Octupolar merocyanine dyes: a new class of nonlinear optical chromophores

Design and Photonics of Merocyanine Dyes

Merocyanines, thanks to their easily adjustable electronic structure, appear to be the most versatile and promising functional dyes. Their D-π-A framework offers ample opportunities for custom design through variations in both donor/acceptor end-groups and the π-conjugated polymethine chain, and leads to a broad range of practical properties, including noticeable solvatochromism, high polarizability/hyperpolarizabilities, and the ability to sensitize various physicochemical processes. Accordingly, merocyanines are applied and extensively studied in various fields, such as light-converting materials for optoelectronics, nonlinear optics, optical storage, solar cells, fluorescent probes, and antitumor agents in photodynamic therapy. This review encompasses both classical and novel more important publications on the structure-property relationships in merocyanines, with particular emphasis on the results by A.  I. Kiprianov and his followers in Institute of Organic Chemistry in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Two-Photon Absorption: An Open Door to the NIR-II Biological Window?

The way in which photons travel through biological tissues and subsequently become scattered or absorbed is a key limitation for traditional optical medical imaging techniques using visible light. In contrast, near-infrared wavelengths, in particular those above 1000 nm, penetrate deeper in tissues and undergo less scattering and cause less photo-damage, which describes the so-called "second biological transparency window". Unfortunately, current dyes and imaging probes have severely limited absorption profiles at such long wavelengths, and molecular engineering of novel NIR-II dyes can be a tedious and unpredictable process, which limits access to this optical window and impedes further developments. Two-photon (2P) absorption not only provides convenient access to this window by doubling the absorption wavelength of dyes, but also increases the possible resolution. This review aims to provide an update on the available 2P instrumentation and 2P luminescent materials available for optical imaging in the NIR-II window.

Twisted One-Dimensional Charge Transfer and Related Y-Shaped Chromophores with a 4H-Pyranylidene Donor: Synthesis and Optical Properties

Three series of push–pull derivatives bearing 4H-pyranylidene as electron donor group and a variety of acceptors were designed. On one hand, one-dimensional chromophores with a thiophene ring (series 1H) or 5-dimethylaminothiophene moiety (series 1N) as an auxiliary donor, non-coplanar with the π-conjugated system, were synthesized. On the other hand, related two-dimensional (2D) Y-shaped chromophores (series 2) were also prepared to compare how the diverse architectures affect the electrochemical, linear, and second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties. The presence of the 5-dimethylaminothiophene moiety in the exocyclic C=C bond of the pyranylidene unit gives rise to oxidation potentials rarely low, and the protonation (with an excess of trifluoroacetic acid) of its derivatives results in the apparition of a new blue-shifted band in the UV–visible spectra. The analysis of the properties of derivatives with and without the additional thiophene ring shows that this auxiliary donor leads to a higher NLO response, accompanied by an enhanced transparency. Y-shaped chromophores of series 2 present a blue-shifted absorption, higher molar extinction coefficients, and higher E_ox values compared to their linear twisted counterparts. As concerns NLO properties, 2D Y-shaped architecture gives rise to somewhat lower μβ values (except for thiobarbiturate derivatives).

Switch-On Diketopyrrolopyrrole-Based Chemosensors for Cations Possessing Lewis Acid Character

For the first time diketopyrrolopyrroles (DPPs) have been synthesized directly from nitriles possessing (aza)crown ethers leading to macrocycle-dye hybrids. Depending on the nature of the linkage between DPP and macrocyclic ring, various coordination effects are found. The strong interaction of the cations possessing Lewis acid character such as Li⁺ , Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺ with 2-aminopyridin-4-yl-DPPs, leading to a bathochromic shift of both emission and absorption, as well as to strong enhancement of fluorescence was rationalized in terms of strong binding of these cations to the N=C-NR₂ functionality. The same effect has been observed for protonation. Depending on the size and the structure of the macrocyclic ring the complexation of cations by aza-crown ethers plays an important but secondary role. The interaction of Na⁺ and K⁺ with 2-aminopyridin-4-yl-DPPs leads to moderate enhancement of fluorescence due to the aza-crown ethers binding. The very weak fluorescence of DPP bearing 2-dialkylamino-pyridine-4-yl substituents is due to the closely lying T₂ state and the resulting intersystem crossing.

