Spin-orbit Charge Transfer Intersystem Crossing Research Articles

Solvent Effects on Spin-Orbit Charge-Transfer Intersystem Crossing in Aryl-Substituted Boron-dipyrromethene Donor-Acceptor Dyads.

In heavy-atom-free organic molecules, the rate of triplet generation through charge recombination, as dictated by the El-Sayed rule, can be enhanced by 101-102 times compared with the rate of spontaneous spin flipping between π-π* orbitals. This mechanism is known as the spin-orbit charge-transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC). Within the framework of the SOCT-ISC mechanism, facilitating the generation of charge-separated (CS) states and suppressing the spin-allowed direct charge recombination to the ground state are pivotal for maximizing the efficiency of generating localized triplet states. Herein, a series of orthogonal aryl-substituted boron-dipyrromethene dyads were studied by time-resolved spectroscopy to unravel the multichannel competitive relationships in the SOCT-ISC mechanism. The energy level of the electron donor and the stabilization of the solvent effect to the charge-transfer state are reflected in the Gibbs free energy changes of the electron transfer and recombination reactions, leading to significantly different triplet quantum yields. Additionally, solvation-induced electronic coupling changes in excited states lead to the fact that the spin-allowed charge recombination rate cannot be well simply predicted by the Marcus inverted region but has to consider the specific excited-state dynamics in optimizing the proportion of triplet generation channels based on charge recombination.

Constructing Heavy-Atom-Free Photosensitizers for Hypoxic Tumor Phototherapy Based on Donor-Excited Photoinduced Electron-Transfer-Driven Type-I and Type-II Mechanisms.

The spin-orbit charge transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC) photophysical process has shown great potential for constructing heavy-atom-free photosensitizers (PSs) for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumors. However, for almost all such PSs reported to date, the SOCT-ISC is driven by the acceptor-excited photoinduced electron transfer (a-PeT). In this work, for the first time the donor-excited photoinduced electron transfer (d-PeT)-driven SOCT-ISC mechanism is utilized to construct the heavy-atom-free PSs for PDT of tumors by directly installing the electron-deficient N-alkylquinolinium unit (as an electron acceptor) into the meso-position of the near-infrared (NIR) distyryl Bodipy chromophore (as an electron donor). In the less polar environment, the PSs exist as the monomer and promote the production of singlet oxygen (1O2) (Type-II) relying on the d-PeT-driven population of the triplet excited state via SOCT-ISC, whereas in the aqueous environment, they exist as nanoaggregates and induce the generation of superoxides (O2-•) and hydroxyl radicals (HO•) (Type-I) via the d-PeT-driven formation of the delocalized charge-separated state. The PSs could rapidly be internalized into cancer cells and induce the simultaneous production of intracellular 1O2, O2-•, and HO• upon NIR light irradiation, endowing the PSs with superb photocytotoxicity with IC50 values up to submicromolar levels whether under normoxia or under hypoxia. Based on the PSs platform, a tumor-targetable PS is developed, and its abilities in killing cancer cells and in ablating tumors without damage to normal cells/tissues under NIR light irradiation are verified in vitro and in vivo. The study expands the design scope of PSs by introducing the d-PeT conception, thus being highly valuable for achieving novel PSs in the realm of tumor PDT.

The controllable of BODIPY dimers without installing blocking groups as both fluorescence and singlet oxygen generators

AbstractWe compared a range of BODIPY dimer derivatives without installing blocking groups by optimizing geometry structures and analyzing energies, frontier molecular orbitals, Chole&Cele map, electron density difference, spin‐orbit coupling (SOC) matrix and decay rate constants from excited states. The dihedral angles of the β‐β‐linked BODIPY dimer and the α‐α‐linked BODIPY dimer tend to flatten in the T1 state, which is detrimental to the occurrence of the intersystem crossing (ISC). Conversely, the dihedral angle of the meso‐β‐linked BODIPY dimer, the meso‐meso‐linked BODIPY dimer and α‐γ‐linked BODIPY dimer is within the range of 125°–143° in the T1 state, facilitating ISC and the generation of singlet oxygen. Notably, the transition from S1 to S0 involving lowest unoccupied molecular orbital to highest occupied molecular orbital with long‐wavelength emission and moderate oscillator strength underpins the remarkable long emission peaks observed experimentally for α‐γ‐linked BODIPY dimer. Moreover, the apparent SOC matrix enhances the ISC process, resulting in a respectable efficiency in generating singlet oxygen for this dimer. In meso‐β‐linked BODIPY, meso‐meso‐linked BODIPY, and α‐γ‐linked BODIPY, the S1→T1 process is characterized by a significant charge transfer, specifically transitioning from the 1CT state to the 3LE state, indicative of a spin‐orbit charge transfer ISC (SOCT‐ISC) mechanism. The ability to regulate the photosensitivity of BODIPY dimers by adjusting the dihedral angle between the two units in the T1 state unveils new avenues for designing high‐performance photosensitizers for both therapeutic and imaging applications.

