Perfluoroalkylation of Triarylamines by EDA Complexes and Ulterior Sensitized [6π]-Electrocyclization to Perfluoroalkylated Endo-Carbazoles. Mechanistic and Photophysical Studies

Blue LEDs-irradiation of a mixture of N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) and perfluoroalkyl iodides (RF-I) - Electron Donor Acceptor (EDA)-complex - in the presence of triphenylamines (TPAs) in an aqueous solvent mixture afforded mono-perfluoroalkylated triphenylamines (RF-TPA) in good yields. These RF-TPA were further subjected to acetone-sensitized [6π]-electrocyclization at 315 nm-irradiation affording exclusively perfluoroalkylated endo-carbazole derivatives (RF-CBz) in quantitative yields. Mechanistic studies and photophysical properties of products are studied.

Preparation of Carbazoles Involving 6π-Electrocyclization, Photoredox-, Electrochemical-, and Thermal Cyclization Reactions: Mechanistic Insights

Carbazole is a heterocyclic motif that can be found in a diverse array of natural and unnatural products displaying a wide range of biological and physiological properties. Furthermore, this heterocycle is part of electronic materials like photoconducting polymers and organic optoelectronic materials owing to its excellent photophysical characteristics. Consequently, the development of synthetic strategies for carbazole scaffolds holds potential significance in biological and material fields. In this regard, a variety of preparation methods has been developed to exploit their efficient and distinct formation of new C-C and C-heteroatom bonds under mild conditions and enabling broad substrate diversity and functional group tolerance. Therefore, this review focuses on the synthesis of a set of carbazole derivatives describing a variety of methodologies that involve direct irradiation, photosensitization, photoredox, electrochemical and thermal cyclization reactions.

Light-Driven Two-Step Preparation of 4-Chromanone Fused to Estrone Derivatives

A protocol involving the irradiation of some 3-(2-alkenyl)estrone and 3-(2-alkenyl)-17-norestrone derivatives under a nitrogen atmosphere in organic solvents (both hexane and MeOH) followed by base-mediated intramolecular oxa-Michael cyclization reaction was investigated under steady-state conditions. The solvent effect and nature of the acyl group on the preparative photoreaction were studied and the multiplicity of the excited state was also demonstrated. The ortho-regioisomers were obtained in modest to good yields. Intramolecular based-mediate cyclization reaction of these synthons led to the formation of a set of novel substituted 4-chromanone moieties fused to estrone (and 17-norestrone) in good yields. This two-step sequential procedure involving a photochemical/intramolecular thermal cyclization strategy will be useful for the preparation of wide heterocyclic-fused-steroid compounds.

Alkylation converts riboflavin into an efficient photosensitizer of phospholipid membranes

A new decyl chain [-(CH₂)₉CH₃] riboflavin conjugate has been synthesized and investigated. A nucleophilic substitution (S_N2) reaction was used for coupling the alkyl chain to riboflavin (Rf), a model natural photosensitizer. As expected, the alkylated compound (decyl-Rf) is significantly more lipophilic than its precursor and efficiently intercalates within phospholipid bilayers, increasing its fluorescence quantum yield. The oxidative damage to lipid membranes photoinduced by decyl-Rf was investigated in large and giant unilamellar vesicles (LUVs and GUVs, respectively) composed of different phospholipids. Using a fluorogenic probe, fast radical formation and singlet oxygen generation was demonstrated upon UVA irradiation in vesicles containing decyl-Rf. Photosensitized formation of conjugated dienes and hydroperoxides, and membrane leakage in LUVs rich in poly-unsaturated fatty acids were also investigated. The overall assessment of the results shows that decyl-Rf is a significantly more efficient photosensitizer of lipids than its unsubstituted precursor and that the association to lipid membranes is key to trigger phospholipid oxidation. Alkylation of hydrophilic photosensitizers as a simple and general synthetic tool to obtain efficient photosensitizers of biomembranes, with potential applications, is discussed.

