Two-photon-induced excited state intramolecular proton transfer process and nonlinear optical properties of HBT in cyclohexane solution

Liquid-solid phase regulating excited-state intramolecular proton transfer process of HBT-d-NO2: A QM/MM study

The excited-state intramolecular proton transfer process of 2-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethynyl]phenol (HBT-d-NO₂) in the different surrounding environment is investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). The optimized molecular structure provides convincing evidence that the intramolecular hydrogen bond is strengthened in the first excited (S₁) state. The frontier molecular orbitals observed the HBT-d-NO₂ exists obvious intramolecular charge translate phenomenon. The results of the potential energy curve show that HBT-d-NO₂ is difficult to undergo proton transfer in the ground (S₀) state due to the high energy barrier, while it becomes easier in the S₁ state in both liquid and solid phases. By comparison, the energy barrier of ESIPT in the solid phase is higher than that in the liquid phase. We can conclude that the solid phase effectively hinders the ESIPT process compared with that the liquid phase. In this work, we illustrate the influence of liquid and solid phases on the intramolecular proton transfer process, which could promote further developments in biomedical and fluorophore applications.

Effects of intramolecular hydrogen bonding and sterically forced non-coplanarity on organic donor/acceptor two-photon-absorbing molecules

Excited-state decay rate constant is controlled by hydrogen bonding, which is switched from intramolecular to intermolecular by choice of solvent.

Harnessing Excited-State Intramolecular Proton-Transfer Reaction via a Series of Amino-Type Hydrogen-Bonding Molecules

A series of new amino (NH)-type hydrogen-bonding (H-bonding) compounds comprising 2-(2'-aminophenyl)benzothiazole and its extensive derivatives were designed and synthesized. Unlike in the hydroxyl (OH)-type H-bonding systems, one of the amino hydrogens can be replaced with electron-donating/withdrawing groups. This, together with a versatile capability for modifying the parent moiety, makes feasible the comprehensive spectroscopy and dynamics studies of amino-type excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), which was previously inaccessible in the hydroxyl-type ESIPT systems. Empirical correlations were observed among the hydrogen-bonding strength (the N-H bond distances and proton acidity), ESIPT kinetics, and thermodynamics, demonstrating a trend that the stronger N-H···N hydrogen bond leads to a faster ESIPT, as experimentally observed, and a more exergonic reaction thermodynamics. Accordingly, ESIPT reaction can be harnessed for the first time from a highly endergonic type (i.e., prohibition) toward equilibrium with a measurable ESIPT rate and then to the highly exergonic, ultrafast ESIPT reaction within the same series of amino-type intramolecular H-bond system.

Designing two-photon fluorescent probes based on the target-induced enhancement of the absorption cross-section

We have reported a new strategy for two-photon probe design for the simultaneous target-induced enhancement of the two-photon absorption cross-section and quantum yield.

TDDFT calculations of electronic spectra of benzoxazoles undergoing excited state proton transfer

Energies and oscillator strengths of vertical transitions for various rotameric and tautomeric species of 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole (HBO), 2,5-bis(2-benzoxazolyl)phenol (DBP) and 2,5-bis(2-benzoxazolyl)hydroquinone (BBHQ) have been calculated in the ground and first excited states with the use of TDDFT methods. The TDDFT results demonstrate good correspondence to the frequencies of absorption and fluorescence bands of the benzoxazoles reported for measurements in supersonic jets and solution, but fail to predict relative energies of the enol and keto tautomers of DBP and BBHQ in the excited state. Low intensity of the fluorescence bands attributed to the conformations of HBO and DBP that do not undergo excited state proton transfer is shown to be caused by low concentrations of the conformations in the ground state. For the three compounds large-amplitude twisting of the keto tautomer is found to be one of radiationless processes resulting in decrease of the fluorescence with a large Stokes shift.

TD-DFT study of the excited-state potential energy surfaces of 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole and its amino derivatives

In this study, we used TD-PBE0 calculations to investigate the first singlet excited state (S(1)) behavior of 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole (HBI) and its amino derivatives. We employed the potential energy surfaces (PESs) at the S(1) state covering the normal syn, tautomeric (S(1)-T(syn)), and intramolecular charge-transfer (S(1)-T(ICT)) states in ethanol and cyclohexane to investigate the reaction mechanisms, including excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) and intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) processes. Two new S(1)-T(ICT) states, stable in ethanol and cyclohexane, were found for HBI and its amino derivatives; they are twisted and pyramidalized. The flat PES of the ICT process makes the S(1)-T(ICT) states accessible. The S(1)-T(ICT) state is effective for radiationless relaxation, which is responsible for quenching the fluorescence of the S(1)-T(syn) state. In contrast to the situation encountered conventionally, the S(1)-T(ICT) state does not possess a critically larger dipole moment than its precursor, S(1)-T(syn) state; hence, it is not particularly stable in polar solvents. On the basis of the detailed PESs, we rationalize various experimental observations complementing previous studies and provide insight to understand the excited-state reaction mechanisms of HBI and its amino derivatives.

Excited state intramolecular proton transfer and photophysics of a new fluorenyl two-photon fluorescent probe

The steady-state photophysical, NMR, and two-photon absorption (2PA) properties of a new fluorene derivative (1) containing the 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole (HBT) terminal construct is investigated for use as a fluorescence probe in bioimaging. A comprehensive analysis of the linear spectral properties reveals inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonding and excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) processes in the HBT substituent. A specific electronic model with a double minimum potential energy surface is consistent with the observed spectral properties. The 2PA spectra are obtained using a standard two-photon induced fluorescence method with a femtosecond kHz laser system, affording a maximum 2PA cross section of approximately 600 GM, a sufficiently high value for two-photon fluorescence imaging. No dependence of two-photon absorption efficiency on solvent properties and hydrogen bonding in the HBT substituent is observed. The potential use of this fluorenyl probe in bioimaging is demonstrated via one- and two-photon fluorescence imaging of COS-7 cells.