Charge Transfer and Intersystem Crossing in Compact Naphthalenediimide-Phenothiazine Triads: Synthesis and Study of the Photophysical Property with Transient Optical and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Methods.

In order to obtain a long-lived charge separation (CS) state in compact electron donor-acceptor molecular systems, we prepared a series of naphthalenediimide (NDI)-phenothiazine (PTZ) triads, with phenylene as the linker between the donor and acceptor. Conformation restriction is imposed to control the mutual orientation of the NDI and PTZ units by attaching methyl groups on the phenylene linker to tune the electronic coupling between the donor and the acceptor. Moreover, the PTZ moiety was oxidized to sulfoxide to tune the ordering of the CS state and the 3LE state (LE: locally excited state). UV-vis absorption spectra indicate electronic coupling between NDI with the phenylene linker as well as the PTZ units, manifested by the appearance of a charge-transfer (CT) absorption band, whereas this coupling is devoid in the triads with conformation restriction imposed. Fluorescence is strongly quenched in the triads compared to the reference compound, indicating electron transfer upon photoexcitation. Femtosecond transient absorption spectra indicate that the CS takes 0.8 ps, and then the 3LE state is formed by charge recombination in 83 ps. Nanosecond transient absorption (ns-TA) spectra show that the 3NDI state was observed in nonpolar solvents such as cyclohexane (triplet state lifetime: 95.7 μs), whereas the CS state was observed in more polar solvents. The CS state lifetimes are up to 1.2 μs (in toluene). Time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of the triads in toluene consist of two types of signals: CS states (narrower signals, ∼10 mT) and 3LE states (broader signals, ∼50 to 200 mT). In the spectra of the triads containing PTZ, the CS state signals dominate, whereas for the triads containing oxidized PTZ, the 3NDI signals (zero-field splitting D ≈ 2000 MHz) prevail, both observations being in agreement with the ns-TA spectral studies. The electron spin polarization phase pattern of the 3NDI states of the triads indicates that the intersystem crossing (ISC) mechanism is spin-orbit charge-transfer ISC. Considering the 3CS state as ion pairs, the electron-exchange energy (J) is determined to be -39 to -59 MHz, and the electron spin dipolar interaction is 83-92 MHz.

Cationized orthogonal triad as a photosensitizer with enhanced synergistic antimicrobial activity

Single-molecule-based synergistic phototherapy holds great potential for antimicrobial treatment. Herein, we report an orthogonal molecular cationization strategy to improve the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hyperthermia generation of heptamethine cyanine (Cy7) for photodynamic and photothermal treatments of bacterial infections. Cationic pyridine (Py) is introduced at the meso‑position of the asymmetric Cy7 with intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) to construct an atypical electron-transfer triad, which reduces ΔES1-S0, circumvents rapid charge recombination, and simultaneously enhances intersystem crossing (ISC) based on spin-orbit charge-transfer ISC (SOCT-ISC) mechanism. This unique molecular construction produces anti-Stokes luminescence (ASL) because the rotatable CN bond enriched in high vibrational-rotational energy levels improves hot-band absorption (HBA) efficiency. The obtained triad exhibits higher singlet oxygen quantum yield and photothermal conversion efficiency compared to indocyanine green (ICG) under irradiation above 800 nm. Cationization with Py enables the triad to target bacteria via intense electrostatic attractions, as well as biocidal property against a broad spectrum of bacteria in the dark. Moreover, the triad under irradiation can enhance biofilm eradication performance in vitro and statistically improve healing efficacy of MRSA-infected wound in mice. Thus, this work provides a simple but effective strategy to design small-molecule photosensitizers for synergistic phototherapy of bacterial infections. Statement of SignificanceWe developed an orthogonal molecular cationization strategy to enhance the reactive oxygen species and thermal effects of heptamethine cyanine (Cy7) for photodynamic and photothermal treatments of bacterial infections. Specifically, cationic pyridine (Py) was introduced at the meso‑position of the asymmetric Cy7 to construct an atypical electron-transfer triad, which reduced ΔES1-S0, circumvented rapid charge recombination, and simultaneously enhanced intersystem crossing (ISC). This triad, with a rotatable CN bond, produced anti-Stokes luminescence due to hot-band absorption. The triad enhanced antimicrobial performance and statistically improved the healing efficacy of MRSA-infected wounds in mice. This site-specific cationization strategy may provide insights into the design of small molecule-based photosensitizers for synergistic phototherapy of bacterial infections.