Solvent Effects on the Photoinduced [6π]-Electrocyclization Reactions of Mono-, Di-, and Trisubstituted Arylamines: Photophysical, Preparative Photochemistry, and Mechanistic Investigations

The substituent and solvent effects on the spectroscopic behavior and on the photoinduced [6π]-electrocyclization reaction of substituted triphenylamine derivatives have been investigated. Direct irradiation of triphenylamines bearing electron-donor substituents in different solvents has provided for the first time the substituted exo/endo carbazole derivatives from modest to good yields, whereas triphenylamines bearing electron-withdrawing substituents did not provide the carbazoles due to the formation of charge transfer complexes (CTCs). A corollary of the experiments purports that the photoreaction is favored with weak electron-acceptor groups in polar solvents. The lowest-frequency absorption bands of the triarylamines (π,π* electronic transitions) displayed bathochromic shifts as the solvent polarity is increased. The fluorescence emission spectra of triarylamines bearing electron-donor substituents behave as mirror images of the lowest absorption bands, showing dependence on the solvent polarity. Conversely, triarylamines bearing formyl, acetyl, and nitro groups formed CTCs behaving as good fluorescence chromophores in polar solvents. Hammett correlations on the ΔE^(0,0) energies of monosubstituted amines showed a bell-shape behavior where the ρ values depended on the solvent polarity. The physical quenching of the photoreaction of triarylamines has demonstrated for the first time that the triplet excited state is univocally the photoreactive state leading to exo/endo carbazole derivatives.

Synthesis, Characterization and Photocleavage of Bis-decyl Pteroic Acid: A Folate Derivative with Affinity to Biomembranes†

Here, we provide mechanistic insight to the photocleavage of a compound in the folate family, namely pteroic acid. A bis-decyl chain derivative of pteroic acid was synthesized, structurally characterized and photochemically investigated. We showed that, like folic acid, pteroic acid and the decylated derivative undergo a photocleavage reaction in the presence of H₂ O, while no reaction was observed in methanol solution. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations were carried out to predict relative stabilities of hypothetical mono-, bis- and tris-decylated pteroic acid derivatives to help rationalize the regioselectivity of the bis-decyl pteroic acid product. Additionally, the lipophilicity of the bis-decyl pteroic acid appears to confer a hydrophobic property enabling an interaction with biomembranes.

Photoinduced [6π]-Electrocyclic Reaction of Mono-, Di-, and Trisubstituted Triphenylamines in Acetonitrile. A Steady-State Investigation

Direct irradiation of mono-, di-, and trisubstituted triphenylamine derivatives in acetonitrile as solvent with light of 254 nm has been systematically investigated, revealing that the exo/endo carbazole derivatives were formed as the main photoproducts from modest to good yields for triphenylamines substituted with electron-donor and neutral substituents. The kinetic profiles of the photoreaction were also recorded, and the consumption rate constants (k) were measured. These kinetic parameters show dependence on the nature of the substituents, and linear Hammett correlations were carried out to showcase the substituent effect. On the other hand, the spectroscopic behavior of the electron-rich substituted triphenylamines has been analyzed, suggesting that the fluorescence emission spectra display a mirror image of the lower energy absorption bands, while for those amines bearing electron-acceptor groups the formation of charge-transfer complexes and their fluorescence emissions constitute the main deactivation pathway of the photoreaction.

Environmental fate of dibutylphthalate in agricultural plastics: Photodegradation, migration and ecotoxicological impact on soil

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) were determined in polyethylene covers used in horticultural production units located at Moreno and La Plata districts (Buenos Aires, Argentina), detecting 0.69-8.75 mg PAEs kg^-1 plastic in greenhouse and tunnel films. The PAEs found were diisobutylphthalate (DIBP), dibutylphthalate (DBP) and diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP). DBP was chosen as a model molecule to carry out the photochemical degradation studies that led to the formation of monobutylphthalate (MBP) and phthalic acid (PA). DBP, MBP and PA migration from plastic covers was studied, finding that while DBP and MBP moved to soil and atmosphere in short times (<48 h), PA remained in the agricultural covers. Further experiments with DBP were made to explore the effect on migration of temperature (20 °C, 50 °C), film thickness (25 μm, 100 μm) and plastic ageing by solarization, observing that temperature increase, film thickness reduction and ageing by solarization favored DBP migration to the environment. DBP and MBP impact on soil were evaluated by avoidance and reproduction tests using Eisenia andrei as bioindicator. Both compounds reduced cocoon viability decreasing the number of juveniles at the lowest concentration assayed (0.1 mg kg^-1 of soil). At higher DBP and MBP concentrations the reproductive parameters (number of total cocoons, hatchability and number of juveniles) also showed alterations compared with the controls. Carboxylesterases (CaE), cholinesterases (ChE) and glutathion-S-transferases (GST) activities were analyzed in E. andrei exposed to DBP; cholinesterases activities were reduced at 1 and 10 mg DBP kg^-1 soil, and glutathione S-transferases activities were increased at 10 mg DBP kg^-1 soil while no effect was observed on carboxylesterases activities. These results emphasize the need to continue studying the impact of PAEs and their photodegradation products on the environment.

