Push-pull Chromophores Research Articles

Exploration of nonlinear optical enhancement in acceptor-π-donor indacenodithiophene based derivatives via structural variations: a DFT approach.

Herein, a series of indacenodithiophene-based derivatives (TNPD1-TNPD6) were designed having D-π-A architecture via end capped acceptor modulation of a reference molecule (TNPR) to investigate nonlinear optical (NLO) behavior. Quantum chemical calculations were accomplished to examine electronic, structural and optical properties utilizing a density functional theory (DFT) approach at M06 functional with 6-311G(d,p) basis set. For this, natural bond orbitals (NBOs), density of states (DOS), frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), transition density matrix (TDM) and non-linear optical (NLO) analyses were performed for TNPR and TNPD1-TNPD6. The structural modifications revealed a significant electronic contribution in tuning the HOMOs and LUMOs of the derivatives with lowered energy gaps and wider absorption spectra. FMOs findings revealed that compound TNPD5 was found with the lowest energy gap (1.692 eV) and with the highest softness (0.591 eV-1) among the derivatives. Furthermore, a UV-Vis study also disclosed that maximum absorption (λmax = 852.242 nm) was exhibited by TNPD5 in chloroform solvent. All the derivatives exhibited significant NLO results; in particular, TNPD5 showed the highest first hyper-polarizability (βtot = 4.653 × 10-27 esu) and second hyper-polarizability (γtot = 9.472 × 10-32 esu). These DFT findings revealed that the end-capped substituents play a key role in enhancing the NLO response of these push-pull chromophores and the studied derivatives can be utilized as efficient NLO materials.

Synthesis of tetrazine-tetracyanobutadienes and their transformation into pyridazines via inverse-electron demand Diels-Alder cycloaddition (IEDDA).

We report the synthesis of novel triphenylamine-tetrazine-tetracyanobutadiene based asymmetric and symmetric push-pull chromophores (1T and 1DT) by [2 + 2] cycloaddition-retroelectrocyclization of tetrazine connected electron-rich ethynyl triphenylamine with tetracyanoethene (TCNE). The electron-deficient tetrazine and tetracyanobutadiene (TCBD) moieties in 1T and 1DT create strong intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) interactions with TPA units, resulting in strong visible absorption with red edges reaching up to 700 nm (bandgaps of 1.79-1.89 eV). Furthermore, the structural, optical, and electronic properties of 1T and 1DT have been further tuned by transforming tetrazine units into pyridazines (1T-P and 1DT-P) via inverse-electron demand Diels-Alder cycloaddition (IEDDA). The relatively electron-donating character of pyridazine raised the HOMO and LUMO energies and widened the bandgap by ∼0.2 eV. This is the first synthetic strategy which allows two levels of tuning of the properties. 1DT acts as a selective colorimetric sensor for CN-via a nucleophilic attack on the dicyanovinyl unit of TCBD. The transformation results in a distinct colour change from orange to brown, while no change was observed for a range of anions tested (F-, Br-, HSO4-, NO3-, BF4-, and ClO4-).

Cyano-rich donor-acceptor-donor-type NLOphores containing dialkylated triazene and aniline groups

Continuous progress on the synthesis of push-pull chromophores is related to their outstanding optoelectronic properties. Expanding scope is a challenge due to the instability of targets and long synthetic strategies. Herein, we report the synthesis of thirteen different triazene-substituted alkyne substrates using Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions. Although we have previously described successful syntheses of homoconjugated and π-conjugated push-pull systems starting from triazene-substituted terminal alkynes, symmetric and unsymmetric bis-triazenes that we reported in this study unexpectedly did not undergo [2 + 2] cycloaddition-retroelectrocyclizations (CA-RE) with well-known electron acceptors, TCNE and TCNQ. With the use of diethylaniline-substituted substrates in CA-RE, this issue was successfully circumvented. Two different groups of NLOphores were synthesized in very high yields via [2 + 2] CA-RE with TCNE (95–99%) and TCNQ (92–99%). All target NLOphores were investigated by UV/Vis spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, high-resolution mass spectrometry, theoretical studies, and EFISHG experiments. While different dialkyltriazene groups did not appear to have an important impact on ICT properties of the chromophores, modifications made in the electron withdrawing units significantly affected the ICT performance of the chromophores. Target push–pull-systems displayed λmax values for their CT bands ranging between 454 and 692 nm. The ICT properties of the chromophores were confirmed by computational studies (Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) studies, frontier orbital visualizations, electrostatic potential maps, and calculation of several parameters such as dipole moment, HOMO-LUMO gaps, electronegativity, global chemical hardness, and softness, average polarizability, first hyperpolarizability) as well as experimental UV/Vis studies. As computational studies indicate that synthesized chromophores are potential NLOphores, experimental NLO measurements were performed by the EFISHG technique. Target structures exhibited large NLO responses (μβ values ranging 850 × 10−48 esu to 6050 × 10−48 esu).

