Excited-state Transformation Research Articles

Light-Induced Ring-to-Chain Transformations of Elemental Sulfur: Nonadiabatic Dynamics Simulations.

The emergence of high-sulfur content polymeric materials and their diverse applications underscore the need for a comprehensive understanding of the ring-to-chain transformation of elemental sulfur. In this study, we delve into the ultrafast transformation of the elemental sulfur S8 ring upon photoexcitation employing advanced nonadiabatic dynamics simulations. Our findings reveal that the bond breaking of the S8 ring occurs within tens of femtoseconds. At the time of bond breaking, most molecules are in the lowest singlet excited state S1. S1 survives for 40-450 fs before relaxing to the quasi-degenerate manifolds formed by the T1 and S0 states of the S8 chain. This suggests that upon photoexcitation the polymerization of the S8 chains might proceed before the chains relax to their lowest energy states. The derived temporal resolution provides a detailed perspective on the dynamics of S8 rings upon photoexcitation, shedding light on the intricate processes involved in its excited-state transformations.

Revisiting fulgide photochromism: Mechanistic decoding and electron transport from computational exploration.

The photochromic behavior of the fulgide molecule relies on ring-closure and ring-opening processes involving conical intersections during excited state transformation between isomers. The precise location and topography of these conical intersections significantly shape the decay process and fluorescence phenomena inherent to the molecule. This work combines electronic structure theory calculations using the density functional theory and wavefunction methods, as well as surface hopping simulation to analyze the photochemical behavior of an experimentally synthesized fulgide molecule, (E)-p-methylacetophenylisopropylidenesuccinic anhydride (1E). Our study reveals the conical intersection between the first excited state (S1) and the ground electronic state (S0), which emerges beyond the S1 minimum of 1E to the ring-closing side. The distinctive topography of this conical intersection appears to be sloped. These findings suggest a reduced quantum yield for the formation of the closed isomer, indicating a higher likelihood of reformation of the open isomer(s). The surface hopping simulation further supports this observation, revealing a mere ∼8% quantum yield for the formation of the closed isomer. In addition, the photoisomerization of the fulgide molecule initiates a cascade of conduction switching and holds great potential for applications in molecular electronics. Delving into the realm of molecular electronics, we have further examined the electron transport properties, disclosing the higher conductivity of the closed isomer.

Excited-state regulated electroluminescence performance from thermally-activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) to hybridized local and charge-transfer (HLCT) emission

In this work, two novel D-π-A compounds (PXZ-FR-DRZ and CZ-FR-DRZ) are designed and synthesized, aiming at the excited-state regulation from thermally-activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) to hybridized local and charge-transfer (HLCT) emission. This change of excited-state nature can be ascribed to the weakened electron-donating ability of carbazole relative to phenoxazine, together with the decreased twisting angle between carbazole and fluorine units. As a result of twisted charge-transfer (CT) excited state, the doped organic light-emitting diode (OLED) of PXZ-FR-DRZ demonstrates a blue-green TADF electroluminescence (EL) with a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 11.5%, while its non-doped device shows a much lower EQEmax. Due to HLCT state of CZ-FR-DRZ, both its doped and non-doped OLEDs achieve the deep-blue non-delayed EL with the satisfied external quantum efficiency (EQE), especially for the excellent efficiency roll-off. Overall, this excited-state transformation between TADF and HLCT allows us to harvest the better comprehensive performance of OLED emitters for the practical applications, which provides a feasible solution for the development of OLED industry.

Structural distortion and electron redistribution in dual-emitting gold nanoclusters

Deciphering the complicated excited-state process is critical for the development of luminescent materials with controllable emissions in different applications. Here we report the emergence of a photo-induced structural distortion accompanied by an electron redistribution in a series of gold nanoclusters. Such unexpected slow process of excited-state transformation results in near-infrared dual emission with extended photoluminescent lifetime. We demonstrate that this dual emission exhibits highly sensitive and ratiometric response to solvent polarity, viscosity, temperature and pressure. Thus, a versatile luminescent nano-sensor for multiple environmental parameters is developed based on this strategy. Furthermore, we fully unravel the atomic-scale structural origin of this unexpected excited-state transformation, and demonstrate control over the transition dynamics by tailoring the bi-tetrahedral core structures of gold nanoclusters. Overall, this work provides a substantial advance in the excited-state physical chemistry of luminescent nanoclusters and a general strategy for the rational design of next-generation nano-probes, sensors and switches.

Understanding Conformational Preferences of Atropisomeric Hydrazides and Its Influence on Excited State Transformations in Crystalline Media.

