some reduction in the signal-to-noise values, the d²-technique was shown to be particularly suited to improving the selectivity of the assay. The utility of this method for applications in multicomponent mixture analysis is discussed. The two most significant figures of merit for room-temperature phosphorescence are the reduction of spectral overlap and the decrease of background interference.     

Organic room-temperature phosphorescence from halogen-bonded organic frameworks: hidden electronic effects in rigidified chromophores

Development of purely organic materials displaying room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) will expand the toolbox of inorganic phosphors for imaging, sensing or display applications. While molecular solids were found to suppress non-radiative energy dissipation and make the RTP process kinetically favourable, such an effect should be enhanced by the presence of multivalent directional non-covalent interactions. Here we report phosphorescence of a series of fast triplet-forming tetraethyl naphthalene-1,4,5,8-tetracarboxylates. Various numbers of bromo substituents were introduced to modulate intermolecular halogen-bonding interactions. Bright RTP with quantum yields up to 20% was observed when the molecule is surrounded by a Br⋯O halogen-bonded network. Spectroscopic and computational analyses revealed that judicious heavy-atom positioning suppresses non-radiative relaxation and enhances intersystem crossing at the same time. The latter effect was found to be facilitated by the orbital angular momentum change, in addition to the conventional heavy-atom effect. Our results suggest the potential of multivalent non-covalent interactions for excited-state conformation and electronic control.

The number and position of halogen substituents in purely organic π–π* chromophores critically affect the efficiency of phosphorescence.     

Controlling phosphorescence color and quantum yields in cationic iridium complexes: a combined experimental and theoretical study

We report a combined experimental and theoretical study on cationic Ir(III) complexes for OLED applications and describe a strategy to tune the phosphorescence wavelength and to enhance the emission quantum yields for this class of compounds. This is achieved by modulating the electronic structure and the excited states of the complexes by selective ligand functionalization. In particular, we report the synthesis, electrochemical characterization, and photophysical properties of a new cationic Ir(III) complex, [Ir(2,4-difluorophenylpyridine)2(4,4'-dimethylamino-2,2'-bipyridine)](PF(6)) (N969), and compare the results with those reported for the analogous [Ir(2-phenylpyridine)2(4,4'-dimethylamino-2,2'-bipyridine)](PF(6)) (N926) and for the prototype [Ir(2-phenylpyridine)2(4,4'-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine)](PF(6)) complex, hereafter labeled N925. The three complexes allow us to explore the (C/\N) and (N/\N) ligand functionalization: considering N925 as a reference, we investigate in N926 the effect of electron-releasing substituents on the bipyridine ligand, while in N969, we investigate the combined effect of electron-releasing substituents on the bipyridine ligand and the effect of electron-withdrawing substituents on the phenylpyridine ligands. For N969 we obtain blue-green emission at 463 nm with unprecedented high quantum yield of 85% in acetonitrile solution at room temperature. To gain insight into the factors responsible for the emission color change and the different quantum yields, we perform DFT and TDDFT calculations on the ground and excited states of the three complexes, characterizing the excited-state geometries and including solvation effects on the calculation of the excited states. This computational procedure allows us to provide a detailed assignment of the excited states involved in the absorption and emission processes and to rationalize the factors determining the efficiency of radiative and nonradiative deactivation pathways in the investigated complexes. This work represents an example of electronic structure-driven tuning of the excited-state properties, thus opening the way to a combined theoretical and experimental strategy for the design of new iridium(III) phosphors with specific target characteristics.     

Blue-to-green manipulation of carbon dots from fluorescence to ultralong room-temperature phosphorescence for high-level anti-counterfeiting

Carbon dots (CDs) with fluorescence (FL) and room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) optical properties have attracted dramatically growing interest in anti-counterfeiting application. Herein, color-tunable and stable FL and ultralong RTP (to naked eyes ~14 s) are successfully achieved in CDs system. Encoding information and patterns fabricated by directly screen-printing method are invisible to eyes under natural light. Interestingly, clear and multicolor patterns with tunable FL and RTP emissions are identified under the 365 nm, 395 nm and 465 nm excitation and removal of them, indicating potential application of carbon dots with different FL and RTP outputs in the high-level photonic anti-counterfeiting field.     

