Design Strategy of Infrared 4-Hydroxybenzylidene-imidazolinone-Type Chromophores based on Intramolecular Charge Transfer:a Theoretical Perspective

Partial genetically encoded 4-hy-droxybenzylidene-imidazolinone(HBI)-type chromophores are new promising fluorescent probes,which are suitable for imaging and detection of living cells.How-ever,the lack of infrared chro-mophores hinders the develop-ment seriously.Here more than 30 HBI-type chromophores with reg-ular structure modifications were employed and typical spectral redshift change laws and mechanisms were investigated by quantum methods.Results show that both one-photon spectrum(OPS,absorption/emission)and two-photon absorption(TPA)can achieve large redshift via either extending conjugated lengths of frag-3 or enlarging conjugated areas of frag-1 of HBI skeleton.Spectral redshifts of all chromophores are highly related to intramolecular charge transfer(ICT),but neutral ones are closely related to the total ICT or electron-accept-ing-numbers of frag-3,and the high correlative factor of anions is the aromaticity of frag-2 bridge.The frag-2 bridge with high aromaticity can open a reverse charge transfer channel in anion relative to neutral,obtaining significant redshift.Based on analysis,a new 6-hydroxyl-naphthalene-imidazolinone(HNI)series,which have larger conjugated area in frag-1,are pre-dicted.The OPS and TPA of anionic HNI ones acquire about 76−96 nm and 119−146 nm red-shift relative to traditional HBI series respectively as a whole.The longest emission of anionic HNI-4 realizes more 244 nm redshift relative to HBI-1.Our work clarifies worthy spectral reg-ularities and redshift mechanisms of HBI-type chromophores and provides valuable design strategy for infrared chromophores synthesis in experiment.

Long-range electron synergy over Pt_(1)-Co_(1)/CN bimetallic single-atom catalyst in enhancing charge separation for photocatalytic hydrogen production

The development of novel single-atom catalysts with optimal electron configuration and economical noble-metal cocatalyst for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production is of great importance,but still challenging.Herein,we fabricate Pt and Co single-atom sites successively on polymeric carbon nitride(CN).In this Pt_(1)-Co_(1)/CN bimetallic single-atom catalyst,the noble-metal active sites are maximized,and the single-atomic Co_(1)N_4sites are tuned to Co_(1)N_3sites by photogenerated electrons arising from the introduced single-atomic Pt_(1)N_4sites.Mechanism studies and density functional theory(DFT)calculations reveal that the 3d orbitals of Co_(1)N_3single sites are filled with unpaired d-electrons,which lead to the improved visible-light response,carrier separation and charge migration for CN photocatalysts.Thereafter,the protons adsorption and activation are promoted.Taking this advantage of long-range electron synergy in bimetallic single atomic sites,the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity over Pt_(1)-Co_(1)/CN achieves 915.8 mmol g^(-1)Pt h^(-1),which is 19.8 times higher than Co_(1)/CN and 3.5 times higher to Pt_(1)/CN.While this electron-synergistic effect is not so efficient for Pt nanoclusters.These results demonstrate the synergistic effect at electron-level and provide electron-level guidance for the design of efficient photocatalysts.

Experimental and Theoretical Investigation on Excited State Intramolecular Proton Transfer Coupled Charge Transfer Reaction of Baicalein

The excited state intramolecular proton transfer （ESIPT） coupled charge transfer of baicalein has been investigated using steady-state spectroscopic experiment and quantum chemistry calculations. The absence of the absorption peak from S1 excited state both in the experi-mental and calculated absorption spectra indicates that S1 is a dark state. The dark excited state S1 results in the very weak fluorescence of solid baicalein in the experiment. The fron- tier molecular orbital and the charge difference densities of baicalein show clearly that the S1 state is a charge-transfer state whereas the S2 state is a locally excited state. The only one stationary point on the potential energy profile of excited state suggests that the ESIPT reaction of baicalein is a barrierless process.

Intramolecular Charge Transfer Dual Fluorescence pH Sensing using p-Dibutylaminobenzoic Acid-β-cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex

The intramolecular charge transfer dual fluorescence of p-dibutylaminobenzoic acid-b-cyclodextrin inclusion complex showed a substantially higher sensitivity toward aqueous solution pH variation when compared with that of p-dibutylaminobenzoic acid alone, which established a new principle for direct CT fluorescence sensing in aqueous solution by using the CT fluorophore-cyclodextrin inclusion complex.

