Unraveling the mechanism of the photodeprotection reaction of 8-bromo- and 8-chloro-7-hydroxyquinoline caged acetates

Photoremovable protecting groups (PPGs) when conjugated to biological effectors forming "caged compounds" are a powerful means to regulate the action of physiologically active messengers in vivo through 1-photon excitation (1PE) and 2-photon excitation (2PE). Understanding the photodeprotection mechanism is important for their physiological use. We compared the quantum efficiencies and product outcomes in different solvent and pH conditions for the photolysis reactions of (8-chloro-7-hydroxyquinolin-2-yl)methyl acetate (CHQ-OAc) and (8-bromo-7-hydroxyquinolin-2-yl)methyl acetate (BHQ-OAc), representatives of the quinoline class of phototriggers for biological use, and conducted nanosecond time-resolved spectroscopic studies using transient emission (ns-EM), transient absorption (ns-TA), transient resonance Raman (ns-TR(2)), and time-resolved resonance Raman (ns-TR(3)) spectroscopies. The results indicate differences in the photochemical mechanisms and product outcomes, and reveal that the triplet excited state is most likely on the pathway to the product and that dehalogenation competes with release of acetate from BHQ-OAc, but not CHQ-OAc. A high fluorescence quantum yield and a more efficient excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) in CHQ-OAc compared to BHQ-OAc explain the lower quantum efficiency of CHQ-OAc relative to BHQ-OAc.     

Synthesis,Structural Characterization,Photophysics, and Broadband Nonlinear Absorption of a Platinum(II) Complex with the 6‐(7‐Benzothiazol‐2′‐yl‐9,9‐diethyl‐9 H‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐2,2′‐bipyridinyl Ligand

A platinum complex with the 6‐(7‐benzothiazol‐2′‐yl‐9,9‐diethyl‐9H‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐2,2′‐bipyridinyl ligand ( 1 ) was synthesized and the crystal structure was determined. UV/Vis absorption, emission, and transient difference absorption of 1 were systematically investigated. DFT calculations were carried out on 1 to characterize the electronic ground state and aid in the understanding of the nature of low‐lying excited electronic states. Complex 1 exhibits intense structured ¹π–π* absorption at λ_abs<440 nm, and a broad, moderate ¹M LCT/¹LLCT transition at 440–520 nm in CH₂Cl₂ solution. A structured ³π–π*/³M LCT emission at about 590 nm was observed at room temperature and at 77 K. Complex 1 exhibits both singlet and triplet excited‐state absorption from 450 nm to 750 nm, which are tentatively attributed to the ¹π–π* and ³π–π* excited states of the 6‐(7‐benzothiazol‐2′‐yl‐9,9‐diethyl‐9H‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine ligand, respectively. Z‐scan experiments were conducted by using ns and ps pulses at 532 nm, and ps pulses at a variety of visible and near‐IR wavelengths. The experimental data were fitted by a five‐level model by using the excited‐state parameters obtained from the photophysical study to deduce the effective singlet and triplet excited‐state absorption cross sections in the visible spectral region and the effective two‐photon absorption cross sections in the near‐IR region. Our results demonstrate that 1 possesses large ratios of excited‐state absorption cross sections relative to that of the ground‐state in the visible spectral region; this results in a remarkable degree of reverse saturable absorption from 1 in CH₂Cl₂ solution illuminated by ns laser pulses at 532 nm. The two‐photon absorption cross sections in the near‐IR region for 1 are among the largest values reported for platinum complexes. Therefore, 1 is an excellent, broadband, nonlinear absorbing material that exhibits strong reverse saturable absorption in the visible spectral region and large two‐photon‐assisted excited‐state absorption in the near‐IR region.     

