Photonic Logic Gates Based on Control of FRET by a Solvatochromic Perylene Bisimide

Environment-sensitive fluorescence of COT-fused perylene bisimide based on symmetry-breaking charge separation

Flexible and aromatic photofunctional system (FLAP) is composed of flapping rigid aromatic wings fused with a flexible 8π ring at the center such as cyclooctatetraene (COT). A series of FLAP have been actively studied for the interesting dynamic behaviors. Here, we synthesized a new flapping molecule bearing naphtho-perylenebisimide wings (NPBI-FLAP), in which two perylene units are arranged side by side. As a reference compound, we also prepared COT-fused NPBI (NPBI-COT) that contains only single perylene unit. In both compounds, inherent strong fluorescence of the NPBI moiety is almost quenched and the FL lifetime becomes much shortened in highly polar solvents (acetone and DMF). Through the analyses of environment-sensitive fluorescence, electrochemical reduction/oxidation, and femtosecond transient absorption, the fluorescence quenching behavior was attributed to rapid symmetry-breaking charge separation (SB-CS) for NPBI-FLAP and to intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) for NPBI-COT. Most of the excited species of these compounds decay with the bent geometry, which is in contrast with the excited-state planarization behavior of a previously reported COT-fused peryleneimides with the double-headed arrangement of the perylene moieties. These results indicate that changing the fusion manners between COT and other π skeletons offers new functional molecules with distinct dynamics.

Magnetically controlled assembly: a new approach to organic integrated photonics

Hierarchical self-assembly of organic molecules or assemblies is of great importance for organic photonics to move from fundamental research to integrated and practical applications. Magnetic fields with the advantages of high controllability, non-contact manipulation, and instantaneous response have emerged as an elegant way to prepare organic hierarchical nanostructures. In this perspective, we outline the development history of organic photonic materials and highlight the importance of organic hierarchical nanostructures for a wide range of applications, including microlasers, optical displays, information encoding, sensing, and beyond. Then, we will discuss recent advances in magnetically controlled assembly for creating organic hierarchical nanostructures, with a particular focus on their potential for enabling the development of integrated photonic devices with unprecedented functionality and performance. Finally, we present several perspectives on the further development of magnetically controlled assembly strategies from the perspective of performance optimization and functional design of organic integrated photonics.

Intersystem Crossing and Triplet-State Property of Anthryl- and Carbazole-[1,12]fused Perylenebisimide Derivatives with a Twisted π-Conjugation Framework

Heavy atom-free triplet photosensitizers (PSs) are particularly of interest concerning both fundamental photochemistry study and practical applications. However, achieving efficient intersystem crossing (ISC) in planar heavy atom-free aromatic organic compounds is challenging. Herein, we demonstrate that two perylenebisimide (PBI) derivatives with anthryl and carbazole moieties fused at the bay position, showing twisted π-conjugation frameworks and red-shifted UV-vis absorption as compared to the native PBI chromophore (by 75-1610 cm^-1), possess efficient ISC (singlet oxygen quantum yield: Φ_Δ = 85%) and a long-lived triplet excited state (τ_T = 382 μs in fluid solution and τ_T = 4.28 ms in solid polymer film). Femtosecond transient absorption revealed ultrafast intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) process in the twisted PBI derivatives (0.9 ps), and the ISC takes 3.7 ns. Pulsed laser excited time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) spectra indicate that the triplet-state wave function of the twisted PBIs is mainly confined on the PBI core, demonstrated by the zero-field-splitting D parameter. Accordingly, the twisted derivatives have higher T₁ energy (E_T1 = 1.48-1.56 eV) as compared to the native PBI chromophore (1.20 eV), which is an advantage for the application of the derivatives as triplet PSs. Theoretical computation of the Franck-Condon density of states, based on excited-state dynamics methods, shows that the efficient ISC in the twisted PBI derivatives is due to the increased spin-orbit coupling matrix elements for the S₁-T₁ and S₁-T₂ states [spin-orbit coupling matrix element (SOCME): 0.11-0.44 cm^-1. SOCME is zero for native PBI], as well as the Herzberg-Teller vibronic coupling. For the planar benzoPBI, the moderate ISC is due to S₁ → T₂ transition (SOCME: 0.03 cm^-1. The two states share a similar energy, ca. 2.5 eV).

Diels–Alder reaction on perylenediimides: synthesis and theoretical study of core-expanded diimides

(Un)substituted perylenediimides react with (un)functionalized benzynes yielding core-expanded diimides.