A general strategy for realization of efficient room-temperature phosphorescence from amorphous metal-free small molecules

正Luminescent materials with room-temperature phosphorescence(RTP)have drawn tremendous attention due to their remarkable advantages,such as long emission wavelength and lifetime,large Stokes shift,and high signal-noise ratio.Currently,most RTP materials are inorganics or organometallic complexes containing expensive and toxic noble metals.To promote the development of the field of RTP,it is necessary and important to design and prepare metal-free RTP materials because of their potential applications in molecular switches,anti-counterfeiting,chemical sensors and biological imaging,etc.[1].     

The effect of sample environment on the room-temperature phosphorescence of several polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons

Room-temperature phosphorescence (r.t.p.) of numerous molecules has been studied with emphasis on several polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The heavy atom effect has led to a significant enhancement of r.t.p. signals for the PAH studied with the trend being Tl⁺ > Ag⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Hg²⁺. The Tl⁺ also resulted in enhanced spectral features of emission bands. R.t.p. could be induced from PAH on a sodium acetate sample support as well as on filter paper. A study of the effect of different gaseous environments provided anomalous results.     

The dependence of fluorescence quantum yields on the exciting wavelength in solutions of rare earth ions

The conditions are discussed under which quantitative results can be obtained on fluorescent yields in solutions of rare earth ions, and Eu³⁺ in particular. It is shown that fluorescent quantum yields may depend on the wavelength of excitation.     

Determination of traces of bismuth by quenching of solid-substrate room-temperature phosphorescence from morin-labeled silicon dioxide nano-particles

Silicon dioxide nano-particles, diameter 50 nm, containing morin (morin–SiO₂) have been synthesized by the sol–gel method. They emit strong and stable room-temperature phosphorescence (SS-RTP) on filter paper as substrate, and bismuth can quench the intensity of the SS-RTP. On this basis a new morin–SiO₂ solid-substrate room-temperature phosphorescence-quenching method has been established for determination of traces of bismuth. Reduction of phosphorescence intensity (I_p) is directly proportional to the concentration of bismuth in the working range 0.16–14.4 ag spot^–1 (sample volume 0.40 L spot^–1, corresponding to the concentration range 0.40–36.0 fg mL^–1). The regression equation of the working curve is I_p=14.86+5.279×[Bi³⁺] (ag spot^–1) (n=6, r=0.9982). The detection limit of this method is 0.026 ag spot^–1 (corresponding to a concentration of 6.5×10^–17 g mL^–1).This sensitive, reproducible and accurate method has been used for successful analysis of real samples.     

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.     

A new analytical application of nylon-induced room-temperature phosphorescence: determination of thiabendazole in water samples

This paper discusses the first analytical determination of the widely used fungicide thiabendazole by nylon-induced phosphorimetry. Nylon was investigated as a novel solid-matrix for inducing room-temperature phosphorescence of thiabendazole, which was enhanced under the effect of external heavy-atom salts. Among the investigated salts, lead(II) acetate was the most effective in yielding a high phosphorescence signal. An additional enhancement of the phosphorescence emission was attained when the measurements were carried out under a nitrogen atmosphere. There was only a moderate increase in the presence of cyclodextrins. The room-temperature phosphorescence lifetimes of the adsorbed thiabendazole were measured under different working conditions and, in all cases, two decaying components were detected. On the basis of the obtained results, a very simple and sensitive phosphorimetric method for the determination of thiabendazole was established. The analytical figures of merit obtained under the best experimental conditions were: linear calibration range from 0.031 to 0.26 μg ml⁻¹ (the lowest value corresponds to the quantitation limit), relative standard deviation, 2.4% (n = 5) at a level of 0.096 μg ml⁻¹, and limit of detection calculated according to 1995 IUPAC Recommendations equal to 0.010 μg ml⁻¹ (0.03 ng/spot). The potential interference from common agrochemicals was also studied. The feasibility of determining thiabendazole in real samples was successfully evaluated through the analysis of spiked river, tap and mineral water samples.     

The effects of ion-exchange filter papers and of heavy atoms on room-temperature phosphorescence of several indoles

Room-temperature phosphorescence (r.t.p.) of twelve indoles on different ion-exchange filter papers is examined. Anion-exchange filter paper Whatman DE-81 gives the largest r.t.p. signals in the presence of iodide; S & S 903 paper treated with diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid or supported carboxymethylcellulose resin are less useful. The heavy atom effect is necessary to observe analytically useful r.t.p. signals of indoles, with the trend iodide > thallium(I). Lifetimes of the r.t.p. of indoles are very short, in the millisecond range, and show two components. Absolute limits of detection between 0.2 and 14 ng show r.t.p. to be sensitive and simple analytical technique for these compounds.     

