Chemistry and applications of flavylium compounds: a handful of colours

Spatiotemporal control over the co-conformational switching in pH-responsive flavylium-based multistate pseudorotaxanes

A multistate molecular dyad containing flavylium and viologen units was synthesized and the pH dependent thermodynamics of the network completely characterized by a variety of spectroscopic techniques such as NMR, UV-vis and stopped-flow. The flavylium cation is only stable at acidic pH values. Above pH ≈ 5 the hydration of the flavylium leads to the formation of the hemiketal followed by ring-opening tautomerization to give the cis-chalcone. Finally, this last species isomerizes to give the trans-chalcone. For the present system only the flavylium cation and the trans-chalcone species could be detected as being thermodynamically stable. The hemiketal and the cis-chalcone are kinetic intermediates with negligible concentrations at the equilibrium. All stable species of the network were found to form 1 : 1 and 2 : 1 host : guest complexes with cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) with association constants in the ranges 10(5)-10(8) M(-1) and 10(3)-10(4) M(-1), respectively. The 1 : 1 complexes were particularly interesting to devise pH responsive bistable pseudorotaxanes: at basic pH values (≈12) the flavylium cation interconverts into the deprotonated trans-chalcone in a few minutes and under these conditions the CB7 wheel was found to be located around the viologen unit. A decrease in pH to values around 1 regenerates the flavylium cation in seconds and the macrocycle is translocated to the middle of the axle. On the other hand, if the pH is decreased to 6, the deprotonated trans-chalcone is neutralized to give a metastable species that evolves to the thermodynamically stable flavylium cation in ca. 20 hours. By taking advantage of the pH-dependent kinetics of the trans-chalcone/flavylium interconversion, spatiotemporal control of the molecular organization in pseudorotaxane systems can be achieved.

Synthetic anthocyanidins and their antioxidant properties

Anthocyanidins were synthesized to study the effect of methoxy substitution on the B ring to their antioxidant property. Comparative FRAP studies show 2'- and 4'-methoxy substituents have higher antioxidant activities, which may be attributed to both resonance and inductive effects.Graphical abstract:Anthocyanidins as reducing agents.

Mimicking Positive and Negative Copigmentation Effects in Anthocyanin Analogues by Host-Guest Interaction with Cucurbit[7]uril and β-Cyclodextrins

Copigmentation and the anti-copigmentation effects can be mimicked by the interaction of anthocyanin's model compounds respectively with cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). The complex network of chemical reactions displayed by this family of compounds includes the colored flavylium cation, AH(+), and quinoidal base, A, along with the colorless hemiketal, B, cis-chalcone, Cc, and trans-chalcone, Ct. Whereas AH(+) is stable only at very acidic pH values, the remaining species are formed at slightly acidic and neutral conditions. However, under these conditions, for most of the natural and synthetic flavylium salts, the colorless species predominate (B, Cc, and Ct) at the expense of A. The host CB7 was found to improve the color of solutions in two different ways: first, it stabilizes AH(+) at higher pH values by decreasing its acidity and, second, it enhances the mole fraction of A due to selective complexation of this species in the pH range where the flavylium cation is no longer stable. In contrast, β-CD increases the acidity of AH(+), favoring the formation of Ct at the expense of all the other multistate species (Bası́lio et al. New J. Chem. 2013, 37, 3166-3173; Petrov et al. J. Phys. Chem. A 2013, 117, 10692-10701; Gago et al. Dyes Pigments 2014, 110, 106-112; and Lopes-Costa et al. Photochem. Photobiol. Sci. 2014, 13, 1420-1426). Although both hosts have a large effect on the hydration rate and pH domain of the flavylium cation, the effect on the degradation kinetics of anthocyanidins is modest. CB7 decreases the hydration rate and decreases the acid-base (AH(+)/A) equilibrium constant (Ka), leading respectively to a slowing and a speeding of the anthocyanin degradation rate. On the other hand, β-CD increases the hydration rate but increases Ka, both effects acting in opposite directions.

