Electron-Rich Dipyrrolonaphthyridinediones: Synthesis and Optical Properties

Dipyrrolonaphthyridinedione - (still) a mysterious cross-conjugated chromophore

Dipyrrolonaphthyridinediones (DPNDs) entered the chemical world in 2016. This cross-conjugated donor-acceptor skeleton can be prepared in two steps from commercially available reagents in overall yield ≈15-20% (5 mmol scale). DPNDs can be easily and regioselectively halogenated which opens an avenue to numerous derivatives as well as to π-expansion. Although certain synthetic limitations exist, the current derivatization possibilities provided impetus for numerous explorations that use DPNDs. Structural modifications enable bathochromic shift of the emission to deep-red region and reaching the optical brightness 30 000 M-1 cm-1. Intense absorption and strong emission of greenish-yellow light attracted the interest which eventually led to the discovery of their strong two-photon absorption, singlet fission in the crystalline phase and triplet sensitization. Dipyrrolonaphthyridinedione-based twistacenes broadened our knowledge on the influence of twisting angle on the fate of the molecule in the excited state. Collectively, these findings highlight the compatibility of DPNDs with various applications within organic optoelectronics.

Realization of nitroaromatic chromophores with intense two-photon brightness

Strong fluorescence is a general feature of dipyrrolonaphthyridinediones bearing two nitrophenyl substituents. Methyl groups simultaneously being weakly electron-donating and inducing steric hindrance appear to be a key structural parameter that allows for significant emission enhancement, whereas Et2N groups cause fluorescence quenching. The magnitude of two-photon absorption increases if 4-nitrophenyl substituents are present while the contribution of Et2N groups is detrimental.

Photophysical Insights of Halogenated Dipyrrolonaphthyridine-Diones as Potential Photodynamic Therapy Agents†

We report the synthesis and photophysical characterization of novel halogenated dipyrrolonaphthyridine-diones (X2 -DPNDs, X = Cl, Br, and I), as candidates for photodynamic therapy (PDT) application. Apart from the heavy atom-induced spin-orbit coupling (SOC) dynamics in the investigated X2 -DPNDs, it was found that the position of the halogen atom (relative to the nitrogen of the pyrrole ring) also influenced the triplet excited state behavior. Interestingly, the faster/efficiency sensitization of 3 O2 to 1 O2 using X2 -DPND correlates with the rate of triplet population, kISC  >1.6 × 108 s-1 for I2 -DPND vs kISC  >2.9 × 109 s-1 for Cl2 -DPND and Br2 -DPND (where τISC  = 343 ± 3 ps for I2 -DPND and τISC  = 5-6 ns for Cl2 -DPND and Br2 -DPND are the lowest time constants/values for ISC). Furthermore, the heavy atom-induced SOC in Cl2 -DPND and Br2 -DPND did not lead to a reduction of the corresponding fluorescence (ca 75% vs 67% for the parent DPND). The attractive photophysical characteristics of Cl2 /Br2 -DPND put them on the landscape as not only promising PDT agents but also as fluorescence probes. The present study is a stepping stone in the development of novel organic photosystems for synergistic photomedicinal applications.

Tuning the aromatic backbone twist in dipyrrolonaphthyridinediones

This communication describes the photophysical behavior of three analogs of cyclophane bearing the dipyrrolonaphthyridinedione (DPND) core. In these molecules, intersystem crossing (ISC) can be successfully induced by distinct changes in the deviation from planarity within the DPND core, allowing at the same time the emission maximum to shift from the green to red region of the visible spectrum without any synthetic modifications of the chromophore structure. This finding may build the foundation for a new paradigm for inducing ISC-type transitions within other centrosymmetric and planar cross-conjugated chromophores.

H-Type-like Aggregation-Accelerated Singlet Fission Process in Dipyrrolonaphthyridinedione Thin Film: The Role of Charge Transfer/Excimer Mixed Intermediate State

Through the combination of transient spectroscopy and theoretical simulations, an accelerated singlet fission (SF) process was evidently observed in the strongly coupled H-type-like aggregation thin films of a dipyrrolonaphthyridinedione skeleton. Results elucidate that in this H-type-like aggregation, the substantially stabilized charge transfer (CT) state is close in energy with singlet and excimer states, resulting in a CT/excimer mixed state, which could drive excited-state population escaping from excimer trap and promote an ultrafast and highly efficient SF process. Our results not only enrich the limited capacity of SF materials but also contribute to an in-depth understanding of SF dynamics in H-type aggregation, which is of fundamental importance for designing new SF sensitizers and implementing practical SF applications.

Potent strategy towards strongly emissive nitroaromatics through a weakly electron-deficient core

Nitroaromatics seldom fluoresce. The importance of electron-deficient (n-type) conjugates, however, has inspired a number of strategies for suppressing the emission-quenching effects of the strongly electron-withdrawing nitro group. Here, we demonstrate how such strategies yield fluorescent nitroaryl derivatives of dipyrrolonaphthyridinedione (DPND). Nitro groups near the DPND core quench its fluorescence. Conversely, nitro groups placed farther from the core allow some of the highest fluorescence quantum yields ever recorded for nitroaromatics. This strategy of preventing the known processes that compete with photoemission, however, leads to the emergence of unprecedented alternative mechanisms for fluorescence quenching, involving transitions to dark nπ* singlet states and aborted photochemistry. Forming nπ* triplet states from ππ* singlets is a classical pathway for fluorescence quenching. In nitro-DPNDs, however, these ππ* and nπ* excited states are both singlets, and they are common for nitroaryl conjugates. Understanding the excited-state dynamics of such nitroaromatics is crucial for designing strongly fluorescent electron-deficient conjugates.

Singlet Fission in a Pyrrole-Fused Cross-Conjugated Skeleton with Adaptive Aromaticity

Singlet fission (SF) materials hold the potential to increase the power conversion efficiency of solar cells by reducing the thermalization of high-energy excited states. The major hurdle in realizing this potential is the limited scope of SF-active materials with high fission efficiency, suitable energy levels, and sufficient chemical stability. Herein, using theoretical calculation and time-resolved spectroscopy, we developed a highly stable SF material based on dipyrrolonaphthyridinedione (DPND), a pyrrole-fused cross-conjugated skeleton with a distinctive adaptive aromaticity (dual aromaticity) character. The embedded pyrrole ring with 4n+2 π-electron features aromaticity in the ground state, while the dipole resonance of the amide bonds promotes a 4n π-electron Baird's aromaticity in the triplet state. Such an adaptive aromaticity renders the molecule efficient for the SF process [E(S₁) ≥ 2E(T₁)] without compromising its stability. Up to 173% triplet yield, strong blue-green light absorption, and suitable triplet energy of 1.2 eV, as well as excellent stability, make DPND a promising SF sensitizer toward practical applications.