Solvent and alkyl substitution effects on charge-transfer mediated triplet state generation in BODIPY dyads: a combined computational and experimental study

Donor–acceptor dyads based on BODIPYs have been recently employed to enhance the formation of triplet excited states with the process of spin–orbit charge transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC) which does not require introduction of transition metals or other heavy atoms into the molecule. In this work we compare two donor–acceptor dyads based on meso-naphthalenyl BODIPY by combining experimental and computational investigations. The photophysical and electrochemical characterization reveals a significant effect of alkylation of the BODIPY core, disfavoring the SOCT-ISC mechanism for the ethylated BODIPY dyad. This is complemented with a computational investigation carried out to rationalize the influence of ethyl substituents and solvent effects on the electronic structure and efficiency of triplet state population via charge recombination (CR) from the photoinduced electron transfer (PeT) generated charge-transfer (CT) state. Time dependent-density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations including solvent effects and spin–orbit coupling (SOC) calculations uncover the combined role played by solvent and alkyl substitution on the lateral positions of BODIPY.Graphical abstract

Substitution effects on the photoinduced excited state dynamics of perylenemonoimides in solution and thin films.

Perylene monoimide (PMI) derivatives are attracting significant attention due to their strong absorption in the visible range, thermal stability, and synthetic accessibility. These properties make them promising for application in various areas such as optoelectronic devices, photosensitizers, etc. In this work, the photophysical properties and excited state dynamics of four different PMI derivatives (PMIB, BrPMITB, PMITB, and APITB) were studied in solution and thin films utilizing steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques. Among the four PMI derivatives, APITB is designed as a donor-acceptor dyad, with thianthrene as a donor and PMI as an acceptor. The activation of the triplet state through the spin-orbit charge transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC) process in THF was observed upon substitution with the thianthrene group at the peri position of the PMI moiety. The SOCT-ISC process facilitates triplet formation in the APITB dyad within 423 ps. Meanwhile, other PMI derivatives showed fluorescence within the femtosecond timescale in THF. The PMI derivatives in thin films displayed different photo physical properties to those in THF. This discrepancy arises due to the effective intermolecular coupling between the PMI derivatives in thin films.

Heavy-atom-free orthogonal configurative dye 1,7-di-anthra-aza-BODIPY for singlet oxygen generation

Spin-orbit, charge-transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC) can directly overcome the disadvantages of the traditional heavy-atom effect and improve the generation efficiency of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Since orthogonal molecular orbitals of donor-acceptor (D-A) pairs favor the SOCT-ISC transition, herein aza-borondipyrromethenes (aza-BODIPYs) with 1,7-di-anthracyl groups (An-azaBDP) was successfully prepared, owing to steric hindrance to produce a big dihedral angle between the two molecular orbital (MO) planes. Moreover, according to density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT), the energy difference between the S1-T1 orbitals of An-azaBDP is small and more inclined towards ISC. An-azaBDP can effectively generate singlet oxygen under light irradiation. An-azaBDP with light irradiation can induce apoptosis in SW620 cells, and can serve as a potential candidate for the treatment of cancer cells and tumors.

Ambient Phosphor with High Efficiency and Long Lifetime in Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Through Charge-Transfer-Mediated Triplet Exciton Formation for Photolithography Applications.