Host-Guest Complexes of Flavylium Cations and Cucurbit[7]uril: The Influence of Flavylium Substituents on the Structure and Stability of the Complex

The host-guest complexes formed from six differently substituted flavylium cations and cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) have been characterized by UV/Vis absorption, fluorescence emission and ¹ H NMR spectroscopy. It was observed that all flavylium cations form 1:1 inclusion complexes with association constants that depend on the nature and position of the substituents. The results indicate that CB7 displays higher affinity for more hydrophobic flavylium compounds and for those bearing amino substituents. ¹ H NMR spectroscopy was used to elucidate the structure of the complexes. While for 7-hydroxyflavylium and 4-methyl-7-hydroxyflavylium the phenyl group (ring B) is included within the host's cavity leaving the benzopyrilium group (rings A and C) outside, in 4',7-dihydroxyflavylium and 3',4',7-trihydroxyflavylium the macrocycle shuttles between rings A and B. For compounds with amino substituents it was found that CB7 is attracted towards these groups regardless of their position in ring A or B. In addition, it was observed that the dimethylamino group tends to be positioned near the carbonyl-decorated portal while the diethylamino motif prefers the hydrophobic cavity of CB7.

Photochromism of the natural dye 7,4'-dihydroxy-5-methoxyflavylium (dracoflavylium) in the presence of (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin

A photochromic system based on dracoflavylium, a natural pigment extracted from Dragon's blood, a resin appearing in the injury parts of the tree Dracaena draco, is studied in water. The photochromism arises from the irradiation of the trans-chalcone, giving a mixture of flavylium cation/quinoidal base as a photoproduct via cis-chalcone and hemiketal. The performance of the photochromic system can be improved in the presence of (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin. A mathematical model to account for the details of the kinetics and thermodynamics of the system was deduced. The model is general for all the host-guest systems involving the flavylium network of chemical reactions with 1 : 1 stoichiometric association.

Flavylium based dual photochromism: addressing cis-trans isomerization and ring opening-closure by different light inputs

The multistate system of 4',7-dihydroxy-3-methoxyflavylium is constituted by a multiequilibrium involving trans-chalcone, cis-chalcone, hemiketal, flavylium cation and quinoidal base. This system possesses two independently addressable inter-connected photochromic systems based on the cis-trans isomerization and ring opening-closure of the hemiketal.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) study of anthocyanidins

Anthocyanins are an important class of natural compounds responsible for the red, purple and blue colors in a large number of flowers, fruits and cereal grains. They are polyhydroxy- and polymethoxy-derivatives of 2-phenylbenzopyrylium (flavylium) salts, which are present in nature as glycosylated molecules. The aim of the present study is to assess the identification of anthocyanidins, i.e. anthocyanins without the glycosidic moiety, by means of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), a very chemically-specific technique which is moreover sensitive to subtle changes in molecular structures. These features can lead to elect SERS, among the spectroscopic tools currently at disposal of scientists, as a technique of choice for the identification of anthocyanidins, since: (1) anthocyanidins structurally present the same benzopyrylium moiety and differentiate only for the substitution pattern on their phenyl ring, (2) different species are present in aqueous solution depending on the pH. It will be demonstrated that, while resonance Raman spectra of anthocyanidins are very similar to one another, SER spectra show greater differences, leading to a further step in the identification of such important compounds in diluted solutions by means of vibrational spectroscopy. Moreover, the dependence on the pH of the six most common anthocyanidins, i.e. cyanidin, delphinidin, pelargonidin, peonidin, malvidin and petunidin, is studied. To the best of the authors' knowledge, a complete SERS study of such important molecules is reported in the present work for the first time.

Locked-flavylium fluorescent dyes with tunable emission wavelengths based on intramolecular charge transfer for multi-color ratiometric fluorescence imaging

A new class of locked-flavylium fluorophores with tunable emission wavelengths based on intramolecular charge transfer were designed, synthesized, and evaluated. The optical studies indicate that sensor LF3 can display an intriguing character, fluorescence ratiometric response in three channels by tuning the ICT efficiencies.

