Photochemical stability of nonlinear optical chromophores in polymeric and crystalline materials

We compare the photochemical stability of the nonlinear optical chromophore configurationally locked polyene 2-{3-[2-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)vinyl]-5,5-dimethylcyclohex-2-enylidene} malononitrile (DAT2) embedded in a polymeric matrix and in a single-crystalline configuration. The results show that, under resonant light excitations, the polymeric compound degrades through an indirect process, while the DAT2 crystal follows a slow direct process. We show that chromophores in a crystalline environment exhibit three orders of magnitude better photostability as compared to guest-host polymer composites.     

Fluorescence study of a thermotropic liquid crystal: Bis (p-hexyloxyphenyl) terephthalate

The microstructure of the low molecular weight thermotropic liquid crystal, bis(p-hexyloxyphenyl)terephthalate (PP6), was analysed by fluorescence. The material has an emission around 400 nm in its various liquid crystalline phases, but this emission disappears in the isotropic phase. The emission was attributed to fluorescence from an intermolecular ground state complex between two different chromophores of PP6 based on fluorescence experiments of model compounds and dilute PP6 solutions. No peak shifts were observed on changing temperature, while the fluorescence intensity decreased as the temperature was increased. The fluorescence intensity changed dramatically at the phase transitions. An abrupt change in the fluorescence intensity was observed on changing depending on the temperature especially at the smectic-nematic transition temperature. Thus, the intermolecular fluorescence of the liquid crystal is greatly affected by the phase structure and the order of liquid crystalline phase.     

ABSORPTION OF METHYLBACTERIOPHEOPHORBIDE a SINGLE CRYSTALS: SPECTRAL SHIFTS DUE TO π-π INTERACTIONS

Abstract— Polarized absorption spectra were obtained for a single crystal of methylbacteriophorbide a (MeBPhide a). The Q_y band is red-shifted ∽ 1660 cm^-1 (∽ 110 nm) relative to MeBPhide a in a CH₂Cl₂/benzene solution. This is equivalent to the largest red shifts observed for in vivo bacteriochlorophyll a. The Soret band exhibits a smaller red shift and a significant reduction in intensity, and the Q_x band is not observed. The crystal spectra are qualitatively similar to spectra reported for several other aggregated (bacterio)chlorophyll and bacteriopheophytin systems. Since crystalline MeBPhide a contains no Mg, water or hydrogen bonding (Barkigia etal. , 1981), these results demonstrate that the spectral changes associated with the aggregation of photosynthetic chromophores can arise solely from IT-IT interactions between macrocycles.     

Solid-State Emission from Mono- and Bichromophoric Boron Dipyrromethene (BODIPY) Derivatives and Comparison with Fluid Solution

The syntheses and crystal structures of sterically crowded mono- and bichromophoric BODIPY-based dyes are reported. The “monomeric” compound is weakly fluorescent in the liquid phase due to fast internal conversion associated with rotation of aryl rings at the boron atom. The side-by-side “dimer” exhibits weak excitonic coupling between the dipyrrin units and is much more emissive in fluid solution. Solid samples of both molecular entities are strongly fluorescent under near-UV illumination. Thus, the mono-chromophore exhibits dual fluorescence from what appears to be a mixture of crystalline and possibly amorphous (or interfacial regions) distributions. The bi-chromophore packs in the crystal as pairs of chromophores with each unit being provided by a different molecule. This leads to excitonic splitting and the formation of a strong H-band in the absorption spectrum. Fluorescence occurs from the corresponding J-species and also from what appears to be an aggregated state associated with interfacial areas. Both bulk and interface-bound states show relatively long-lived fluorescence while the crystal structures indicate the likelihood for fast electronic energy migration between molecules.     

