AIE macromolecules: syntheses, structures and functionalities

A comprehensive review of macromolecules with aggregation-induced emission attributes is presented, covering the frontiers of syntheses, structures, functionalities and applications.

Heptametallic, octupolar nonlinear optical chromophores with six ferrocenyl substituents

New complexes with six ferrocenyl (Fc) groups connected to Zn(II) or Cd(II) tris(2,2'-bipyridyl) cores are described. A thorough characterisation of their BPh4(-) salts includes two single-crystal X-ray structures, highly unusual for such species with multiple, extended substituents. Intense, visible d(Fe(II))→π* metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) bands accompany the π→π* intraligand charge-transfer absorptions in the near UV region. Each complex shows a single, fully reversible Fe(III/II) wave when probed electrochemically. Molecular quadratic nonlinear optical (NLO) responses are determined by using hyper-Rayleigh scattering and Stark spectroscopy. The latter gives static first hyperpolarisabilities β0 reaching as high as approximately 10(-27)  esu and generally increasing with π-conjugation extension. Z-scan cubic NLO measurements reveal high two-photon absorption cross-sections σ2 of up to 5400 GM in one case. DFT calculations reproduce the π-conjugation dependence of β0, and TD-DFT predicts three transitions close in energy contributing to the MLCT bands. The lowest energy transition has octupolar character, whereas the other two are degenerate and dipolar in nature.

Theoretical and experimental spectroscopic analysis of cyano-substituted styrylpyridine compounds

A combined theoretical and experimental study on the structure, infrared, UV-Vis and ¹H NMR data of trans-2-(m-cyanostyryl)pyridine, trans-2-[3-methyl-(m-cyanostyryl)] pyridine and trans-4-(m-cyanostyryl)pyridine is presented. The synthesis was carried out with an efficient Knoevenagel condensation using green chemistry conditions. Theoretical geometry optimizations and their IR spectra were carried out using the Density Functional Theory (DFT) in both gas and solution phases. For theoretical UV-Vis and ¹H NMR spectra, the Time-Dependent DFT (TD-DFT) and the Gauge-Including Atomic Orbital (GIAO) methods were used, respectively. The theoretical characterization matched the experimental measurements, showing a good correlation. The effect of cyano- and methyl-substituents, as well as of the N-atom position in the pyridine ring on the UV-Vis, IR and NMR spectra, was evaluated. The UV-Vis results showed no significant effect due to electron-withdrawing cyano- and electron-donating methyl-substituents. The N-atom position, however, caused a slight change in the maximum absorption wavelengths. The IR normal modes were assigned for the cyano- and methyl-groups. ¹H NMR spectra showed the typical doublet signals due to protons in the trans position of a double bond. The theoretical characterization was visibly useful to assign accurately the signals in IR and ¹H NMR spectra, as well as to identify the most probable conformation that could be present in the formation of the styrylpyridine-like compounds.

Large two-photon absorption of terpyridine-based quadrupolar derivatives: towards their applications in optical limiting and biological imaging

Developing organic chromophores with large two-photon absorption (TPA) in both organic solvents and aqueous media is crucial owing to their applications in solid-state photonic devices and biological imaging. Herein, a series of novel terpyridine-based quadrupolar derivatives have been synthesized. The influences of electron-donating group, type of conjugated bridge, as well as solvent polarity on the molecular TPA properties have been investigated in detail. In contrast to the case in organic solvents, bis(thienyl)-benzothiadiazole as a rigid conjugated bridge will completely quench molecular two-photon emission in aqueous media. However, the combination of alkylcarbazole as the donor and bis(styryl)benzene as a conjugation bridge can enlarge molecular TPA cross-sections in both organic solvent and aqueous media. The reasonable two-photon emission brightness for the organic nanoparticles of chromophores 3-5 in the aqueous media, prepared by the reprecipitation method, enables them to be used as probes for in vivo biological imaging.

Controllable self-assembly of di(p-methoxylphenyl)dibenzofulvene into three different emission forms

Self-assembly of di(p-methoxylphenyl)dibenzofulvene in the absence and presence of CTAB (cetyl trimethylammonium bromide) leads to three emission forms: strongly yellow-green- and blue-emissive crystalline forms (as microrods), and weakly orange-emissive amorphous form. Each of these three emission forms can be prepared by adjusting the concentration of CTAB.

Facile synthesis and photo-physical properties of cyano-substituted styryl derivatives based on carbazole/phenothiazine

Four new cyano-substituted styryl derivatives based on carbazole and phenothiazine were facilely synthesized by conventional Knoevenagel condensation and well characterized. The UV-vis spectra of these dyes showed the lowest-energy absorption bands were mainly caused by the HOMO-LUMO one-electron promotion as conformed by TD-DFT calculations. The thermogravimetric analysis showed these dyes were thermally stable up to 350 °C. The UV-vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectra were also studied in solvents of different polarity, these dyes exhibited unusual large Stokes shift.

Photophysical processes of an intramolecular charge transfer fluorescent dye with carbazole units

A carbazole-based compound with intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) characteristics, 3,6-bis-((N-ethylcarbazole-3-)-propene-1-keto)-N-ethylcarbazole (BCzPCz) was synthesized by N-alkylation, acetylation and aldol condensation. BCzPCz was further confirmed by IR and (1)H NMR. The central N-ethylcarbazole was connected with two N-ethylcarbazole units through the propenone group in BCzPCz. N-ethylcarbazole and carbonyl groups were electron donors (D) and acceptors (A), respectively. The UV-vis absorption and fluorescence characteristics of BCzPCz were also investigated in different solvents. Solvatochromism was attributed to ICT complex formation in singlet excited state. Magnitude of the change in the dipole moment was 24.78 D according to Lippert-Mataga equation. Fluorescence of BCzPCz was significantly affected by pH and was quenched in acidic medium. Fluorescence quantum yield of BCzPCz was 0.516 in ethanol. Experimental results showed its potential use as a fluorescence probe and as two-photon absorption material.