Origin of the metastable stability in flavylium multistate systems

Metastable states regarding the network of chemical reactions involving flavylium compounds were investigated as well as the role they may play in models for optical memories capable of write-read-erase. A necessary requirement to achieve metastable states in flavylium systems is the existence of a high cis-trans isomerization barrier, as in 4'-hydroxyflavylium described through this paper. In an optical memory, the metastable state could be the signal to be detected upon the write step. In that case the autoerase is prevented by the metastable state. Conversely, the metastable state may be the initial state and prevents the auto and unwanted write step. The compound 4'-hydroxyflavylium offers the possibility of achieving both of these two situations, depending on the sequence of the pH stimuli prior to light absorption. In this work the pH dependent distribution of the flavylium species of the network in the presence of β-cyclodextrin was calculated. Improvement of the performance of the photochromic system in the presence of β-cyclodextrin was observed.

Characterization of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of cyanidin-3-glucoside methyl and glucuronyl metabolite conjugates

The determination of rate and equilibrium constants of anthocyanin metabolites with in vivo occurrence, cyanidin-4'-O-methyl-3-glucoside (Cy4'Me3glc) and cyanidin-7-O-glucuronyl-3-glucoside (Cy7Gluc3glc), was carried out for the first time by means of direct and reverse pH jumps. The thermodynamics and kinetics of these compounds are similar to the anthocyanin monoglucosides in particular for the analogous cyanidin-3-glucoside (Cy3glc) and peonidin-3-glucoside (Peo3glc). The rate and equilibrium constants of metabolites were also compared with malvin (malvidin 3,5-diglucoside) and with a bioinspired compound 3',4'-dihydroxy-7-O-glucopyranosyloxyflavylium (DGF). In Cy4'Me3glc and Cy7Gluc3glc the rate of hydration for a fixed pH value is slower than in DGF and the dominant species at moderately acidic solutions is the hemiketal. Oppositely, in DGF trans-chalcone is the dominant species at moderately acidic solutions.

A study of anthocyanin self-association by NMR spectroscopy

Malvidin-3-O-coumaroylglucoside molecules self-associate, with this interaction occurring mainly by dispersive contacts (direct π–π stacking and van der Waals interactions).

Vegetable-based dye-sensitized solar cells

In this review we provide an overview of vegetable pigments in dye-sensitized solar cells, starting from main limitations of cell performance to cost analysis and scaling-up prospects.

Stability of anthocyanins from red grape skins under pressurized liquid extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions

The stability of anthocyanins from grape skins after applying different extraction techniques has been determined. The following compounds, previously extracted from real samples, were assessed: delphinidin 3-glucoside, cyanidin 3-glucoside, petunidin 3-glucoside, peonidin 3-glucoside, malvidin 3-glucoside, peonidin 3-acetylglucoside, malvidin 3-acetylglucoside, malvidin 3-caffeoylglucoside, petunidin 3-p-coumaroylglucoside and malvidin 3-p-coumaroylglucoside (trans). The techniques used were ultrasound-assisted extraction and pressurized liquid extraction. In ultrasound-assisted extraction, temperatures up to 75 °C can be applied without degradation of the aforementioned compounds. In pressurized liquid extraction the anthocyanins were found to be stable up to 100 °C. The relative stabilities of both the glycosidic and acylated forms were evaluated. Acylated derivatives were more stable than non-acylated forms. The differences between the two groups of compounds became more marked on working at higher temperatures and on using extraction techniques with higher levels of oxygen in the extraction media.