Direct Fluorescence Sensing of Metal Ions in Aqueous Solution Using Intramolecular Charge Transfer Emission from Aggregates of Pentaerythrityl Tetra(p-dimethylaminobenzoate)

Pentaerythrityl tetra(p-dimethylaminobenzoate) (PTDMAB) was synthesized and shown to emit in water-rich aqueous dioxane solutions the intramolecular charge transfer fluorescence that was sensitive to the presence of metal ions.

Hydrogen-bonded Intramolecular Charge Transfer Excited State of Dimethylaminobenzophenone using Time Dependent Density Functional Theory

Density functional theory and time-dependent density-functional theory have been used to investigate the photophysical properties and relaxation dynamics of dimethylaminobenzophe- none （DMABP） and its hydrogen-bonded DMABP-MeOH dimer. It is found that, in non- polar aprotic solvent, the transitions from So to S1 and S2 states of DMABP have both n→π and π→π＊ characters, with the locally excited feature mainly located on the C=O group and the partial CT one characterized by electron transfer mainly from the dimethylaminophenyl group to the C=O group. But when the intermolecular hydrogen bond C=O…H-O is formed, the highly polar intramolecular charge transfer character switches over to the first excited state of DMABP-MeOH dimer and the energy difference between the two low- lying electronically excited states increases. To gain insight into the relaxation dynamics of DMABP and DMABP-MeOH dimer in the excited state, the potential energy curves for con- formational relaxation are calculated. The formation of twisted intramolecular charge trans- fer state via diffusive twisting motion of the dimethylamino/dimethylaminophenyl groups is found to be the major relaxation process. In addition, the decay of the Si state of DMABP-MeOH dimer to the ground state, through nonradiative intermolecular hydrogen bond stretching vibrations, is facilitated by the formation of the hydrogen bond between DMABP and alcohols.

Photoinduced Intramolecular Charge Transfer in Donor-acceptor Dyad and Donor-bridge-acceptor Triad

The ground and excited state properties of the [60]fullerene, diphenylbenzothiadiazole-triphenylamine （PBTDP-TPA） dyad and fullerene-diphenylbenzothiadiazole-triphenylamine （fullerene-PBTDP-TPA） triad were investigated theoretically using density functional theory with B3LYP functional and 3-21G basis set and time-dependent density functional theory with B3LYP functional and STO-3G basis set as well as 2D and 3D real space analysis methods. The 2D site representation reveals the electron-hole coherence on excitation. The 3D transition density shows the orientation and strength of the transition dipole moment, and the 3D charge difference density gives the orientation and result of the intramolecular charge transfer. Also photoinduced intermolecular charge transfer （ICT） in PBTDP-TPA-fullerene triad are identified with 2D and 3D representations, which reveals the mechanisms of ICT in donor-bridge-acceptor triad on excitation. Besides that we also found that the direct superexchange ICT from donor to acceptor （tunneling through the bridge） strongly promotes the ICT in the donor-bridge-acceptor triad.

Optical Properties and Response Mechanism Analysis of Multi-branched Fluorescent Probes Based on Intramolecular Charge Transfer

In this work, the optical properties of fluorescent probes used for detection of biothiol were studied by employing time-dependent density functional theory. By calculating the single photon absorption and emission properties of probe Mol.1, Mol.2 and Mol.3 before and after reaction with cysteine and homocysteine, we have investigated the effect of carboncarbon triple bond and benzene ring on the properties of fluorescent probes. It is found that the oscillator strength of probe molecules increases gradually with the improvement of the structure of the electron donor triphenylamine and the addition of carbon-carbon triple bonds, and better properties of fluorescence probes have also been demonstrated. At the same time, the effect of different number of side branches on the molecular properties of the probe was also studied. The results showed that compared with single-branched molecule Z1 and tribranched probe Mol.3, two side probe molecules Z2 had higher oscillator strength and better detection effect. In addition, the new single-branched probe Mol.4 with the addition of carbon-carbon triple bonds and benzene rings has better probe properties and simpler structure than the tribranched probe Mol.3.

