Deep-red and near-infrared organic lasers based on centrosymmetric molecules with excited-state intramolecular double proton transfer activity

Organic lasers that emit light in the deep-red and near-infrared(NIR)region are of essential importance in laser communication,night vision,bioimaging,and information-secured displays but are still challenging because of the lack of proper gain materials.Herein,a new molecular design strategy that operates by merging two excited-state intramolecular proton transfer-active molecules into one excited-state double proton transfer(ESDPT)-active molecule was demonstrated.Based on this new strategy,three new materials were designed and synthesized with two groups of intramolecular resonance-assisted hydrogen bonds,in which the ESDPT process was proven to proceed smoothly based on theoretical calculations and experimental results of steady-state and transient spectra.Benefiting from the effective six-level system constructed by the ESDPT process,all newly designed materials showed low threshold laser emissions at approximately 720 nm when doped in PS microspheres,which in turn proved the existence of the second proton transfer process.More importantly,our well-developed NIR organic lasers showed high laser stability,which can maintain high laser intensity after 12000 pulse lasing,which is essential in practical applications.This work provides a simple and effective method for the development of NIR organic gain materials and demonstrates the ESDPT mechanism for NIR lasing.

Effects of π-conjugation-substitution on ESIPT process for oxazoline-substituted hydroxyfluorenes

Excited-state intramolecular proton transfer(ESIPT) molecules are broadly applied to UV absorbers, fluorescence sensing, and lighting materials. In previous work, the fluorescence colors of oxazoline-substituted hydroxyfluorenes and hydroxylated benzoxazole were diversified by adding the π-conjugation. There is intriguing that the mechanism of diversified fluorescence colors induced by ESIPT. Here, the density functional theory(DFT) and time-dependent DFT(TDDFT)are advised to identify the effects of π-conjugation on ESIPT and photophysical properties. The stabilized geometrical configurations, frontier molecular orbitals(FMOs) isosurfaces, and O–H stretching vibration frequency analysis demonstrate that PT processes are more active in S1state. Constructing the minimum energy pathways of ESIPT processes, we find that the calculated peak of enol and keto fluorescence of naphthoxazole(NO–OH) is distinctly bathochromic-shift relative to the oxazoline-substituted hydroxyfluorenes(Oxa–OH) configuration when adding π-conjugation-substitution, and it means that π-conjugation-substitution can diversify the fluorescence color. We hope our studies can establish new channels to devise the ESIPT-based molecules.

Monitoring intracellular pH fluctuation with an excited-state intramolecular proton transfer-based ratiometric fluorescent sensor

Intracellular pH is a key parameter related to various biological and pathological processes.In this study,a ratiometric pH fluorescent sensor ABTT was developed harnessing the amino-type excited-state intramolecular proton transfer(ESIPT) process.Relying on whether the ESIPT proceeds normally or not,ABTT exhibited the yellow fluorescence in acidic media,or cyan fluorescence in basic condition.According to the variation,ABTT behaved as a promising sensor which possessed fast and reversible response to pH change without interference from the biological substances,and exported a steady ratiometric signal(I_(478)/I_(546)).Moreover,due to the ESIPT effect,large Stokes shift and high quantum yield were also exhibited in ABTT.Furthermore,ABTT was applied for monitoring the pH changes in living cells and visualizing the pH fluctuations under oxidative stress successfully.These results elucidated great potential of ABTT in understanding pH-dependent physiological and pathological processes.

Recent progress on the excited-state multiple proton transfer process in organic molecules

In contrast to the widely reported excited-state single proton-transfer,excited-state multiple proton transfer(ESMPT)containing two or more intra-or inter-molecular proton transfers has greatly expanded the research scope of the excited-state proton transfers.In recent decades,ESMPT-active organic molecules have attracted much attention owing to their unique photophysical properties,such as large magnitude Stokes shifts and dual emission.These photophysical properties facilitate the application of the organic molecules in organic solid-state lasers,fluorescent probes and sensors,and molecular switches.Herein,we introduce the fundamentals of the ESMPT and review the recent advances in different types of ESMPTs in organic molecules.Finally,we present our conclusions and the future development prospects of the ESMPT in organic molecules.

