Excited State Intramolecular Charge Transfer Suppressed Proton Transfer Process in 4-(Diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde

Modulation of excited state intramolecular proton transfer and intramolecular charge transfer pathways of symmetrical azines through micellar medium

The photophysical studies of fluorescent probes in micellar medium can give a better insight about their interaction with biological membranes. This study attempts to access the photophysical properties of the dual emitting azine based probe diethylamino salicylidene azine dimer (DEASAD) in micellar media. DEASAD showed dual charge transfer emission due to the presence of open enol (480 nm) and closed enol (510 nm) forms in polar protic solvents. Upon increasing the concentration of ionic surfactants, there is a significant increase in the emission intensity of both the enol forms of DEASAD until premicellar concentration. After micellization, occurrence of a new anomalous keto form emission through excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) was observed around 530 nm in ionic micelles and its intensity changes depend on the micellar surface charge. The emission studies revealed the position and interaction of DEASAD with the charge of micellar stern layer as confirmed through interaction of metal ion with the probe and control molecules with and without ESIPT and ICT moieties. In contrast, the new anomalous longer wavelength keto form of DEASAD emission was absent in neutral micelles like Triton X-100.

Ultrafast excited state dynamics of pyridine N-oxide derivative in solution; femtosecond fluorescence up-conversion and theoretical calculations

In this study we have investigated 2-ethylamino-4-nitro-6-methyl pyridine N-oxide (2E6M) molecule that belongs to important group of Proton Coupled Electron Transfer (PCET) compounds where both the charge transfer (CT) and proton transfer processes in excited states may proceed. In this case, this is possible due to the donors and acceptors of electrons and protons in this system, as well as due to the presence of intramolecular {N-H… O [2,566(3) Å}, hydrogen bond.Using stationary and time-resolved spectroscopy, as well as quantum chemical calculations on the DFT and TD DFT B3LYP/6-31G (d,p) level of theory, a partial CT nature of the S₀ → S₁ transition in both tautomeric forms (N and T) has been revealed. Additionally, the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process shown to be more favorable in apolar and weakly polar solvents than in strongly polar acetonitrile (E_N(S1) > E_T(S1). The displacement of charge from the amine group and the ring to the nitro group has been observed on the changing shapes of the HOMO and LUMO orbitals involved in this transition what further quantitatively allowed to realize the increase in the dipole moment of both forms in the electronic excited state. The calculations show that in two solvents with radically different polarity (heptane, acetonitrile), dipole moments of both forms are very similar [in acetonitrile u_N(S₁) and u_T(S₁) are 11.0 D and 11.5 D, respectively]. Hence, in polar media both forms can be stabilized in a comparable manner. This made it difficult for us to assign a single fluorescent band in acetonitrile to one of the tautomeric forms. However, it seems that due to application of time-resolved spectroscopy, this problem has been clarified. The TCSPC decay curve in acetonitrile with an ultrafast lifetime assigned to the (N) form, along with the femtosecond up-conversion signals that demonstrated only an ultrafast decay without any rise-time of a new excited (T) species, allowed us to conclude that in 2E6M in strongly polar solvent the ESIPT does not occur.The unique fluorescence band origins from the (N) form. In protic solvents, the significant kinetic isotopic effects have provided us with conclusive evidence for the presence of the solvent-assisted ESIPT process. Furthermore, it was noticed that the fluorescence lifetime in D₂O (100-120 fs) estimated from the up-conversion signals is about 40 times shorter relative to methanol. This may suggest that the sine qua non for the ESIPT process in 2E6M in protic solvents is the formation of a complex with a solvent molecule in the hydrogen bridge between the proton donor and proton acceptor, respectively.