Progress in the synthesis of perylene bisimide dyes

Rapid progress in the synthesis of perylene bisimide dyes gave an old scaffold new life.

Novel fluorescent probes for the fluoride anion based on hydroxy-substituted perylene tetra-(alkoxycarbonyl) derivatives

The fluoride anion (F⁻) sensing abilities of 1-hydroxyl-3,4,9,10-tetra (n-butoxyloxycarbonyl) perylene (probe 1) and 1-hydroxyl-mono-five-membered S-heterocyclic annulated tetra (n-butoxyloxycarbonyl) perylene (probe 2) were studied through visual detection experiments, UV-Vis, fluorescence, and ¹H NMR titrations. The probes were sensitive and selective for distinguishing F⁻ from other anions (Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, SO₄⁻, PF₆⁻, H₂PO₄⁻, BF₄⁻, ClO₄⁻, OH⁻, CH₃COO⁻, and HPO₄²⁻) through a change of UV-Vis and fluorescence spectra. The absorption and fluorescence emission properties of the probes arise from the intermolecular proton transfer (IPT) process between a hydrogen atom on the phenolic O position of probe and the F⁻ anion. The sensing mechanism was supported by theoretical investigation. Moreover, probe-based test strips can conveniently detect F⁻ without any additional equipment, and they can be used as fluorescent probes for monitoring F⁻ in living cells.

The fluoride anion (F⁻) sensing abilities of two fluorescent probes based on hydroxy-substituted perylene tetra-(alkoxycarbonyl) derivatives were studied through visual detection experiment, UV-Vis, fluorescence, and ¹H NMR titrations.

Controllable supramolecular self-assemblies (rods–wires–spheres) and ICT/PET based perylene probes for palladium detection in solution and the solid state

AC-PDIshows solvent dependent self-assembly into nanowires, rods and spheres. It could be used for detection of Pd⁰in 50% HEPES buffer–DMSO (39 nM, UV-Vis; 45 nM, fluorescence) and the solid state (0.58 pg cm⁻²).

Self-assembled vesicle and rod-like aggregates of functionalized perylene diimide: reaction-based near-IR intracellular fluorescent probe for selective detection of palladium

Aggregates ofPS-PDIafter Pd⁰based depropargylation show de-aggregation and near-IR, ratiometric absorbance changes in water and live HeLa cells.

Aggregates of a hetero-oligophenylene derivative as reactors for the generation of palladium nanoparticles: a potential catalyst in the Sonogashira coupling reaction under aerial conditions

Hetero-oligophenylene derivative 3 stabilized Pd nanoparticles serve as an excellent catalyst in a copper/amine free Sonogashira coupling reaction under aerial conditions at room temperature.

Anionic polymerization by an electron transfer process from a CdSe quantum dot–perylenediimide (PDI) system

Reversible physical interactions between CdSe quantum dots (QDs) and perylenediimide (PDI) derivatives have been investigated.

Probing the sensory property of perylenediimide derivatives in hydrazine gas: core-substituted aromatic group effect

In this contribution, four perylenediimide derivatives (PTCDIs) with different core-substituted aromatic groups were prepared. Studies on their sensing properties in hydrazine vapor (10 ppm)  suggested ∼5 orders of the magnitude in increased current for core-phenyl-substituted DEY was achieved and this value is 9, 9, and 24 times higher than that of core-pyridyl-substituted DSPY, DFPY, and DTPY, respectively. The differential response to the hydrazine vapor is less dependent on their surface area and morphologies. The lower LUMO energy and activation energy with smaller interplanar spacing allows DEY highly efficient sensing performance. A similar face-face packing mode and LUMO energy of DSPY and DFPY lead to both of them exhibiting the same sensing performance, while higher LUMO energy and head-to-tail packing modes with a greater interplanar spacing induce the less-efficient sensing performance of DTPY sensors. Discussions for structure-function relationships suggested that aromatic groups in the bay region have significant impact on PTCDI sensing performance by modulating energy level, interplanar spacing, and stacking modes.

