Deciphering the ultrafast dynamics of a new tetraphenylethylene derivative in solutions: charge separation, phenyl ring rotation and CîC bond twisting.
Phys Chem Chem Phys
; 25(3): 1755-1767, 2023 Jan 18.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36594826
ABSTRACT
Tetraphenylethylene (TPE) derivatives are one of the fundamental units for developing aggregation induced emission (AIE) scaffolds. However, the underlying mechanisms implicated in the relaxation of the excited TPE remain a topic of ongoing discussion, while the effect of bulky substituents on its photobehaviour is still under scrutiny. Here, we report a detailed study of the photophysical properties of a new symmetrical and bulky TPE derivative with terphenyl groups (TTECOOBu) in solvents of different polarities and viscosities. Using femto- to nanosecond (fs-ns) time-resolved absorption and emission techniques, we elucidated the role of the phenyl group rotations and core ethylene bond twisting in its behaviour. We demonstrate that TTECOOBu in DCM solutions undergoes a 600 fs charge separation along the ethylene bond leading to a resonance structure with a lifetime of â¼1 ns. The latter relaxes via two consecutive events a twisting of the ethylene bond (â¼ 9 ps) and a rotation of the phenyl rings (â¼ 30 ps) leading to conformationally-relaxed species with a largely Stokes-shifted emission (â¼ 12 500 cm-1). The formation of the red-emitting species clearly depends on the solvent viscosity and rigidity of the medium. Contrary to the photobehavior in the highly viscous triacetin or rigid polymer matrix of PMMA, a reversible mechanism was observed in DCM and DMF solutions. These results provide new findings on the ultrafast mechanisms of excited TPE derivatives and should help in the development of new molecular rotors with interesting AIE properties for photonic applications.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Phys Chem Chem Phys
Journal subject:
BIOFISICA
/
QUIMICA
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Spain