Using End Groups to Tune the Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Bis(dioxaborine)‐Terminated Polymethine Dyes

Six anionic pentamethine dyes with different 2,2‐difluoro‐4‐aryl‐1,3,2(2 H)‐dioxaborin‐6‐yl termini were synthesized and isolated as tetra‐n‐octylammonium salts with a variety of aryl groups appended to increase conjugation beyond the dioxaborine termini. The increased conjugation was expected to decrease the energy of the lowest‐lying excited state, and increase the transition dipole moment linking this state to the ground state, which would be anticipated to result in an increase in the real part of the third‐order polarizability, Re(γ). UV/Vis‐NIR absorption spectroscopy indicates that the absorption maxima in DMSO vary from 691 to 761 nm, with the longest wavelength transitions observed for a derivative where the aryl group is 4‐nitrophenyl. Closed‐aperture Z‐scan measurements at 1.3 μm in DMSO indicate that Re(γ) varies from ?2.9×10^?33 to ?5.4×10^?33 esu in these systems. The largest magnitude of Re(γ) was observed for a dye with E‐4‐styrylphenyl aryl groups. This result can be rationalized using a two‐state expression which relates Re(γ) to the energy and transition dipole moment of the transition from the ground state to the lowest‐lying excited state. A nonamethine analogue of this compound was also synthesized and exhibits a slightly larger Re(γ) with respect to a previously reported bis(dioxaborine)‐terminated nonamethine. The extension of conjugation beyond the dioxaborine termini seems to result in an overall increase in Re(γ). However, the effects are smaller than those found by increasing conjugation in the polymethine bridge due to reduced participation of terminal groups in the HOMO.     

Interaction of Polymethine Dyes with Detonation Nanodiamonds

Among cationic, anionic, and merocyanine polymethine dyes, the binding to detonation nanodiamond (DND) colloid particles in hydrosol occurs only for negatively charged dye species. This, in view of the positive ζ-potential of the DND used in this study, suggests the predominance of electrostatic interactions over other intermolecular forces in such systems. Indeed, after decorating the merocyanine and the cationic dye by one and two negatively charged sulfopropyl groups, respectively, so that the net charge of their colored species becomes negative, the compounds also demonstrate affinity to the DND particles. In all cases, the binding of dyes to DND is accompanied by a decrease in fluorescence intensity and a bathochromic shift of their absorption and fluorescence bands. A quantitative study of the dyes adsorption on the DND nanoparticles as performed using the Küster-Freundlich and Langmuir equations reveals some peculiarities of their attaching to the DND aggregates and allows estimating the specific area of the DND particles at a concentration of 0.0212 wt/vol %.     

Benzothiadiazole-Substituted Aza-BODIPY Dyes: Two-Photon Absorption Enhancement for Improved Optical Limiting Performances in the Short-Wave IR Range

Aza-boron dipyrromethenes (aza-BODIPYs) presenting a benzothiadiazole substitution on upper positions are described. The strong electron-withdrawing effect of the benzothiadiazole moiety permits enhancement of the accepting strength and improves the delocalization of the aza-BODIPY core to attain a significant degree of electronic communication between the lower donating groups and the upper accepting groups. The nature of the intramolecular charge transfer is studied both experimentally and theoretically. Linear spectroscopy highlighted the strongly redshifted absorption and emission of the synthesized molecules with recorded fluorescence spectra over 1000 nm. Nonlinear optical properties were also investigated. Strong enhancement of the two-photon absorption of the substituted dyes compared with the unsubstituted one (up to 4520 GM at 1300 nm) results in an approximately 15–20 % improvement of the optical power limiting performances. These dyes are therefore a good starting point for further improvement of optical power limiting in the short-wave IR range.     

双光子吸收聚合引发剂EPVPVC的合成和非线性光学性质的研究

合成了一个新的双光子吸收聚合引发剂,9-乙基-3-{2-[4-(2-吡啶基-4-乙烯基)-苯基]-乙烯基}-9氢咔唑 (EPVPVC),用¹H NMR谱、¹³C NMR谱和元素分析进行了表征.测试了紫外吸收光谱、单光子荧光光谱、单光子荧光寿命、单光子荧光量子产率和双光子荧光光谱.量化计算结果表明,EPVPVC的双光子吸收截面为56.6×10^-50 cm⁴·s·photon^-1.在780 nm的飞秒脉冲激光激发下,EPVPVC发出较强的上转换荧光,荧光峰位于536 nm.用EPVPVC做引发剂,加入丙烯酸酯型齐聚物(cN120C80),在脉冲宽度为200 fs,重复频率为76 MHz,中心波长为780 nm 飞秒脉冲激光下,制作了一个三维周期性微结构.在理论计算的基础上,定性地探讨了其可能的聚合机理.     