Unravelling the Reaction Mechanism for the Fast Photocyclisation of 2‐Benzoylpyridine in Aqueous Solvent by Time‐Resolved Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory Calculations

A combined femtosecond transient absorption (fs‐TA) and nanosecond time‐resolved resonance Raman (ns‐TR³) spectroscopic investigation of the photoreaction of 2‐benzoylpyridine (2‐BPy) in acetonitrile and neutral, basic and acidic aqueous solvents is reported. fs‐TA results showed that the nπ* triplet 2‐BPy is the precursor of the photocyclisation reaction in neutral and basic aqueous solvents. The cis triplet biradical and the cis singlet zwitterionic species produced during the photocyclisation reaction were initially characterised by ns‐TR³ spectroscopy. In addition, a new species was uniquely observed in basic aqueous solvent after the decay of the cis singlet zwitterionic species and this new species was tentatively assigned to the photocyclised radical anion. The ground‐state conformation of 2‐BPy in acidic aqueous solvent is the pyridine nitrogen‐protonated 2‐BPy cation (2‐BPy‐NH⁺) rather than the neutral form of 2‐BPy. After laser photolysis, the singlet excited state (S₁) of 2‐BPy‐NH⁺ is generated and evolves through excited‐state proton transfer (ESPT) and efficient intersystem crossing (ISC) processes to the triplet exited state (T₁) of the carbonyl oxygen‐protonated 2‐BPy cation (2‐BPy‐OH⁺) and then photocyclises with the lone pair of the nitrogen atom in the heterocyclic ring. Cyclisation reactions take place both in neutral/basic and acidic aqueous solvents, but the photocyclisation mechanisms in these different aqueous solvents are very different. This is likely due to the different conformation of the precursor and the influence of hydrogen‐bonding of the solvent on the reactions.     

A Time‐Resolved Spectroscopic Study of the Bichromophoric Phototrigger 3′,5′‐Dimethoxybenzoin Diethyl Phosphate: Interaction Between the Two Chromophores Determines the Reaction Pathway

3′,5′‐Dimethoxybenzoin (DMB) is a bichromophoric system that has widespread application as a highly efficient photoremovable protecting group (PRPG) for the release of diverse functional groups. The photodeprotection of DMB phototriggers is remarkably clean, and is accompanied by the formation of a biologically benign cyclization product, 3′,5′‐dimethoxybenzofuran (DMBF). The underlying mechanism of the DMB deprotection and cyclization has, however, until now remained unclear. Femtosecond transient absorption (fs‐TA) spectroscopy and nanosecond time‐resolved resonance Raman (ns‐TR³) spectroscopy were employed to detect the transient species directly, and examine the dynamic transformations involved in the primary photoreactions for DMB diethyl phosphate (DMBDP) in acetonitrile (CH₃CN). To assess the electronic character and the role played by the individual sub‐chromophore, that is, the benzoyl, and the di‐meta‐methoxybenzylic moieties, for the DMBDP deprotection, comparative fs‐TA measurements were also carried out for the reference compounds diethyl phosphate acetophenone (DPAP), and 3′,5′‐dimethoxybenzylic diethyl phosphate (DMBnDP) in the same solvent. Comparison of the fs‐TA spectra reveals that the photoexcited DMBDP exhibits distinctly different spectral character and dynamic evolution from those of the reference compounds. This fact, combined with the related steady‐state spectral and density functional theoretical results, strongly suggests the presence in DMBDP of a significant interaction between the two sub‐chromophores, and that this interaction plays a governing role in determining the nature of the photoexcitation and the reaction channel of the subsequent photophysical and photochemical transformations. The ns‐TR³ results and their correlation with the fs‐TA spectra and dynamics provide evidence for a novel concerted deprotection–cyclization mechanism for DMBDP in CH₃CN. By monitoring the direct generation of the transient DMBF product, the cyclization time constant was determined unequivocally to be ≈1 ns. This indicates that there is little relevance for the long‐lived intermediates (>10 ns) in giving the DMBF product, and excludes the stepwise mechanism proposed in the literature as the major pathway for the DMB cyclization reaction. This work provides important new insights into the origin of the 3′,5′‐dimethoxy substitution effect for the DMB photodeprotection. It also helps to clarify the many different views presented in previous mechanistic studies of the DMB PRPGs. In addition to this, our fs‐TA results on the reference compound DMBnDP in CH₃CN provide the first direct observation (to the best of our knowledge) showing the predominance of a prompt (≈2 ps) heterolytic bond cleavage after photoexcitation of meta‐methoxybenzylic compounds. This provides insight into the long‐term controversies about the photoinitiated dissociation mode of related substituted benzylic compounds.     