Dynamic NMR and Twisted Intramolecular Charge Transfer Excited States

In this paper the results of dynamic NMR studies on ethylmethylamino-tertiary-butyl-phenylborane (EMABPB) with or without light are reported. The NMR data were recorded on a Bruker 400 MHz NMR equipped with our custom-made optical probe and with our custom-made 450 watts (W) monochromatic light sources. The molecular photochemistry including twisted intramolecular charge-transfer-excited-state (TICT) of the EMABPB in several solvents has been investigated. These results indicate that the aminoborane demonstrates multiple configurations in CD3Cl and CD2Cl2 resulting in the shifts of the signals of the alkyl groups on the nitrogen and boron. This indicates that there are some time-dependent changes at constant temperature over the irradiation interval. At ﹣60°C and the presence of light (λ = 265 nm), we observed a large change in the populations of the two sites, and this by itself indicates a modification in the rotation around the boron nitrogen bond in the excited state. By considering the existence of the TICT state, many important energy technologies may be developed with higher efficiency by controlling the back-electron transfer processes.

Twisted Intramolecular Charge Transfer in Polydimethylsilylene Bearing Pyrenyl Groups

Polydimethylsilylenes bearing pyrenyl groups exhibit emissions fromtwisted intramolecular charge transfer state between the aromatic ring and thesilicon backbone both in polar and nonpolar solvents.

Interfacial Charge Transfer Induced Electronic Property Tuning of MoS_2 by Molecular Functionalization

The modulation of electrical properties of MoS_2 has attracted extensive research interest because of its potential applications in electronic and optoelectronic devices.Herein,interfacial charge transfer induced electronic property tuning of MoS_2 are investigated by in situ ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements.A downward band-bending of MoS_2-related electronic states along with the decreasing work function,which are induced by the electron transfer from Cs overlayers to MoS_2,is observed after the functionalization of MoS_2 with Cs,leading to n-type doping.Meanwhile,when MoS_2 is modified with 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane(F_4-TCNQ),an upward band-bending of MoS_2-related electronic states along with the increasing work function is observed at the interfaces.This is attributed to the electron depletion within MoS_2 due to the strong electron withdrawing property of F_4-TCNQ,indicating p-type doping of MoS_2.Our findings reveal that surface transfer doping is an effective approach for electronic property tuning of MoS_2 and paves the way to optimize its performance in electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Intense Intramolecular Charge Transfer Endows Cyanated Polymer with Broad Absorption,Intensified Light-Harvesting,Long-Lived Exciton,and Superior Photovoltaic Property

The donor–acceptor(D–A)copolymers,which exhibit wide broad absorption and intensified light-harvesting,are highly captivating for applications in solar conversion and optoelectronics.However,designing a polymer structure that can achieve these photophysical properties simultaneously remains a challenge.Herein,we report two novel cyanated units 4-cyanobenzo[1,2-b:6,5-b′:3,4-c″]trithiophene(CBT)and 4,6-dicyanobenzo[1,2-b:6,5-b′:3,4-c″]trithiophene(C2BT)and their corresponding polymers,PCBT and PC2BT.Very interestingly,the PC2BT exhibited a broad absorption band with full width at half maxima(FWHM)of its absorption spectra,almost twice wider than PCBT and benchmark polymers PM6 and D18.Moreover,the PC2BT demonstrated intensified light-harvesting and long-lived exciton.Our in-depth investigation unveiled that the presence of dicyano substitutions induced a strong intramolecular charge transfer(ICT),which,in turn,resulted in the formation of favorable photophysical properties.Therefore,PC2BT-based polymer solar cells(PSCs)exhibited an efficiency of 18.06%,which was a record-setting efficiency for cyanated polymers.This study suggests an efficient strategy for enhancing ICT to design polymers toward favorable photophysical properties and excellent photovoltaic performance.

