Photophysical properties of chirality: Experimental and theoretical studies of (R)- and (S)-binaphthol derivatives as a prototype case

Abstract

The key monomers of binaphthol-based chiral materials, (R)- and (S)- 6,6′-dibromo-2,2′-bis(octyloxy)- 1,1′-binaphthyl (R–M and S–M, respectively), were synthesized and characterized by UV–vis absorption spectra, circular dichroism (CD) spectra, photoluminescence (PL) lifetime, PL quantum efficiency at room temperature, together with PL spectra at various temperatures between 12K and 296K in both film and solution. The photophysical properties of R–M and S–M were investigated in detail with a joint experimental and theoretical study, in order to reveal the effects of chirality on the π-conjugated chiral systems. Higher photoluminescent quantum efficiency and better PL spectra purity in solid film of R–M were observed and discussed.