Excited state intramolecular proton transfer in 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine: effects of solvents

Light-Driven Switching between Intramolecular Proton-Transfer and Charge-Transfer States

A molecular photoswitch, 2-(4'-diethylamino-2'-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine (DHP), with mutually independent paths of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) and twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) was developed. Control over these processes was attained by switching the solvents. Depending on the solvent's hydrogen-bond capacity and polarity, either one of the photoprocesses (ESIPT or TICT) or both can be triggered. Accordingly, normal and tautomer emissions, normal and TICT emissions, or triple emission of normal, tautomer, and TICT were obtained from the molecule. The emissions were resolved by fluorescence lifetime. The conclusions were established by synthesizing and studying the methoxy derivative of the molecule.

Excited state proton transfer based fluorescent molecular probes and their application in studying lipid bilayer membranes

The distribution and prototropic equilibria of 1-naphthol (NpOH) in lipid bilayer membrane.

An unusual deprotonation trend in 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)pyridoimidazoles

The anion sensitivity and the deprotonation nature of the nitrogenous analogues of 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole (HPBI) are investigated in a polar aprotic medium. It is observed that the substitution of pyridyl nitrogen enhances the anion sensitivity. However, despite the enhanced sensitivity of the nitrogenous analogues the deprotonation of these molecules in the presence of strong anions is less favored as compared to HPBI. This anomalous trend observed for the nitrogenous analogs is discussed and explained using theoretical calculations and experimental findings. It is also found that the sensitivity towards anions and the formation of anions also depend on the position of the pyridyl nitrogen.

Switching between cis and trans anions of 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole: a molecular rotation perturbed by chemical stabilization

Despite the fact that 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole (HPBI) exists as the cis and trans enol in neutral form, it was reported to exist only in the trans form upon deprotonation in an aqueous medium. It was also shown that the dianion formed in the ground state can be re-protonated to form the trans-anion in the excited state. In the present study, the cis-anion and dianion could be obtained upon proper stabilization in suitable environments. Switching between the cis and trans-anion was demonstrated to be possible by changing the environment. Theoretical calculations were performed to substantiate the existence of the cis-anion and dianion. In contrast to a literature report, it was shown that the 'OH' group deprotonates before the 'NH' group to form a monoanion not only in protic solvents but also in aprotic solvents.

Exclusive excited state intramolecular proton transfer from a 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole derivative

The existence of trans-enol was made unviable by crafting a steric hindrance that stops the normal emission of bis-HPBI.

Photophysics of 2-(4'-amino-2'-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazo-[4,5-c]pyridine and its analogues: intramolecular proton transfer versus intramolecular charge transfer

Photophysical characteristics of 2-(4'-amino-2'-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazo-[4,5-c]pyridine (AHPIP-c) have been studied in various aprotic and protic solvents using UV-visible, steady state fluorescence and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. To comprehend the competition between the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) processes, the photophysical properties of 2-(4'-amino-2'-methoxyphenyl)-1H-imidazo-[4,5-c]pyridine (AMPIP-c) and 2-(4'-aminophenyl)-1H-imidazo-[4,5-c]pyridine (APIP-c) were also investigated. Though APIP-c displays twisted ICT (TICT) emission in protic solvents, AHPIP-c exhibits normal and tautomer emissions in aprotic as well as in protic solvents due to ESIPT. However, the methoxy derivative, AMPIP-c, emits weak TICT fluorescence in methanol.

Spectroscopic characteristics of the micro-environmentally induced H-bond transformation in anil-type species: experimental and theoretical study

The results of combined experimental and theoretical investigations of the spectral behavior of anil-type systems are presented. Two species: N-triphenylmethylsalicylidene imine (MS1) and N-salicylidene methylamine (SmA) were studied. The electronic (absorption, emission and excitation) spectra of MS1 at room temperature were investigated in pure isooctane as well as in acetonitrile and methanol solutions by the steady-state experiments. A mechanism of molecular processes in the ground and excited states in different microenvironments is also proposed. It includes formation of intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds, their role in stabilization of molecular conformations and conformation equilibria. The "solvent assisted" proton transfer reaction and rearrangement were modeled using complexes obtained by attaching methanol molecules to the species studied. The OH-rotamer of SmA was also considered. Infrared and Raman spectra were predicted for MS1 and SmA and compared with the experimental data. An analysis of fundamental vibration frequencies was carried out. Quantum chemical ab initio calculations at the HF/6-31G** level were performed for the species studied and their complexes. Chemical formula of anil-type compound: N-salicylidene methylamine (SmA), N-salicylideneaniline (SA) and N-triphenylmethylsalicylidene imine (MS1). [Structure: see text].

Inter- and intramolecular excited state proton transfer in 2-hydroxy-9H-carzole-1-carboxylic acid

Absorption, fluorescence and fluorescence excitation spectroscopy and single photon counting time dependence spectrofluorimetry have been used to study the inter- and intramolecular excited state proton transfer (ESIPT) reactions in 2-hydroxy-9H-carbazole-1-carboxylic acid (2-HCA). Except in cyclohexane and water (pH 5) dual fluorescence is observed in rest of the solvents used. Normal Stokes shifted band seems to originate from 2-HCA-1-c and tautomer emission band from the tautomer formed by ESIPT in 2-HCA-1-c followed by structural reorganization. Both these emission band systems originate from the same ground state species. AM1 and CNDO/S-CI calculations have been carried out to establish the identity of the species. Different prototropic equilibria have been determined and discussed.