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.     

Poly(1,4‐diketo‐3,6‐diphenylpyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐alt−3,6‐carbazole/2,7‐fluorene) as high‐performance two‐photon dyes

This article reports the synthesis, one‐ and two‐photon absorption, and excited fluorescence properties of poly(1,4‐diketo‐3,6‐diphenylpyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐alt‐N‐octyl‐3,6‐carbazole/2,7‐fluorene) ( PDCZ / PDFL ). PDCZ and PDFL are synthesized by the Suzuki cross‐coupling of 2,5‐dioctyl‐1,4‐diketo‐3,6‐bis(p‐bromophenylpyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole and N‐octyl‐3,6‐bis(3,3‐dimethyl‐1,3,2‐dioxaborolan‐2‐yl)carbazole or 2,7‐bis(3,3‐dimethyl‐1,3,2‐dioxaborolan‐2‐yl)fluorene and have number‐average molecular weights of 8.5 × 10³ and 1.14 × 10⁴ g/mol and polydispersities of 2.06 and 1.83, respectively. They are highly soluble in common organic solvents and emit strong orange one‐ and two‐photon excited fluorescence (2PEF) in THF solution and exhibit high light and heat stability. The maximal two‐photon absorption cross‐sections (δ) measured in THF solution by the 2PEF method using femtosecond laser pulses are 970 and 900 GM per repeating unit for PDCZ and PDFL , respectively. These 1,4‐diketo‐pyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐containing polymers with full aromatic structure and large δ will be promising high‐performance 2PA dyes applicable in two‐photon science and technology. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 944–951     

Influence of Cu(II) Ions on the Mechanism of the Ring Transformation of S‐(2‐Oxotetrahydrofuran‐3‐yl)‐N‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)isothiouronium Bromide

The effect of additional Cu(II) ions on the rate of transformation of S‐(2‐oxotetrahydrofuran‐3‐yl)‐N‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)isothiouronium bromide ( 1 ) into 5‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐2‐[(4‐methoxyphenyl)imino]‐1,3‐thiazolidin‐4‐one ( 2 ) has been studied in aqueous buffer solutions. The reaction acceleration in acetate buffers is caused by the formation of a relatively weakly bonded complex (K_c = 600 L·mol^?1) of substrate with copper(II) acetate in which the Cu(II) ion acts as a Lewis acid coordinating the carbonyl oxygen and facilitating the intramolecular attack, leading to the formation of intermediate T^±. The formation of the complex of copper(II) acetate with free isothiourea in the fast preequilibrium (K_c) is followed by the rate‐limiting transformation (k_Cu) of this complex. At the high concentrations of the acetate anions, the reaction is retarded by the competitive reaction of these ions with copper(II) acetate to give an unreactive complex [Cu(OAc)₄]^2?_. The influence of Cu(II) ions on the stability of reaction intermediates and the leaving group ability of the alkoxide‐leaving group compared to the Cu(II)‐uncatalyzed reaction is also discussed.     