Currently, purely organic compounds showing ambient phosphorescence with high efficiency (ΦP ) and ultra-long lifetime (τP ) are quite rare and often need to be achieved in hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol)-based hosts. This severely limits their applications. Here, we provide a solution to this issue by constructing an ortho-linked donor-acceptor (D-A) dyad whose D moiety has not only a long-lived T1 state to achieve a long τP , but also a Tn state that is close to the S1 state of the dyad to trigger effective spin-orbit charge transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC). The rationality of this strategy was validated by a new phosphor OF-BCz that is able to show a τP of 1.92 s and a ΦP of 30 % even in a less rigid matrix of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Excitingly, OF-BCz exhibited its potential as both a photocuring initiator and an in situ quality indicator, allowing for the visual detection of defects in photolithographic patterning.

Ambient Phosphor with High Efficiency and Long Lifetime in Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Through Charge‐Transfer‐Mediated Triplet Exciton Formation for Photolithography Applications

AbstractCurrently, purely organic compounds showing ambient phosphorescence with high efficiency (ΦP) and ultra‐long lifetime (τP) are quite rare and often need to be achieved in hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol)‐based hosts. This severely limits their applications. Here, we provide a solution to this issue by constructing an ortho‐linked donor‐acceptor (D−A) dyad whose D moiety has not only a long‐lived T1 state to achieve a long τP, but also a Tn state that is close to the S1 state of the dyad to trigger effective spin‐orbit charge transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT‐ISC). The rationality of this strategy was validated by a new phosphor OF‐BCz that is able to show a τP of 1.92 s and a ΦP of 30 % even in a less rigid matrix of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Excitingly, OF‐BCz exhibited its potential as both a photocuring initiator and an in situ quality indicator, allowing for the visual detection of defects in photolithographic patterning.

Efficient Spin-Orbit Charge-Transfer Intersystem Crossing and Slow Intramolecular Triplet-Triplet Energy Transfer in Bodipy-Perylenebisimide Compact Dyads and Triads.

Bodipy (BDP)-perylenebisimide (PBI) donor-acceptor dyads/triad were prepared to study the spin-orbit charge-transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC). For BDP-PBI-3, in which BDP was attached at the imide position of PBI, higher singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ =85 %) was observed than the bay-substituted derivative BDP-PBI-1 (ΦΔ =30 %). Femtosecond transient absorption spectra indicate slow Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET; 40.4 ps) and charge separation (CS; 1.55 ns) in BDP-PBI-3, while for BDP-PBI-1, CS takes 2.8 ps. For triad BDP-PBI-2, ultrafast FRET (149 fs) and CS (4.7 ps) process were observed, the subsequent charge recombination (CR) takes 5.8 ns and long-lived 3 PBI* (179.8 μs) state is populated. Nanosecond transient absorption spectra of BDP-PBI-3 show that the CR gives upper triplet excited state (3 BDP*) and subsequently, via a slow intramolecular triplet energy transfer (14.5 μs), the 3 PBI* state is finally populated, indicating that upper triplet state is involved in SOCT-ISC. Time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed that both radical pair ISC (RP ISC) and SOCT-ISC contribute to the ISC. A rare electron spin polarization of (e, e, e, e, e, e) was observed for the triplet state formed via the RP ISC mechanism, due to the S-T+1 /T0 states mixing.

Triplet Formation and Triplet‐Triplet Annihilation Upconversion in Iodine Substituted Non‐Orthogonal BODIPY‐Perylene Dyads

AbstractBODIPY‐perylene dyads have emerged as useful metal free sensitizers for triplet‐triplet annihilation upconversion (TTAUC), these dyads are capable of efficient triplet generation via spin‐orbit charge transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT‐ISC). This important route to triplet formation requires dyads in which two moieties are oriented perpendicular to each other. In this contribution, we give a deeper insight on the behavior of recently reported BODIPY‐perylene dyads, where BODIPY‐perylene dihedral exhibits a non‐orthogonal dyad geometry. The intersystem crossing of BODIPY‐perylene dyads with and without iodine are investigated using femtosecond transient absorption (fs‐TA) and nanosecond transient absorption (ns‐TA) spectroscopy. The concurrent decay of the singlet charge transfer state (1CT) and rise of triplet states in both the iodinated and non‐iodinated dyads confirms the SOCT‐ISC as the main intersystem crossing pathway despite the altered geometry of the dyads. The presence of an iodine atom on the BODIPY‐moiety enables intersystem crossing 2.6‐times faster and provides a higher triplet yield with respect to dyad without iodine. The upconversion quantum yield ( ) is 8.4‐times higher in the sample containing iodinated dyad as sensitizer and perylene as annihilator. The triplet‐triplet energy transfer rate (kTTET) is ~8×108 M−1 s−1 for both iodinated and non‐iodinated sensitizer containing TTAUC systems in 1,4‐dioxane.

Highly Efficient Photosensitizers with Molecular Vibrational Torsion for Cancer Photodynamic Therapy.

The development of highly effective photosensitizers (PSs) for photodynamic therapy remains a great challenge at present. Most PSs rely on the heavy-atom effect or the spin-orbit charge-transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC) effect to promote ISC, which brings about additional cytotoxicity, and the latter is susceptible to the interference of solvent environment. Herein, an immanent universal property named photoinduced molecular vibrational torsion (PVT)-enhanced spin-orbit coupling (PVT-SOC) in PSs has been first revealed. PVT is verified to be a widespread intrinsic property of quinoid cyanine (QCy) dyes that occurs on an extremely short time scale (10-10 s) and can be captured by transient spectra. The PVT property can provide reinforced SOC as the occurrence of ISC predicted by the El Sayed rules (1ππ*-3nπ*), which ensures efficient photosensitization ability for QCy dyes. Hence, QTCy7-Ac exhibited the highest singlet oxygen yield (13-fold higher than that of TCy7) and lossless fluorescence quantum yield (ΦF) under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. The preeminent photochemical properties accompanied by high biosecurity enable it to effectively perform photoablation in solid tumors. The revelation of this property supplies a new route for constructing high-performance PSs for achieving enhanced cancer phototherapy.

Electron transfer and intersystem crossing in the coumarin-anthracene electron donor-acceptor dyads

A series of compact coumarin (Cou)-anthracene (An) electron donor-acceptor dyads were prepared, in which the two units are directly connected at either 2- or 9- position of the An unit and the 3-position of the Cou unit to study the relationship between the molecular configuration, electronic coupling and the intersystem crossing (ISC) efficiency. Single crystal X-ray diffraction results indicate that the dihedral angles are 88.0° and 85.7°, respectively, in the dyads, in which the donor and acceptor are connected by 9- position of the An unit (Cou-9An and Cou-9AnCN). However, for Cou-2An the optimized ground state geometry indicates a more coplanar configuration with a dihedral angle of 38.6°. The solvent polarity-dependent singlet oxygen quantum yields (ΦΔ) of the orthogonal dyads (Cou-9An and Cou-9AnCN) are 39% (in acetonitrile) and 64% (in dichloromethane), respectively. whereas ΦΔ is negligible for the coplanar dyad (Cou-2An). These results indicated that orthogonal geometry is beneficial to spin−orbit charge transfer ISC (SOCT-ISC) mechanism. Nanosecond transient absorption spectra demonstrated that the lowest triplet state was mainly localized on An unit in Cou-9An and Cou-9AnCN, with the intrinsic triplet state lifetime of 234 and 207 μs, respectively. Triplet state delocalization was observed for Cou-2An, which prolongs the triplet state lifetime to 742 μs. Femtosecond transient absorption spectra results indicated fast charge separation (CS, 0.36−0.41 ps) and slow charge recombination (CR, 2.1−2.8 ns) in the orthogonal dyads. Time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) spectra further confirmed the SOCT-ISC mechanism in the orthogonal dyads (Cou-9An and Cou-9AnCN), however, the SOCT-ISC and spin orbit ISC (SO-ISC) mechanism are both responsible for the triplet state formation in the coplanar dyad (Cou-2An). Electron spin polarization (ESP) pattern of the triplet state TREPR spectra of Cou-9An and Cou-9AnCN is (a,e,a,e,a,e), however, ESP phase pattern of (e,a,e,a,e,a) and (e,e,e,a,a,a) were observed for the two triplet states required for the simulation of the TREPR spectrum of Cou-2An, which indicated that ESP patterns of triplet state not only depend on the molecular geometry, but also on the structure of the electron donor and acceptor.

BODIPY-Perylene Charge Transfer Compounds; Sensitizers for Triplet-Triplet Annihilation Up-conversion.

BODIPY heterochromophores, asymmetrically substituted with perylene and/or iodine at the 2 and 6 positions were prepared and investigated as sensitizers for triplet-triplet annihilation up conversion (TTA-UC). Single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analyses show that the torsion angle between BODIPY and perylene units lie between 73.54 and 74.51, though they are not orthogonal. Both compounds show intense, charge transfer absorption and emission profiles, confirmed by resonance Raman spectroscopy and consistent with DFT calculations. The emission quantum yield was solvent dependent but the emission profile remained characteristic of CT transition across all solvents explored. Both BODIPY derivatives were found to be effective sensitizers of TTA-UC with perylene annihilator in dioxane and DMSO. Intense anti-Stokes emission was observed, and visible by eye from these solvents. Conversely, no TTA-UC was observed from the other solvents explored, including from non-polar solvents such as toluene and hexane that yielded brightest fluorescence from the BODIPY derivatives. In dioxane, the power density plots obtained were strongly consistent with TTA-UC and the power density threshold, the Ith value (the photon flux at which 50 % of ΦTTAUC is achieved), for B2PI was observed to be 2.5x lower than of B2P under optimal conditions, an effect ascribed to the combined influence of spin-orbit charge transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC) and heavy metal on the triplet state formation for B2PI.

A novel heavy-atom-free lysosome-targeted BODIPY as triplet photosensitizer based on SOCT-ISC mechanism for photodynamic therapy

As important organelles in biological cells, lysosomes are closely associated with cell signaling, necrosis and apoptosis. Herein, we report a novel lysosome-targeted boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) photosensitizer, Lyso-BDP, which has the advantage of lower side effects and higher phototoxicity for 4T1 cells in photodynamic therapy (PDT). Lyso-BDP possesses the lysosomal targeting treatment through the production of the singlet oxygen under the light excitation at 600 nm. We combine the anthracenyl group and BODIPY to form a D-A binary compound. The orthogonal configuration is confirmed by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). The molecular orbitals and the energies of the triplet state explain the spin-orbit charge transfer inter-system crossing (SOCT-ISC) mechanism. Due to SOCT-ISC mechanism, Lyso-BDP has the high singlet oxygen (1O2) quantum yield of 62% in DCM without heavy atoms. In this way, the dark toxicity of photosensitizer can be reduced. Meanwhile, the 1O2 ″afterglow” can be achieved to enhance the phototherapeutic effect because of the anthracene group. Compared to classical photosensitizers, Lyso-BDP shows the low half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 2.5 μM for 4T1 cells in vitro cytotoxicity assays. Therefore, this work provides a strategy to solve the problem of high cellular dark toxicity and no organelle targeting of classical photosensitizers.

Spin-orbit charge-transfer intersystem crossing in heavy-atom-free orthogonal covalent boron-dipyrromethene heterodimers.

Boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) derivatives are prospective organic-based triplet photosensitizers. Since the triplet generation yield of the parent BODIPY is low, heavy atoms are widely used to improve the triplet yield. However, the dimerization of BODIPYs can also significantly improve their ability to produce triplets. Through a comparative study of the triplet formation dynamics of two heavy-atom-free orthogonal covalent BODIPY heterodimers that differ in their dihedral angles, we have demonstrated that the mechanism of spin-orbit charge-transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC) promotes the triplet generation of BODIPY heterodimers in solution. Different from the general understanding of SOCT-ISC, the heterodimer with a smaller dihedral angle and low structural rigidity showed better triplet generation due to (a) the stronger inter-chromophoric interaction in the heterodimer, which promoted the formation of a solvent-stabilized charge-transfer (CT) state, (b) the more favorable energy level alignment with sizeable spin-orbit coupling strength, and (c) the balance between the stabilized singlet CT state and limited direct charge recombination to the ground state in a weakly polar solvent. The complete spectral characterization of the triplet formation dynamics clarified the SOCT-ISC mechanism and important factors affecting the triplet generation in BODIPY heterodimers.

A type I and II compatible vinyl-pyridine modified BODIPY dimer photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy in A-549 cells.

In this paper, the vinyl-pyridine group was used to modify the BODIPY dimer photosensitizer (T-BDP2) to obtain a VP-BDP2 photosensitizer. Compared with the T-BDP2 photosensitizer, the VP-BDP2 photosensitizer could work under pure water conditions, the singlet oxygen yield was increased from 9.38% to 22.2%, the charge transfer rate was increased from about 30 ps to about 10 ps, and the red emission was enhanced in fluorescence imaging. In addition, the VP-BDP2 photosensitizer could also generate the superoxide radical (O2˙-) under pure water conditions. The ROS generation mechanism of the VP-BDP2 photosensitizer was considered to be the spin-orbit charge-transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC) mechanism, which was verified by fs-transient absorption spectra and theoretical calculation. In the photodynamic therapy of A-549 cells, the VP-BDP2 photosensitizers could generate singlet oxygen and superoxide radicals (O2˙-) under biological conditions, and showed high phototoxicity with the IC50 value at 12.1 μM under light at 525 nm. Additionally, the multiple dipolar configuration meant that the VP-BDP2 photosensitizer could be used in two-photon fluorescence zebrafish imaging under 800 nm excitation, which sets the stage for future two-photon photodynamic therapy.

Recent Development of Heavy Atom-Free Triplet Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an attractive method for cancer treatment. Triplet photosensitizers (PSs) are critical for this method; upon photoexcitation, efficient intersystem crossing (ISC) occurs for triplet PSs, the triplet-excited state of the triplet PSs is populated, then via intermolecular triplet energy transfer, the O2, in triplet-spin multiplicity at ground state, is sensitized to the singlet-excited state, i.e., singlet oxygen (1O2) is produced. This strong reactive oxygen species (ROS) will oxidize the biomolecules in the tumor tissue. Thus, the design of novel triplet PSs as efficient PDT agents is vital. In this review article, we will introduce the recent development of the heavy atom-free triplet PSs used for PDT, including those based on spin-orbit charge transfer ISC (SOCT-ISC), twisting of the π-conjugation framework-induced ISC, radical enhanced ISC, and thionated carbonyl-induced ISC. The ISC mechanisms and molecular structure design rationales are discussed. The less studied electron spin selectivity of the ISC of the triplet PSs is also introduced. This information is helpful for the future design of new efficient triplet PSs for PDT.

Mechanism of Ultrafast Triplet Exciton Formation in Single Cocrystals of π-Stacked Electron Donors and Acceptors.

Ultrafast triplet formation in donor-acceptor (D-A) systems typically occurs by spin-orbit charge-transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC), which requires a significant orbital angular momentum change and is thus usually observed when the adjacent π systems of D and A are orthogonal; however, the results presented here show that subnanosecond triplet formation occurs in a series of D-A cocrystals that form one-dimensional cofacial π stacks. Using ultrafast transient absorption microscopy, photoexcitation of D-A single cocrystals, where D is coronene (Cor) or pyrene (Pyr) and A is N,N-bis(3'-pentyl)-perylene-3,4:9,10-bis(dicarboximide) (C5PDI) or naphthalene-1,4:5,8-tetracarboxydianhydride (NDA), results in formation of the charge transfer (CT) excitons Cor•+-C5PDI•-, Pyr•+-C5PDI•-, Cor•+-NDA•-, and Pyr•+-NDA•- in <300 fs, while triplet exciton formation occurs in τ = 125, 106, 484, and 958 ps, respectively. TDDFT calculations show that the SOCT-ISC rates correlate with charge delocalization in the CT exciton state. In addition, time-resolved EPR spectroscopy shows that Cor•+-C5PDI•- and Pyr•+-C5PDI•- recombine to form localized 3*C5PDI excitons with zero-field splittings of |D| = 1170 and 1250 MHz, respectively. In contrast, Cor•+-NDA•- and Pyr•+-NDA•- give triplet excitons in which |D| is only 1240 and 690 MHz, respectively, compared to that of NDA (2091 MHz), which is the lowest energy localized triplet exciton, indicating that the Cor-NDA and Pyr-NDA triplet excitons have significant CT character. These results show that charge delocalization in CT excitons impacts both ultrafast triplet formation as well as the CT character of the resultant triplet states.