An ESIPT-ICT steered naphthylthioic-based ionic probe with dual emissive channels exhibiting CHEF and CHEQ effects

A naphthylthioic-based emissive probe (M) bearing a hydroxyl and amine group was designed and synthesized via a one-step Schiff base reaction process. The probe was characterized spectroscopically using ¹H NMR, UV-Vis and fluorescence spectrophotometers. The probe turned out to be spectroscopically and colorimetrically selective and sensitive to multiple cations and anions. Interestingly, the probe displayed characteristics of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT)-driven dual emissive channels; experiencing fluorescence enhancement upon the molar additions of Al³⁺ as well as the anions used, events presumably ascribed to chelation fluorescence enhancement (CHEF), hydrogen bonding and deprotonation effects. Moreover, the fluorometric titration with Hg²⁺ resulted in ratiometric spectral behaviors of M, with the disappearance of the peak at 450 nm, concomitant with the appearance of a new peak at 520 nm, distinguished by a clear isosbestic point, the same behaviors exhibited by Sn²⁺ and Ag⁺ analytes towards M. The introduction of all other cations used, resulted in fluorescence quenching, attributable to chelation enhanced fluorescence quenching (CHEQ), thereby inhibiting the ESIPT process. The experiments were all carried out in the aqueous environment medium of DMSO–H₂O (9 : 1) at ambient temperature. Theoretical density functional theory calculations were carried out to gain insight into the interaction of M with cations and anions, and their influence on the HOMO–LUMO energy gaps.

A naphthylthioic-based emissive probe (M) bearing a hydroxyl and amine group was designed and synthesized via a one-step Schiff base reaction process.

Proton transfer inhibited charge transfer in a coumarinyl chalcone: Hassle free detection of chloroform vapor in alcohol medium and in neat solution

The photophysical aspects of a synthesized coumarinyl chalcone derivative 3-((2E, 4E)-5-(4-(dimethylamino) phenyl) penta-2, 4-dienoyl)-4-hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-one (DPPHC) were explored. DPPHC shows excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) suppressed excited state intramolecular charge transfer (ESICT) as evidenced from steady state and time resolved spectroscopic analysis. Interestingly, DPPHC behaves as a strong red emitter solely in chloroform and dichloromethane semi-polar solvents exclusively. Using this property, on-spot detection of these two solvents was achieved in paper strips coated with DPPHC as well as in spiked alcohol samples by emission ratiometry change.

Revised the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer direction of the BTHMB molecule: A theoretical study

The spectroscopic properties of 3-(benzo[d]-thiazol-2-yl)-2-hydroxy-5-methoxy benzaldehyde molecule were investigated [J. Phys. Chem. A 2019, 123, 10246-10253]. The result shows that the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) was driven toward the N center over the O center. In this research, the density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory method were used to calculate molecule structures. Through our calculations, the ESIPT process toward N atom is proved to be feasible. Moreover, the emission peak we obtained of ESIPT process from the OH proton to aldehyde O atom is located at 564 nm, which is attributed to 500 nm in previous research. From the potential energy curves, the 0.35 kcal/mol energy barrier indicates the ESIPT process could occur when excited to S1 state from the OH proton to aldehyde O atom. In addition, the frontier molecular orbitals analysis and IR spectrum were also calculated. Finally, we revise the direction of BTHMB molecule, the two directions of ESIPT are both feasible when excited to S₁ state.

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.

Ratiometric ultrasensitive optical chemisensor film based antibiotic drug for Al(III) and Cu(II) detection

Herein, we developed and designed a novel ratiometric optical chemisensor film for determining Al(III) and Cu(II) in low concentration ranges. The chemisensor film consists of (a) antibacterial drug Ciprofloxacin (CPFX) [1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(piperaziny-l-yl) quinolone-3carboxylic acid] and (b) a reference dye 5,10,15,20- tetrakis (pentafluorophenyl) porphyrin (TFPP) in a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix. PVC was applied as a homogeneous system for mixing CPFX and TFPP. The emission intensity of the CPFX in the PVC matrix varies depending on the concentrations of the Al(III) and Cu(II) ions. When the sensor film is immersed in different Al(III) concentrations, a significant fluorescence enhancement of the CPFX at (427 nm) is observed. Furthermore, the fluorescence intensity of the red emission of the TFPP dye at (644 nm) does not alter. However, in the presence of Cu(II) ions, a considerable emission quenching of the CPFX peak at (427 nm) is observed. PVC provides a great permeability and penetration facilities of dissolved ions that make the sensor film sensitive to Al(III) or Cu(II) changes outside the matrix. The film displays immense sensitivity depending on their distinctive optical characteristics of CPFX and detection capabilities within a low detection limit LOD for Al(III) and Cu(II). The LOD values were estimated to be 2.05 x 10^-7 M and 1.04 x 10^-7 M respectively with a relative standard deviation RSD_r (1%, n=3). Density functional theory (DFT) and the time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) theoretical calculations were performed to study Cu(II) and Al(III) complexation structures and their electronic properties in solution and in the sensor film. The interference of the chemisensor film was examined using different cations and the chemisensor provides significant selectivity. We develop a new ratiometric chemisensor based on PVC polymer film for Al(III) and Cu(II) detection.