Photochemistry of para substituted benzanilides in solution: Preparative and mechanistic studies

Preparative and mechanistic studies on the photochemical reaction of a series of p-substituted benzanilides in polar and nonpolar solvents have been carried out. The aim of this work is mainly focused to show whether the reaction solvent and the electronic effects of the substituents affect the product distribution, the chemical yields and the rate of formation of the 5-substituted-2-aminobenzophenone derivatives. Application of the Hammett linear free energy relationship (LFER) on the rate of formation of 2-aminobenzophenone derivatives, on the lower energy band of the UV-visible absorption spectra of the benzanilides and 5-substituted-2-aminobenzophenone derivatives allows a satisfactory quantification of the substituent effects. Furthermore, the solvent effect was also analyzed on the photoreaction by means of the Reichardt's solvent parameter (E_T(30). Finally, (TD-) DFT calculations have been carried out to support the trends observed experimentally.

Product selectivity in the photoreaction of aryl sulfonates and mesylate of estrone derivatives in sustainable and micellar media: a steady-state investigation

The photochemical reaction of sulfonate steroids in a sustainable environment was carried out successfully under steady-state conditions. Significant selectivity in photoproduct formation was also observed.

Photogenerated aryl mesylate and aryl diethyl phosphate radical cations: a time-resolved spectroscopy investigation

The photoinduced electron transfer reaction of selected aryl sulfonates and phosphates with K2S2O8 in a MeCN water (9 : 1) mixture has been investigated by LFP experiments.

Substituent and Surfactant Effects on the Photochemical Reaction of Some Aryl Benzoates in Micellar Green Environment†

In this study, we carried out preparative and mechanistic studies on the photochemical reaction of a series of p-substituted phenyl benzoates in confined and sustainable micellar environment. The aim of this work is mainly focused to show whether the nature of the surfactant (ionic or nonionic) leads to noticeable selectivity in the photoproduct formation and whether the electronic effects of the substituents affect the chemical yields and the rate of formation of the 5-substituted-2-hydroxybenzophenone derivatives. Application of the Hammett linear free energy relationship (LFER) on the rate of formation of benzophenone derivatives, on the lower energy band of the UV-visible absorption spectra of the aryl benzoates and 5-substituted-2-hydroxybenzophenone derivatives allows a satisfactory quantification of the substituent effects. Furthermore, UV-visible and 2D-NMR (NOESY) spectroscopies have been employed to measure the binding constant K_b and the location of the aryl benzoates within the hydrophobic core of the micelle. Finally, TD-DFT calculations have been carried out to estimate the energies of the absorption bands of p-substituted phenyl benzoates and 5-substituted-2-hydroxybenzophenone derivatives providing good linear correlation with those values measured experimentally.

Photochemistry of Tris(2,4-dibromophenyl)amine and its Application to Co-oxidation on Sulfides and Phosphines†

The photochemistry of tris(2,4-dibromophenyl)amine was investigated via time-resolved nanosecond spectroscopy. The tris(2,4-dibromophenyl)amine radical cation ("Magic Green") was immediately detected after the laser pulse; this intermediate then cyclizes to N-aryl-4a,4b-dihydrocarbazole radical cation. The latter transient reacted with molecular oxygen to provide the corresponding hydroperoxyl radical, which smoothly co-oxidize sulfides into sulfoxides. On the other hand, the photogenerated "Magic Green" was exploited to promote the co-oxidation of nucleophilic triarylphosphines to triarylphosphine oxides through an electron transfer process preventing the amine cyclization. In this case, the intermediate Ar₃ POO^•+ was found to play a key role in phosphine oxide formation.

