The impact of π-π stacking interactions on photo-physical properties of hydroxyanthraquinones

The impact of π-π stacking interactions on photo-physical properties of hydroxyanthraquinone (HA) has been investigated using the density functional (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations in the gas phase and solution media. The vertical transition is characterized with strong HOMO-LUMO transition in the complexes. The intramolecular hydrogen bond (IHB) made in the HA and π-π complexes is strengthened after S₀ → S₁ excitation, such that the proton transfers is facilitated in the first excited state. The complexes exhibit an exothermic excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) in the solution media, which is a barrierless process for some complexes. The π-π stacking interaction affects the absorption and emission bands of HA, and provides a large Stokes shift. This indicates the desirable fluorescence properties of π-π complexes, which are cross-validated by geometries, potential energy curve scannings, electronic and vibrational spectra, and frontier molecular orbital analyses.

Surprising Solid-State ESIPT Emission from Apparently Ordinary Salicyliden Glycinates Schiff Bases

Excited-State Intramolecular Photon Transfer (ESIPT) is known for the geometry-related phenolic and imine groups. The Schiff bases formed upon condensation of salicyl aldehyde and glycine led to the formation of ESIPT models. A series of alkali metal salicyliden glycinates were analyzed by X-ray diffraction of their monocrystals and spectroscopy measurements. The X-ray analysis revealed varied hydration levels between the salts. They adapted trans geometry on the imine groups and mostly anticlinal conformation with the neighboring atoms, which is different from the other structurally-related compounds in literature. Fluorescence of these compounds was found for the crystalline forms only. Protonation of the imine nitrogen atom and further proton distribution was consistent with the ESIPT theory, which also explained the observed fluorescence with the highest Stokes shift of 10,181 cm^-1 and 10.1% of fluorescence quantum yield for the sodium salt.

Solvent Effect on Excited-State Intramolecular Proton-Coupled Charge Transfer Reaction in Two Seven-Membered Ring Pyrrole-Indole Hydrogen Bond Systems

In the past decades, tremendous efforts have been invested into organic molecules involved in the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction due to their enormously Stokes-shifted fluorescence and distinctive photophysical properties. The alterations of the environmental medium can effectively adjust the luminous performance of ESIPT molecules, which inspires us to unravel the solvent effect on the ESIPT mechanism. Here, we report the solvent-dependent excited-state properties of two new seven-membered ring pyrrole-indole ESIPT molecules, g-PPDBI and e-PPDBI, by steady-state spectra, picosecond transient fluorescence spectra, femtosecond transient absorption spectra, and theoretical calculations. The bathochromic-shifted normal fluorescence and the negligibly shifted tautomer fluorescence suggest the occurrence of an excited-state intramolecular proton-coupled charge transfer reaction. Thus, the solvent effect plays a vital role in stabilizing the intramolecular charge transferred state, resulting in a higher ESIPT reaction barrier in more polar solvents. Additionally, the observation of the slight dynamic difference between PPDBIs with different π-conjugation positions provides a new strategy to adjust the performance of ESIPT molecules.

Fine-tuned dual fluorescence behavior of N-substituted aniline-imidazopyridine based switches: Mechanistic understanding, substituent and solvent effects

In order to understand the fine-tuned photo-physical behaviors of the N(X)-H⋯N systems, the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) switching in the N-substituted X_1-5-NHIPA molecules (NHIPA = 2-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-2-yl)aniline and X = H, COCH₃, CH₃C₆H₄SO₂, C₆F₅SO₂, and COCF₃) were investigated in detail in gas phase and three solvent media at TD-PBE0/6-311++G(d,p) and TD-M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) levels of theory. ESIPT reactions at S₁ state were approximately without energy barrier, exergonic processes and were quantitatively demonstrated to be mainly sensitive to substituents and solvent media. The X-NHIPA (X = CH₃C₆H₄SO₂, C₆F₅SO₂ and CF₃CO) compounds were predicted to undergo fast, irreversible proton transfer at S₁ state and, in turn, exhibit tautomer emission with anomalous large Stokes shift in the gas phase. In the toluene solvent, except for C₆F₅SO₂-NHIPA that showed exclusively a tautomer emission with a long wavelength, all other X-NHIPA molecules were predicted to involve in the reversible ESIPT and hence exhibit a dual normal and tautomer emissions behavior, in good agreement with the experimental observations. In polar solvents, it is expected that all compounds show dual normal and tautomer emissions. The nearly equal intensities of the normal and tautomer emissions can lead to the generation of the white lights with the potential in lighting applications.