Donor-Pyrene-Acceptor Distance-Dependent Intramolecular Charge-Transfer Process: A State-Specific Solvation Preferred to the Linear-Response Approach

Photoinduced intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) molecules are important in various applications such as a probe for single-molecule spectroscopy, cell imaging, laser dyes, biomarkers, solar cells, in photosynthesis, etc. Here, we report a new set of substituted pyrene dye molecules, N,N-dimethylamino nitrilo pyrene and its higher analogues, containing pull-push donor (D)-chromophore (π)-acceptor (A) functional groups with enhanced photophysical characteristics like oscillator strength, light-harvesting, and ICT properties. The excited-state ICT process has been established by quantum chemical calculations using the density functional theory method in vacuo and in solvents of different polarity and hydrogen-bonding ability using linear-response (LR) and state-specific (SS) solvation approaches with gradually increasing the D-A distance. The studied molecules show solvent polarity-dependent larger Stokes' shifts (3609-9016 cm^-1, in acetonitrile), higher excited-state dipole moments (11.7-16.8 Debye, in acetonitrile), higher possibilities of highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) electronic transitions, etc., which support the occurrence of the excited-state ICT process. Here, we demonstrate how to increase the efficiency of the ICT process and also tune the ICT fluorescence maximum. We find that with a variation of the D-A distance, studied molecules show a noticeable effect on the spectroscopic and molecular properties such as the position of absorption and fluorescence band maxima, Stokes' shift, dipole moment, light-harvesting, and ICT properties. We also show that the SS solvation approach is more supportive than the LR method to the ICT process.

An azine based sensor for selective detection of Cu2+ ions and its copper complex for sensing of phosphate ions in physiological conditions and in living cells

A simple and cost effective unsymmetrical azine based Schiff base, 5-diethylamino-2-[(2-hydroxy-benzylidene)hydrazonomethyl]-phenol (1) was synthesized which selectively detect Cu²⁺ ions in the presence of other competitive ions through "naked eye" in physiological conditions (EtOH-buffer (1:1, v/v, HEPES 10mM, pH=7.4)). The presence of Cu²⁺ induce color change from light yellow green to yellow with the appearance of a new band at 450nm in UV-Vis spectra of Schiff base 1. The fluorescence of Schiff base 1 (10μM) was quenched completely in the presence of 2.7 equiv. of Cu²⁺ ions. Sub-micromolar limit of detection (LOD=3.4×10^-7M), efficient Stern-Volmer quenching constant (K_SV=1.8×10⁵Lmol^-1) and strong binding constant (log K_b=5.92) has been determined with the help of fluorescence titration profile. Further, 1-Cu²⁺ complex was employed for the detection of phosphate ions (PO₄^3-, HPO₄^2- and H₂PO₄^-) at micromolar concentrations in EtOH-buffer of pH7.4 based on fluorescence recovery due to the binding of Cu²⁺ with phosphate ions. Solubility at low concentration in aqueous medium, longer excitation (406nm) and emission wavelength (537nm), and biocompatibility of Schiff base 1 formulates its use in live cell imaging.