Near-infrared dyes for two-photon absorption in the short-wavelength infrared: strategies towards optical power limiting

The recent advances in the field of two-photon absorbing chromophores in the short-wavelength infrared spectral range (SWIR 1100–2500 nm) are summarized, highlighting the development of optical power limiting devices in this spectral range.

Branching effect on the linear and nonlinear optical properties of styrylpyrimidines

The branching effect on the photophysical properties of styrylpyrimidines is studied experimentally and theoretically.

Buchwald-Hartwig Coupling at the Naphthalenediimide Core: Access to Dendritic, Panchromatic NIR Absorbers with Exceptionally Low Band Gap

The first successful Buchwald-Hartwig reaction at the naphthalenediimide core is reported, leading to the coupling of diverse secondary aromatic amines including dendritic donors. The G1-dendrimer-based donor exhibit blackish color, providing access to black absorbing systems. λ_onset values up to 1070 nm was achieved, which is the maximum from a single NDI scaffold. These dyes also manifest multielectron reservoir properties. A total of eight-redox states with a band gap of ∼0.95 eV was accomplished.

Symmetry Breaking in Pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrroles: Synthesis, Solvatofluorochromism and Two-photon Absorption

Five centrosymmetric and one dipolar pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrroles, possessing either two or one strongly electron-withdrawing nitro group have been synthesized in a straightforward manner from simple building blocks. For the symmetric compounds, the nitroaryl groups induced spontaneous breaking of inversion symmetry in the excited state, thereby leading to large solvatofluorochromism. To study the origin of this effect, the series employed peripheral structural motifs that control the degree of conjugation via altering of dihedral angle between the 4-nitrophenyl moiety and the electron-rich core. We observed that for compounds with a larger dihedral angle, the fluorescence quantum yield decreased quickly when exposed to even moderately polar solvents. Reducing the dihedral angle (i.e., placing the nitrobenzene moiety in the same plane as the rest of the molecule) moderated the dependence on solvent polarity so that the dye exhibited significant emission, even in THF. To investigate at what stage the symmetry breaking occurs, we measured two-photon absorption (2PA) spectra and 2PA cross-sections (σ_2PA ) for all six compounds. The 2PA transition profile of the dipolar pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole, followed the corresponding one-photon absorption (1PA) spectrum, which provided an estimate of the change of the permanent electric dipole upon transition, ≈18 D. The nominally symmetric compounds displayed an allowed 2PA transition in the wavelength range of 700-900 nm. The expansion via a triple bond resulted in the largest peak value, σ_2PA =770 GM, whereas altering the dihedral angle had no effect other than reducing the peak value two- or even three-fold. In the S₀ →S₁ transition region, the symmetric structures also showed a partial overlap between 2PA and 1PA transitions in the long-wavelength wing of the band, from which a tentative, relatively small dipole moment change, 2-7 D, was deduced, thus suggesting that some small symmetry breaking may be possible in the ground state, even before major symmetry breaking occurs in the excited state.

Two-photon absorption of the spatially confined LiH molecule

In the present contribution we study the influence of spatial restriction on the two-photon dipole transitions between the X¹Σ⁺ and A¹Σ⁺ states of lithium hydride. The bond-length dependence of the two-photon absorption strength is also analyzed for the first time in the literature. The highly accurate multiconfiguration self-consistent field (MCSCF) method and response theory are used to characterize the electronic structure of the studied molecule. In order to render the effect of orbital compression we apply a two-dimensional harmonic oscillator potential, mimicking the topology of cylindrical confining environments (e.g. carbon nanotubes, quantum wires). Among others, the obtained results provide evidence that at large internuclear distances the TPA response of lithium hydride may be significantly enhanced and this effect is much more pronounced upon embedding of the LiH molecule in an external confining potential. To understand the origin of the observed variation in the two-photon absorption response a two-level approximation is employed.