Physicochemical investigation and fluorescence quenching of biologically active pyrrole-containing push-pull chromophore by Ag nanoparticles

An efficient, one pot, multicomponent synthesis of 4-[(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylidene]-2-phenyl-1,3-oxazol-5(4H)-one (MPMO) from 1-methylpyrrole-2-carbaldehyde, hippuric acid (N-Benzoylglycine), and NaOAc in acetic anhydride has been developed. The solvatochromic properties viz. Stokes shift, excitation coefficient, and fluorescence quantum yield for MPMO has been explored by recording its absorption and emission spectra in solvents of varied polarities. When the solvent polarity varies from less-polar (n-hexane) to highly polar (dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO), the emission and absorption maximum show red shift. Interaction of MPMO with the CTAB and SDS could be used for the determination their critical micellar concentration (CMC). Further, fluorescence quenching of MPMO with colloidal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was observed and the Stern–Volmer quenching rate constant (Ksv) in ethanol and ethane-1,2-diol (glycol), was determined to be 1.43 × 108M − 1 and 1.32 × 108M − 1 respectively. The antibacterial activity of MPMO was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains and results showed the compound MPMO good antibacterial agent against Gram-negative bacteria.

Triphenylamine-based highly active two-photon absorbing chromophores with push-pull systems

Two triphenylamine-based star-type push-pull chromophores (T1, T2) were designed and synthesized. Triphenylamine serves as the central core and acts as an electron-donating group surrounded by electron-withdrawing pentafluorobenzene or N,N-dimethyl substituted tetrafluorobenzene, which are connected by ethylene bridges. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirmed the structures and molecular arrangement of two chromophores. The systematic photophysical research of T1 and T2 absorption characteristics was carried out to gain a better understanding of how structure-property relationships affect the observed nonlinear optical absorption phenomenon. Complementary calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) further confirmed the experimental results. Both chromophores exhibited excellent two-photon absorption (TPA) properties in CH2Cl2. Notably, T2 has more remarkable nonlinear optical absorption effects with the TPA cross-section up to 4.24 × 107 GM. By adjusting the electronic structures of the chromophores through introducing pentafluorobenzene or N,N-dimethyl as functional groups with different electron-donating or withdrawing behaviors, the TPA performance of the small organic molecule could be greatly enhanced. These molecular structures with push-pull systems were excellent candidates for different two-photon applications.

Alkoxy-Substituted Quadrupolar Fluorescent Dyes.

Polar and polarizable π-conjugated organic molecules containing push-pull chromophores have been investigated extensively in the past. Identifying unique backbones and building blocks for fluorescent dyes is a timely exercise. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of a series of fluorescent dyes containing quadrupolar A-D-A constitutions (where A = acceptor and D = donor), which exhibit fluorescence emission at a variety of different wavelengths. We have investigated the effects of different electron-withdrawing groups, located at both termini of a para-terphenylene backbone, by steady-state UV/vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Pyridine and substituted pyridinium units are also introduced during the construction of the quadrupolar backbones. Depending on the quadrupolarity, fluorescence emission wavelengths cover from 380 to 557 nm. Time-resolved absorption and emission spectroscopy reveal that the photophysical properties of those quadrupolar dyes result from intramolecular charge transfer. One of the dyes we have investigated is a symmetrical box-like tetracationic cyclophane. Its water-soluble tetrachloride, which is non-cytotoxic to cells up to a loading concentration of 1 μM, has been employed in live-cell imaging. When taken up by cells, the tetrachloride emits a green fluorescence emission without any hint of photobleaching or disruption of normal cell behavior. We envision that our design strategy of modifying molecules through the functionalization of the quadrupolar building blocks as chromophores will lead to future generations of fluorescent dyes in which these A-D-A constitutional fragments are incorporated into more complex molecules and polymers for broader photophysical and biological applications.

