Effects of Dipolar Interactions on Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Multichromophore Assemblies: A Case Study

Indane-1,3-Dione: From Synthetic Strategies to Applications

Indane-1,3-dione is a versatile building block used in numerous applications ranging from biosensing, bioactivity, bioimaging to electronics or photopolymerization. In this review, an overview of the different chemical reactions enabling access to this scaffold but also to the most common derivatives of indane-1,3-dione are presented. Parallel to this, the different applications in which indane-1,3-dione-based structures have been used are also presented, evidencing the versatility of this structure.

Aggregates of quadrupolar dyes for two-photon absorption: the role of intermolecular interactions

We present a theoretical investigation of small aggregates of quadrupolar (A-π-D-π-A or D-π-A-π-D) charge-transfer dyes, with attention focused on the role of intermolecular interactions in determining their optical properties. We tackle the theoretical issue by adopting essential-state models (ESMs), which describe an isolated molecule in terms of a minimal number of electronic states, corresponding to the resonance structures. ESMs quite naturally describe intermolecular interactions relaxing the dipolar approximation and accounting for molecular polarizabilities. The approach is applied to curcuminoid and squaraine dyes, two families of chromophores with weak and strong quadrupolar character, respectively. The method is validated against experiment and for curcuminoids also against time-dependent density functional theory. ESMs rationalize the strong ultra-excitonic effects recurrently observed in the experimental optical spectra of aggregates of highly polarizable quadrupolar dyes, offering a valuable tool to exploit the supramolecular design of material properties.

Superlinear amplification of the first hyperpolarizability of linear aggregates of DANS molecules

A comprehensive study of optical properties of DANS in different environments explains the observed ∼30-fold enhancement of the hyper-Rayleigh signal of DANS@CNT vs. DANS in solution in terms of collective and cooperative phenomena occurring in aggregates of less than 10 aligned molecules.

Alkynyl expanded donor-acceptor calixarenes: geometry and second-order nonlinear optical properties

A number of wide- and narrow-rimmed functionalized alkynylcalix[4]arenes have been synthesized by Sonogashira coupling. With respect to their optical properties, these donor-acceptor systems are treated as ensembles of covalently linked, electronically independent tolane subchromophores. Linear UV/visible and fluorescence spectroscopic investigations revealed that the charge-transfer character of the electronic transitions in calixarenes, and also the second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties depend on the electron-withdrawing nature of the terminal ethynylphenyl substituent (NO(2), CF(3), H). The nitro derivatives display high values of the quadratic hyperpolarizability beta. Not only do the (nonlinear) optical properties of the target compounds depend on the number and relative disposition of the subchromophores, but also on the geometry of the calixarenes. In particular, the opening angle of the calixarene cavity can be determined by the substitution pattern of the calixarene scaffold (wide- versus narrow-rim substitution) and the number of the acetylene functions introduced. Both the NLO properties and the conformational issues are conveniently assessed by using hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) in solution, and supported by X-ray crystallography in the solid state.

Enhancement of Quadratic Nonlinearity via Multiple Hydrogen-Bonded Supramolecular Complex Formation

The formation and quadratic nonlinearity of a multiple hydrogen-bonded 1:1 supramolecular complex 1.2 between the 2,6-diaminopyridine-based Lambda-shaped molecule, 1, and ferrocenyl barbituric acid, 2, in solution have been investigated by the hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) and NMR techniques. A 6-fold increase in the molecular hyperpolarizability (beta) of the complex 1.2 over the sum of the molecular hyperpolarizabilities of the components 1 and 2 is seen. Such a significant enhancement in beta is attributed to the alignment of the molecular dipoles of 1 and 2 in the 2D plane leading to the creation of a large dipole moment in the plane of the supramolecular complex. Depolarized HRS experiments led to the determination of the in-plane polarization components of beta of the supramolecular complex 1.2. The component of beta in the direction of the dipole moment is large. This investigation exemplifies the role of multiple hydrogen bonds in stabilizing a 2D supramolecular architecture leading to a large enhancement of molecular nonlinearity.