Photo-induced intramolecular electron transfer and intramolecular vibrational relaxation of rhodamine 6G in DMSO revealed by multiplex transient grating spectroscopy

Photo-induced intramolecular electron transfer （PIET） and intramolecular vibrational relaxation （IVR） dynamics of the excited state of rhodamine 6G （Rh6G＋） in DMSO are investigated by multiplex transient grating. Two major compo- nents are resolved in the dynamics of Rh6G＋. The first component, with a lifetime τTPIET = 140 fs-260 fs, is attributed to PIET from the phenyl ring to the xanthene plane. The IVR process occurring in the range ZIVR = 3.3 ps-5.2 ps is much slower than the first component. The PIET and IVR processes occurring in the excited state of Rh6G＋ are quantitatively determined, and a better understanding of the relationship between these processes is obtained.

Theoretical Studies on the Intramolecular Electron Transfer in Some Aromatic Systems

In this work, the excited states of the title compounds are calculated by using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). Firstly, the variation of the sequences of intramolecular charge local excitation (LE) and intramolecular charge transfer (CT) in the gas phase is studied by changing electron donors or acceptors. Then, the effects of Polarized Continuum Model (PCM) and Self-consistent Isodensity Polarized Continuum Model (SCI-PCM) in solvents on the calculated results are discussed. It is shown that the calculated results obtained by the PCM are in more agreement with the experimental data. Finally, the excited states of compounds in different solvents were calculated by PCM. Compared with the results obtained in gas phase, the absorption spectra of the CT state in the solvents have a larger red shift; however, the spectra for the LE state are hardly changed.

Coupled intramolecular/heterointerfacial electron transfer in polyelectrolyte-shielded Iso-type black phosphorus hetero-structure boosts oxygen reduction kinetics

Searching new structured black phosphorus(BP)and exploring intriguing functions and applications have become a hot topic so far.Here,we introduce a novel Iso-type black phosphorus heterostructure guided by first principle calculation,which features unique heterointerface and electronic coupling interaction via stacking assembly of exfoliated black phosphorus(EBP)and amine-functionalized EBP(N-EBP).Inspired by the theoretical results,we constructed the Iso-type heterostructure comprising of ultrathin exfoliated few-layered EBP and N-EBP,both of which were derived from identical bulk BP.The purposive amine-functionalization not only creates positively-charged P atoms on N-EBP as effective active sites via N-induced intramolecular electron transfer(IET)but also endows N-EBP with lower work function relative to EBP,while the unique EBP/N-EBP Iso-type heterostructure engenders directional heterointerfacial electron transfer(HET).The coupled IET/HET effects optimize the charge redistribution to afford favorable O_(2)adsorption.In this case,our unique strategy for the first time exploits the inherent catalytic capability of BP toward the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and enables the first use of BP as metal-free ORR catalysts for Zn-air cells.The newly-designed heterostructure facilitates a 4-e^(-)transfer ORR relative to inactive EBP or N-EBP.Importantly,the polymer-shielded heterostructure acts as efficient air electrodes to endow a primary Zn-air cell with high stability,large capacity and high energy density—superior to the commercial Pt/C-enabled cell.This study as the first report on metal-free BP-based ORR catalysts and air electrodes not only extends BP's application scopes but also renders new insight toward design of electronically-coupled superstructures for energy-related applications.

PHOTOINDUCED INTRAMOLECULAR ELECTRON TRANSFER IN A NOVEL ZINC PHTHALOCYANINE-VIOLOGEN-FERROCENE TRIAD SYSTEM

A novel triad system zinc phthalocyanine-viologen-ferrocene has been synthesized.Photoinduced intramolecular electron transfer in the new triad system was investigated by fluorescence quenching experiment and nanosecond flash photolysis technique,giving a final long-living charge- separated state.A mechanism of two-step charge separation was suggested.

PHOTOINDUCED ELECTRON TRANSFER I.INTER-AND INTRAMOLECULAR QUENCHING OF ZINC PHTHALOCYANINE FLUORESCENCE BY ANTHRAQUINONE

Inter-and intramolecular quenching of zinc phthalocyanine fluorescence by anthraquinone has been studied.The diminutions of fluorescence quantum yield and life-time are due primarily to electron transfer.Apparent electron transfer rate constants were calculated depending on the chain length and solvent polarity.