Synthesis, Characterization, Tautomeric Structure and Solvatochromic Behavior of Novel 4-(5-Arylazo-2-Hydroxystyryl)-1-Methylpyridinium Iodide as Potential Molecular Photoprobe

A novel series of the title compound 4-(5-arylazo-2-hydroxystyryl)-1-methylpyridinium iodide 6 has been synthesized via condensation reactions of the arylazosalicylaldehyde derivatives 4a–i with 1-methyl-picolinium iodide 5. The structures of the new arylazo compounds were characterized by ¹H NMR, IR, mass spectroscopy, as well as spectral and elemental analyses. The electronic absorption spectra of arylazomerocyanine compounds 6 were measured in different buffer solutions and solvents. The pK′s and pK*′s in both the ground and excited states, respectively, were determined for the series and their correlations with the Hammett equation were examined. The results indicated that the title arylazomerocyanine dyes 6 exist in the azo form 6A in both ground and excited states. The substituent and solvent effects (solvatochromism) of the title compound arylazomerocyanine dyes were determined using the Kamlet-Taft equation and subsequently discussed.

Solvent and branching effect on the two-photon absorption properties of push–pull triphenylamine derivatives

The photophysical and two-photon absorption (2PA) properties of two tri-podal molecules and of their quadrupolar and dipolar counterparts are reported for a series of solvents with varying polarity.

An internal charge transfer-dependent solvent effect in V-shaped azacyanines

New V-shaped non-centrosymmetric dyes, possessing a strongly electron-deficient azacyanine core, have been synthesized based on a straightforward two-step approach. The key step in this synthesis involves palladium-catalysed cross-coupling of dibromo-N,N'-methylene-2,2'-azapyridinocyanines with arylacetylenes. The resulting strongly polarized π-expanded heterocycles exhibit green to orange fluorescence and they strongly respond to changes in solvent polarity. We demonstrate that differently electron-donating peripheral groups have a significant influence on the internal charge transfer, hence on the solvent effect and fluorescence quantum yield. TD-DFT calculations confirm that, in contrast to the previously studied bis(styryl)azacyanines, the proximity of S1 and T2 states calculated for compounds bearing two 4-N,N-dimethylaminophenylethynyl moieties establishes good conditions for efficient intersystem crossing and is responsible for its low fluorescence quantum yield. Non-linear properties have also been determined for new azacyanines and the results show that depending on peripheral groups, the synthesized dyes exhibit small to large two-photon absorption cross sections reaching 4000 GM.

Pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrroles-From Unprecedented Solvatofluorochromism to Two-Photon Absorption

A combined experimental and theoretical study of the two-photon absorption (2PA) properties of a series of quadrupolar molecules possessing a highly electron-rich heterocyclic core, pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole, is presented. In agreement with quantum-chemical calculations, large 2PA cross-section values, σ2PA ≈10(2) -10(3)  GM (1 GM=10(50)  cm(4)  s photon(-1) ), are observed at wavelengths of 650-700 nm, which correspond to the two-photon allowed but one-photon forbidden transitions. The calculations also predict that increased planarity of this molecule through removal of two N-substituents leads to further increase in the σ2PA values. Surprisingly, the most quadrupolar pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole derivative, containing two 4-nitrophenyl substituents at positions 2 and 5, demonstrates a very strong solvatofluorochromic effect, with a fluorescence quantum yield as high as 0.96 in cyclohexane, whereas the fluorescence vanishes in DMSO.