Photochemistry of triphenylamine (TPA) in homogeneous solution and the role of transient N-phenyl-4a,4b-dihydrocarbazole. A steady-state and time-resolved investigation

Irradiation of triphenylamine with a laser pulse (355 nm) provided intermediate N-phenyl-4a,4b-tetrahydrocarbazole (DHC0) whose reactivity depends on the reaction media and atmospheres used.

Direct Irradiation of Phenol and Para-Substituted Phenols with a Laser Pulse (266 nm) in Homogeneous and Micro-heterogeneous Media. A Time-Resolved Spectroscopy Study

Direct irradiation of para-substituted phenols under N₂ atmosphere in homogeneous (cyclohexane, acetonitrile, and methanol) and micellar (SDS) solution was investigated by means of time-resolved spectroscopy. After a laser pulse (266 nm), two transient species were formed, viz. the para-substituted phenol radical-cations and the corresponding phenoxy radicals. The radical-cations showed a broad absorption band located between 390 and 460 nm, while the phenoxy radicals showed two characteristic bands centered at 320 nm and 400-410 nm. The deprotonation rate constant of radical-cations (k_H) of 10⁵ s^-1 and the reaction rate constant of the phenoxy radicals (k_R) in the order of 10⁹-10¹⁰ M^-1·s^-1 have been derived. The k_H rate constants gave good linear Hammett correlation with positive slope indicating that electron-withdrawing substituents enhance the radical-cation acidity. The binding constants (K_b) of the para-substituted phenols with the surfactant were also measured, and NOESY experiments showed that phenols were located in the hydrophobic core of the micelle. Finally, computational calculations provided the predicted absorption spectra of the transients and nice linear correlations were obtained between the theoretical and experimental energy of the lower absorption band of these species.

Mono- and Bis-Alkylated Lumazine Sensitizers: Synthetic, Molecular Orbital Theory, Nucleophilic Index and Photochemical Studies

Mono- and bis-decylated lumazines have been synthesized and characterized. Namely, mono-decyl chain [1-decylpteridine-2,4(1,3H)-dione] 6a and bis-decyl chain [1,3-didecylpteridine-2,4(1,3H)-dione] 7a conjugates were synthesized by nucleophilic substitution (S_N 2) reactions of lumazine with 1-iododecane in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent. Decyl chain coupling occurred at the N¹ site and then the N³ site in a sequential manner, without DMF condensation. Molecular orbital (MO) calculations show a p-orbital at N¹ but not N³ , which along with a nucleophilicity parameter (N) analysis predict alkylation at N¹ in lumazine. Only after the alkylation at N¹ in 6a, does a p-orbital on N³ emerge thereby reacting with a second equivalent of 1-iododecane to reach the dialkylated product 7a. Data from NMR (¹ H, ¹³ C, HSQC, HMBC), HPLC, TLC, UV-vis, fluorescence and density functional theory (DFT) provide evidence for the existence of mono-decyl chain 6a and bis-decyl chain 7a. These results differ to pterin O-alkylations (kinetic control), where N-alkylation of lumazine is preferred and then to dialkylation (thermodynamic control), with an avoidance of DMF solvent condensation. These findings add to the list of alkylation strategies for increasing sensitizer lipophilicity for use in photodynamic therapy.

Synthetic and Mechanistic Studies on 2,3-Dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]-oxaselenines Formation from Selenocyanates

An expedient preparation of selenium-containing hetero­cycles via an m-chloroperbenzoic acid-mediated seleno-annulation starting from selenocyanate derivatives is described. In spite of its significance, this cyclization reaction is virtually understudied not only from the point of view of its scope, but also from the mechanistic aspects associated to this remarkable transformation. In this sense, several selenocyanate and thiocyanate derivatives bearing an aromatic ring were evaluated as substrates under different reaction conditions of this interesting cyclization yielding important insights on its scope as well as relevant information on the reaction mechanism.