1,2,3,4-四氢喹啉-4-酮衍生物的线性及非线性光学性质

合成了一系列具有刚性结构的推拉型1,2,3,4-四氢喹啉-4-酮衍生物: 1-苄基-1,2,3,4-四氢喹啉-4-酮(BTHQ)、2-(1,2,3,4-四氢喹啉-4-叶立德)丙二腈(THQM)、1,6-二羰基久洛尼定(DOJ)和1,6-二(二氰甲烯基叶立德)久洛尼定(BDCJ).测定了其吸收光谱、单光子荧光光谱和双光子上转换荧光光谱. 这类化合物的单双光子荧光参数都存在着很强的、规则的溶剂效应, 表明分子激发态可能存在较大的极性. 它们的二氯甲烷溶液在800 nm飞秒激光(150 fs)照射下, 能够发射出很强的双光子上转换荧光. 采用非线性透过率法测得四个化合物的双光子吸收截面在0.83～23.95×10－50 cm4•s•photon－1之间. 这类化合物的激发态存在有效的分子内电荷转移, 对双光子吸收和双光子荧光发射有较大贡献.     

二噻吩衍生物的合成及其线性、非线性光谱性质

合成了一系列二噻吩衍生物类有机合物：5，5'-二（对－N，N－二甲胺基苯乙 烯基）－2，2'－二噻吩（BMSBT）与5，5'－二（对－N，N－二乙胺基苯乙烯基）- 2,2'-二噻吩（BESBT），5,5'-二（对N－环丁胺基苯乙烯基）－2,2'－二噻吩（ BBSBT），5,5－二（对－N－咔唑基苯乙烯基）2-2'－二噻吩（BCSBT），并测定了 其吸收光谱、单光子荧光光谱和双光子荧光光谱。BMSBT，BESBT和BBSBT的单光子 荧光参数存在的很强的、规则的溶剂效应，表明其激发态的分子可能有较大的极性 。在800nm fs激光下测得BMSBT与BESBT在560nm附近（与单光子荧光发射峰波长接 近的位置）有较强的上转换荧光发射，上转换荧光强度与激发能量之间较好的平方 关系表明了双光子激发的机理，这种上转换荧光被称为双光子荧光。用以光子荧光 法测得BMSBT和BESBT的双光子吸收截面分别为54*10~(-50)(cm~4·s)/photon和 102*10~(-50)(cm~4·s)/photon。     

Tuning the Photophysical Properties of Symmetric Squarylium Dyes: Investigation on the Halogen Modulation Effects

A series of symmetric squarylium dyes (SQDPA-X) with different halogen (X=F, Cl, Br, I) substituents have been developed. The photophysical properties could be facilely tuned by the halogen modulation effects. The strategy of incorporating different halogen substitutions into AIE active luminogens enables a facile approach for exploring new intriguing organic fluorescent dyes.     

多烯和花菁染料分子设计及其非线性光学性质研究进展

根据一种新的增强分子非线性光学性质的设计思想 ,讨论了多烯和花菁染料的结构和性质关系 ,综述了这类染料的非线性光学性质及其应用进展 ,并对有机非线性光学材料的发展前景进行了预测。     

近红外荧光染料的结构、性质及生物荧光成像应用

近红外荧光生物成像技术由于具有深的组织穿透性、低背景荧光干扰、最小生物样本光损伤等特点引起人们越来越多的关注。开发高荧光效率、低毒性的近红外荧光染料是近红外荧光成像技术发展的关键所在。本文综述了五类主要的有机近红外荧光染料(菁类、BODIPY类、罗丹明类、方酸类、卟啉类)的研究进展,重点分析其结构与光学性质等构效关系,为近红外荧光染料的设计和制备提供指导。另外,总结了有机近红外荧光材料功能化修饰的主要方法以改善生物相容性、靶向性能等,最后对近红外荧光染料存在的主要问题以及未来的热点方向进行了分析和展望。     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Phenylene-vinylene Based Chromophores for Singlet Oxygen Generation

A series of symmetrical and unsymmetrical phenylene-vinylene （PV） based chro- mophores with the molecular configuration of donor-π-donor （D-g-D） were prepared and characterized. Iodine was first introduced into the Jr-conjugation backbone of the PV based chromophores in order to study the heavy atom effect on their linear absorption, two-photon absorption （TPA） properties, as well as singlet oxygen generation properties. TPA cross-sections of these chromophores were investigated by using the two-photon excited fluorescence method. The unsymmetrical chromophores were found to have larger TPA cross-section values compared to their symmetrical counterparts. For one of the unsymmetrical chromophores with the iodine incorporation, a large TPA cross section value with quenched emission was found. The decreased fluorescence quantum yield of a molecule can be ascribed to the increased intersystem crossing, which is favorable for enhancing the singlet oxygen generation. Therefore, the unsymmetrical PV based chromophores with heavy atom incorporation are promising singlet oxygen sensitizers for the photodynamic therapy application.     

Rational Molecular Design and Synthesis of Highly Thermo‐ and Photostable Near‐Infrared‐Absorbing Heptamethine Cyanine Dyes with the Use of Fluorine Atoms

Highly thermo‐ and photostable, near‐infrared‐absorbing heptamethine cyanine dyes were achieved with the use of fluorine‐containing components. In particular, one prepared heptamethine cyanine dye, bearing a tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate as a counter anion and an N‐ethyl‐2,2,2‐trifluoroacetamido group at the meso position, showed not only a high decomposition temperature (T_dt), but also very high photostability toward white LED irradiation.     

Synthesis of Polymethine Dyes Possessing Nonlinear Optical Properties and Preparation of Photoconducting Systems Based Thereupon

Reactions of 2,3,3-trimethyl-3H-indolium and 2-methylquinolinium quaternary salts with o- and p-hydroxybenzaldehydes afforded polymethine dyes (styryls) which were isolated for the first time as the corresponding tetrafluoroborates. The dyes can redily be deprotonated by the action of alkali to obtain neutral merocyanine species. Chemical, photophysical, and optical properties of the products were studied. All the obtained dyes were found to exhibit second-order nonlinear optical activity; in combination with 2,3-dimethyl- indole, they are also capable of photochemically generating mobile charge carriers.     

Theoretical Studies on the Third-order Nonlinear Optical Properties and Two-photon Absorption of Stilbene Derivatives

Different types of stilbene derivatives (D-π-D, A-π-A, D-π-A) were investigated with AM1, and specially, equilibrium geometries of symmetrical stilbene derivatives (D-π-D) were studied using of PM3. With the same method INDO/CI, the UV-vis spectra were explored and the position and strength of the two-photon absorption were predicated by Sum-Over-States expression. The relationships of the structures, spectra and nonlinear optical properties have been examined. The influence of various substituents on two photon absorption cross-sections was discussed micromechanically.     

Linear Optical and Third‐Order Nonlinear Optical Properties of Some Fluorenyl‐ and Triarylamine‐Containing Tetracyanobutadiene Derivatives

The synthesis and characterization of four new tetracyanobutadiene (TCBD) derivatives ( 1 – 3 and 2′ ) incorporating 2‐ or 2,7‐fluorenyl and diphenylamino moieties are reported. The electroactivity of 1–3 and 2′ was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), while the linear optical and (third‐order) nonlinear optical (NLO) properties were investigated by electronic spectroscopy and Z‐scan studies, respectively. All experimental investigations were rationalized by DFT computations, providing an insight into the electronic structure of these derivatives and on their application potential. We show that these derivatives are nonluminescent in solution at ambient temperatures, but become fluorescent in solvent glasses. This finding constitutes an unprecedented observation for TCBD derivatives. Also, we show by Z‐scan studies that these derivatives behave as two‐photon absorbers in the near‐IR range (800–1050 nm). These third‐order NLO properties are discussed and compared with those of their alkynyl precursors ( 4 – 6 ), which have been investigated by two‐photon excited fluorescence (TPEF).     

新型萘四酰亚胺类长波长荧光染料的构建及其光谱调控

本文通过杂环胺类对二溴萘四酰亚胺的亲核反应,分别设计合成了8个未见报道的基于萘四酰亚胺母体的新型单取代或者双取代荧光染料.系统性光谱研究表明,胺类的推电子作用差异可以很好地调控其吸收和荧光波长,使之成为一类性能良好的可见或长波长荧光染料(最大吸收509—580 nm;最大发射565—638 nm;荧光量子效率0.21—0.54;Stokes位移36—77 nm).     

Studies of 2‐Azaazulenium Derivatives: Unsymmetrical Trimethine Cyanine Dyes Bearing a 2‐Azaazulenium Moiety as One of the Terminal Groups

We report here the synthesis of a series of symmetrical and unsymmetrical trimethine cyanine dyes derived from 2‐azaazulene, combined spectral and quantum‐chemical investigations of their molecular geometry and electron structure, as well as the nature of the lowest electron transitions. Based on the analysis of both calculations and experimental data obtained from absorption and ¹³C NMR spectra, it was concluded that the 2‐azaazulene residue can be treated as a weakly basic terminal group; its donor properties are provided with the participation of the HOMO?1, in contrast to the typical Brooker’s terminal residues with their donor HOMOs. The new classification of the terminal groups of cyanine dyes, and hence the classification of types of unsymmetrical cyanines, is proposed. It is shown that the nature of the higher electron transitions (delocalized or local) in the cyanine dyes depends on their type. In the unsymmetrical trimethine cyanine of the mixed type, negative deviations are observed in their absorption spectra.     

Femtosecond Spectroscopy and Nonlinear Optical Properties of aza-BODIPY Derivatives in Solution

The fast relaxation processes in the excited electronic states of functionalized aza-boron-dipyrromethene (aza-BODIPY) derivatives ( 1 – 4 ) were investigated in liquid media at room temperature, including the linear photophysical, photochemical, and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties. Optical gain was revealed for nonfluorescent derivatives 3 and 4 in the near infrared (NIR) spectral range under femtosecond excitation. The values of two-photon absorption (2PA) and excited-state absorption (ESA) cross-sections were obtained for 1–4 in dichloromethane using femtosecond Z-scans, and the role of bromine substituents in the molecular structures of 2 and 4 is discussed. The nature of the excited states involved in electronic transitions of these dyes was investigated using quantum-chemical TD-DFT calculations, and the obtained spectral parameters are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data. Significant 2PA (maxima cross-sections ∼2000 GM), and large ESA cross-sections ∼10⁻²⁰ m² of these new aza-BODIPY derivatives 1–4 along with their measured high photostability reveal their potential for photonic applications in general and optical limiting in particular.     

Synthesis,Photophysical Properties and Two‐Photon Absorption Study of Tetraazachrysene‐based N‐Heteroacenes

Three novel N‐heteroacene molecules ( SDNU‐1 , SDNU‐2 and SDNU‐3 ) based on tetraazachrysene units as cores have been designed, synthesized and fully characterized. Their photophysical, electrochemical and fluorescence properties were investigated, and they exhibited blue to green emission in the solid state. Interestingly, SDNU‐2 exhibited high solid photoluminescence quantum efficiencies (75.3 %), which is the highest value of N‐heteroacenes derivatives to date. Two‐photon absorption studies have been conducted by using the open and close aperture Z‐san technique. SDNU‐3 showed a significant enhancement in the two‐photon absorption cross‐section with magnitudes as high as about 700 GM (1 GM=1×10^?50 cm⁴ s/photon) when excited with 800 nm light, which is the largest value based on a heteroacene system measured by using a Z‐scan experiment so far. We attribute the outcome to sufficient electronic coupling between the strong charge transfer of quadrupolar substituents and the tetraazachrysene core. Our result would provide a new guideline to design novel efficient two‐photon materials based on N‐heteroacene cores.     

On the Signalling Pathways and CuII‐Mediated Anion Indication of N‐meso‐Substituted Heptamethine Cyanine Dyes

Join or attack : meso‐Cyclam‐substituted heptamethine cyanine dye 1 responds very differently to the presence of metal ions and protons. Whereas the former are embraced in a host–guest complex, the latter attack the cyanine π system (see picture). In the presence of Cu^II, 1 selectively forms near‐infrared absorbing aggregates in buffered solution that allow the determination of citrate by using colourimetry.

     

Effects of the Sol-Gel Processing on the Fluorescence Properties of Laser Dyes in Tetraethoxysilane Derived Matrices

Two fluorescent dyes were incorporated into sol-gel derived SiO₂ matrices. The dye was added to SiO₂ precursors of different degrees of pre-condensation and the spectroscopic properties of the immobilized dye were measured at various aging and drying stages of the resulting gels. The significant influence of the processing parameters on the spectroscopic properties is manifested in the relative intensity of a second red shifted emission band (550–560 nm), which was observed besides the typical coumarin emission band (495 nm). The appearance of this long wavelength emission might be attributed to dye aggregation or to other reactions with the ambient matrix forced by micro porosity phenomena.