Solvatochromism and linear solvation energy relationship of the kinase inhibitor SKF86002

We studied the spectroscopic characteristics of SKF86002, an anti-inflammatory and tyrosine kinase inhibitor drug candidate. Two conformers SKF86002A and SKF86002B are separated by energy barriers of 19.68kJ·mol(-1) and 6.65kJ·mol(-1) due to H-bonds, and produce the three major UV-Vis absorption bands at 325nm, 260nm and 210nm in cyclohexane solutions. This environment-sensitive fluorophore exhibited emission in the 400-500nm range with a marked response to changes in environment polarity. By using twenty-two solvents for the solvatochromism study, it was noticed that solvent polarity, represented by dielectric constant, was well correlated with the emission wavelength maxima of SKF86002. Thus, the SKF86002 fluorescence peak red shifted in aprotic solvents from 397.5nm in cyclohexane to 436nm in DMSO. While the emission maximum in hydrogen donating solvents ranged from 420nm in t-butanol to 446nm in N-methylformamide. Employing Lippert-Mataga, Bakhshiev and Kawski models, we found that one linear correlation provided a satisfactory description of polarity effect of 18 solvents on the spectral changes of SKF86002 with R(2) values 0.78, 0.80 and 0.80, respectively. Additionally, the multicomponent linear regression analysis of Kamlet-Taft (R(2)=0.94) revealed that solvent acidity, basicity and polarity accounted for 31%, 24% and 45% of solvent effects on SKF86002 emission, respectively. While Catalán correlation (R(2)=0.92) revealed that solvatochromic change of SKF86002 emission was attributed to changes in solvent dipolarity (71%), solvent polarity (12%), solvent acidity (11%) and solvent basicity (6%). Plot of Reichardt transition energies and emission energies of SKF86002 in 18 solvents showed also a linear correlation with R(2)=0.90. The dipole moment difference between excited and ground state was calculated to be 3.4-3.5debye.

Solvent H-bond accepting ability induced conformational change and its influence towards fluorescence enhancement and dual fluorescence of hydroxy meta-GFP chromophore analogue

The effect of structural rigidity towards enhancement of fluorescence quantum yield of GFP chromophore analogues has been documented. In the present study, a new way of enhancing the fluorescence quantum yield of two ortho-meta GFP chromophore analogues meta-methoxy-ortho-hydroxy-benzylimidazolidinone (abbreviated as mOMe-HBDI) and meta-diethylamino-ortho-hydroxyl imidazolidinone (abbreviated as MOHIM) has been reported. This enhancement is controlled by the H-bond accepting ability (denoted as β value) of the solvent and happens only in the case of GFP chromophore analogues having ortho (hydroxyl)-meta (electron donating group) and not in the case of analogues having a para electron donating group. The ground state (solid) conformation of mOMe-HBDI has been obtained from single crystal X-ray analysis, exhibiting the existence of strong intramolecular H-bonding. However, in solution phase, as the solvent β value increases, the strength of intramolecular H-bonding decreases. This process has strong influence on the relative conformational orientation of phenyl and imidazolidinone rings. For mOMe-HBDI, fluorescence quantum yield increases with increase in β value of the solvents. However, the effect of solvent polarity cannot be completely ruled out. The lower wavelength emission band (∼480 nm) has been assigned to the normal charge-transferred (CT) species, whereas the highly Stokes shifted emission band (∼660 nm) has been assigned to the proton-transferred (PT) tautomer species for mOMe-HBDI. In solvents of low β value (say hexane) only the PT band and in solvents of high β value (say DMSO) only the CT band is observed. Quite interestingly, in solvents of intermediate β value both CT and PT bands, thus dual emission, are observed. For mOMe-HBDI when fluorescence decay is monitored at the normal CT emission band, it is observed to be biexponential in nature. The short component increases from ∼0.2 ns to 0.6 ns and the long component increases from 1 to 3.6 ns as the β value of the solvent increases. For a particular solvent, when fluorescence decay is monitored at the normal CT band, as the monitoring wavelength increases the amplitude of the long lifetime component increases and that of the short lifetime component decreases. Time-resolved area-normalised emission spectral (TRANES) analysis confirms the possible existence of two conformers having differential stabilisation by solvent polarity. When fluorescence decay is monitored at the PT band an instrument response limited (<60 ps) decay is noted. Strong support in favour of the above-mentioned structural, steady state and time-resolved optical observations and analyses has been obtained from the methoxy derivative mOMe-MBDI and MOMIM.

