Synthesis and photochemistry of novel bromo substituted stilbene derivatives as triplet state sensitizers for the generation of singlet oxygen

We have presented the synthesis and characterization of three new bromo substituted stilbene derivatives, p-3,4,5-trimethoxy-p′-2,3,4,5,6-pentabromo stilbene (C1), p-N,N-dimethylamino-p′-2,3,4,5,6-pentabromo stilbene (C2) and p-N,N-diphenylamino-p′-2,3,4,5,6-pentabromo stilbene (C3) in this letter. The UV/vis absorption and photoluminescence were investigated in various solvents. The maximal absorption wavelength of C1 exhibited blue-shift to those of C2 and C3 in different solvents. No florescence emission could be detected for these compounds at room temperature. Singlet oxygen could be efficiently produced with these sensitizers under near-ultraviolet and visible light irradiation.