Synthesis and Spectral Properties of Aggregation-Induced Emission-Active Push-Pull Chromophores Based On Isoindole Scaffolds.

A new class of tailor-made push-pull isoindole fluorophores has been synthesized through the combination of Suzuki coupling and Knoevenagel reactions. The efficient synthetic strategy rendered the isoindole scaffold as the π-bridge and the isolation spacer and provided dyes bearing various types of electron donors and electron acceptors for manipulating their energy gaps and tuning their absorptions and emissions. Most of the N-alkylated isoindole dyes showed aggregation-induced emission behaviors suitable for bioimaging and nice solid-state emission with maxima up to 851 nm.

(A)symmetric chromophores based on cyano and fluorine-substituted 2,3-bis(5-arylthiophen-2-yl)quinoxalines: Synthesis, photophysical properties and application prospects

A series of novel V-shaped D-π-A-π-D push-pull chromophores, containing two aminoaryl electron donors (D), 1,5-thiophenylene π-conjugated spacer and a 6-cyano- or 6,7-difluoroquinoxaline electron acceptor (A), was designed, synthesized, and characterized. 6-Cyano derivatives demonstrated red shift of absorption and emission maxima compared with 6,7-difluoro counterparts. The compounds displayed positive emission solvatochromism with increasing solvent polarity. Additionally, emission behavior of all compounds in THF/water mixture and solid state was investigated. Moreover, the two-photon excited fluorescence (2 PE) spectra of carbazolyl-containing chromophores were measured. Replacement of 6,7-difluoroquinoxaline core by 6-cyanoquinoxaline increases two-photon absorption cross section (δ2PA) value by more than 10 times. 6,7-Difluoroquinoxalines demonstrated changes in emission maxima or/and intensity after mechanic stimulation. Electronic-structure calculations with the use of quantum-chemistry methods were performed to have a deeper insight into experimental data. In summary, the obtained results show multifunctional nature of V-shaped 2,3-bis(5-arylthiephen-2-yl)quinoxalines and their potential utility in diverse applications.

Abnormal push-pull benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a][1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-e]pyrimidine fluorophores in planarized intramolecular charge transfer (PLICT) state: Synthesis, photophysical studies and theoretical calculations

The combination of excellent luminescence with high solvent polarity effect and aggregation induced emission (AIE) is an ideal combination for creating fluorophores/probes with high microenvironmental sensitivity. However, many push-pull chromophores of the D−A type in common intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state with a significant solvatochromic effect and AIE activity, have poor luminescent properties. Herein, to overcome this problem by using reactions of nucleophilic aromatic hydrogen substitution (SNH), we have designed a series of novel 4-heteroaryl-substituted 2-aryl-2H-benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a][1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-e]pyrimidine fluorophores possessing a planarized intramolecular charge transfer (PLICT) state. All these fluorophores exhibited high luminescence quantum yields (up to 60%) and large Stokes shift values of up to 7459 cm−1. Among them, the fluorophore 4h was found to exhibit the most pronounced positive solvatochromic effect and the probe 4f exhibited the most pronounced aggregation induced emission characteristics. This AIE behavior was further confirmed by means of time-resolved fluorescence lifetime measurements as well as DFT-assisted geometry optimization studies. In the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) compound 4h exhibited a well-pronounced acidochromism via visible color change from yellow-green to orange which returned to the original yellow-green solution after the addition of triethylamine (TEA). The Stern-Volmer constant for the probe 4h towards TFA was 38 M−1. Finally, for the compounds 4f, g, h theoretical calculations in the ground and excited states in different solvents were carried out to confirm the PLICT process. Based on all above the herein reported PLICT fluorophores 4a-h can be successfully applied as biological probes and optical switches.

The effect of the additional phenyl moiety on the linear and quadratic nonlinear optical properties of chromophores with vinyl-quinoxalinone-vinyl π-bridge

Four novel push-pull tricyanofuran-based chromophores with vinylene-quinoxalinone-vinylene π-conjugated bridge and aniline type donor with phenyl moiety either introduced into the donor/acceptor as substituent or fused with aniline in carbazole and phenothiazine structures have been synthesized and their linear and nonlinear optical properties were systematically investigated by UV–Vis spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Addition of benzene ring as substituent to the chromophore leads to moderate (22–36 pm/V) macroscopic NLO activity of composite chromophore/PMMA materials, while guest-host polymers doped with chromophores with fused heterocyclic donor moiety demonstrate higher d33 values up to 47 pm/V. Chromophore-containing polymer films preserve more than 90% of d33 after 1000 h at ambient temperature.