A photochromic-acidochromic HCl fluorescent probe. An unexpected chloride-directed recognition

Non-classical protomerism of Schiff bases offers several advantages; for example, specific interactions in the -C[double bond, length as m-dash]N- linkage can be controlled and differentiated because the interactions are not governed by keto-enol tautomerism. Herein, the pH sensing properties of a new protomeric Schiff base probe () are reported. In particular, among several acids, the probe displays significant optical responses upon interaction with hydrochloric acid (HCl). X-ray structural analysis confirmed the existence of an intermolecular interaction with HCl through a -C[double bond, length as m-dash]NH-ClO- linkage. Moreover, an optical response via a second channel is manifested as photochromic fluorescence behavior. The properties of were investigated by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy in a solution and the solid state. Its strong acidofluorochromic behavior was analyzed and its pKa and values were determined, which revealed a photobasic character. Positive solvatochromism that resulted from specific interactions taking place in was studied using four different solvent scales, namely, Lippert-Mataga, Kamlet-Taft, Catalán and the recently proposed scale of Laurence et al., which yielded consistent results. Finally, theoretical calculations were conducted to analyze the mechanism of the probe in terms of natural transition orbitals (NTOs) and the spatial extent of charge transfer excitations.

Determination of the ground- and excited-state dipole moments of bromocresol purple in protic and aprotic solvents

Although it has been widely recognized that hydrogen bonds play a significant role in the photophysics of molecules, this phenomenon has rarely been applied to the solvatochromic method for determination of dipole moments. The difference in the dipole moment between the ground and excited state was determined in protic and aprotic solvents using both the Lippert-Mataga equation and the Bilot-Kawski equation for bromocresol purple, a molecule capable of hydrogen-bond donation and acceptance. The dipole change in protic environments was determined to be 15.2 ± 1.0 D for the Lippert-Mataga method and 9.2 ± 1.0 D for the Bilot-Kawski method, while the change in aprotic environments was 10.4 ± 1.0 D and 6.7 ± 1.0 D, respectively. Both methods highlighted the importance of hydrogen bonding in stabilizing increased charge-separation of the excited state, allowing for larger changes in dipole moments in protic environments. This study further validates a simple, rational modification to the commonly used methods that allows access to dipole-moment data on dyes with hydrogen-bonding capabilities through solvatochromic experiments.

Turn-on pH nano-fluorosensor based on imidazolium salicylaldehyde ionic liquid-labeled silica nanoparticles

A turn-on pH nano-fluorosensor based on a new probe labeled SiNPs was designed. The new probe is based on ESIPT process for Sal bearing 2-MeIm ionic liquid terminal. The pH sensing performance of the nanosensor has been investigated.

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.

Red-shifted fluorescent aminated derivatives of a conformationally locked GFP chromophore

A novel class of fluorescent dyes based on conformationally locked GFP chromophore is reported. These dyes are characterized by red-shifted spectra, high fluorescence quantum yields and pH-independence in physiological pH range. The intra- and intermolecular mechanisms of radiationless deactivation of ABDI-BF2 fluorophore by selective structural locking of various conformational degrees of freedom were studied. A unique combination of solvatochromic and lipophilic properties together with "infinite" photostability (due to a dynamic exchange between free and bound dye) makes some of the novel dyes promising bioinspired tools for labeling cellular membranes, lipid drops and other organelles.

2-{2-[4-(Dimethylamino)phenyl]-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-ylidene}malononitrile: a colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for low pH values

For developing intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) chemosensors for low pH values, 2-{2-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-ylidene}malononitrile (DPM) was designed and synthesized. The spectroscopic and pH-sensing properties of DPM were investigated by UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. This sensor exhibited a pH-dependent ratiometric absorption property in the range of pH 0-3, along with a reversible color change from yellow to colorless with increasing acid concentration. The fluorescence intensity of the sensor was increased with increasing pH within the pH range of 0-2.