Structurally diverse α-substituted benzopyran synthesis through a practical metal-free C(sp3)-H functionalization

A trityl ion-mediated practical C-H functionalization of a variety of benzopyrans with a wide range of nucleophiles (organoboranes and C-H molecules) at ambient temperature has been disclosed. The metal-free reaction has an excellent functional group tolerance and high chemoselectivity and displays a broad scope with respect to both benzopyran and nucleophile partners, efficiently affording a collection of benzopyrans bearing diverse skeletons and α-functionalities in one step.

Grape anthocyanin oligomerization: a putative mechanism for red color stabilization?

The equilibrium forms of malvidin-3-O-glucoside trimer present in grape skins were studied in aqueous solution at different pH values through UV-Visible spectroscopy. It was observed that the reactivity of this compound is strongly dominated by acid-base chemistry (pKa1=3.61±0.03; pKa2=6.83±0.06), with the reaction sequence hydration-tautomerization-isomerization accounting less than 10% of the overall reactivity. The decrease of hydration of this flavylium cation derivative when compared to the original anthocyanins results from the formation of a cluster of the pigment with a high-energy of solvation that inhibits the access of water molecules to the flavylium cation core preventing by this way the hydration reactions. Overall of these results raise the hypothesis that polymerization may be a natural stabilization mechanism for the red color of anthocyanins.

Evidence for copigmentation interactions between deoxyanthocyanidin derivatives (oaklins) and common copigments in wine model solutions

The aim of this study was to investigate interactions possibly taking place in red wine between oaklins, which are deoxyanthocyanidin derivatives (guaiacylcatechin-pyrylium and syringylcatechin-pyrylium), and several copigments: catechin (CP1), epicatechin (CP2), chlorogenic acid (CP3), epigallocatechin (CP4), and procyanidin B3 (CP5). The results show that oaklins, like common anthocyanins, also present copigmentation interactions that further stabilize the flavylium cation in hydroalcoholic solutions. Molecular dynamics simulations were also performed to interpret the binding data, to specify the relative arrangement of the pigment and copigment molecules within the complexes, and to interpret their absorption properties in the visible range.

Chemical applications of anthocyanins and related compounds. A source of bioinspiration

Independently of the natural or synthetic origin, flavylium derivatives follow the same network of chemical reactions. Actually, the flavylium cation is stable only at low pH values. Increasing the pH gives rise to the formation of several species: quinoidal bases, hemiketal, cis- and trans-chalcones, and their deprotonated forms. A deep knowledge of the thermodynamics and kinetics of these species is an essential tool to practical applications of these compounds, in particular, in the domain of food chemistry. In this work the network of chemical reactions involving flavylium derivatives is presented, and the respective thermodynamics and kinetics are discussed in detail, including the mathematical expressions and a step-by-step procedure to calculate all of the rate and equilibrium constants of the system. Examples of systems possessing a high or low cis-trans isomerization barrier are shown. Recent practical applications of anthocyanins and related compounds illustrate the potentialities of the flavylium-based family of compounds.

Understanding the molecular mechanism of anthocyanin binding to pectin

Association between anthocyanins and carbohydrates has drawn attention over the past few years and this interaction is of particularly importance in food chemistry since these compounds are often found together in plants and foodstuffs. This work intended to bring insights on the interaction between ionic carbohydrates (pectin) and two anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, cy3glc and delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, dp3glc). The interaction between the flavylium cation and hemiketal anthocyanin forms was characterized by saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy and the respective dissociation constant (Kd) was obtained. This binding was also studied by Molecular Dynamics simulation. In the presence of the anthocyanin hemiketal form a weak interaction between anthocyanins and pectin seems to occur. A variation in the extent of this interaction was also noticed for the two anthocyanins with dp3glc bearing three hydroxyl groups, revealing to be a stronger binder to pectin (Kd ≈ 180 μM for dp3glc and Kd ≈ 250 μM for cy3glc). Experiments performed at acidic pH (flavylium cation) revealed a much stronger interaction (Kd ≈ 2 μM). These experimental results were also supported by theoretical studies which also revealed a stronger interaction in the presence of the anthocyanin flavylium cation and also a stronger interaction between pectin and dp3glc than with cy3glc (for the hemiketal form).