3-Alkynylindoles as Building Blocks for the Synthesis of Electronically Tunable Indole-Based Push-Pull Chromophores.

In this study, two different classes of push–pull chromophores were synthesized in modest to excellent yields by formal [2+2] cycloaddition-retroelectrocyclization (CA-RE) reactions. N-Methyl indole was introduced as a new donor group to activate alkynes in the CA-RE transformations. Depending on the side groups’ size and donor/acceptor characteristics, N-methyl indole-containing compounds exhibited λmax values ranging between 378 and 658 nm. The optoelectronic properties of the reported D–A-type structures were studied by UV/vis spectroscopy and computational studies. The complete regioselectivity observed in the products was elaborated by one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR studies, and the electron donor strength order of N-alkyl indole and triazene donor groups was also established. The intramolecular charge-transfer characteristics of the target push–pull chromophores were investigated by frontier orbital depictions, electrostatic potential maps, and time-dependent density functional theory calculations. Overall, the computational and experimental results match each other. Integrating a new donor group, N-alkyl indole, into the substrates used in formal [2+2] cycloaddition-retroelectrocyclizations has significant potential to overcome the limited donor-substituted substrate scope problem of CA-RE reactions.

Aggregation induced emission (AIE)-active ferrocene conjugated linear π−extended multi donor−π−acceptor (D-D′-π-A) chromophores: Synthesis, structural, theoretical, linear and nonlinear optical studies

A new series of ferrocene (D) and methoxyphenyl (D′) conjugated D-D′-π-A push-pull chromophores [Fc-(RPh)C=CH–CH=CN-R’{R, R’ = H, CN (1), OCH3, CN (2), H, C6H4NO2 (3), OCH3, C6H4NO2 (4)}] were synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. The structure of the chromophore 3 was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies, and it was crystallized in triclinic crystal system with P-1 centrosymmetric space group. In the crystal packing, several non-covalent interactions (H-bonding and C–H·····π) were observed. The thermal behaviour of the chromophores 3 and 4 has been investigated using thermogravimetric analysis and was found to be stable up to 230 °C. The solvatochromic studies of the chromophores 1–4 showed a positive solvatochromism with red-shift from non-polar to polar solvents due to the high dipolar excited state in the presence of strong electron-donor and acceptor moieties. The electrochemical performance of the chromophores revealed the one-electron transfer from the ferrocene to ferrocenium ion Fe2+⇌Fe3+. The chromophores 1–4 exhibited low fluorescence intensity and quantum yield as a consequence of the quenching nature of ferrocene, it was further enhanced through the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) process in THF/H2O mixtures by the restriction of intramolecular rotation (RIR), and the chromophores 1–4 showed 2 times higher quantum yield in the aggregated state. The second-order nonlinear optical response was attained by Kurtz-Perry powder technique. The second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiencies of the chromophore 4 was close to the standard KDP, owing to the presence of multi-donor [Ferrocene (D) and methoxyphenyl (D′)] and acceptor groups with extended π-conjugation. In addition, the mesomeric effect (+M) of the methoxy group makes an effective charge transfer process. The optical and nonlinear optical properties of the chromophores were further analyzed by density functional theory (DFT) with different functionals (B3LYP, CAM-B3LYP and LC-BLYP). The hyperpolarizability values were underestimates in the B3LYP-hybrid functional because of the corrected long-range charge transfer between donor and acceptor in the D-π-A systems. The frontier molecular orbital (FMO) level helps for better understanding the charge transfer, nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, and the calculated HOMO-LUMO energy levels were in good agreement with the experimental results.

Quantum Chemical Computations of an Efficient Push-Pull NLO Chromophore 3-[4-Nitrophenyl Azo]- 9H- Carbazole-9-Ethanol

Electric-optic (EO) materials are being explored for applications ranging from fiber and satellite telecommunications, optical gyroscopes, to photonic detection of radar etc. Dipolar push-pull Organic chromophores that exhibit extended π-conjugation, in particular, show enhanced second order NLO properties. The present investigation reports the quantum chemical computations of the high efficiency push-pull NLO molecule 3-[(4-Nitrophenyl Azo)] - 9H-Carbazole-9-Ethanol (NPACE). The organic push-pull molecule is optimized in gaseous and in various solvent condition using Exchange correlation function (B3LYP/MP2). Molecular electrostatic potential, thermal properties and NBO analysis have also been performed in detail. The effective electron cloud moment in the molecule is mainly governed by the physical process termed intramolecular Charge Transfer (ICT).