A membrane-permeable dye for living cells with large two-photon excited fluorescence action cross-sections for bioimaging

The development of two-photon fluorophores remains an important issue. Dyes that possess both large two-photon excited fluorescence action cross-sections and cell membrane permeability are especially in demand to maximize the underlying virtue of two-photon microscopy for bioimaging. Herein, a novel two-photon excited fluorescence dye has been synthesized. This V-shaped dye exhibited large two-photon excited fluorescence action cross-sections and high plasma membrane permeability. Cell imaging experiments demonstrated that the dye could stain living cells with bright two-photon excited fluorescence. All the results have indicated the potential of the dye as a basic platform for the development of two-photon excited fluorescence probes.

Subtle structural changes in octupolar merocyanine dyes influence the photosensitized production of singlet oxygen

The photophysical properties of two indoline-based octupolar merocyanine dyes and of the corresponding quinoline-based dyes were examined. This seemingly subtle structural change in the chromophore of these molecules has an appreciable effect on the yields with which these respective compounds sensitize the production of singlet molecular oxygen, O2(a(1)Δg). The indoline-based dyes are reasonably efficient O2(a(1)Δg) sensitizers (ϕΔ ∼ 0.35), whereas the quinoline-based dyes are poor O2(a(1)Δg) sensitizers (ϕΔ ∼ 0.005). A series of experiments, including Laser-Induced Optoacoustic Calorimetric (LIOAC) measurements, reveal that this difference principally reflects the fact that the excited singlet state of the quinoline-based dyes rapidly and efficiently decays via nonradiative channels to regenerate the ground state molecule. It is likely that a charge-transfer state mediates this efficient coupling between the excited and ground states. Such subtle, structure-dependent effects are important in elucidating and ultimately understanding phenomena that influence the efficiency of photosensitized O2(a(1)Δg) production. In turn, the knowledge gained facilitates the rational design and preparation of O2(a(1)Δg) sensitizers with explicitly controlled properties.

A theoretical investigation of one-dimensional lithium-bonded chain: enhanced first hyperpolarizability and little red-shift

We present a theoretical investigation of the electric properties of two kinds of one-dimensional lithium bonded chains: (NC-Li)n and (NC-CC-Li)n (n = 1-8). The resulting (NC-Li)n and (NC-CC-Li)n were found to exhibit enhanced first hyperpolarizabilities (β 0) with increasing n, and a slight change in the absorption maximum wavelength λmax at the crucial transition. Comparing with (NC-Li)n, (NC-CC-Li)n exhibited particularly drastically enhanced β 0 values due to clearly enhanced coupled oscillators and double-degenerated charge transitions. β 0 is known to be the microscopic origin of the second-order non-linear optical (NLO) property, and λmax is an approximate measure of the transparency achievable, thus both are important indices of high-performance NLO molecules. Therefore, our investigations into one-dimensional lithium bond chains will be beneficial to understanding the relationship between β 0 and λmax, thus aiding the design of one-dimensional NLO materials with excellent transparence-efficiency.

Hydrogen-bond-directed-linking solving transparence-efficiency tradeoff in nonlinear optical molecule

It is well known that settling transparency-efficiency tradeoff is important to design nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. In this work, we constructed one-dimensional polymeric cyanoacetylene (NCCCH)n by hydrogen-bond-directed-linking to understand this tradeoff from molecular level. Results show that the first hyperpolarizability of (NCCCH)n (n=2-8) gradually increased with the increase of n, and what is more important is that the red-shifts, associated with the increase of n, were very little. It is proposed that these polymeric structures possess double-degenerated charge transitions, which contribute to the hyperpolarizability in an additive fashion, and that the coupled oscillators are gradually improved, which lead to the increase of the first hyperpolarizability. Therefore, we propose the hydrogen-bond-directed-linking idea is helpful to develop the potential high-performance NLO materials.