PtII Complexes with 6‐(5‐Trifluoromethyl‐Pyrazol‐3‐yl)‐2,2′‐Bipyridine Terdentate Chelating Ligands: Synthesis,Characterization, and Luminescent Properties

A series of Pt^II complexes Pt(fpbpy)Cl ( 1 ), Pt(fpbpy)(OAc) ( 2 ), Pt(fpbpy)(NHCOMe) ( 3 ), Pt(fpbpy)(NHCOEt) ( 4 ), and [Pt(fpbpy)(NCMe)](BF₄) ( 5 ) with deprotonated 6‐(5‐trifluoromethyl‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine terdentate ligand are prepared, among which 1 is converted to complexes 2 – 5 by a simple ligand substitution. Alternatively, acetamide complex 3 is prepared by hydrolysis of acetonitrile complex 5 , while the back conversion from 3 to 1 is regulated by the addition of HCl solution, showing the reaction sequence 1 → 5 → 3 → 1 . Multilayer OLED devices are successfully fabricated by using triphenyl‐(4‐(9‐phenyl‐9H‐fluoren‐9‐yl)phenyl) silane (TPSi‐F) as host material and with doping concentrations of 1 varying from 7 to 100 %. The electroluminescence showed a substantial red‐shifting versus the normal photoluminescence detected in solution. Moreover, at a doping concentration of 28 %, the device showed a saturated red luminescence with a maximum external quantum yield of 8.5 % at 20 mA cm^?2 and a peak luminescence of 47 543 cd m^?2 at 18.5 V.     

Two‐Photon Absorption and Time‐Resolved Stimulated Emission Depletion Spectroscopy of a New Fluorenyl Derivative

The synthesis, comprehensive linear photophysical characterization, two‐photon absorption (2PA), steady‐state and time‐resolved stimulated emission depletion properties of a new fluorene derivative, (E)‐1‐(2‐(di‐p‐tolylamino)‐9,9‐diethyl‐9H‐fluoren‐7‐yl)‐3‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one ( 1 ), are reported. The primary linear spectral properties, including excitation anisotropy, fluorescence lifetimes, and photostability, were investigated in a number of aprotic solvents at room temperature. The degenerate 2PA spectra of 1 were obtained with open‐aperture Z‐scan and two‐photon induced fluorescence methods, using a 1 kHz femtosecond laser system, and maximum 2PA cross‐sections of ～400–600 GM were obtained. The nature of the electronic absorption processes in 1 was investigated by DFT‐based quantum chemical methods implemented in the Gaussian 09 program. The one‐ and two‐photon stimulated emission spectra of 1 were measured over a broad spectral range using a femtosecond pump–probe‐based fluorescence quenching technique, while a new methodology for time‐resolved fluorescence emission spectroscopy is proposed. An effective application of 1 in fluorescence bioimaging was demonstrated by means of one‐ and two‐photon fluorescence microscopy images of HCT 116 cells containing dye encapsulated micelles.     

Reactions of 4‐Hydroxyquinolin‐2(1H)‐ones with Acenaphthoquinone: Synthesis of New 1,2‐Dihydroacenaphthylene‐spiro‐tetrakis(4‐hydroxyquinolin‐2(1H)‐ones)

Reaction of four equivalents of 4‐hydroxyquinolin‐2(1H)‐ones with one equivalent of acenaphthoquinone in absolute ethanol, containing catalytic triethylamine, gave 3,3′,3″,3?‐(1,2‐dihydroacenaphthylene)‐1,1,2,2‐tetrayl‐tetrakis(4‐hydroxyquinolin‐2(1H)‐ones) in a good to excellent yields. The structures of the products were elucidated by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, NMR, IR, mass spectra, and elemental analyses.     

