Synthesis and photophysical properties of a porphyrin-perinaphthothioindigo dye

Abstract

A new porphyrin-perinaphthothioindigo composite, where porphyrin and perinaphthothioindigo dye are connected though a triple bond, was synthesized. In UV-vis absorption spectra of the composite, absorption originating from the trans-isomer appeared at 655 nm. Upon photoirradiation at > 700 nm, the intensity of this absorption decreased with increase of absorption of the cis-isomer around at 530 nm. The HOMO–LUMO absorption of the cis-isomer is blue-shifted by 125 nm compared to that of trans-isomer due to the lack of π-conjugation. The 2PA cross-section values obtained for both isomers were 2,000 and 700 GM, respectively. The value of 2,000 GM is of the largest class among the values reported for photochromic compounds. The enhancement factors by the connection of porphyrin to perinaphthothioindigo were found to be 3.5–3.9 by measuring cross-section values of bis(TMS-ethynyl)perinaphthothioindigo as the reference compound. Two-photon isomerization of the trans-isomer to the cis-isomer was successfully conducted using femtosecond pulses.