Synthesis, Structure and Fluorescence Properties of Two Metal-Organic Frameworks Based on a Benzimidazole-Derived Ligand

The luminescent complexes [Cd(BIMP)2(NDC)2]n and [Zn(BIMP)2(NDC)]n (where (3-BIMP) = 3-(1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)pyridin-2(1H)-one and NDC = 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid) have been synthesised under hydrothermal conditions and their crystal structures determined. [Cd(BIMP)2(NDC)2]n exhibited a 1D → 2D → 3D framework structure and [Zn(BIMP)2(NDC)]n has a 3D porous structure. Under the same excitation energy (λex = 389 nm), [Zn(BIMP)2(NDC)]n showed a stronger fluorescence emission than the free 3-BIMP ligand, the NDC ligand and [Cd(BIMP)2(NDC)2]n.

The Quest of Excited-State Intramolecular Proton Transfer via Eight-Membered Ring π-Conjugated Hydrogen Bonding System

Searching for eight-membered ring π-conjugated hydrogen bonding (8-MR H-bonding) systems with excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) property is seminal and synthetically challenging. In this work, a series of π-conjugated molecules (8-HB-1, 8-HB-L1 and 8-HB-2) potentially possessing 8-MR H-bonding are strategically designed, synthesized and characterized. The configurations of these three potential molecules are checked by their X-ray structures, among which 8-HB-L1 (a structurally locked 8-HB-1 core chromophore) is proved to be an 8-MR H-bonding system, whereas 8-HB-1 and 8-HB-2 are too sterically hindered to form the 8-MR intramolecular H-bond. The ESIPT property of 8-HB-L1 is confirmed by the dual fluorescence consisting of normal and proton-transfer tautomer emissions. The insight into the ESIPT process of 8-HB-L1 is provided by femtosecond fluorescence upconversion measurements together with computational simulation. The results demonstrate for the first time a successful synthetic route to attain the 8-MR H-bonding molecule 8-HB-L1 with ESIPT property.

A new class of N-H excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) molecules bearing localized zwitterionic tautomers

A series of new amino (NH)-type intramolecular hydrogen-bonding (H-bonding) compounds have been strategically designed and synthesized. These molecules comprise a 2-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-2-yl)aniline moiety, in which one of the amino hydrogens was replaced with substituents of different electronic properties. This, together with the versatile capability for modifying the parent moiety, makes feasible comprehensive spectroscopy and dynamics studies of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) as a function of N-H acidity. Different from other (NH)-type ESIPT systems where the ESIPT rate and exergonicity increase with an increase in the N-H acidity and hence the H-bonding strength, the results reveal an irregular relationship among ESIPT dynamics, thermodynamics and H-bond strength. This discrepancy may be rationalized by the localized zwitterionic nature of 2-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-2-yl)aniline in the proton-transfer tautomer form, which is different from the π-delocalized tautomer form in other (NH)-type ESIPT systems.

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.

Excited-state intramolecular proton-transfer (ESIPT)-inspired solid state emitters

Solid state emitters based on excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) have been attracting considerable interest since the past few years in the field of optoelectronic devices because of their desirable unique photophysical properties. The photophysical properties of the solid state ESIPT fluorophores determine their possible applicability in functional materials. Less fluorescence quantum efficiencies and short fluorescence lifetime in the solid state are the shortcomings of the existing ESIPT solid state emitters. Designing of ESIPT chromophores with high fluorescence quantum efficiencies and a long fluorescence lifetime in the solid state is a challenging issue because of the unclear mechanism of the solid state emitters in the excited state. Reported design strategies, detailed photophysical properties, and their applications will help in assisting researchers to overcome existing challenges in designing novel solid state ESIPT fluorophores for promising applications. This review highlights recently developed solid state ESIPT emitters with focus on molecular design strategies and their photophysical properties, reported in the last five years.