Photocatalytic Metal Hydride Hydrogen Atom Transfer Mediated Allene Functionalization by Cobalt and Titanium Dual Catalysis.

Catalytic metal hydride hydrogen atom transfer (MHAT) reactions have proven to be a powerful method for alkene functionalization. This work reports the discovery of Co-porphines as highly efficient MHAT catalysts with a loading of only 0.01 mol % for unprecedented chemoselective allene functionalization under photoirradiation. Moreover, the newly developed bimetallic strategy by the combination of photo Co-MHAT and Ti catalysis enabled the successful carbonyl allylation with a wide range of amino, oxy, thio, aryl, and alkyl-allenes providing expedient access to valuable ß-functionalized homoallylic alcohols in over 100 examples with exceptional regio- and diastereoselectivity. Mechanism studies and DFT calculations supported that selectively transferring hydrogen atoms from cobalt hydride to allenes and generating allyl radicals is the key step in the catalytic cycle.

Radical-Enhanced Intersystem Crossing in Perylene-Oxoverdazyl Radical Dyads.

Attaching stable radicals to organic chromophores is an effective method to enhance the intersystem crossing (ISC) of the chromophores. Herein we prepared perylene-oxoverdazyl dyads either by directly connecting the two units or using an intervening phenyl spacer. We investigated the effect of the radical on the photophysical properties of perylene and observed strong fluorescence quenching due to radical enhanced ISC (REISC). Compared with a previously reported perylene-fused nitroxide radical compound (triplet lifetime, τT =0.1 µs), these new adducts show a longer-lived triplet excited state (τT =9.5 µs). Based on the singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ =7 %) and study of the triplet state, we propose that the radical enhanced internal conversion also plays a role in the relaxation of the excited state. Femtosecond fluorescence up-conversion indicates a fast decay of the excited state (<1.0 ps), suggesting a strong spin-spin exchange interaction between the two units. Femtosecond transient absorption (fs-TA) spectra confirmed direct triplet state population (within 0.5 ps). Interestingly, by fs-TA spectra, we observed the interconversion of the two states (D1 ↔Q1 ) at ∼80 ps time scale. Time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) spectral study confirmed the formation of the quartet sate. We observed triplet and quartet states simultaneously with weights of 0.7 and 0.3, respectively. This is attributed to two different conformations of the molecule at excited state. DFT computations showed that the interaction between the radical and the chromophore is ferromagnetic (J>0, 0.05∼0.10 eV).

Singlet Fission, Polaron Generation and Intersystem Crossing in Hexaphenyl Film.

The ultrafast dynamics of triplet excitons and polarons in hexaphenyl film was investigated by time-resolved fluorescence and femtosecond transient absorption techniques under various excitation photon energies. Two distinct pathways of triplet formation were clearly observed. Long-lived triplet states are populated within 4.5 ps via singlet fission-intersystem crossing, while the short-lived triplet states (1.5 ns) are generated via singlet fission from vibrational electronic states. In the meantime, polarons were formed from hot excitons on a timescale of <30 fs and recombined in ultrafast lifetime (0.37 ps). In addition, the characterization of hexaphenyl film suggests the morphologies of crystal and aggregate to wide applications in organic electronic devices. The present study provides a universally applicable film fabrication in hexaphenyl system towards future singlet fission-based solar cells.

Atomically Dispersed Indium-Copper Dual-Metal Active Sites Promoting C-C Coupling for CO2 Photoreduction to Ethanol.