A ‘donor-free’ chromophore with a silicon-based acceptor group for second order nonlinear optics

In this paper we report an investigation on the linear and nonlinear properties of a non-classic push-pull molecule, based on the molecular design concept of a ‘donor-free’ chromophore. Herein a terthiophene unit acts both as a donor and a π-spacer group and a tris(trimethylsiloxy)silane substituent as an acceptor group. This latter can represent a model of a fragment of silica surface and it has been compared with a classic acceptor unit like the nitro group. The ‘donor-free’ chromophores have also been compared to more typical push-pull chromophores by replacing the terthiophene unit with the N,N-dimethylamino donor group.Despite the silane group only slightly impacts on the electronic and linear properties of the terthiophene, our results reveal high μβEFISH values for silane-functionalized derivatives producing a NLO activity stronger than that of the nitro substituted. Finally, the investigated ‘donor-free’ NLO-phore exhibits interesting physical properties relevant in term of nonlinearity/transparency trade-off, a highly desired requirement for second-order NLO materials.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-substituted push-pull chromophores: an investigation of optoelectronic and nonlinear optical properties using experimental and theoretical approaches.

A series of new push–pull chromophores were synthesized in moderate to very high yields (65%–97%) by treating TCNE and TCNQ with alkynes substituted by electron-rich diethylaniline and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Some of the chromophores exhibit strong intramolecular charge-transfer bands in the near-IR region with λmax values between 695 and 749 nm. With the help of experimental and theoretical analysis, it is concluded that the trend in λ max values is affected by PAH substituents sterically, not electronically. Steric constraints led to the increased dihedral angles, reducing conjugation efficiencies. The absorption properties of push-pull compounds have been investigated in solvents possessing different polarities. All chromophores exhibited positive solvatochromism. As an additional proof of efficient charge-transfer in push–pull chromophores, quinoid character (dr) values were predicted using calculated bond lengths. Remarkably, substantial dr values (0.045–0.049) were predicted for donor diethylaniline rings in all compounds. The effects of various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on optical and nonlinear optical properties were also studied by computational methods. Several parameters, such as band gaps, Mulliken electronegativity, chemical hardness and softness, dipole moments, average polarizability, first hyperpolarizability, were predicted for chromophores at the B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) level of theory. The predicted first hyperpolarizability β(tot) values vary between 198 to 538 × 10–30 esu for the reported push–pull chromophores in this study. The highest predicted β(tot) value in this study is 537.842 × 10–30 esu, 8150 times larger than the predicted β(tot) value of benchmark NLO material urea, suggests possible utilization of these chromophores in NLO devices. The charge-transfer character of the synthesized structures was further confirmed by HOMO-LUMO depictions and electrostatic potential maps.

Fused ring effect on optical nonlinearity and structure property relationship of anthracenyl chalcone based push-pull chromophores.

The Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectra indicate that anthracenyl chalcones (ACs) have high maximum wavelengths and good transparency windows for optical applications and are suitable for optoelectronic applications owing to their HOMO–LUMO energy gaps (2.93 and 2.76 eV). Different donor substituents on the AC affect their dipole moments and nonlinear optical (NLO) responses. The positive, negative, and neutral electrostatic potential regions of the molecules were identified using molecular electrostatic potential (MEP). The stability of the molecule on account of hyperconjugative interactions and accompanying charge delocalization was analyzed using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. Open and closed aperture Z-scans were performed using a continuous-wave frequency-doubled diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) laser to measure the nonlinear absorption and nonlinear refractive index coefficients, respectively. The valley-to-peak profile of AC indicated a negative nonlinear refractive index coefficient. The obtained single crystals possess reverse saturation absorption due to excited-state absorption. The structural and nonlinear optical properties of the molecules have been discussed, along with the role of anthracene substitution for enhancing the nonlinear optical properties. The calculated third-order susceptibility value was 1.10 x10-4 esu at an intensity of 4.1 kW/cm2, higher than the reported values for related chalcone derivatives. The NLO response for both ACs offers excellent potential in optical switching and limiting applications.