Covalent Organic Framework for Improving Near-Infrared Light Induced Fluorescence Imaging through Two-Photon Induction

Fluorescent materials exhibiting two-photon induction (TPI) are used for nonlinear optics, bioimaging, and phototherapy. Polymerizations of molecular chromophores to form π-conjugated structures were hindered by the lack of long-range ordering in the structure and strong π–π stacking between the chromophores. Reported here is the rational design of a benzothiadiazole-based covalent organic framework (COF) for promoting TPI and obtaining efficient two-photon induced fluorescence emissions. Characterization and spectroscopic data revealed that the enhancement in TPI performance is attributed to the donor-π-acceptor-π-donor configuration and regular intervals of the chromophores, the large π-conjugation domain, and the long-range order of COF crystals. The crystalline structure of TPI-COF attenuates the π–π stacking interactions between the layers, and overcomes aggregation-caused emission quenching of the chromophores for improving near-infrared two-photon induced fluorescence imaging.     

Anisotropic Thermal Expansion as the Source of Macroscopic and Molecular Scale Motion in Phosphorescent Amphidynamic Crystals

Herein we report a crystalline molecular rotor with rotationally modulated triplet emission that displays macroscopic dynamics in the form of crystal moving and/or jumping, also known as salient effects. Molecular rotor 2 with a central 1,4‐diethynyl‐2,3‐difluorophenylene rotator linked to two gold(I) nodes, crystalizes as infinite 1D chains through intermolecular gold(I)–gold(I) interactions. The rotational motion changes the orientation of the central phenylene, changing the electronic communication between adjacent chromophores, and thus the emission intensities. Crystals of 2 showed the large and reversible thermal expansion/compression anisotropy, which accounts for 1) a nonlinear Arrhenius behavior in molecular‐level rotational dynamics, which correlates with 2) changes in emission, and determines 3) the macroscopic crystal motion. A molecular rotor analogue 3 has properties similar to those of 2 , suggesting a generalized way to control mechanical properties at molecular and macroscopic scales.     

Covalent Organic Framework for Improving Near‐Infrared Light Induced Fluorescence Imaging through Two‐Photon Induction

Fluorescent materials exhibiting two‐photon induction (TPI) are used for nonlinear optics, bioimaging, and phototherapy. Polymerizations of molecular chromophores to form π‐conjugated structures were hindered by the lack of long‐range ordering in the structure and strong π–π stacking between the chromophores. Reported here is the rational design of a benzothiadiazole‐based covalent organic framework (COF) for promoting TPI and obtaining efficient two‐photon induced fluorescence emissions. Characterization and spectroscopic data revealed that the enhancement in TPI performance is attributed to the donor‐π‐acceptor‐π‐donor configuration and regular intervals of the chromophores, the large π‐conjugation domain, and the long‐range order of COF crystals. The crystalline structure of TPI‐COF attenuates the π–π stacking interactions between the layers, and overcomes aggregation‐caused emission quenching of the chromophores for improving near‐infrared two‐photon induced fluorescence imaging.     

Protein‐like Enwrapped Perylene Bisimide Chromophore as a Bright Microcrystalline Emitter Material

Strongly emissive solid‐state materials are mandatory components for many emerging optoelectronic technologies, but fluorescence is often quenched in the solid state owing to strong intermolecular interactions. The design of new organic pigments, which retain their optical properties despite their high tendency to crystallize, could overcome such limitations. Herein, we show a new material with monomer‐like absorption and emission profiles as well as fluorescence quantum yields over 90 % in its crystalline solid state. The material was synthesized by attaching two bulky tris(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)phenoxy substituents at the perylene bisimide bay positions. These substituents direct a packing arrangement with full enwrapping of the chromophore and unidirectional chromophore alignment within the crystal lattice to afford optical properties that resemble those of their natural pigment counterparts, in which chromophores are rigidly embedded in protein environments.     