Cl^(-)ions accelerating interface charge transfer in a Si/In_(2)S_(3) Faradaic junction photocathode for solar seawater splitting

Photoelectrocatalytic seawater splitting is a promising low-cost method to produce green hydrogen in a large scale.The effects of Cl^(-)ions in seawater on the performance of a photoanode have been reported in previous studies.However,few researches have been done on the roles of Cl^(-)ions in a photocathode.Herein,for the first time,we find that Cl^(-)ions in the electrolyte improve the photocurrent of a Si/In_(2)S_(3) photocathode by 50% at-0.6 V_(RHE).An in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)characterization combined with the time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry by simulating photoelectrochemical conditions was used to investigate the interface charge transfer mechanism.The results suggest that there is an In_(2)^(+3)S_(3-x)(OH)_(2x)layer on the surface of In_(2)S_(3) in the phosphate buffer solution(PBS)electrolyte,which plays a role as an interface charge transfer mediator in the Si/In_(2)S_(3) photocathode.The In_(2)^(+3)S_(3-x)(OH)_(2x)surface layer becomes In_(2)^(+3)S_(3-x)(Cl)_(2x)in the PBS electrolyte with NaCl and accelerates the charge transfer rate at the In_(2)S_(3)/electrolyte interface.These results offer a new concept of regulating interface charge transfer mediator to enhance the performance of photoelectrocatalytic seawater splitting for hydrogen production.

Exploring the effect of aggregation-induced emission on the excited state intramolecular proton transfer for a bis-imine derivative by quantum mechanics and our own n-layered integrated molecular orbital and molecular mechanics calculations

We theoretically investigate the excited state intramolecular proton transfer(ESIPT) behavior of the novel fluorophore bis-imine derivative molecule HNP which was designed based on the intersection of 1-(hydrazonomethyl)-naphthalene-2-ol and 1-pyrenecarboxaldehyde. Especially, the density functional theory(DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory(TDDFT) methods for HNP monomer are introduced. Moreover, the "our own n-layered integrated molecular orbital and molecular mechanics"(ONIOM) method(TDDFT:universal force field(UFF)) is used to reveal the aggregation-induced emission(AIE) effect on the ESIPT process for HNP in crystal. Our results confirm that the ESIPT process happens upon the photoexcitation for the HNP monomer and HNP in crystal, which is distinctly monitored by the optimized geometric structures and the potential energy curves. In addition, the results of potential energy curves reveal that the ESIPT process in HNP will be promoted by the AIE effect. Furthermore, the highest occupied molecular orbital(HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital(LUMO) for the HNP monomer and HNP in crystal have been calculated. The calculation demonstrates that the electron density decrease of proton donor caused by excitation promotes the ESIPT process. In addition, we find that the variation of atomic dipole moment corrected Hirshfeld population(ADCH) charge for proton acceptor induced by the AIE effect facilitates the ESIPT process. The results will be expected to deepen the understanding of ESIPT dynamics for luminophore under the AIE effect and provide insight into future design of high-efficient AIE compounds.

Theoretical investigation on the excited state intramolecular proton transfer in Me_(2)N substituted flavonoid by the time-dependent density functional theory method

Time-dependent density functional theory(TDDFT)method is used to investigate the details of the excited state intramolecular proton transfer(ESIPT)process and the mechanism for temperature effect on the Enol^(*)/Keto^(*)emission ratio for the Me_(2)N-substited flavonoid(MNF)compound.The geometric structures of the S_(0) and S_(1) states are denoted as the Enol,Enol^(*),and Keto*.In addition,the absorption and fluorescence peaks are also calculated.It is noted that the calculated large Stokes shift is in good agreement with the experimental result.Furthermore,our results confirm that the ESIPT process happens upon photoexcitation,which is distinctly monitored by the formation and disappearance of the characteristic peaks of infrared(IR)spectra involved in the proton transfer and in the potential energy curves.Besides,the calculations of highest occupied molecular orbital(HOMO)and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital(LUMO)reveal that the electronegativity change of proton acceptor due to the intramolecular charge redistribution in the S_(1) state induces the ESIPT.Moreover,the thermodynamic calculation for the MNF shows that the Enol^(*)/Keto^(*)emission ratio decreasing with temperature increasing arises from the barrier lowering of ESIPT.