Quenching of molecular fluorescence on the surface of monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles investigated using place exchange equilibria

The insertion of fluorescently labeled thiols into the protecting self-assembled monolayer on the surface of gold nanoparticles through place exchange reactions and the effects of this insertion on the photophysical properties of the fluorophores are investigated. Analysis of solution-phase fluorescence data using a dynamic equilibrium model yields the equilibrium constant for the place exchange equilibrium, as well as the relative fluorescence brightness of the fluorophores on the particle surface. In all cases we find a significant quenching of the fluorescence, and potential reasons for this quenching are discussed. In the case of these relatively small particles (4.5 nm diameter), the quenching appears to be mainly related to enhanced nonradiative deactivation pathways. The place exchange equilibrium constant reveals a reduced affinity of the fluorescently labeled thiols for insertion into the nonfluorescent alkylthiol monolayer (K(eq) approximately 0.2) compared to unlabeled alkylthiols.

An Effective Strategy to Tune Supramolecular Interaction via a Spiro-Bridged Spacer in Oligothiophene-S,S-dioxides and Their Anomalous Photoluminescent Behavior

[structure: see text] We demonstrate that incorporating nonplanar spiro-bridged structures is an effective strategy for tuning supramolecular interactions of optoelectronic functional moieties. In the model compounds spiro-bridged oligothiophene-S,S-dioxides (BSiSDTFO), unusual dimers constructed by spiro-bridged spacers do not form excimers, which is confirmed by crystallographic data and fluorescent emission spectra.

Cooperative Interactions in Supramolecular Aggregates: Linear and Nonlinear Responses in Calix[4]arenes

The linear and nonlinear optical polarizabilities of donor-acceptor (D-pi-A) chromophores in confined geometries of calix[4]arenes are investigated through a model for interacting polar-polarizable molecules. Both the linear polarizability (alpha) and the first hyperpolarizability (beta) decrease with increasing the interdipolar angle, as expected in the oriented-gas picture. However, within the polar-polarizable model we predict deviations from the additive result, irrespective of the interdipolar angle. Depending on the nature of the chromophore, electrostatic intermolecular interactions between polar and polarizable chromophores lead to cooperative damping or enhancement of the optical responses. Specifically, for chromophores whose ground state is dominated by the neutral D-pi-A structure both alpha and beta are suppressed with respect to the prediction of the oriented-gas model, whereas the opposite holds true for chromophores whose ground state is dominated by the zwitterionic D(+)-pi-A(-). These results explain recent experimental data on a calix[4]arene functionalized with a donor-acceptor dye for nonlinear optical applications. Density functional theory calculations on the relevant crystal structure further support our interpretation.

Dipolar interactions and hydrogen bonding in supramolecular aggregates: understanding cooperative phenomena for 1st hyperpolarizability

Weak intermolecular forces like dipolar interactions and hydrogen-bonding lead to a variety of different packing arrangements of molecules in crystals and self-assemblies. Such differences in the arrangements change the extent of excitonic splitting and excitation spectra in the multichromophore aggregates. In this tutorial review, the role of such interactions in fine tuning the linear and 1st non-linear optical (NLO) responses in molecular aggregates are discussed. The non-additivity of these optical properties arise specifically due to such cooperative interactions. Calculations performed on dimers, trimers and higher aggregates for model systems provide insights into the interaction mechanisms and strategies to enhance the 1st hyperpolarizabilities of pi-conjugated molecular assemblies. Flexible dipole orientations in the alkane bridged chromophores show odd-even variations in their second-harmonic responses that are explained through their dipolar interactions in different conformations. Parameters for the optical applications of molecules arranged in constrained geometry, like in Calix[n]arene, have been elucidated. We also highlight the recent developments in this field of research together with their future prospects.