7-羟基喹啉在二甲基亚砜中的荧光光谱

7-羟基喹啉(7-HQ)是一种具有激发态质子转移(ESPT)效应的有机分子。它溶于乙醇溶剂中,在紫 外光的激励下,将发生ESPT反应,荧光光谱出现2个荧光带。7-HQ溶于二甲基亚砜(DMS)溶剂中,则不 能发生ESPT反应,其荧光光谱只出现单一荧光带。但样品被强紫外光照射后,其荧光光谱也出现2个荧光 带。文章首次报道了这一现象,并通过对7-HQ的乙醇、二甲基亚砜和二甲基甲酰胺溶液的吸收光谱和荧光 光谱的研究,探讨产生这一现象的机理。认为7-HQ溶于DMS中被强紫外光照射后荧光光谱的变化是由于 DMS被光解并生成水而使7-HQ发生ESPT反应的结果。

HBT分子双光子诱导激发态质子转移动力学过程

研究了2-(2′-羟基苯基)苯并噻唑(HBT)分子的激发态质子转移(ESPT)动力学过程及其其非线性光学特性。理论推导并求解了HBT分子在其双光子吸收区的双光子吸收系数、非线性折射率以及三阶非线性极化率;重点研究532 nm皮秒脉冲光激励下HBT分子双光子诱导ESPT过程对其非线性光学效应的影响,分析了四能态粒子分布,并建立了双光子诱导ESPT动力学模型,基于此模型确立了HBT分子烯醇式构型基态的双光子吸收截面。本文工作为进一步研究和开发此类材料的应用提供了一定的理论与实验依据。

2-氨基苯并噻唑的结构及激发态质子转移动力学

通过傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、傅里叶变换拉曼(FT-Raman)和488 nm拉曼光谱,结合密度泛函理论(DFT)计算研究了2-氨基苯并噻唑(ABT)在晶态和溶剂中的二聚体结构,并解释了质子性溶剂中ABT二聚体与溶剂分子间的氢键作用.电子光谱实验揭示了ABT二聚体的光物理和光化学反应;紫外吸收和荧光发射光谱结果表明,溶剂、激发波长和pH值对ABT二聚件激发态衰变具有调控作用;含时密度泛函理论(TD-DFT)解释了ABT二聚体双荧光现象,提出了高激发态的质子转移机理.

Fluorescent sensing of anions based on excited state intramolecular proton transfer in N-(3-hydroxy-2- naphthamido)-N′-phenylthiourea

A neutral N-amidothiourea-based excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) anion receptor bearing an o-hydroxynaphthamide fluorophore and a thiourea binding site, N-(3-hydroxy-2-naphthamide)-N’-phenylthiourea (1a), was designed and synthesized. Fluorescence and absorption response of 1a toward anions were assessed in acetonitrile. IR and NMR experiments indicated that the "OH…O=C" intramolecular hydrogen bond (IHB) in 1a was weak so that it only exhibited the short-wavelength normal emission other than ESIPT fluorescence. Due to the high anion binding affinity of the N-amidothiourea binding site and the formation of a hydrogen binding network in the 1a-anion c omplex, 1a underwent structural change upon anion binding that strengthens the "OH…O=C" IHB, leading to the ESIPT and the observation of the long-wavelength ESIPT emission whereas the normal fluorescence is quenched. On the basis of NMR and fluorescence titrations and control experiments with model compounds, a sensing mechanism of the anion-binding-induced ESIPT was proposed.

A DFT/TD-DFT study of effect of different substituent on ESIPT fluorescence features of 2-(2’-hydroxyphenyl)-4-chloromethylthiazole derivatives

Based on density functional theory(DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory(TD-DFT), the effects of substituent on the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer(ESIPT) process and photophysical properties of 2-(2’-hydroxyphenyl)-4-chloromethylthiazole(HCT) are studied. The electron-donating group(CH_(3), OH) and electronwithdrawing group(CF_(3), CHO) are introduced to analyze the changes of intramolecular H-bond, the frontier molecular orbitals, the absorption/fluorescence spectra, and the energy barrier of ESIPT process. The calculation results indicate that electron-donating group strengthens the intramolecular H-bond in the S_(1) state, and leads to an easier ESIPT process. The electron-withdrawing group weakens the corresponding H-bond and makes ESIPT process a little harder. Different substituents also affect the photophysical properties of HCT. The electron-withdrawing group(CF_(3), CHO) has a little effect on electronic spectra. The electron-donating group(CH_(3), OH) red-shifts both the absorption and fluorescence emission peaks of HCT, respectively, which causes the Stokes shift to increase.