The chiroptical properties of a new liquid-crystalline polymer: (trityl)(pentyl)cellulose

The chiroptical properties of a new liquid crystalline polymer, trityl pentyl cellulose (TPeC), are discussed. This polymer forms lyotropic liquid-crystalline phases in tetrahydrofuran and chloroform. The cholesteric twist sense is right handed in both solvents. The dilute solution optical activity of the phenyl chromophores, measured by circular dichroism (CD), showed no evidence of the exciton splitting expected for a helical arrangement of chromophores. The sign and magnitude of the CD signals were found to change considerably upon mesophase formation.     

Diphenyloligothiophene-based dichromophoric macrocycles and their ability to form donor/acceptor complexes

A series of four dichromophoric rigid macrocycles 6a-6d, two with diphenyloligothiophene chromophores, the other two with more electron-rich diphenyl-EDOT or diphenyl-bis-EDOT chromophores, have been synthesized. The absorption spectrum of the diphenyl-bis-EDOT based macrocycle 6d displayed the most pronounced vibronic resolution with a well-resolved 0-0 transition, indicating a fully planarized geometry of the diphenyl-bis-EDOT chromophores. The (1)H NMR spectra of the macrocycles displayed weak to moderate chemical shifts of characteristic signals upon addition of pi-conjugated oligonitro-9-fluorenone acceptors. X-ray single-crystal analysis showed that columnar pi-stacked donor/acceptor complexes are formed with the stacks composed of alternating donor and acceptor molecules. The stoichiometry of the crystalline, dark-colored complexes was found to be 1:1 by elemental analysis and integration of the (1)H NMR peaks. The complex formation is accompanied by remarkably large Stern-Volmer constants of fluorescence quenching.     

Systematic study of the structure-property relationship of a series of ferrocenyl nonlinear optical chromophores

A series of novel nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophores 1-4 incorporating the ferrocenyl (Fc) group as an electron donor and 2-dicyanomethylene-3-cyano-4-methyl-2,5-dihydrofuran (TCF) derivatives as electron acceptors are presented. The use of a constant Fc donor and varied acceptors and bridges makes it possible to systematically determine the contribution of the conjugated bridge and the acceptor strength to chromophore nonlinear optical activity. The X-ray crystal structures of all four chromophores allow for the systematic investigation of the structure-property relationship for this class of molecules. For example, the crystal structures reveal that both cyclopentadienyl groups in the ferrocenyl donor contribute to the electron donating ability. The first-order hyperpolarizabilities beta of these chromophores, measured by hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) relative to p-nitroaniline are reported. These beta values are compared to those calculated by density functional theory (DFT). The excellent agreement between the theoretical and experimental beta values demonstrates that a linear relation exists between the hyperpolarizability and the bond length alternation. An electrooptic coefficient, r(33), of approximately 25 pm/V at 1300 nm, for compound 4, incorporated into a polymer matrix, is competitive with organic chromophores. Moreover, this r(33) is more than 30 times larger than the previously reported value for an organometallic chromophore in a poled polymer matrix. This work not only underscores the potential for Fc donor moieties, which have been underutilized, but also demonstrates that experimental characterization and theoretical simulations are now congruent, viable methods for assessing potential performance of NLO materials.     

Cooperative interactions in supramolecular aggregates: linear and nonlinear responses in calix[4]arenes.

The linear and nonlinear optical polarizabilities of donor-acceptor (D-pi-A) chromophores in confined geometries of calix[4]arenes are investigated through a model for interacting polar-polarizable molecules. Both the linear polarizability (alpha) and the first hyperpolarizability (beta) decrease with increasing the interdipolar angle, as expected in the oriented-gas picture. However, within the polar-polarizable model we predict deviations from the additive result, irrespective of the interdipolar angle. Depending on the nature of the chromophore, electrostatic intermolecular interactions between polar and polarizable chromophores lead to cooperative damping or enhancement of the optical responses. Specifically, for chromophores whose ground state is dominated by the neutral D-pi-A structure both alpha and beta are suppressed with respect to the prediction of the oriented-gas model, whereas the opposite holds true for chromophores whose ground state is dominated by the zwitterionic D(+)-pi-A(-). These results explain recent experimental data on a calix[4]arene functionalized with a donor-acceptor dye for nonlinear optical applications. Density functional theory calculations on the relevant crystal structure further support our interpretation.     