Flavylium network of chemical reactions in confined media: modulation of 3',4',7-trihydroxyflavilium reactions by host-guest interactions with cucurbit[7]uril

In moderately acidic aqueous solutions, flavylium compounds undergo a pH-, and in some cases, light-dependent array of reversible chemical reactions. This network can be described as a single acid-base reaction involving a flavylium cation (acidic form) and a mixture of basic forms (quinoidal base, hemiketal and cis and trans chalcones). The apparent pK'a of the system and the relative mole fractions of the basic forms can be modulated by the interaction with cucurbit[7]uril. The system is studied by using (1) H NMR spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy, flash photolysis, and steady-state irradiation. Of all the network species, the flavylium cation possesses the highest affinity for cucurbit[7]uril. The rate of interconversion between flavylium cation and the basic species (where trans-chalcone is dominant) is approximately nine times lower inside the cucurbit[7]uril.

Metalloradical approach to 2H-chromenes

Cobalt(III)-carbene radicals, generated through metalloradical activation of salicyl N-tosylhydrazones by cobalt(II) complexes of porphyrins, readily undergo radical addition to terminal alkynes to produce salicyl-vinyl radical intermediates. Subsequent hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) from the hydroxy group of the salicyl moiety to the vinyl radical leads to the formation of 2H-chromenes. The Co(II)-catalyzed process can tolerate various substitution patterns and produces the corresponding 2H-chromene products in good isolated yields. EPR spectroscopy and radical-trapping experiments with TEMPO are in agreement with the proposed radical mechanism. DFT calculations reveal the formation of the salicyl-vinyl radical intermediate by a metalloradical-mediated process. Unexpectedly, subsequent HAT from the hydroxy moiety to the vinyl radical leads to formation of an o-quinone methide intermediate, which dissociates spontaneously from the cobalt center and easily undergoes an endocyclic, sigmatropic ring-closing reaction to form the final 2H-chromene product.

Synthesis, DNA binding, docking and photocleavage studies of quinolinyl chalcones

A series of simple quinoline–chalcone conjugates have been synthesized and evaluated for their nucleolytic activity. The compounds 3c and 3d exhibited promising DNA binding and DNA photocleavage studies.

On the thermal degradation of anthocyanidins: cyanidin

Cyanidin was studied by direct pH jumps (from equilibrated solutions at very low pH values to higher pH values) and reverse pH jumps (from equilibrated or not equilibrated solutions at higher pH values to very low ones).

Structural characterization of inclusion complexes between cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and β-cyclodextrin

Inclusion complex formation between the multiple equilibrium forms of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (cy3glc) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was investigated using a combined approach of NMR spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamics simulation. Diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) and study of nuclear Overhauser effects (NOE) were used to determine the selective intermolecular interactions and structure of these complexes in aqueous solution. The observed chemical shift displacements of resonance signals of protons from the interior of β-CD cavity and protons belonging to the hemiketal (B) and cis-chalcone forms (Cc), the diffusion measurements using DOSY and the NOE studies have anticipated the formation of an inclusion complex between these two forms and β-CD. The analysis of the NMR spectral data has shown no evidence of internal interaction between β-CD and the flavylium cation (AH(+)) or trans-chalcone (Ct) forms of cy3glc. The hemiketal formed a 1:1 inclusion complex with β-cyclodextrin in which the pyranic C ring is deeply included inside the β-CD cavity while B ring lies on the plane of the wider rim of β-CD. The structure of the complexes was also clarified through a theoretical approach by Molecular Dynamics simulation.

