Enhanced two-photon absorption and ultrafast dynamics of a new multibranched chromophore with a dibenzothiophene core

A series of novel compounds with dibenzothiophene core branched structures have been synthesized, and their two-photon absorption (TPA) properties were investigated. Two-photon fluorescence (TPF) and z-scan techniques were carried out, and a significant enhancement in the TPA cross section was observed for ST-G2, which possesses the largest generation number among the studied samples. By using different solvents, the largest nonlinear optical (NLO) response was observed in the most polar solvent. Ultrafast pump-probe experiments were performed to probe the excited state dynamics in the branched molecules, and the obtained results further confirmed the TPA enhancement mechanism. Time-resolved fluorescence (TRFL) and TRFL anisotropy measurements reveal that there is an ultrafast charge localization to the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state followed by relaxation with a lifetime longer than 1 ns.     

Synthesis and excited state properties of a [60]fullerene derivative bearing a star-shaped multi-photon absorption chromophore

The synthesis and excited state properties of a compound assembling C60 with a new multi-photon absorption chromophore are reported.     

Multipoint measurements in optically dense media by using two-photon excited fluorescence and a fiber-optic star coupler

Optical multiplexing with an N × N fiber optic star coupler (with N=3, 4, or 8) and two-photon excited fluorescence is used to achieve multipoint measurements in highly absorbing environments. Differentiation of fluorescence signals from various sampling points was attained by implementing the time-of-flight characteristics of fiber light-guides. Because the transit time of a light pulse through a fiber optic depends largely on the length of the fiber waveguide, fibers of various lengths permit discrimination of the different sampling points in time. With the help of nanosecond time-resolved detection, it was possible to determine the concentration information at several sensing locations simultaneously. Calibration graphs for 2-(1-napththyl)-5-phenyloxazole were linear for all sizes of star coupler, with submillimolar detection limits. Nonlinear excitation of dopants inside the fiber core resulted in an emission signal that depended quadratically on laser power and, as such, was used as an “internal” sensor to correct for power-squared source fluctuations.     

Construction of a molecular beacon based on two-photon excited fluorescence resonance energy transfer with quantum dot as donor

A new molecular beacon (MB) driven by two-photon excitation (TPE) using quantum dots as energy donor is constructed, which provides reduced direct excitation of acceptor and is free of interferences from autofluorescence or scattering light in a complicated biological matrix.     

Synthesis and characterisation of star-shaped liquid crystalline polymer with a POSS core

The star-shaped POSS-graft-LCP with POSS as the core and liquid crystal polymer, poly{6-(4?-octyloxyphenyl-4″-benzoyl)hexyl acrylate}, as arms was prepared by atom transfer radical polymerisation technique using octa(3-chloropropyl) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane [POSS-(CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl)₈] as initiator. For comparison, the linear liquid crystal polymer, poly{6-(4?-octyloxyphenyl-4″-benzoyl)hexyl acrylate} (LLCP), was obtained by conventional radical polymerisation. Both liquid crystal polymers were characterised by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, polarised optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The liquid crystal phase behaviour research demonstrated that both liquid crystal polymers were reversible thermotropic nematic liquid crystal materials. The number of polymerisation degree of every arm attached on POSS in POSS-graft-LCP impacted greatly on the liquid crystal properties and only a small one was necessary for it to exhibit a broad liquid crystal range. Results further demonstrated that the special star-shaped topology of POSS and the eight arms attached helped POSS-graft-LCP form and stabilise liquid crystal phase easily. This research may further expand the way to star-shaped LCPs by employing a variety of (meth)acrylate and other vinyl liquid crystalline monomers.     

Remote sensing in an optically dense environment by using two-photon excited fluorescence and a single multimode fiber optic

The feasibility of remote sensing by means of two-photon excited molecular fluorescence was investigated by using a single 115-m multimode optical fibr.Because of modal dispersion and reflecton of Rayleigh scatter, time-resolved detection ws required to resolve the weak fluorescence from the relatively intense laser background. The bare-ended probe, which both delivered the excitation and collected the fluorescence emission, was employed to detect an analyte in an optically dense environment. For a fixed amount of fluorophore, the solvent was continuously changed from 90% (w/w) ethanol (non-absorbing) to 100% acetone (absorbing). The result was a flurorescence signal constant to within 5%. Quantitation via one-photon excitatation using a 50-cm optical fiber demonstrated the characteristic inner filter roll-off of optically dense systems. Because of th elarge attenuation of the waveguide in the ultraviolet range, remote sensing via one-photon excited fluorescence proved impossible. However, linear calibration plots for the nonlinear excitation process were obtained from micromolar to near saturation levels. Sources of interference were isolated, and the extension to a single-mode fiber was made.     

Acetylene bridged porphyrin-monophthalocyaninato ytterbium(III) hybrids with strong two-photon absorption and high singlet oxygen quantum yield

Several acetylene bridged porphyrin-monophthalocyaninato ytterbium(III) hybrids, PZn-PcYb, PH(2)-PcYb and PPd-PcYb, have been prepared and characterized by (1)H and (31)P NMR, mass spectrometry, and UV-vis spectroscopy. Their photophysical and photochemical properties, especially the relative singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) quantum yields and the two-photon absorption cross-section (σ(2)), were investigated. These three newly synthesized compounds exhibited very large σ(2) values and substantial (1)O(2) quantum yields upon photo-excitation, making them potential candidates as one- and two-photon photodynamic therapeutic agents.     