Influence of pi-stacking on the resonant enhancement of the second-order nonlinear optical response of dipolar chromophores

The wavelength-dependent second-harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of two simple dipolar chromophores, 4-NO2C6H4N(H)Bun (1) and 4-NO2C6H4SN(H)But (2), was compared in solution and in the solid state. Hyper-Rayleigh scattering measurements at 532 nm provided comparable molecular first hyperpolarizabilities. Both compounds crystallize in non-centrosymmetric space groups, but a more efficient arrangement of dipole moments results in a significantly larger deff value for 2. Kurtz-Perry experiments from 450 to 700 nm revealed an important difference in the resonant component of the nonlinear optical responses of these compounds; the SHG efficiency of crystalline 1 depends more strongly on the incident wavelength than that of 2. This would be in contradiction with the TD-DFT excitation energies calculated for these molecules, but the observation can be explained by the resonant contribution from low-energy interchromophore excitations enabled by pi-stacking in the crystal of 1.     

Liquid crystalline polymers: From self-organization to functions and applications

Liquid crystals derive their unusual properties and their broad range of applications from their unique spatial and orientational order giving rise to specific symmetries, to strong anisotropies with respect to macroscopical properties and to a strong coupling to external fields. We have studied for liquid crystalline polymers modes of inducing strong modifications of the anisotropic optical properties locally in solid films by light. A storage process is described in this contribution which is based on light-induced trans-cis-trans-isomerization reactions of azobenzene chromophores attached to a polymer backbone as side groups in liquid crystalline polymers. The chromophores are able to rotate in the glassy state if subjected to linearly polarized light: the azobenzene units approach a saturation orientation which is perpendicular to the polarization direction of the light. The contribution discusses the molecular mechanism of this process as well as possible applications.     

Metastable Chiral Azobenzenes Stabilized in a Double Racemate

The self‐assembly of chiral organic chromophores is gaining huge significance due to the abundance of supramolecular chirality found in natural systems. We report an interdigitated molecular assembly involving axially chiral octabrominated perylenediimide (OBPDI) which transfers chiral information to achiral aromatic moieties. The crystalline two‐component assemblies of OBPDI and electron‐rich aromatic units were facilitated through π‐hole???π donor–acceptor interactions, and the charge‐transfer characteristics in the ground and excited states of the OBPDI cocrystals were established through spectroscopic and theoretical techniques. The OBPDI cocrystals entail a remarkable homochiral segregation of P and M enantiomers of both molecular entities in the same crystal system, leading to twisted double‐racemic arrangements. Synergistically engendered cavities with the stored chiral information of the twisted OBPDI stabilize higher‐energy P/M enantiomers of trans‐azobenzene through non‐covalent interactions.     

Herringbone and Helical Self‐Assembly of π‐Conjugated Molecules in the Solid State through CH/π Hydrogen Bonds

Self‐organization of organic molecules through weak noncovalent forces such as CH/π interactions and creation of large hierarchical supramolecular structures in the solid state are at the very early stage of research. The present study reports direct evidence for CH/π interaction driven hierarchical self‐assembly in π‐conjugated molecules based on custom‐designed oligophenylenevinylenes (OPVs) whose structures differ only in the number of carbon atoms in the tails. Single‐crystal X‐ray structures were resolved for these OPV synthons and the existence of long‐range multiple‐arm CH/π interactions was revealed in the crystal lattices. Alignment of these π‐conjugated OPVs in the solid state was found to be crucial in producing either right‐handed herringbone packing in the crystal or left‐handed helices in the liquid‐crystalline mesophase. Pitch‐ and roll‐angle displacements of OPV chromophores were determined to trace the effect of the molecular inclination on the ordering of hierarchical structures. Furthermore, circular dichroism studies on the OPVs were carried out in the aligned helical structures to prove the existence of molecular self‐assembly. Thus, the present strategy opens up new approaches in supramolecular chemistry based on weak CH/π hydrogen bonding, more specifically in π‐conjugated materials.     