Photoreduction of CO2 to C2+ solar fuel is a promising carbon-neutral technology for renewable energy. This strategy is challenged by its low productivity due to low efficiency in multielectron utilization and slow C-C coupling kinetics. This work reports a dual-metal photocatalyst consisting of atomically dispersed indium and copper anchored on polymeric carbon nitride (InCu/PCN), on which the photoreduction of CO2 delivered an excellent ethanol production rate of 28.5 µmol g-1 h-1 with a high selectivity of 92 %. Coupled experimental investigation and DFT calculations reveal the following mechanisms underpinning the high performance of this catalyst. Essentially, the In-Cu interaction enhances the charge separation by accelerating charge transfer from PCN to the metal sites. Indium also transfers electrons to neighboring copper via Cu-N-In bridges, increasing the electron density of copper active sites. Furthermore, In-Cu dual-metal sites promote the adsorption of *CO intermediates and lower the energy barrier of C-C coupling.

Spin-Orbit Charge-Transfer Intersystem Crossing in Anthracene-Perylenebisimide Compact Electron Donor-Acceptor Dyads and Triads and Photochemical Dianion Formation.

Perylenebisimide (PBI)-anthracene (AN) donor-acceptor dyads/triad were prepared to investigate spin-orbit charge-transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC). Molecular conformation was controlled by connecting PBI units to the 2- or 9-position of the AN moiety. Steady-state, time-resolved transient absorption and emission spectroscopy revealed that chromophore orientation, electronic coupling, and dihedral angle between donor and acceptor exert a significant effect on the photophysical property. The dyad PBI-9-AN with orthogonal geometry shows weak ground-state coupling and efficient intersystem crossing (ISC, ΦΔ =86 %) as compared with PBI-2-AN (ΦΔ =57 %), which has a more coplanar geometry. By nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, a long-lived PBI localized triplet state was observed (τT =139 µs). Time-resolved EPR spectroscopy demonstrated that the electron spin polarization pattern of the triplet state is sensitive to the geometry and number of AN units attached to PBI. Reversible and stepwise generation of near-IR-absorbing PBI radical anion (PBI-⋅ ) and dianion (PBI2- ) was observed on photoexcitation in the presence of triethanolamine, and it was confirmed that selective photoexcitation at the near-IR absorption bands of PBI.- is unable to produce PBI2- .

Toward efficient photochemistry from upper excited electronic states: Detection of long S2 lifetime of perylene.

A long 0.9 ps lifetime of the upper excited singlet state in perylene is resolved by femtosecond pump-probe measurements under ultraviolet (4.96 eV) excitation and further validated by theoretical simulations of transient absorption kinetics. This finding prompts exploration and development of novel perylene-based materials for upper excited state photochemistry applications.

N

To study the effect of a stable radical on the photophysical properties of a phosphorescent Pt(II) coordination framework and the intramolecular magnetic interaction between radical ligands in the N^N Pt(II) bisacetylide complexes, we prepared a series of N^N Pt(II) bis(acetylide) complexes with oxoverdazyl radical acetylide ligands. The linker between the Pt(II) center and the spin carrier was systematically varied, to probe the effect on the sign and magnitude of the spin exchange interactions between the radical ligands and photophysical properties. The complexes were studied with steady-state and femtosecond/nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, continuous-wave electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) computations. The transient absorption spectral studies show that the doublet excited state of the radicals are short-lived (τD ≈ 2 ps) and nonfluorescent. Moreover, the intrinsic long-lived triplet excited state (τT = 1.2 µs) of the Pt(II) coordination center was efficiently quenched by the radical (τT = 6.9 ps for one representative radical Pt(II) complex). The intramolecular magnetic interaction between the radical ligands through the diamagnetic Pt(II) atom was studied with temperature-dependent EPR spectroscopy; antiferromagnetic exchange interaction (-J S1S2, J = -5.4 ± 0.1 cm-1) for the complex with the shortest radical-radical distance through bridge fragments was observed. DFT computations give similar results for the sign and magnitude of the J values. For complexes with larger inter-radical distance, however, very weak coupling between the radical ligands was observed (|J| < 0.7 cm-1). Our results are useful for the study of the effect of a radical on the photophysical properties of the phosphorescent transition-metal complexes.

Defects Promote Ultrafast Charge Separation in Graphitic Carbon Nitride for Enhanced Visible-Light-Driven CO2 Reduction Activity.