Release and report: a new photolabile caging system with a two-photon fluorescence reporting function

A new efficient photocaging system with a fluorescence reporting function has been developed. The photolabile latch is based on adducts of C-nucleophiles with aromatic ketones, such as thioxanthones and xanthones. The system is designed to quantify the release of biological effectors and to monitor their spatial distribution and localization by single- and two-photon fluorescence microscopy. In the armed state the ketone's conjugation is disrupted by nucleophilic addition, resulting in a blue shift of the absorption maxima and a dramatic decrease in fluorescence intensity. The mechanism of the photoinduced uncaging involves homolytic C-C bond fragmentation followed by radical disproportionation, regenerating the carbonyl moiety and restoring fluorescence. The uncaging can be initiated via either a one- or two-photon process, offering a new powerful tool for molecular life sciences. The synthesis and uncaging of dendrimer- and polymeric bead-based model systems are described.     

Dicyanostilbene-derived two-photon fluorescence probe for free zinc ions in live cells and tissues with a large two-photon action cross section

A novel two-photon fluorescence probe for Zn(2+) derived from dicyanostilbene as a two-photon fluorophore and 4-(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)piperazine as a novel Zn(2+) ligand was developed. The probe shows a 72.5-fold fluorescence enhancement in response to Zn(2+), a large two-photon action cross-section (580 GM), a noncytotoxic effect, and pH insensitivity in the biologically relevant range, and its dissociation constant (K(d)(TP)) is 0.52 ± 0.01 μM. The probe can selectively detect free Zn(2+) ions in live cells for 1500 s or so and in living tissues at a depth of 80-150 μm without interference from other metal ions and the membrane-bound probes.     

Metal induced enhancement of fluorescence and modulation of two-photon absorption cross-section with a donor-acceptor-acceptor-donor receptor

A metal ion sensing fluorophore L that exhibits a large two-photon absorption cross-section has been synthesized in good yields. The influences of different metal ion inputs, on the one- and two-photon spectroscopic properties of L, have been investigated. The ligand itself does not show any fluorescence although in presence of a metal ion like Zn(II), Cd(II), Mg(II) or Ca(II), a ∼25 time enhancement of fluorescence is observed. The ligand with symmetrical “donor-acceptor-acceptor-donor” characteristics exhibits a large two-photon absorption cross-section measured by femtosecond open-aperture Z-scan technique at 880 nm. However, presence of any of the above metal ions lowers its two-photon absorption cross-section (δ) to different extents at 880 nm. Theoretical calculation carried out in DFT formalism on the ligand and its Zn(II) complex corroborate experimental results.     

Green synthesis and photophysical properties of novel 1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline derivatives with blue/cyan two-photon excited fluorescence

A simple, rapid, and highly efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of a series of novel 1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline derivatives (1BN, 2Py, 3BI, 4BT, and 5MOBI) via a three–component, one–pot reaction under solvent–free conditions. Their structures were characterized by FT–IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS, and elemental analysis. Their photophysical properties, including linear absorption, one–photon excited fluorescence, two–photon absorption, and two–photon excited fluorescence, were systematically investigated in various solvents. The results demonstrate that all the compounds emit relatively strong blue/cyan fluorescence. 1BN and 5MOBI exhibit large two–photon absorption cross–sections (471 and 654 GM) in THF. In addition, the relationship between the electronic structures and photophysical properties was investigated using density functional theory.     

Dual excited state deactivation pathways in TPZ2: A centrosymmetric dye with both high fluorescence and triplet state quantum yield

Dual excited state deactivation pathways in TPZ2 leading to 50% fluorescence quantum yield and 50% triplet state generation yield, suggest TPZ2 is a molecule has potential application in fluorescence imaging and photodynamic therapy in the same time.     

Heptamethine cyanine dyes with a large stokes shift and strong fluorescence: a paradigm for excited-state intramolecular charge transfer

New heptamethine cyanine dyes with an alkylamino group at the central position were found to exhibit a large Stokes shift (>140 nm) and strong fluorescence. They were suggested to be a new paradigm for excited-state intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). The configuration change of the bridgehead amine accompanying ICT was investigated in different viscosity and pH media.     