Thermodynamic and kinetic properties of a new myrtillin-vescalagin hybrid pigment

During red wine maturation in contact with oak wood, C-glucosidic ellagitannins can react with anthocyanins, leading to new pigments. In this work the thermodynamic and kinetic constants of the network pH-dependent equilibrium of a new myrtillin (delphinidin 3-O-glucoside)-vescalagin hybrid pigment (1-deoxyvescalagin-(1β→8)-myrtillin) have been determined by UV-visible absorption and stopped-flow experiments and compared to those determined for myrtillin. The vescalagin substitution at the C-8' center of myrtillin entails important variations in the pigment behavior upon pH changes. The hybrid pigment showed lower pK'a and pKa values and a much higher value of Kt. As a consequence, at moderately acidic pH values (4 < pH < 6), the percentage of the hemiketal is much lower and the quinoidal base and the (E)-chalcone represent higher percentages relative to those for myrtillin. Therefore, the hybrid pigment can provide in slightly acidic or neutral solutions an exceptionally different color compared to that of myrtillin.

Synthetic analogues of anthocyanins as sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells

Seven flavylium salt dyes were employed for the first time as sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The theoretical and experimental wavelengths of the maximum absorbances, the HOMO and LUMO energy levels, the coefficients, the oscillator strengths and the dipole moments are calculated for these synthetic dyes. The introduction of a donor group in the flavylium molecular structure was investigated. Photophysical and photoelectrochemical measurements showed that some of these synthetic analogues of anthocyanins are very promising for DSSC applications. The best performance was obtained by a DSSC based on the novel compound 7-(N,N-diethylamino)-3',4'-dihydroxyflavylium which produced a 2.15% solar energy-to-electricity conversion efficiency, under AM 1.5 irradiation (100 mW cm(-2)) with a short-circuit current density (J(sc)) of 12.0 mA cm(-2), a fill factor of 0.5 and an open-circuit voltage (V(oc)) of 0.355 V; its incident photocurrent efficiency of 51% at the peak of the visible absorption band of the dye is remarkable. Our results demonstrated that the substitution of a hydroxylic group with a diethylamine unit in position 7 of ring A of the flavylium backbone expanded the π-conjugation in the dye and thus resulted in a higher absorption in the visible region and is advantageous for effective electron injection from the dye into the conduction band of TiO2.

Characterisation of phenolic compounds in wild fruits from Northeastern Portugal

This study aimed to analyse the phenolic composition of wild fruits of Arbutus unedo (strawberry-tree), Prunus spinosa (blackthorn), Rosa canina and Rosa micrantha (wild roses). Analyses were performed by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS. P spinosa fruits presented the highest concentration in phenolic acids (29.78 mg/100 g dry weight), being 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid the most abundant one, and flavone/ols (57.48 mg/100 g), among which quercetin3-O-rutinoside (15.63 mg/100 g) was the majority compound. (+)-Catechin was the most abundant compound in A. unedo (13.51 mg/100 g) and R. canina (3.59 mg/100 g) fruits. A. unedo fruits presented the highest concentration in flavan-3-ols (36.30 mg/100 g). Cyanidin 3-O-glucoside was found in all the studied fruits, being the major anthocyanin in most of them, with the exception of P. spinosa samples, in which cyaniding 3-O-rutinoside and peonidin 3-O-rutinoside predominated; P. spinosa fruit presented the more complex anthocyanin profile among the analysed fruits and also the highest anthocyanin concentrations, which was coherent with its greater pigmentation. All in all, P. spinosa presented the highest levels of phenolic acids and flavonoids, including anthocyanins, flavonols and flavones, although no flavan-3-ols could be identified in its fruits. The present study represents a contribution to the chemical characterisation of phenolic compounds from wild fruits with acknowledged antioxidant activity and traditionally used for several folk medicinal applications.