Three Modes of Proton Transfer in One Chromophore: Photoinduced Tautomerization in 2‐(1H‐Pyrazol‐5‐yl)Pyridines,Their Dimers and Alcohol Complexes

Studies of 2‐(1H‐pyrazol‐5‐yl)pyridine (PPP) and its derivatives 2‐(4‐methyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐yl)pyridine (MPP) and 2‐(3‐bromo‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐yl)pyridine (BPP) by stationary and time‐resolved UV/Vis spectroscopic methods, and quantum chemical computations show that this class of compounds provides a rare example of molecules that exhibit three types of photoreactions: 1) excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) in the syn form of MPP, 2) excited‐state intermolecular double‐proton transfer (ESDPT) in the dimers of PPP in nonpolar media, as well as 3) solvent‐assisted double‐proton transfer in hydrogen‐bonded 1:1 complexes of PPP and MPP with alcoholic partners. The excited‐state processes are manifested by the appearance of a dual luminescence and a bimodal irreversible kinetic coupling of the two fluorescence bands. Ground‐state syn–anti equilibria are detected and discussed. The fraction of the higher‐energy anti form varies for different derivatives and is strongly dependent on the solvent polarity and hydrogen‐bond donor or acceptor abilities.     

Two‐Photon Chemistry in Ruthenium 2,2′‐Bipyridyl‐Functionalized Single‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Ruthenium polypyridyl complexes are widely used as light harvesters in dye‐sensitized solar cells. Since one of the potential applications of single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and their derived materials is their use as active components in organic and hybrid solar cells, the study of the photochemistry of SWCNTs with tethered ruthenium polypyridyl complexes is important. A water‐soluble ruthenium tris(bipyridyl) complex linked through peptidic bonds to SWCNTs (Ru‐SWCNTs) was prepared by radical addition of thiol‐terminated SWCNT to a terminal C?C double bond of a bipyridyl ligand of the ruthenium tris(bipyridyl) complex. The resulting macromolecular Ru‐SWCNT (≈500 nm, 15.6 % ruthenium complex content) was water‐soluble and was characterized by using TEM, thermogravimetric analysis, chemical analysis, and optical spectroscopy. The emission of Ru‐SWCNT is 1.6 times weaker than that of a mixture of [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and SWCNT of similar concentration. Time‐resolved absorption optical spectroscopy allows the detection of the [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺‐excited triplet and [Ru(bpy)₃]⁺. The laser flash studies reveal that Ru‐SWCNT exhibits an unprecedented two‐photon process that is enabled by the semiconducting properties of the SWCNT. Thus, the effect of the excitation wavelength and laser power on the transient spectra indicate that upon excitation of two [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ complexes of Ru‐SWCNT, a disproportionation process occurs leading to delayed formation of [Ru(bpy)₃]⁺ and the performance of the SWCNT as a semiconductor. This two‐photon delayed [Ru(bpy)₃]⁺ generation is not observed in the photolysis of [Ru(bpy)₃]³⁺; SWCNT acts as an electron wire or electron relay in the disproportionation of two [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ triplets in a process that illustrates that the SWCNT plays a key role in the process. We propose a mechanism for this two‐photon disproportionation compatible with i) the need for high laser flux, ii) the long lifetime of the [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ triplets, iii) the semiconducting properties of the SWNT, and iv) the energy of the HOMO/LUMO levels involved.     

A Highly Selective and Sensitive Fluorescent Probe Recognition for Co2+ in Aqueous Media Based on 8‐Hydroxyquinolin‐2‐carbaldehyde‐2‐pyridylformylhydrazone Derivative

A new (8‐hydroxyquinolin‐2‐yl)methylene picolinohydrazide derivative ( L ) has been successfully synthesized and characterized. The probe L displays high selectivity to Co²⁺ in CH₃CN/HEPES (1:1, Ｖ/Ｖ, 10 mmol·L^?1, pH=7.4) with a fluorescence "ON‐OFF" response. The Co²⁺ ion recognition event possesses some distinct features including rapid response, high selectivity and sensitivity, good anti‐interference ability and being applicable within a wide pH range. Based on job's plot and ESI‐MS studies, the 1:1 binding mode was proposed. The binding constant of L and Co²⁺ is 1.63×10⁸ L·mol^?1 and the detection limit is 1.15 µmol·L^?1. Natural water samples experiments revealed that probe L can be potentially applied to the detection of Co²⁺ in real environment.     