Hydrazides derivatives were evaluated to understand the role of N–N bond in dictating the outcome of photoreactions in the solid state.

Breaking the Kasha Rule for More Efficient Photochemistry.

This paper provides a systematic review and analysis of different phenomena that violate a basic principle, Kasha's rule, when applied to photochemical reactions. In contrast to the classical route of ultrafast transition to the lowest energy excited state and photochemical reaction starting therein, in some cases, these reactions proceed directly from high-energy excited states. Nowadays, this phenomenon can be observed for a number of major types of excited-state reactions: harvesting product via intersystem crossing; photoisomerizations; bond-breaking; and electron, proton, and energy transfers. We show that specific conditions for their observation are determined by kinetic factors. They should be among the fastest reactions in studied systems, competing with vibrational relaxation and radiative or nonradiative processes occurring in upper excited states. The anti-Kasha effects, which provide an important element that sheds light on the mechanisms of excited-state transformations, open new possibilities of selective control of these reactions for a variety of practical applications. Efficient utilization of excess electronic energy should enhance performance in the systems of artificial photosynthesis and photovoltaic devices. The modulation of the reporting signal by the energy of excitation of light should lead to new technologies in optical sensing and imaging.

Spectral Features and Excited-State Transformations of Hydroxy Derivatives of 4′-N,N-Dimethylaminoflavone in PVA Films and on Plasmonic Platforms

Compounds which undergo excited-state intramolecular proton-transfer (ESIPT) have been widely applied in biophysical investigations as fluorescence sensors enabling several analytical signals. Low fluorescence quantum yields in protic media seem to be, however, their main drawback. In this study, we investigated spectral features of 4′-N,N-dimethylaminoflavone derivatives containing hydroxyl groups at positions 3 and/or 7 in protic solid media—poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films at various concentrations and under conditions of fluorescence intensity enhancement by plasmonic resonance. Our experimental findings indicate that, due to ESIPT and susceptibility of the investigated compounds to the polarity and hydrogen-bonding ability of the medium, various tautomeric species localized in different domains of PVA can be distinguished in the ground and electronically excited states, which determines multiple spectral parameters of such materials. According to the evaluated rate constants, relaxation and aggregatio...

Supramolecular Host‐Inhibited Excited‐State Proton Transfer and Fluorescence Switching of the Anti‐Cancer Drug, Topotecan

The effect of cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) nano-caging on the photophysical properties, particularly excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) reaction, of an eminent anti-cancer drug, topotecan (TPT), is demonstrated through steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements. TPT in water (pH 6) exists exclusively as the cationic form (C) in the ground state. However, the drug emission mainly comes from the excited-state zwitterionic form (Z*) of TPT, and is attributed to water-assisted ESPT between the 10-hydroxyl group and water, which leads to the transformation of C* to Z* of TPT. In the presence of CB[7], it is found that selective encapsulation of the C form of TPT results in the formation of a 1:1 inclusion complex (CB[7]:TPT), and the ESPT process is inhibited by this encapsulation process. As a result, C* becomes the dominant emitting species in the presence of CB[7] rather than Z*, and fluorescence switching takes place from green to blue. Time-resolved studies also support the existence of CB[7]-encapsulated cationic species as the major emitting species in the presence of the macrocyclic host. Semi-empirical quantum chemical calculations are employed to gain insight into the molecular picture of orientation of TPT in the inclusion complex. It is clearly seen from the optimised structure of 1:1 CB[7]:TPT inclusion complex that both 10-hydroxyl and 9-dimethylaminomethylene groups of TPT lie partly inside the cavity, and thereby inhibit the excited-state transformation of C* to Z* by the ESPT process. Finally, controlled release of the drug is achieved by means of fluorescence switching by introducing NaCl, which is rich in cells, as an external stimulus.

Recent mechanistic and exploratory organic photochemistry

Our photochemical research has taken two directions. One of these has been a search for new photochemical reactions and phenomena. The other has been the utilization of new methods of studying organic photochemistry. However, these really have a common aim, namely a better understanding of factors controlling excited state transformations and the development of photochemical theory.

Mechanistic and exploratory organic photochemistry. XXXIX. Relative rates of aryl migrations in excited-state transformations

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTMechanistic and exploratory organic photochemistry. XXXIX. Relative rates of aryl migrations in excited-state transformationsHoward Elliot Zimmerman and Nathan LewinCite this: J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1969, 91, 4, 879–886Publication Date (Print):February 1, 1969Publication History Published online1 May 2002Published inissue 1 February 1969https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01032a015RIGHTS & PERMISSIONSArticle Views33Altmetric-Citations13LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InReddit PDF (946 KB) Get e-Alerts Get e-Alerts