New fluorescent monomers and polymers displaying an intramolecular proton-transfer mechanism in the electronically excited state (ESIPT). IV. Synthesis of acryloylamide and diallylamino benzazole dyes and its copolymerization with MMA

Revealing the ESIPT process in benzoxazole fluorophores within polymeric matrices through theory and experiment

The impact of the polymeric matrix on the photophysical characteristics of monomeric dyes responsive to excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) was investigated through UV-Vis absorption as well as steady-state and time-resolved emission spectroscopies. For this purpose, two benzoxazole monomers (M1 and M2) with acryloyl groups at different positions in their molecular structures were employed to facilitate covalent bonding within a styrene chain. Our findings reveal significant variations in their excited-state properties due to the proximity of the acryloyl groups, which affects the energy barrier of the ESIPT reaction, the emission wavelength, and the balance between the normal and tautomeric forms. The experimental results were corroborated through theoretical investigations at the DFT/TDDFT level, specifically using the B3LYP-D3/def2-TZVP methodology. Three notable observations emerged: donor/acceptor groups at the meta/para positions induced electron distribution changes, causing red-shifted emission for M2; in the polymer film, particularly in PM1, intramolecular hydrogen bond deactivation favored N* emission over T* emission; and the zwitterionic character of the T* species. This study underscores the advantages of functionalization in polymers, which can lead to colorless films and prevalent N* or T* emission, and contributes valuable insights into molecular design strategies for tailoring the photophysical properties of polymeric materials.

Powerful Direct C-H Amidation Polymerization Affords Single-Fluorophore-Based White-Light-Emitting Polysulfonamides by Fine-Tuning Hydrogen Bonds

The development of white-light-emitting polymers has been actively pursued because of the importance of such polymers in various applications, such as lighting sources and displays. To generate white-light, numerous research efforts have focused on synthesizing multifluorophore-based random copolymers to effectively cover the entire visible region. However, due to their intrinsic synthetic and structural features, this strategy has limitations in securing color reproducibility and stability. Herein, we report the development of single-fluorophore-based white-light-emitting homopolymers with excellent color reproducibility. A powerful direct C-H amidation polymerization (DCAP) strategy enabled the synthesis of defect-free polysulfonamides that emit white-light via excited-state intramolecular proton-transfer (ESIPT). To gain structural insights for designing such polymers, we conducted detailed model studies by varying the electronic nature of substituents that allow facile tuning of the emission colors. Further analysis revealed precise control of the thermodynamics of the ESIPT process by fine-tuning the strength of the intramolecular hydrogen bond. By applying this design principle to polymerization, we successfully produced a series of well-defined polysulfonamides with single-fluorophore emitting white-light. The resulting polymers emitted consistent fluorescence, regardless of their molecular weights or phases (i.e., solution, powder, or thin film), guaranteeing excellent color reproducibility. With these advantages in hand, we also demonstrated practical use of our DCAP system by fabricating a white-light-emitting coated LED.

Kinetic analysis of tautomer forms of aromatic-urea compounds with acetate ions: solvent effect of excited state intermolecular proton transfer

In this paper, we report the solvent effect of excited state intermolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reactions of urea compounds in the presence of tetrabutylammonium acetate (TBAAc). We prepared anthracene-urea compounds (9An and 2An), a pyrene-urea compound (Py) and an anthracene-diurea compound (9,10An), which have alkylsulfonyl groups to improve their solubility in various organic solvents. We investigated the solvent effects of the ESIPT reaction using absorption, fluorescence, and 1H NMR spectroscopy along with fluorescence decay measurements in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), acetonitrile (MeCN), tetrahydrofuran (THF) and toluene. The tautomer fluorescence of 9An showed remarkable solvent dependence on the spectral red-shift compared with 2An, Py and 9,10An. As a result of the detailed spectroscopic investigations with regard to the solvent including kinetic analysis of the ESIPT for 9AnAcO-, we revealed that the energy gap between the normal and tautomer forms in the excited state depended on the hydrogen bond acceptor basicity (β), which is one of the Kamlet-Taft solvent parameters. Finally, we discovered that the tautomer structures of aromatic-urea compounds were stabilized by hydrogen bond interactions.

A combined theoretical and experimental investigation on the solvatochromism of ESIPT3-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-2-hydroxynaphthalene-1-carbaldehyde

Excited state intramolecular proton transfer inspired 3-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-2-hydroxynaphthalene-1-carbaldehyde, showing solid state fluorescence has been synthesized. Existence of excited state intramolecular proton transfer process between carbonyl group and phenolic OH group has been theoretically predicted using computational method. Density functional theory and time dependent density functional theory computations have been used to investigate structural parameters and understand the photophysical properties of the synthesized carbaldehyde. The photophysical properties of carbaldehyde were evaluated using UV-Visible and fluorescence spectroscopy and are found to be very sensitive to the microenvironment such as solvent polarity and pH. The experimental absorption-emission a results are correlated with the computed values. The increase in the dipole moment of A2-Keto(*) than A2-Enol(*) suggested the presence of keto form in the excited state and which is responsible for the single fluorescence emission with a large Stokes shift in all solvents.