Synthesis,structure and in vitro cytotoxicity testing of some 1,3,4‐oxadiazoline derivatives from 2‐hydroxy‐5‐iodobenzoic acid

The syntheses of nine new 5‐iodosalicylic acid‐based 1,3,4‐oxadiazoline derivatives starting from methyl salicylate are described. These compounds are 2‐[4‐acetyl‐5‐methyl‐5‐(3‐nitrophenyl)‐4,5‐dihydro‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl]‐4‐iodophenyl acetate ( 6a ), 2‐[4‐acetyl‐5‐methyl‐5‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐4,5‐dihydro‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl]‐4‐iodophenyl acetate ( 6b ), 2‐(4‐acetyl‐5‐methyl‐5‐phenyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)‐4‐iodophenyl acetate, C₁₉H₁₇IN₂O₄ ( 6c ), 2‐[4‐acetyl‐5‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐5‐methyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl]‐4‐iodophenyl acetate, C₁₉H₁₆FIN₂O₄ ( 6d ), 2‐[4‐acetyl‐5‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐5‐methyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl]‐4‐iodophenyl acetate, C₁₉H₁₆ClIN₂O₄ ( 6e ), 2‐[4‐acetyl‐5‐(3‐bromophenyl)‐5‐methyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl]‐4‐iodophenyl acetate ( 6f ), 2‐[4‐acetyl‐5‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐5‐methyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl]‐4‐iodophenyl acetate ( 6g ), 2‐[4‐acetyl‐5‐methyl‐5‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐4,5‐dihydro‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl]‐4‐iodophenyl acetate ( 6h ) and 2‐[5‐(4‐acetamidophenyl)‐4‐acetyl‐5‐methyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl]‐4‐iodophenyl acetate ( 6i ). The compounds were characterized by mass, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies were also carried out for 6c , 6d and 6e . Compounds 6c and 6d are isomorphous, with the 1,3,4‐oxadiazoline ring having an envelope conformation, where the disubstituted C atom is the flap. The packing is determined by C—H…O, C—H…π and I…π interactions. For 6e , the 1,3,4‐oxadiazoline ring is almost planar. In the packing, Cl…π interactions are observed, while the I atom is not involved in short interactions. Compounds 6d , 6e , 6f and 6h show good inhibiting abilities on the human cancer cell lines KB and Hep‐G2, with IC₅₀ values of 0.9–4.5 µM.     

New CuII and CdII Metal‐organic Coordination Polymers with 1,2,4‐triazolo[3,4‐b]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole Ligands: Syntheses,Structures and Luminescent Properties

Three new complexes {[Cu( L¹ )₂(NO₃)₂]?H₂O}_oo ( 1 ), {[Cu₄( L² )₂(OAc)₈]‐CH₃CH₂OH}_oo ( 2 ) and [Cd₂( L³ )₃(NO₃)₄(H₂O)₂]_oo ( 3 ) ( L¹= 4‐phenyl‐7‐(pyridine‐3‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazolo[3,4‐b]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole, L²= 4‐(pyridine‐3‐yl)‐7‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazolo[3,4‐b]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole, and L³= 4‐(pyridine‐4‐yl)‐7‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazolo[3,4‐b]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The structural analyses reveal that complex 1 is a neutral 2‐D network structure with a 4⁴ topology, 2 has a 1‐D neutral coordination chain with a [Cu₂(CH₃COO)₄] dinuclear structural unit bridged by four acetate ions, and 3 is a neutral rhombohedral grid structure. All the complexes are air stable at room temperature. Furthermore, the fluorescent properties of complex 3 and corresponding ligand L³ have been investigated and discussed.     

Oxidative Fragmentations of the 5α‐ and 5β‐Hydroxy‐B‐norcholestan‐ 3β‐yl Acetates

Oxidations of 5α‐hydroxy‐B‐norcholestan‐3β‐yl acetate ( 8 ) with Pb(OAc)₄ under thermal or photolytic conditions or in the presence of iodine afforded only complex mixtures of compounds. However, the HgO/I₂ version of the hypoiodite reaction gave as the primary products the stereoisomeric (Z)‐ and (E)‐1(10)‐unsaturated 5,10‐seco B‐nor‐derivatives 10 and 11 , and the stereoisomeric (5R,10R)‐ and (5S,10S)‐acetals 14 and 15 (Scheme 4). Further reaction of these compounds under conditions of their formation afforded, in addition, the A‐nor 1,5‐cyclization products 13 and 16 (from 10 ) and 12 (from 11 ) (see also Scheme 6) and the 6‐iodo‐5,6‐secolactones 17 and 19 (from 14 and 15 , resp.) and 4‐iodo‐4,5‐secolactone 18 (from 15 ) (see also Scheme 7). Oxidations of 5β‐hydroxy‐B‐norcholestan‐3β‐yl acetate ( 9 ) with both hypoiodite‐forming reagents (Pb(OAc)₄/I₂ and HgO/I₂) proceeded similarly to the HgO/I₂ reaction of the corresponding 5α‐hydroxy analogue 8 . Photolytic Pb(OAc)₄ oxidation of 9 afforded, in addition to the (Z)‐ and (E)‐5,10‐seco 1(10)‐unsaturated ketones 10 and 11 , their isomeric 5,10‐seco 10(19)‐unsaturated ketone 22 , the acetal 5‐acetate 21 , and 5β,19‐epoxy derivative 23 (Scheme 9). Exceptionally, in the thermal Pb(OAc)₄ oxidation of 9 , the 5,10‐seco ketones 10, 11 , and 22 were not formed, the only reaction being the stereoselective formation of the 5,10‐ethers with the β‐oriented epoxy bridge, i.e. the (10R)‐enol ether 20 and (5S,10R)‐acetal 5‐acetate 21 (Scheme 8). Possible mechanistic interpretations of the above transformations are discussed.     

Sub‐cycle Dynamics of High Harmonic Generation of Ne Atoms Excited by Attosecond Pulses and Driven by Near‐infrared Laser Fields: A Self‐Interaction‐Free TDDFT Approach

In the framework of the self‐interaction‐free time‐dependent density‐functional theory (TDDFT), we have performed three‐dimensional ab initio calculations of Ne atoms in near‐infrared (NIR) laser fields subject to excitation by a single extreme ultraviolet (XUV) attosecond pulse (SAP). The TDDFT equations are solved accurately and efficiently by means of the time‐dependent generalized pseudo spectral (TDGPS) method. We have explored the transient dynamical behavior of the sub‐cycle high harmonic generation (HHG) for transitions from the excited states to the ground state and found oscillation structures with respect to the time delay between the SAP and NIR fields. We investigate the harmonic emission spectrum from singly excited state 2p3s, 2p4s, 2p3d, 2p5s, 2p4d and 2p6s, 2p5d and the virtual states 2p3p‐, 2p4f‐ and 2p4p+ as the function of time delay. We explore the sub‐cycle Stark shift phenomenon in NIR fields and its influence on the photon emission process. Our analysis reveals several novel features of the sub‐cycle transient HHG dynamics and spectra, the quantum interference pattern between different multiphoton excitation pathways, and we identify the mechanisms responsible for the observed peak splitting in the photon emission spectra.     

Tunable Dual Fluorescence of 3‐(2,2′‐Bipyridyl)‐Substituted Iminocoumarin

3‐(2,2′‐Bipyridyl)‐substituted iminocoumarin molecules (compounds 1 and 2 ) exhibit dual fluorescence. Each molecule has one electron donor and two electron acceptors that are in conjugation, which leads to fluorescence from two independent charge transfer (CT) states. To account for the dual fluorescence, we subscribe to a kinetic model in which both CT states form after rapid decays from the directly accessed S₁ and S₂ excited states. Due to the slow internal conversion from S₂ to S₁, or more likely the slow interconversion between the two subsequently formed CT states, dual emission is allowed to occur. This hypothesis is supported by the following evidence: 1) the emission at short and long ends of the spectrum originates from two different excitation spectra, which eliminates the possibility that dual emission occurs after an adiabatic reaction at the S₁ level. 2) The fluorescence quantum yield of compound 2 grows with increasing excitation wavelength, which indicates that the high‐energy excitation elevates the molecule to a weakly emissive state that does not internally convert to the low‐energy, highly emissive state. The intensity of the two emission bands of 1 is tunable through the specific interactions between either of the two electron acceptors with another species, such as Zn²⁺ in the current demonstration. Therefore, the development of ratiometric fluorescent indicators based on the dual‐emitting iminocoumarin system is conceivable. Further fundamental studies on this series of compounds using time‐resolved spectroscopic techniques, and explorations of their applications will be carried out in the near future.     

Synthesis and molecular structures of 1‐chloro‐1‐silacyclopent‐2‐enes. Combination of 1,2‐hydroboration, 1,1‐organoboration and protodeborylation

The reaction of alkyn‐1‐yl(chloro)(methyl)vinyl‐ and alkyn‐1‐yl(chloro)(phenyl)‐vinylsilane with 9‐borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9‐BBN) afforded selectively 1‐silacyclopent‐2‐ene derivatives containing a Si? Cl function, as a result of consecutive 1,2‐hydroboration and 1,1‐organoboration. Protodeborylation with acetic acid left the Si? Cl functions in various 1‐silacyclopent‐2‐enes untouched, whereas acetic acid in the presence of dipropylamine led to conversion of the Si? Cl into the Si? OAc function. New starting materials and all products were characterized in solution by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR), and the molecular structures of two 1‐silacyclopent‐2‐ene derivatives were determined by X‐ray analysis. The gas phase geometries of 1‐silacyclopent‐2‐enes were optimized by DFT calculations [B3LYP/6‐311 + G(d,p) level of theory], found to be in reasonable agreement with the results of the crystal structure determination, and NMR parameters were calculated at the same level of theory. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Broadband Visible‐Light‐Harvesting trans‐Bis(alkylphosphine) Platinum(II)‐Alkynyl Complexes with Singlet Energy Transfer between BODIPY and Naphthalene Diimide Ligands

A heteroleptic bis(tributylphosphine) platinum(II)‐alkynyl complex ( Pt‐1 ) showing broadband visible‐light absorption was prepared. Two different visible‐light‐absorbing ligands, that is, ethynylated boron‐dipyrromethene (BODIPY) and a functionalized naphthalene diimide (NDI) were used in the molecule. Two reference complexes, Pt‐2 and Pt‐3 , which contain only the NDI or BODIPY ligand, respectively, were also prepared. The coordinated BODIPY ligand shows absorption at 503 nm and fluorescence at 516 nm, whereas the coordinated NDI ligand absorbs at 594 nm; the spectral overlap between the two ligands ensures intramolecular resonance energy transfer in Pt‐1 , with BODIPY as the singlet energy donor and NDI as the energy acceptor. The complex shows strong absorption in the region 450 nm–640 nm, with molar absorption coefficient up to 88 000 M ^?1 cm^?1. Long‐lived triplet excited states lifetimes were observed for Pt‐1 – Pt‐3 (36.9 μs, 28.3 μs, and 818.6 μs, respectively). Singlet and triplet energy transfer processes were studied by the fluorescence/phosphorescence excitation spectra, steady‐state and time‐resolved UV/Vis absorption and luminescence spectra, as well as nanosecond time‐resolved transient difference absorption spectra. A triplet‐state equilibrium was observed for Pt‐1 . The complexes were used as triplet photosensitizers for triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion, with upconversion quantum yields up to 18.4 % being observed for Pt‐1 .