DFT and TD-DFT study on quadratic NLO response and optoelectronic activity in novel Y-shaped imidazole-based push-pull chromophores.

A theoretical analysis of a series of imidazole-based Y-shaped chromophores, D1-D8, is performed in order to investigate their non(linear) optical, fluorescence, and charge-transport properties. The calculations have been carried out employing DFT and TD-DFT methods at CAM-B3LYP and M06-2X levels of theory. FMO analysis reveals that in ground state, the highest occupied molecular orbital is localized on the 4,5-dimethylanilino donor moiety and imidazole core while the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital spreads on π-linker and nitro acceptor moieties. Vertical absorption and fluorescence transitions are characterized as intramolecular charge transfer and maximum absorption and fluorescence wavelengths show that by changing the π-bridge to the imidazole C2, we can tune fluorescence color from cyan to orange. Calculated (hyper)polarizabilities show that elongation of π-linker by polarizable subunits, such as double bonds or heteroaromatic rings, increases significantly the nonlinear response and shifts the charge-transfer band bathochromically. Calculated reorganization energies indicate that the studied compounds are hole-transporting materials rather than electron-transporters. Interestingly, D7 and D8, with higher hyperpolarizabilities, are predicted to be potent candidates for NLO-devices while D5 and D8 molecules are expected to be promising candidates for luminescent materials and good hole-transport materials for organic light-emitting diodes.

Difluorodithieno[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine as a strong acceptor for materials displaying thermally activated delayed fluorescence or room temperature phosphorescence

A novel strong electron-acceptor unit, 9,10-difluorodithieno[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine (DTPz), is synthesized and applied in the design of two donor-acceptor type emitters displaying long-lived delayed emission. Using either 9,9-dimethyl-9,10-dihydroacridine (DMAC) or triisopropyl-substituted benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene (BDT-TIPS) as the donor component, push-pull type chromophores exhibiting charge-transfer emission are obtained and found to afford either thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) for DMAC or room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) for BDT-TIPS.

Effect of conjugation on the optoelectronic properties of pyrazine-based push-pull chromophores: Aggregation-induced emission, solvatochromism, and acidochromism

A series of pyrazine-based bipodal D-π-A-π-D and D-π-A-π-A molecules with multi-stimuli response have been synthesized via Suzuki and Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions. We present a joint theoretical and experimental study to elucidate structure-property relationship of these push-pull chromophores. The modification of the end-capped donor-acceptor units and the extension of π-conjugation are key factors in tuning their optical, thermal and electrochemical properties. Depending on the different electron-donating substituents, the chromophores emit blue to orange fluorescence. The solvent dependent emission was observed and their Dimroth-Reichardt plots show a linear correlation. The aggregation-induced study shows enhanced emission in aggregates. Our work has elucidated that these small structural isomers can be utilized to develop a promising multi-stimuli responsive fluorescent materials.

N-ethyl carbazole-1-allylidene-based push-pull dyes as efficient light harvesting photoinitiators for sunlight induced polymerization

In this article, the free radical polymerization of acrylates was successfully achieved with a series of twelve push-pull chromophores comprising the N-ethyl carbazole-1-allylidene group as the electron-donating group. Using this strong donor, the resulting dyes, never synthesized before, could efficiently initiate the free radical photopolymerization of acrylates upon mild irradiation conditions e.g. using sunlight. These novel multi-component systems comprising the above mentioned push-pull dyes, a tertiary amine (ethyl dimethylaminobenzoate EDB) and an iodonium salt could act as efficient photoinitiating systems (PISs) in free radical polymerization (FRP), leading to the formation of 3D patterns with precise shapes under the direct laser write (DLW) approach. Among these new PISs, dyes 3, 6, 7 and 8 were selected due to their efficient photoinitiation performances for chemical mechanism studies including steady state photolysis, fluorescence quenching measurements, electron spin resonance (ESR) spin-trapping experiments and cyclic voltammetry. Markedly, their excellent photochemical reactivities prompted us to investigate the performance of these multi-component photoinitiating systems upon sunlight as an ecofriendly approach. As a result, this research proved that sunlight could be used as a potential light source that can advantageously replace LEDs when highly reactive push-pull dyes are used as photosensitizers for the free radical photopolymerization of acrylate resins. Finally, 3D patterns could be prepared with the new photocomposites, and silica fillers could be even incorporated within the photosensitive resins so that a gradient of resolution could be successfully demonstrated.