Biophotonic logic devices based on quantum dots and temporally-staggered Förster energy transfer relays

Integrating photonic inputs/outputs into unimolecular logic devices can provide significantly increased functional complexity and the ability to expand the repertoire of available operations. Here, we build upon a system previously utilized for biosensing to assemble and prototype several increasingly sophisticated biophotonic logic devices that function based upon multistep Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) relays. The core system combines a central semiconductor quantum dot (QD) nanoplatform with a long-lifetime Tb complex FRET donor and a near-IR organic fluorophore acceptor; the latter acts as two unique inputs for the QD-based device. The Tb complex allows for a form of temporal memory by providing unique access to a time-delayed modality as an alternate output which significantly increases the inherent computing options. Altering the device by controlling the configuration parameters with biologically based self-assembly provides input control while monitoring changes in emission output of all participants, in both a spectral and temporal-dependent manner, gives rise to two input, single output Boolean Logic operations including OR, AND, INHIBIT, XOR, NOR, NAND, along with the possibility of gate transitions. Incorporation of an enzymatic cleavage step provides for a set-reset function that can be implemented repeatedly with the same building blocks and is demonstrated with single input, single output YES and NOT gates. Potential applications for these devices are discussed in the context of their constituent parts and the richness of available signal.

Manipulation of light flows in organic color-graded microstructures towards integrated photonic heterojunction devices

Organic color-graded optical waveguides permit low-power photonic analogies of diode/transistors based on the energy-transferred conversion of exciton species. The donor-acceptor junction can asymmetrically output blue/red colors due to the mono-directional energy transfer during light propagation. The switching function of transistors is achieved with an additional gate input by altering the ground state density of acceptors. These organic heterogeneous waveguides are further cascaded together to steer the guided light flows for potential applications in photonic integrations.

Synthesis of arylated perylene bisimides through C-H bond cleavage under ruthenium catalysis

Treatment of perylene bisimide (PBI) with various arylboronates in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst provides tetraarylated PBIs at 2,5,8,11-positions in good yields with perfect regioselectivity. The electronic nature of the introduced aryl substituents has a significant impact on their optical and electronic properties. This protocol has been applied to the synthesis of a water-soluble emissive PBI derivative.

Nickel(II) and iron(III) selective off-on-type fluorescence probes based on perylene tetracarboxylic diimide

Two novel "turn-on" fluorescent probes with perylene tetracarboxylic diimide (PDI) as the fluorophore and two different di-(2-picolyl)-amine (DPA) groups as the metal ion receptor (PDI-1 and PDI-2) were successfully synthesized with satisfactory yields. PDI-1 exhibited high selectivity toward Ni(2+) in the presence of various other metal cations including Zn(2+), Cd(2+) and Cu(2+) which were expected to interfere significantly. A 1 : 2 stoichiometry was found for the complex formed by PDI-1 and Ni(2+) by a Job's plot and by non-linear least square fitting of the fluorescence titration curves. By introducing an extra diamino ethylene group between DPA and the phenyl bridge, the receptor was modified and the high selectivity of the sensor toward Ni(2+) shifted to Fe(3+). The enhancement factor of the fluorescence response of PDI-2 to Fe(3+) was as high as 138. The binding behavior of the receptors in these two compounds is affected significantly by the PDI fluorophores. Most interestingly, both Ni(2+) and Fe(3+) are paramagnetic metal ions, which are known as fluorescence quenchers and are rarely targeted with "turn-on" fluorescence probes. This result suggests that PDIs are favorable fluorophores for a "turn-on" fluorescence probe for paramagnetic transition metal ions because of their high oxidation potential.

Photoinduced electron and energy transfer in aryldihydropyridines

Dimethyl 2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylates (Hantzsch DHPs) fluoresce weakly in fluid solution. However, these compounds exhibit an efficient fluorescence both in a viscous medium (glycerin) at room temperature and in a glassy matrix at 77 K (but no phosphorescence, since ISC is negligible). DHPs bearing an aryl group in position 4 have been synthesized. These contain two different pi systems separated by an sp(3) carbon (DHP-Ar dyads). The occurrence of energy and electron transfer processes between the chromophores is investigated through luminescence measurements. In particular, when (3)Ar emits at a slow rate (e.g., Ar = phenanthryl) or not at all (Ar = nitrophenyl) the intradyad forward/backward electron transfer sequence offers a path for arriving at the DHP-localized triplet and the corresponding phosphorescence is observed. When (3)Ar emits at a faster rate (Ar = acylphenyl), the phosphorescence from either of the two localized triplets, (3)Ar or (3)DHP, can be observed depending on lambda(exc). When the aryl group has a triplet energy lower than that of (3)DHP, this functions as emitting (4-cyano-1-naphthyl) or nonemitting (MeO(2)CCH horizontal lineCHC(6)H(4)) energy sink. The results document the possibility of building tailor-made Hantzsch aryldihydropyridines as versatile photoactivated dyads.