Computational Insights into the Excited State Intramolecular Proton Transfer Reactions in Ortho-hydroxylated Oxazolines

Excited-state intramolecular proton transfer(ESIPT) reactions of three ortho-hydroxylated oxazolines, 2-(4,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-oxazol-2-yl)-phenol(DDOP), 4-(4,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-oxazol-2-yl)-[1,1?-biphenyl]-3-ol(DDOP-C_(6)H_(5)) and 4-(4,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl)-3-hydroxy-benzonitrile(DDOP-CN), have been systematically explored by density functional theory(DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory(TDDFT) methods. Two stable configurations(enol and keto forms) are found in the ground states(S_(0)) for all the compounds while the enol form only exists in the first excited states(S_(1)) for the compound modified with electron donating group(-C_(6)H_(5)). In addition, the calculated absorption and emission spectra of the compounds are in good agreements with the experiments. Infrared vibrational spectra at the hydrogen bond groups demonstrate that the intramolecular hydrogen bond O(1)-H(2)···N(3) in DDOP-C_(6)H_(5) is strengthened in the S_(1) states, while the frontier molecular orbitals further reveal that the ESIPT reactions are more likely to occur in the S_(1) states for all the compounds. Besides, the proton transfer potential energy curves show that the enol forms can barely convert into keto forms in the S_(0) states because of the high energy barriers. Meanwhile, intramolecular proton transfer of all the compounds could occur in S_(1) states. The ESIPT reactions of the ortho-hydroxylated oxazolines are barrierless processes for unsubstituted DDOP and electron withdrawing substituted DDOP-CN, while the electron donating substituted DDOP-C_(6)H_(5) has a small barrier, so the electron donating is unfavorable to the ESIPT reactions of ortho-hydroxylated oxazolines.

Functional decoration on a regenerable bifunctional porous covalent organic framework probe for rapid detection and adsorption of copper ions

Developing fluorescence porous probe for detecting and eliminating Cu^(2+) contamination in water or biosystem is an essential research project that has attracted considerable attention.However,improving the fluorescence detecting efficiency while enhancing the adsorption capacity of the porous probe is of great challenge.Herein,a bifunctional two-dimensional imine-based porous covalent organic framework(TTP-COF)probe was designed and synthesized from 1,3,5-tris(4-aminophenyl)benzene(TAPB)and 2,4,6-Triformylphloroglucinol(TP)ligand.TTP-COF displayed rapid detection of Cu^(2+)(limit of detection(LOD)=10 nmol·L^(−1) while achieving a high adsorption capacity of 214 mg·g^(−1)(pH=6)at room temperature with high reusability(>5 cycles).The key roles and contributions of highπ-conjugate and delocalized electrons in TABP and functional–OH groups in TP were proved.More importantly,the fluorescence quenching mechanism of TTP-COF was studied by density functional theory theoretical calculations,revealing the crucial role of intramolecular hydrogen bonds among C=N and–OH groups and the blocking of the excited state intramolecular proton transfer process in detecting process of Cu^(2+).

Tactfully revealing the working mechanisms on a tetraarylimidazole derivative:AIE characteristic,ESIPT process and ICT effect integrating in one molecule

Recently,a novel tetraarylimidazole derivative 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-4-(4,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-phenol(be called MHBT herein)was architectured by our research group showing the fascinating synergy of aggregation-induced emission(AIE)characteristic,excited-state intramolecular proton transfer(ESIPT)mechanism and intramolecular charge transfer(ICT)effect.Nevertheless,a detailed and reasonable interpretation of its mechanisms both in theory is urgently needed.Consequently,to unveil the working mechanism meticulously,herein,we tactfully applied density functional theory(DFT)and time-dependent density functional theory(TD-DFT)methods to illuminate the underlying mechanisms in different solvent conditions.After optimizing the structures,the geometric parameters of hydrogen bonds(HBs),the infrared(IR)vibrational spectrum,the reduced density gradient(RDG)isosurfaces were calculated in detail,vividly explaining how the enhancement of HBs behaved as the driving force to proceed ESIPT process.Simultaneously,the frontier molecular orbitals(FMOs)combined with the potential energy curves(PECs)were conducted to interpretate the role and character of ICT and ESIPT in molecule MHBT.Further,the PECs of MHBT for dihedral angles in different organic solvents were calculated to compare the dominant torsion degree,rationalizing the AIE phenomenon from the view of the restriction of intramolecular rotation process.This work may well underpin the understanding of the interaction between different mechanisms in fluorescent dyes and thereby provide meaningful guideline for the design and construction of ideal molecules.