Folding and fluorescence enhancement with strong odd–even effect for a series of merocyanine dye oligomers

A series of merocyanine (MC) oligomers with a varying number of chromophores from two to six has been synthesized via a peptide synthesis strategy. Solvent-dependent UV/vis spectroscopic studies reveal folding processes for the MC oligomers driven by strong dipole–dipole interactions resulting in well-defined π-stacks with antiparallel orientation of the dyes. Whilst even-numbered tetramer 4 and hexamer 6 only show partial folding into dimeric units, odd-numbered trimer 3 and pentamer 5 fold into π-stacks of three and five MC units upon decreasing solvent polarity. In-depth 2D NMR studies provided insight into the supramolecular structure. For trimer 3, an NMR structure could be generated revealing the presence of a well-defined triple π-stack in the folded state. Concomitant with folding, the fluorescence quantum yield is increased for all MC oligomers in comparison to the single chromophore. Based on radiative and non-radiative decay rates, this fluorescence enhancement can be attributed to the rigidification of the chromophores within the π-stacks that affords a pronounced decrease of the non-radiative decay rates. Theoretical investigations for the double and triple dye stacks based on time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations indicate for trimer 3 a pronounced mixing of Frenkel and charge transfer (CT) states. This leads to significant deviations from the predictions obtained by the molecular exciton theory which only accounts for the Coulomb interaction between the transition dipole moments of the chromophores.

A series of merocyanine (MC) oligomers with a varying number of chromophores from two to six has been synthesized via a peptide synthesis strategy.     

Organic/inorganic hybrid star-shaped block copolymers of poly(l-lactide) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) with a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane core: Synthesis and self-assembly

The star-shaped organic/inorganic hybrid poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) based on polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) was prepared using octa(3-hydroxypropyl) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane as initiator via ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of l-lactide (LLA). The molecular weight of POSS-containing star-shaped hybrid PLLA (POSSPLLA) can be well controlled by the feed ratio of LLA to initiator. The POSSPLLA was further functionalized into the macromolecular reversible addition-fragmentation transfer (RAFT) agent for the polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), leading to the POSS-containing star-shaped organic/inorganic hybrid amphiphilic block copolymers, poly(l-lactide)–block–poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (POSS(PLLA–b–PNIPAM)). The self-assembly behavior of POSS(PLLA–b–PNIPAM) block copolymers in aqueous solution was investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). DLS showed the PNIPAM block in the aggregates is temperature-responsive and its phase-transition is reversible. TEM proved that the star-shaped POSS(PLLA–b–PNIPAM) amphiphilic block copolymers can self-assemble into the vesicles in aqueous solution. The vesicular wall and coronas are composed of the hydrophobic POSS core and PLLA, and hydrophilic PNIPAM blocks, respectively. Therefore, POSSPLLA and POSS(PLLA–b–PNIPAM) block copolymers, as a class of novel organic–inorganic hybrid materials with the advantageous properties, can be potentially used in biological and medical fields.     

Direct EPR observations of both oxidized and reduced porphyrin dimers in the lowest excited states: a novel analysis of a homobiradical with a strong antiferromagnetic interaction

The oxidized and reduced forms of bis(tetra-tert-butyltetraazaporphinato)lutetium (III) (Lu(TAP)2) have been examined by time-resolved EPR (TREPR) spectroscopy, showing both the first EPR investigation of a homobiradical with a strong antiferromagnetic interaction and usefulness of TREPR for investigating excited-state properties of different oxidation states.     

Seeking tetrameric transition metal phosphonate with a D4R core and organising it into a 3-D supramolecular assembly

The first cubic zinc phosphonate [tBuPO(3)Zn(2-apy)](4) (1) whose core resembles the D4R SBU of zeolites, has been synthesised from a reaction between zinc acetate, tert-butylphosphonic acid and 2-aminopyridine at room temperature; the X-ray structure determination reveals that the molecules of , which crystallise in the tetragonal I4(1)/a space group with crystallographically imposed 4 symmetry, form a 3-D supramolecular assembly aided by N-H...O hydrogen bonding.     

Fluorescent detection of amidinium-carboxylate and amidinium formation using a 1,8-diphenylnaphthalene-based diamidine: dicarboxylic acid recognition with high fluorescence efficiency

A 1,8-diphenylnaphthalene-based diamidine (1) ‘turn-on’ fluorescent probe for the detection of dicarboxylic acids has been designed and synthesized. The fluorescence spectra of the diamidine 1 with carboxylic acids that showed two different fluorescence bands, which corresponded to the amidinium-carboxylate (λ_em=410–430 nm) and amidinium (λ_em=440–470 nm as a broad band, which consisted from two peaks) formation, were confirmed by DOSY NMR and TD-DFT calculations. The complexation of diamidine 1 with dicarboxylic acids, which have sufficient distances between the two carboxylic groups for binding to the diamidine 1 (dicarboxylic acids 3, 4, and α,ω-dicarboxylic acids 6 (C₆–C₂₀)), showed the formation of 1:1 complexes (i.e., amidinium-carboxylate formation). On the other hand, for the complexation with monocarboxylic acids and dicarboxylic acids having insufficient distances between the two carboxylic groups (benzoic acid 5, acetic acid 7, and α,ω-dicarboxylic acids 6 (C₃–C₅)), formation of the amidinium (1·2H⁺) was observed. Relatively similar binding constants (10⁻⁵) for the complexation of the diamidine 1 with dicarboxylic acids 6, which depend on their chain length (strain), were observed due to the flexibility of the 1,8-diphenylnaphthalene unit. Additionally, for the complexation of the diamidine 1 with dicarboxylic acids, higher fluorescence quantum yields (Φ_fl: up to 80%) were observed when compared to the binding of the diamidine 2 (Φ_fl: up to 35%).