Photochemical Behavior of Some Estrone Aryl and Methyl Sulfonates in Solution: Preparative and Mechanistic Studies

Direct irradiation of estrone aryl and methyl sulfonates in different organic solvents under nitrogen atmosphere was investigated under steady-state conditions. The estrone derivatives reacted efficiently through the photo-Fries rearrangement reaction involving [1;3]-sulfonyl migration providing the ortho-sulfonyl estrone derivatives and estrone as the photoproducts. In addition, estrone and 2-arylsulfonyl estrone derivatives were epimerized involving a Norrish Type-I reaction. Chemical quenching and photosensitization experiments on the photoreaction have been also carried out to establish the photoreactive excited state. Likewise, the solvent effect and the nature of the sulfonyl group on the photoreactions have been also studied.

Activity of Fluorine-Containing Analogues of WC-9 and Structurally Related Analogues against Two Intracellular Parasites: Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii

Two obligate intracellular parasites, Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, and Toxoplasma gondii, an agent of toxoplasmosis, upregulate the mevalonate pathway of their host cells upon infection, which suggests that this host pathway could be a potential drug target. In this work, a number of compounds structurally related to WC-9 (4-phenoxyphenoxyethyl thiocyanate), a known squalene synthase inhibitor, were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their effect on T. cruzi and T. gondii growth in tissue culture cells. Two fluorine-containing derivatives, the 3-(3-fluorophenoxy)- and 3-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenoxyethyl thiocyanates, exhibited half-maximal effective concentration (EC50 ) values of 1.6 and 4.9 μm, respectively, against tachyzoites of T. gondii, whereas they showed similar potency to WC-9 against intracellular T. cruzi (EC50 values of 5.4 and 5.7 μm, respectively). In addition, 2-[3- (phenoxy)phenoxyethylthio]ethyl-1,1-bisphosphonate, which is a hybrid inhibitor containing 3-phenoxyphenoxy and bisphosphonate groups, has activity against T. gondii proliferation at sub-micromolar levels (EC50 =0.7 μm), which suggests a combined inhibitory effect of the two functional groups.

Photo-Fries rearrangement of aryl acetamides: regioselectivity induced by the aqueous micellar green environment

NMR spectroscopy shows the location of acetanilides within the shells and hydrophobic cores in micellar solutions. Irradiation of acetanilides in aqueous micellar solutions involves C–N homolytic cleavage to yield singlet radical pairs that selectively provide 2-aminoacetophenone derivatives.

Perfluoroalkylation reactions of (hetero)arenes

Methods for the perfluoroalkylation of (hetero)arenes can be classified as thermal and photochemical, which in turn can be conducted in the presence or absence of metals.

Photocatalytic fluoroalkylation reactions of organic compounds

Photocatalytic methods for fluoroalkyl-radical generation provide more convenient alternatives to the classical perfluoroalkyl-radical (R_f) production through chemical initiators, such as azo or peroxide compounds or the employment of transition metals through a thermal electron transfer (ET) initiation process.

Photosensitized oxidation of sulfides: discriminating between the singlet-oxygen mechanism and electron transfer involving superoxide anion or molecular oxygen

The oxidation of diethyl and diphenyl sulfide photosensitized by dicyanoanthracene (DCA), N-methylquinolinium tetrafluoroborate (NMQ(+)), and triphenylpyrylium tetrafluoroborate (TPP(+)) has been explored by steady-state and laser flash photolysis studies in acetonitrile, methanol, and 1,2-dichloroethane. In the Et(2)S/DCA system sulfide-enhanced intersystem crossing leads to generation of (1)O(2), which eventually gives the sulfoxide via a persulfoxide; this mechanism plays no role with Ph(2)S, though enhanced formation of (3)DCA has been demonstrated. In all other cases an electron-transfer (ET) mechanism is involved. Electron-transfer sulfoxidation occurs with efficiency essentially independent of the sulfide structure, is subject to quenching by benzoquinone, and does not lead to Ph(2)SO cooxidation. Formation of the radical cations R(2)S(*+) has been assessed by flash photolysis (medium-dependent yield, dichloroethane>>CH(3)CN>CH(3)OH) and confirmed by quenching with 1,4-dimethoxybenzene. Electron-transfer oxidations occur both when the superoxide anion is generated by the reduced sensitizer (DCA(*-), NMQ(*)) and when this is not the case (TPP(*)). Although it is possible that different mechanisms operate with different ET sensitizers, a plausible unitary mechanism can be proposed. This considers that reaction between R(2)S(*+) and O(2)(*-) mainly involves back electron transfer, whereas sulfoxidation results primarily from the reaction of the sulfide radical cation with molecular oxygen. Calculations indeed show that the initially formed fleeting complex RS(2)(+)...O-O(*) adds to a sulfide molecule and gives strongly stabilized R(2)S-O(*)-(+)O-SR(2) via an accessible transition state. This intermediate gives the sulfoxide, probably via a radical cation chain path. This mechanism explains the larger scope of ET sulfoxidation with respect to the singlet-oxygen process.

Hammett Correlations in the Photosensitized Oxidation of 4-Substituted Thioanisoles

Singlet oxygen is quenched by a series of 4-substituted thioanisoles (methoxy to nitro), with rate constant k(t) = 7 x 10(4) to 7 x 10(6) M(-)(1) s(-)(1), close to the value observed for the myoglobin-catalyzed sulfoxidation of the same sulfides. Correlations with sigma (rho = -1.97) and with E(ox) (slope -3.9 V(-)(1)) are evidence for an electrophilic mechanism. In methanol sulfoxides are formed (85%) via an intermediate quenched by diphenyl sulfoxide; competing minor paths lead to arylthiols, arylsulfenic acid, and aryl sulfoxides. In aprotic solvents, the sulfoxidation is quite sluggish, but carboxylic acids (mostly </=0.1 M) enhance the rate by a factor of >100. The protonated persulfoxide is formed in this case and acts as an electrophile with sulfides, again with a rate constant correlating with sigma (rho = -1.78).

Photochemistry of 2-acyloxycarbazoles. A potential tool in the synthesis of carbazole alkaloids

The photochemistry of two 2-acyloxycarbazoles, 2-acetyl- and 2-benzoyloxycarbazole, in different solvents has been studied. Irradiation of the 2-acyloxycarbazoles in organic media at 254 or 313 nm yields the [1,3]-migrated photoproducts, 1-acyl-2-hydroxycarbazole, 3-acyl-2-hydroxycarbazole and 2-hydroxycarbazole. The effects of the solvent, the atmosphere and the intensity of the light source on the photochemistry of 2-acyloxycarbazole have been studied. Laser flash photolysis as well as photosensitization experiments were performed in order to determine the photoreactive excited state. Electronic spectra (absorption, fluorescence and phosphorescence emission spectra) of the 2-acyloxycarbazoles have been recorded in homogeneous media at 298 K and in solid matrices at 77 K. The dynamic properties of the lowest singlet excited state in terms of fluorescence lifetime and fluorescence quantum yield have been measured in different organic solvents at room temperature. The photo-Fries rearrangement as a mild and clean one-pot reaction for the preparation of an advanced intermediate precursor in the total synthesis of carbazole alkaloids is described.

Photosensitized oxidation of phenyl and tert-butyl sulfides

The photosensitized oxygenation of diphenyl (1), di-tert-butyl (2) and phenyl tert-butyl sulfide (3) was studied. Bimolecular rate constants of singlet oxygen quenching are low (1 to 5 x 10(4) M(-1)s(-1)) since the sulfides are poor nucleophiles due to sterical hindrance (2, 3) or the HOMO on the sulfur atom being a less accessible p(z) orbital (1). The quenching is mainly physical, but chemical reaction leading to sulfoxides also takes place in methanol and, to a lower degree, in acetonitrile. Catalysis by carboxylic acids considerably enhances the rate of sulfoxidation. Inefficiency in the chemical reaction is again due to the poor nucleophilicity of the sulfides, which limits oxygen transfer by electrophilic intermediates such as the protonated persulfoxide.

The photophysics of nitrocarbazoles studied by using spectroscopic, photoacoustic and luminescence techniques

The photophysical behaviour of 1-nitrocarbazol and 3-nitrocarbazol in different organic solvents has been studied by using spectroscopic, luminescence and photoacoustic techniques. Absorption spectra and triplet state transient spectra were recorded and formation quantum yields and lifetimes determined. Phosphorescence emission at 77 K and laser induced luminescence in acetonitrile solution at 298 K for the nitrocarbazoles were studied. Results are discussed in terms of the optimized structure of 1-nitrocarbazole and 3-nitrocarbazole and compared with that of carbazole. The nitro group attached to the carbazole moiety induces important changes in the photophysical behavior of those compounds.