Intramolecular excited proton transfer of 1-(1-phenyl-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-2-yl)naphthalen-2-ol--a combined experimental and quantum chemical studies

Synthesis of the 1-(1-phenyl-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-2-yl)naphthalen-2-ol [PPIN] is reported, spectral and fluorescent properties of the title compound are investigated. The feasibility of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) has been argued from the changeover of relative stability of the enol and the keto forms on photoexcitation from the S0-PES to the S1-PES. Critical evaluation on the modulations of geometrical parameters other than the proton transfer reaction coordinate has also been undertaken. The intramolecular hydrogen bonding (IMHB) interaction in PPIN has been explored by calculation of the hyperconjugative charge transfer interaction from the lone electron pair of ring nitrogen atom to the σ(∗) orbital of O-H bond, under the provision of Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis. However, DFT calculations together with the experimental results reveal that the excited species with the intramolecular N⋯HO hydrogen bond type undergoes rapid radiationless deactivation. This leads to a conclusion that the low-intensity dual-band fluorescence of the title compound in solution originates from the traces of the conformation with the -OH bond to azomethine nitrogen atom (ESIPT).

THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION OF SUBSTITUTION EFFECT ON THE PROTON TRANSFER MECHANISM IN 3-MERCAPTO-PROPENETHIAL

We present detailed theoretical studies of the proton transfer (PT) in the 3-Mercapto-propenethial (MP) and in some of its derivatives. The effect of substitution on the transition state structures corresponding to the PT in R2 or R1(3) positions is studied by using B3LYP/6-311++G** level of theory in gas phase and water solution. The following substituents have been taken into consideration: Cl, F, OH, SH, OCH3, SCH3, CHO, NO2, CCH and OCF3 . For the different derivatives of 3-MP, we have computed geometries and potential energy curves for the intramolecular PT in their ground. Also, the excited-state properties of intramolecular hydrogen bonding in substituted systems have been investigated theoretically using the time-dependent density functional theory method. The π-electron delocalization parameter (Q) and HOMA index as a geometrical indicator of a local aromaticity are investigated. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis was also performed for better understanding the nature of intramolecular interactions. The results of analysis by Quantum theory of "Atoms in Molecules" and NBO method fairly support the DFT results. Correlations between the PT reaction barrier versus topological parameters, ν(S–H) and γ(S–H) are also probed. The obtained results showed a strong influence of the R substituent on the PT reaction barrier changes. Numerous correlations between topological, geometrical, thermodynamic properties and energetic parameters were also found.

Synthesis, spectral studies and solvatochromism of some novel benzimidazole derivatives--ESIPT process

Some novel benzimidazole derivatives were synthesized and characterized by (1)H, (13)C NMR mass and elemental analysis. XRD analysis was carried out for 1-(4-methylbenzyl)-2-p-tolyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazole. The solvent effect on the absorption and fluorescence bands has been analyzed. The energetic analysis of the potential energy surface (PES), HOMO and LUMO levels [DFT/B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)] evidenced the existence of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) in hydroxy benzimidazole derivative.

Physicochemical studies of chemosensor imidazole derivatives: DFT based ESIPT process

A series of substituted imidazoles have been synthesized in very good yield under a solvent free condition using molecular iodine as the catalyst. An excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process in hydroxy imidazole has been studied using emission spectroscopy. DFT calculations on energy, dipole moment, charge distribution of the rotamers in the ground and excited states of the imidazole derivatives have been performed and discussed. DFT analysis about HOMO, HOMO-1, LUMO and LUMO+1 has been carried out and discussed. The energy barrier for the interconversion of two rotamers is too high in the excited state than the ground state that is shown by PES calculation. The molecular electrostatic potential surface (MEP) has also been employed to show the higher electron density at N(3) nitrogen. Fluorescence enhancement has been found in the presence of transition metal ions and this may result from the suppression of radiationless transitions from the n-π* state in the chemosensors.

Spectrofluorometric studies on the binding interaction of bioactive imidazole with bovine serum albumin: a DFT based ESIPT process

Bioactive imidazole derivatives were synthesized and characterized by NMR spectra, mass and CHN analysis. An excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process in hydroxy imidazole has been studied using emission spectroscopy. In hydrocarbon solvent, the tautomer emission predominates over the normal emission and in alcoholic solvent like ethanol; a dramatic enhancement of normal emission is observed which was due to increased solvation. DFT calculation on energy, charge distribution of the rotamers in the ground and excited states of the imidazole derivative were performed and discussed. PES calculation indicates that the energy barrier for the interconversion of two rotamers is too high in the excited state than in the ground state. The interaction between bioactive imidazole derivative and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated.