Solvent influence on excited-state intramolecular proton transfer in 3-hydroxychromone derivatives studied by cryogenic high-resolution fluorescence spectroscopy

Role of hydrogen in ground and excited state studies of 2-aryl-3-hydroxychromenones in different solvents

Radical scavenging activity (%SC) of three 2-heteroaryl 3-hydroxy chromenones (3-HCs) relative to 3-hydroxy flavones (3-HF) has been determined, using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) as a radical scavenger both in methanol (MeOH) and acetonitrile (ACN) as solvents. Among the three 3-HCs, 2-(furan-2-yl)-3-hydroxy-4 H-chromen-4-one (FHC), 3-hydroxy-2-(thiophene-2-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one (THC), and 3-hydroxy-2-(pyrrol-2-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one (PHC), the last 3-HC was included in our earlier reported studies on absorption, emission, and excitation spectra. Detailed studies on the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) on PHC relative to other three 3-HCs have been given. Order of %SCs is PHC > FHC > THC > 3-HF in MeOH and PHC > FHC ≈ THC > 3-HF in ACN, which are similar to that of intensity ratio of normal and tautomeric forms (IN*/IT*). Both %SC and IN*/IT* depend upon the potential of hydrogen of 3-hydroxy in 3-HCs in their ground and excited states, respectively. It has been found that for PHC, IN*/IT* and %SC are distinctly high compared with other chromenones. It is concluded that the determination of %SC can be as important as IN*/IT* for these.

Regular tuning of the ESIPT reaction of 3-hydroxychromone-based derivatives by substitution of functional groups

The electron-withdrawing ability of an atom and length of substitution groups would affect the ESIPT reaction and photophysical properties of 3-hydroxychromone-based derivatives.

Kinetic analysis of tautomer forms of aromatic-urea compounds with acetate ions: solvent effect of excited state intermolecular proton transfer

In this paper, we report the solvent effect of excited state intermolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reactions of urea compounds in the presence of tetrabutylammonium acetate (TBAAc). We prepared anthracene-urea compounds (9An and 2An), a pyrene-urea compound (Py) and an anthracene-diurea compound (9,10An), which have alkylsulfonyl groups to improve their solubility in various organic solvents. We investigated the solvent effects of the ESIPT reaction using absorption, fluorescence, and 1H NMR spectroscopy along with fluorescence decay measurements in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), acetonitrile (MeCN), tetrahydrofuran (THF) and toluene. The tautomer fluorescence of 9An showed remarkable solvent dependence on the spectral red-shift compared with 2An, Py and 9,10An. As a result of the detailed spectroscopic investigations with regard to the solvent including kinetic analysis of the ESIPT for 9AnAcO-, we revealed that the energy gap between the normal and tautomer forms in the excited state depended on the hydrogen bond acceptor basicity (β), which is one of the Kamlet-Taft solvent parameters. Finally, we discovered that the tautomer structures of aromatic-urea compounds were stabilized by hydrogen bond interactions.

Photoreactions of 2-(furan-2-yl)-3-hydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one and 3-hydroxy-2-(thiophene-2-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one using cyclohexane and acetonitrile as solvents

Photolysis of the titled chromenones was carried out at their longest absorption band (∼360 nm) using cyclohexane (CH) and acetonitrile (ACN) as solvents, in both aerated and de-aerated solutions. Different dimeric photoproducts were formed with both chromenones in aerated solutions. On photolysing 2-(furan-2-yl)-3-hydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one (FHC) in aerated cyclohexane, 2-(furan-2-yl)-2-{[2-(furan-2yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl]oxy}-2H-chromene-3,4-dione (a dehydrodimer) was formed, and on photolysing 3-hydroxy-2-(thiophene-2-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one (THC) in aerated ACN, a different dimeric product was isolated and identified. The corresponding 3-aryl-3-hydroxy-1,2-indandiones were also detected with FHC in ACN and with THC in CH, in addition to the dimeric products in both cases. On the other hand, in the de-aerated solutions, only the corresponding 1,2-indandiones were detected. 3-(Furan-2-yl)isobenzofuran-1(3H)-one as a secondary product was also detected with FHC in both solvents. An attempt was made to isolate the spectra of the photoproducts in situ. Excited State Intramolecular Proton Transfer (ESIPT) and Excited State Intramolecular Charge Transfer (ESICT) processes complicate the photodynamics of the reaction, making it difficult to predict the mechanisms of the photoreactions. However, tentative mechanisms have been proposed for the formation of the photoproducts.

Excited-state proton coupled charge transfer modulated by molecular structure and media polarization

Charge and proton transfer reactions in the excited states of organic dyes can be coupled in many different ways. Despite the complementarity of charges, they can occur on different time scales and in different directions of the molecular framework. In certain cases, excited-state equilibrium can be established between the charge-transfer and proton-transfer species. The interplay of these reactions can be modulated and even reversed by variations in dye molecular structures and changes of the surrounding media. With knowledge of the mechanisms of these processes, desired rates and directions can be achieved, and thus the multiple emission spectral features can be harnessed. These features have found versatile applications in a number of cutting-edge technological areas, particularly in fluorescence sensing and imaging.

2-(4-Hy-droxy-phen-yl)-3-meth-oxy-4H-chromen-4-one

In the title compound, C₁₆H₁₂O₄, the substituent benzene ring and meth­oxy group are twisted relative to the 4H-chromene skeleton by 24.1 (1) and 61.3 (1)°, respectively. In the crystal, mol­ecules are connected by classical O—H⋯O and weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming chains parallel to [201]. The 4H-chromene ring systems of adjacent mol­ecules are either parallel or inclined at an angle of 28.9 (1)°.

3-Hy-droxy-2-(4-hy-droxy-phen-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one

In the title compound, C₁₅H₁₀O₄, the benzene ring is twisted at an angle of 20.7 (1)° relative to the 4H-chromene skeleton. In the crystal, adjacent mol­ecules are linked via a network of O—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The mean planes of adjacent 4H-chromene moieties are parallel or oriented at an angle of 20.9 (1)° in the crystal structure.

Intramolecular Proton-Transfer Processes Starting at Higher Excited States: A Fluorescence Study on 2-Butylamino-6-methyl-4-nitropyridine N-Oxide in Nonpolar Solutions

This article describes the exceptional photophysics of 2-butylamino-6-methyl-4-nitropyridine N-oxide (2B6M). It is known from the literature that this compound may undergo excited-state intra- or intermolecular proton-transfer reactions. In nonpolar solvents, 2B6M exhibits an unusual fluorescence behavior: there is a substantial difference between the relative band intensities of the excitation and absorption spectra. Furthermore, in emission two bands are observed, and their relative intensities depend on the excitation wavelength, thus violating the Kasha-Vavilov rule. It is the objective of this research to interpret these results. For this purpose, steady-state fluorescence excitation and emission spectra in the liquid state were recorded and quantum yields were determined for the two types of emission. In addition, absorption spectra were measured at room temperature and under low-temperature conditions. Finally, fluorescence lifetimes of the emitting species were determined using the time-correlated single photon counting technique. The results suggest that in the liquid state only one (monomeric) ground state species dominates, which can emit via two different pathways (from the normal and the tautomeric excited state). The excitation spectra point at two different internal proton-transfer processes, one starting at the S1 state and one starting at the S2 state. On the basis of the measured lifetimes and fluorescence quantum yields, a kinetic scheme was completed that can quantitatively explain the observations.

Fast excited-state intramolecular proton transfer and subnanosecond dynamic stokes shift of time-resolved fluorescence spectra of the 5-methoxysalicylic acid/diethyl ether complex

Excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) occurring in the salicylic acid (SA) derivative 5-methoxysalicylic acid (5-MeOSA) in an apolar solvent (cyclohexane) and in the presence of the hydrogen bond accepting agent diethyl ether (DEE) is investigated. Analysis of the directly measured subnanosecond time-resolved emission spectra (TRES) together with conventional steady-state fluorescence and time-correlated single-photon-counting (TCSPC) decays indicates that ESIPT in this system occurs much faster than fluorescence, and that the equilibrium between normal and tautomeric excited states is established before the emission from both states takes place. However, changes in time- and frequency-resolved fluorescence of the 5-MeOSA/DEE complex are observed due to structural relaxation within the complex, which is reflected in the dynamic Stokes shift of the tautomeric fluorescence band. The normal fluorescence band of 5-MeOSA/DEE does not exhibit marked changes within the investigated time range. A single-exponential relaxation time of 460 ps was determined for the dynamic Stokes shift of the tautomeric band, and it is attributed to a geometric change within the 5-MeOSA/DEE complex upon excitation. Since both tautomeric and normal emission bands are well resolved and exhibit different time-dependent behaviors, a double-well potential appears to be adequate to describe the excited state of the system studied.

Photophysical and Density Functional Studies of the Interaction of a Flavone Derivative with the Halides

The synthesis, photophysical behavior, and anion-sensing ability of a fluorescent molecular system, N-(3-methoxy-4-oxo-2-phenyl-4H-chromen-7-yl)-benzamide (1H), designed and developed with a view to sensing fluoride ions, are reported. NMR and density functional studies on the system have been carried out to determine the nature of the interaction between 1H and X- (X = halogen atom) responsible for fluoride-induced dramatic changes in the absorption and emission properties of 1H. The color change of 1H, which can be observed by the naked eye, is found specific to fluoride ion; it is unaffected by the presence of a large excess of Cl-, Br-, and I-, thus rendering 1H as a selective fluoride ion sensor in micromolar concentration in the visible region. The changes in the fluorescence behavior of 1H, specifically, the formation of an additional long-wavelength emission band in the presence of fluoride ion, allow ratiometric fluorescence signaling of the fluoride ion as well. The results suggest that abstraction of the acidic proton of 1H by the F- leading to the formation of 1- is responsible for the spectral changes that allow signaling of the F-. Density functional calculations of the optimized geometrical parameters and charge densities of the 1H...halide complexes confirm the proton abstraction mechanism of the signaling of F-. Calculations of the transition energies of the 1H, 1-, and 1H...F- (hydrogen-bonded complex) show that only 1- is responsible for the long-wavelength absorption and emission band observed in the presence of F-.