Near-infrared fluorescent probes in cancer imaging and therapy: an emerging field

Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging is an attractive modality for early cancer detection with high sensitivity and multi-detection capability. Due to convenient modification by conjugating with moieties of interests, NIRF probes are ideal candidates for cancer targeted imaging. Additionally, the combinatory application of NIRF imaging and other imaging modalities that can delineate anatomical structures extends fluorometric determination of biomedical information. Moreover, nanoparticles loaded with NIRF dyes and anticancer agents contribute to the synergistic management of cancer, which integrates the advantage of imaging and therapeutic functions to achieve the ultimate goal of simultaneous diagnosis and treatment. Appropriate probe design with targeting moieties can retain the original properties of NIRF and pharmacokinetics. In recent years, great efforts have been made to develop new NIRF probes with better photostability and strong fluorescence emission, leading to the discovery of numerous novel NIRF probes with fine photophysical properties. Some of these probes exhibit tumoricidal activities upon light radiation, which holds great promise in photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and photoimmunotherapy. This review aims to provide a timely and concise update on emerging NIRF dyes and multifunctional agents. Their potential uses as agents for cancer specific imaging, lymph node mapping, and therapeutics are included. Recent advances of NIRF dyes in clinical use are also summarized.

Four new two-photon polymerization initiators with varying donor and conjugated bridge: synthesis and two-photon activity

A specific series of dumbbell-shaped bis-carbazoles or bis-phenothiazines dyes (1, 2, 3 and 4) constructed with styrene or biphenylethyne as the π-bridge have been synthesized and characterized. Detailed spectral properties including linear absorption, one and two-photon fluorescence properties were investigated. The results show that extending conjugated chain and introducing donors have substantial effect on their photophysical properties. Among them, two-photon absorption cross sections (σ) of the four dyes in DMF determined by the Z-scan technique are successively increased from 1 to 4 with enhancing electron-donating ability and extending conjugated chain, but electron-donating ability has larger contribution to the σ values than extending conjugated chain based on the comparison of small molecules (D-π-D). Two-photon initiation polymerization (TPIP) microfabrication experiments have been carried out using compound 4 as an initiator under irradiation of 200 fs, 76 MHz femtosecond laser at 760 nm. The results confirm that the four dyes can be effectively used as organic two-photon photopolymerization initiators.

Charge instability of symmetry broken dipolar states in quadrupolar and octupolar triphenylamine derivatives

The quadrupolar and octupolar cyano triphenylamines shows symmetry broken dipolar charge transfer state, however, the thus formed state is distinctly different from that of its dipolar analogue.

Two-photon polarity probes built from octupolar fluorophores: synthesis, structure-properties relationships, and use in cellular imaging

A series of octupolar fluorophores built from a triphenylamine (TPA) core connected to electron-withdrawing (EW) peripheral groups through conjugated spacers has been synthesized. Their photoluminescence, solvatochromism, and two-photon absorption (2PA) properties were systematically investigated to derive structure-property relationships. All derivatives exhibit two 2PA bands in the 700-1000 nm region: a first band at low energy correlated with a core-to-periphery intramolecular charge transfer that leads to an intense 1PA in the blue-visible range, and a second more intense band at higher energy due to an efficient coupling of the branches through the TPA core. Increasing the strength of the EW end groups or the length of the conjugated spacers and replacing triple-bond linkers with double bonds induces both enhancement and broadening of the 2PA responses, thereby leading to cross-sections up to 2100 GM at peak and higher than 1000 GM over the whole 700-900 nm range. All derivatives exhibit intense photoluminescence (PL) in low- to medium-polarity environments (with quantum yields in the 0.5-0.9 range) and display a strong positive solvatochromic behavior (with Lippert-Mataga specific shifts ranging from 15,000 to 27,500 cm(-1)), triple bonds, and phenyl moieties in the conjugated spacers, thereby leading to larger sensitivities than those of double bonds and thienyl moieties. More hydrophilic derivatives were also shown to be biocompatible, to retain their 2PA and PL properties in biological conditions, and finally to be suitable as polarity sensors for multiphoton cell imaging.