Thermodynamics and kinetics of cyanidin 3-glucoside and caffeine copigments

The multiequilibrium system of reactions of cyanidin 3-glucoside at acidic and mildly acidic pH values was studied in the presence of caffeine as a copigment. The thermodynamic and kinetic constants were determined using the so-called direct and reverse pH jump experiments that were followed by conventional UV-vis spectroscopy or stopped flow coupled to a UV-vis detector, depending on the rate of the monitored process. Compared with that of free anthocyanin, the copigmentation with caffeine extends the domain of the flavylium cation up to less acidic pH values, while in a moderately acidic medium, the quinoidal base becomes more stabilized. As a consequence, the hydration to give the colorless hemiketal is difficult over the entire range of pH values. At pH 1, two adducts were found for the flavylium cation-caffeine interaction, with stoichiometries of 1:1 and 1:2 and association constants of 161 M⁻¹ (K₁) and 21 M⁻¹ (K₂), respectively.

Impact of water on the cis-trans photoisomerization of hydroxychalcones

The photochromism of a 2-hydroxychalcone has been studied in CH3CN and H2O/CH3OH (1/1, v/v), as well as in analogous deuterated solvents using steady-state (UV-vis absorption, (1)H and (13)C NMR) and time-resolved (ultrafast transient absorption and nanosecond flow flash photolysis) spectroscopies. Whereas the irradiation of trans-chalcone (Ct) under neutral pH conditions leads to the formation of the same final chromene derivative (B) in both media, two distinct photochemical mechanisms are proposed in agreement with thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the chemical reaction network at the ground state. Following light excitation, the first steps are identical in acetonitrile and aqueous solution: the Franck-Condon excited state rapidly populates the trans-chalcone singlet excited state (1)Ct* (LE), which evolves into a twisted state (1)P*. This excited state is directly responsible for the photochemistry in acetonitrile in the nanosecond time scale (16 ns) leading to the formation of cis-chalcone (Cc) through a simple isomerization process. The resulting cis-chalcone evolves into the chromene B through a tautomerization process in the ground state (τ = 10 ms). Unlike in acetonitrile, in H2O/CH3OH (1/1, v/v), the P* state becomes unstable and evolves into a new state attributed to the tautomer (1)Q*. This state directly evolves into B in one photochemical step through a consecutive ultrafast tautomerization process followed by electrocyclization. This last case represents a new hypothesis in the photochromism of 2-hydroxychalcone derivatives.

Photochemistry of 2-(4-hydroxystyryl)-1-naphthopyrylium

A new photochromic system based on 2-(4-hydroxystyryl)-1-naphthopyrylium encompasses the properties of the previously described naphthoflavylium and styrylflavylium systems. The photoproduct exhibits a colour deep in hue and is red shifted in comparison with the equivalent flavylium system. Reaction of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde with p-hydroxystyrylmethylketone in acetic acid in the presence of tetrafluoroboric acid and acetic anhydride as catalysts leads to a mixture of two compounds: the photochromic 2-(4-hydroxystyryl)-1-naphthopyrylium and a second product 2-(4-acetoxystyryl)-1-naphthopyrylium resulting from the acetylation by acetic anhydride of the former. In acidic medium and at room temperature the hydrolysis of the acetoxy derivative leads to the 2-(4-hydroxystyryl)-1-naphthopyrylium, in circa 2 days, [HCl] = 0.25 M. The pH dependent chemical reactions taking place with 2-(4-hydroxystyryl)-1-naphthopyrylium were determined by UV-Vis, stooped flow, flash photolysis and (1)H NMR and follow the same general pattern of flavylium derivatives. In order to rationalize the photochromism, an energy level diagram summarizing all the equilibrium and rate constants of the network was drawn.

A flash photolysis and stopped-flow spectroscopy study of 3',4'-dihydroxy-7-O-β-D-glucopyranosyloxyflavylium chloride, an anthocyanin analogue exhibiting efficient photochromic properties

The complete determination of all rate and equilibrium constants of the network of reversible chemical reactions involving the anthocyanin analogue, 3',4'-dihydroxy-7-O-β-D-glucopyranosyloxyflavylium chloride, was achieved by means of UV-visible spectroscopy, flash photolysis and pH jumps monitored by stopped-flow. An energy level diagram containing all the data was obtained. A detailed step by step procedure illustrating all the calculations is reported.