7-羟基喹啉二甲基亚砜溶液的光开关效应

研究了7-羟基喹啉(7-HQ)在二甲基亚砜(DMS)溶液中的全光光开关效应和激发态质子转移(ES-PT)效应。7-HQ在与它能形成分子间氢键的溶剂中,在紫外光的激发下会发生ESPT效应,使分子的构型发生变化,引起折射率也发生变化,是一种性能优良的全光光开关工作介质。DMS与7-HQ不能形成分子间氢键,故7-HQ在DMS溶液中不能发生ESPT,不具有全光光开关效应。但实验发现,7-HQ的DMS溶液经强紫外光照射一段时间后出现了很强的光开关现象。比较了经强紫外光照射前后7-HQ的DMS溶液的吸收光谱和荧光光谱,报道了这一新现象并探讨了其产生的机理。

3-羟基黄酮的双光子吸收特性研究

3-羟基黄酮(3-HF)是一类具有激发态质子转移(ESPT)效应的有机分子,通过双光子诱导荧光研究了3-HF的ESPT的过程,并利用开孔Z-扫描的方法,在波长为532 nm的皮秒脉冲激光激发下测量3-HF在环己烷溶液中的ESPT的双光子吸收系数。实验测得了在不同光强条件下的双光子吸收系数,结果表明,3-HF的双光子吸收系数随入射光强的增加而减小。这是由于在皮秒脉冲光的作用下,大量的3-HF分子被激发到激发态,而不能迅速返回,造成基态的粒子数不断减小,因此当光强增强时,双光子吸收系数减小。

激发态质子转移分子2-(2′-羟基苯基)苯并噻唑溶液的全光开关效应

研究了激发态质子转移(ESPT)分子2-(2′-羟基苯基)苯并噻唑(HBT)在不同极性溶剂中的光开关行为,探讨了溶剂极性对HBT分子光开光效应的影响.揭示了光开关脉冲信号的形成原因,建立了基于光诱导HBT分子激发态非线性折射效应的皮秒全光开关的理论模型.根据对时间响应函数的理论计算和实验结果分析,确定了光开关脉冲信号下降前沿和上升后沿的形成机理以及影响因素,并提出了增强光开关信号下降前沿的关断深度,提升上升后沿的恢复速度的有效途径和方法.本文工作为制成皮秒量级关断,微秒甚至纳秒量级重新打开的快速全光开关器件提供了理论和实验依据,表明ESPT分子HBT有望成为超快全光开关器件的优选介质.

Sensitive fluorescence probes for dihydrogen phosphonate anion based on calix[4]arene bearing naphthol-hydrazone groups

t-Butyl and t-pentylcalix[4]arenes bearing two 2-naphthol-1-hydrazone groups at the lower rim were synthesized,and showed excited-state intermolecular proton transfer fluorescent signal with basic anion.They are more sensitive to dihydrogen phosphate anion than to fluoride anion,although the latter has stronger basicity.Compared with t-butylcalix[4]arene bearing two 2-naphthol-1-hydrazone groups,t-pentylcalix[4]arenes derivative has a larger fluorescent difference between dihydrogen phosphate and fluoride anion.This finding may be used to analyze dihydrogen phosphate anion in the presence of fluoride anion and provide a new approach for designing fluorescence probes that are highly selective for H2PO4-.

Rational design of shortwave infrared(SWIR) fluorescence probe:Cooperation of ICT and ESIPT processes for sensing endogenous cysteine

Cysteine is well-known to be an important biothiol and related to many diseases. However, the in vivo detection of endogenous cysteine still suffers from lacking small-molecule fluorophores with both excitation and emission in the near-infrared(650-900 nm)/shortwave-infrared region. Herein, we report a molecular engineering strategy for shortwave infrared(SWIR, 900-1700 nm) sensing of cysteine, which integrated an excited-state intermolecular proton transfer(ESIPT) building block into the intramolecular charge transfer(ICT) scaffold. The obtained novel fluorophore SH-OH displays a maximum absorption at the NIR region, and emission at the SWIR region. We introduce the cysteine-recognition moiety to SH-OH structure, and demonstrate sensing of endogenous cysteine in living animals, using the SWIR emission as a reliable off-on fluorescence signal. This fluorophore design strategy of cooperation of ICT and ESIPT processes expands the in vivo sensing toolbox for accurate analysis in clinical applications.