Photophysics on surfaces: determination of absolute fluorescence quantum yields from reflectance spectra

A method for the calculation of absolute fluorescence quantum yields for dyes attached to solid particles based on reflectance measurements is reported. The same procedure allows calculation of true reflectance spectra (free of fluorescence) for highly fluorescent materials as well. Samples ofcresyl violet were immobilized by adsorption on microgranular cellulose in the concentration range 4.5 x 10(-9) to 3.8 x 10(-6) mol g(-1). Diffuse and total reflectance spectra were recorded with and without insertion of an optical absorption filter between the output of the integrating sphere of a reflectance spectrometer and the photodetector in order to block fluorescence partially. From these data, the relative emission spectrum of the dye, the filter transmission spectrum, and the detector sensitivity, true reflectances and absolute fluorescence quantum yields were recovered. Observed fluorescence quantum yields, affected by dye aggregation and inner filter effects, were concentration and wavelength dependent, ranging approximately between 0.1 and 0.6. The analysis of remission function spectra showed that dye aggregation is negligible up to a concentration of 1.41 x 10(-7) mol g(-1). Fluorescence data were corrected for reemission and reabsorption using a suitable model [Lagorio, M. G.; Dicelio, L. E.; Litter, M. I.; San Roman, E. J. Chem. Soc., Faraday Trans. 1998, 94, 419]. Application of this model to samples showing no aggregation yielded a wavelength-independent true fluorescence quantum yield of 0.60 +/- 0.05, similar to values found in solution. The usage of cresyl violet as a reference for the evaluation of fluorescence quantum yields for weakly fluorescing samples in the solid phase is discussed.     

The photoacoustic determination of fluorescence yields of dye solutions

A new method for the measurement of the primary fluorescence quantum yield of dye solutions is presented. The method is conceptually and experimentally simple, relying of the S_n → S₁ transition probability as an internal standard for comparison with the S₁ radiationless transition probability, both probabilities being measured by photoacoustic spectroscopy.     

Fluorescence lifetimes and relative quantum yields of 9,10-diphenylanthracene in dilute solutions of cyclohexane and benzene

The lifetimes of 9,10-diphenylanthracene in dilute solutions of cyclohexane and benzene at 25°C have been found to be 7.58 ± 0.04 and 6.95 ± 0.04 ns respectively. Measurements of the relative quantum yields show that the dependence on the solvent is caused by an increased probability for non-radiative decay in benzene compared with cyclohexane. This behaviour is shown to partly reconcile previous conflicting data on the radiative properties of this molecule.     

Temperature dependence of the fluorescence quantum yields of diphenylsiloxane‐based copolymers in dilute solutions

The monomer and excimer fluorescence quantum yields of well‐defined poly(dimethylsiloxane‐co‐diphenylsiloxane)s with different diphenylsiloxane (Ph₂SiO) contents have been determined, along with those of 1,1,3,3‐tetraphenyl‐1,3‐dimethyldisiloxane and 1,1,3,3,5,5‐hexaphenyltrisiloxane‐1,5‐diol used as model compounds, in a dilute organic solvent at different temperatures. The measured fluorescence quantum yields of the copolymers are correlated with the fraction of the ? (CH₃)₂SiO? (Ph₂SiO)_n? (CH₃)₂SiO? structures. The monomer fluorescence yield for copolymers with low Ph₂SiO contents is dominated mainly by the isolated ? (CH₃)₂SiO? (Ph₂SiO)? (CH₃)₂SiO? unit, and the apparent mean binding energy of the excimer does not increase significantly with increasing Ph₂SiO content. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 854–861, 2002     

The room-temperature synthesis of anisotropic CdHgTe quantum dot alloys: a "molecular welding" effect

The room-temperature chemical transformation of spherical CdTe nanoparticles into anisotropic alloyed CdHgTe particles using mercury bromide in a toluene/methanol system at room temperature has been investigated. The resulting materials readily dissolved in toluene and exhibited a significant red-shift in the optical properties toward the infrared region. Structural transformations were observed, with electron microscopy showing that the CdTe nanoparticles were chemically attached ('welded') to other CdTe nanoparticles, creating highly complex anisotropic heterostructures which also incorporated mercury.