Measurement of the optical activity of some stereoregular vinyl polymers in the crystalline state

The general problems presented by the determination of the optical activity of polymers in the crystalline state are considered. The necessity of using unoriented samples, if the polarimetric data are to be compared with analogous data measured in solution, is emphasized. The optical activity in the crystalline state of a number of stereoregular vinyl polymers has been measured by employing either suspensions of fine powders or thin plates with no detectable orientation. The results of optical rotatory dispersion studies in the crystalline state suggest that, at least in the case of the poly-α-olefins investigated, the same chromophores are responsible for the optical activity in the crystalline state and in solution.     

Photoinduced alignment of polymerisable liquid crystals on photoreactive polymers containing 2,6-bis(benzylidene)-1-cyclohexanone units in the main chain

Photoreactive polymers containing 2,6-bis(benzylidene)-1-cyclohexanone (bisBC) units were synthesised and investigated as a photoalignment layer for polymerisable liquid crystals (PLCs) and liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs). The liquid crystalline materials were aligned homogeneously on the photoalignment layers in a wide range of irradiation dose of linearly polarised UV light (LPUVL). Specifically, for the photoalignment layer baked at 80°C, order parameters of the liquid crystalline materials were low due to the disturbance of oriented-photoreactive polymer caused by the contact with the solvent of liquid crystalline materials. However, the liquid crystalline materials were aligned homogeneously even at low irradiation doses on the thermally cured photoalignment layer baked at 180°C. In addition, the liquid crystalline materials were aligned perpendicular to the LPUVL electric field. The alignment mechanism is discussed by comparing the retardation of photoalignment layer with anisotropic polarisabilities of model molecules calculated by density functional theory (DFT). It is suggested that the liquid crystalline materials aligned along the unreacted chromophores in the photoreactive polymer.     

Synthesis and characterization of two polymorphic crystalline phases and an amorphous powder of nickel(II) bisimidazolate

Nickel(II) bisimidazolate is polymorphic. Depending on the synthetic strategy adopted, two crystalline phases (alpha- and beta-Ni(im)(2)) or an amorphous material of the same composition can be prepared. The thermodynamically stable alpha-Ni(im)(2) phase, which can be prepared in water at elevated temperatures, contains a two-dimensional polymer (of nearly square meshes) with square-planar NiN(4) chromophores and exo-bidentate imidazolate ligands bridging nickel atoms that are ca. 5.73 A apart. The beta-Ni(im)(2) phase can be kinetically stabilized at lower temperatures, but the structural complexity and the lack of single crystals prevented its full structural characterization, even in the presence of an indexed powder diffraction pattern. The spectroscopic features of these crystalline phases are compared with those of the amorphous material.     

Manipulating the Stacking of Triplet Chromophores in the Crystal Form for Ultralong Organic Phosphorescence

Provided here is evidence showing that the stacking between triplet chromophores plays a critical role in ultralong organic phosphorescence (UOP) generation within a crystal. By varying the structure of a functional unit, and different on‐off UOP behavior was observed for each structure. Remarkably, 24CPhCz, having the strongest intermolecular interaction between carbazole units exhibited the most impressive UOP with a long lifetime of 1.06 s and a phosphorescence quantum yield of 2.5 %. 34CPhCz showed dual‐emission UOP and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) with a moderately decreased phosphorescence lifetime of 770 ms, while 35CPhCz only displayed TADF owing to the absence of strong electronic coupling between triplet chromophores. This study provides an explanation for UOP generation in crystal and new guidelines for obtaining UOP materials.