Fundamental photocatalytic limitations of solar CO2 reduction remain due to low efficiency, serious charge recombination, and short lifetime of catalysts. Herein, two-dimensional graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets with nitrogen vacancies (g-C3 Nx ) located at both three-coordinate N atoms and uncondensed terminal NHx species were prepared by one-step tartaric acid-assistant thermal polymerization of dicyandiamide. Transient absorption spectra revealed that the defects in g-C3 N4 act as trapped states of charges to result in prolonged lifetimes of photoexcited charge carriers. Time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy revealed that the faster decay of charges is due to the decreased interlayer stacking distance in g-C3 Nx in favor of hopping transition and mobility of charge carriers to the surface of the material. Owing to the synergic virtues of strong visible-light absorption, large surface area, and efficient charge separation, the g-C3 Nx nanosheets with negligible loss after 15 h of photocatalysis exhibited a CO evolution rate of 56.9 µmol g-1 h-1 under visible-light irradiation, which is roughly eight times higher than that of pristine g-C3 N4 . This work presents the role of defects in modulating light absorption and charge separation, which opens an avenue to robust solar-energy conversion performance.

Anthracene-Naphthalenediimide Compact Electron Donor/Acceptor Dyads: Electronic Coupling, Electron Transfer, and Intersystem Crossing.

We attached different electron donors of phenyl, anthryl, and alkylamino moieties, to electron acceptor naphthalenediimide (NDI) to construct compact electron donor/acceptor dyads. The purpose is to study the effect of electron coupling (the magnitude is the matrix element, VDA) on the photophysical properties of UV-vis absorption, fluorescence emission, especially spin-orbit charge transfer intersystem crossing. We found that the magnitude of VDA depends on the electron donating strength of the aryl moieties ( VDA = 0.22-0.55 eV), as well as the molecular conformation, based on steady state and time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopies. We also found that electron coupling does not show the add-up (or synergetic) effect. Solvent polarity-dependent intersystem crossing (ISC) was observed for the dyad/triads and singlet oxygen quantum yield decreases in polar solvents. Femtosecond transient absorption results indicate that the charge separation (CS) for 9-An-NDI-NH occurs on time scale of 0.83 ps (in toluene) or 0.71 ps (in acetonitrile). The charge recombination (CR) process (50 ps in toluene) produces triplet state with ΦISC = 19%. The triplet state lifetime is up to 22 µs. This result indicates that orthogonal geometry for a compact electron donor/acceptor does not lead to efficient ISC via CR. Other factors such as the energy gap between the CS state and triplet state also determine the ISC efficiency.

Hot exciton cooling and multiple exciton generation in PbSe quantum dots.

Multiple exciton generation (MEG) is a promising process to improve the power conversion efficiency of solar cells. PbSe quantum dots (QDs) have shown reasonably high MEG quantum yield (QY), although the photon energy threshold for this process is still under debate. One of the reasons for this inconsistency is the complicated competition of MEG and hot exciton cooling, especially at higher excited states. Here, we investigate MEG QY and the origin of the photon energy threshold for MEG in PbSe QDs of three different sizes by studying the transient absorption (TA) spectra, both at the band gap (near infrared, NIR) and far from the band gap energy (visible range). The comparison of visible TA spectra and dynamics for different pump wavelengths, below, around and above the MEG threshold, provides evidence of the role of the Σ transition in slowing down the exciton cooling process that can help MEG to take over the phonon relaxation process. The universality of this behavior is confirmed by studying QDs of three different sizes. Moreover, our results suggest that MEG QY can be determined by pump-probe experiments probed above the band gap.

Facile Synthesis of a Furan-Arylamine Hole-Transporting Material for High-Efficiency, Mesoscopic Perovskite Solar Cells.

A novel hole-transporting molecule (F101) based on a furan core has been synthesized by means of a short, high-yielding route. When used as the hole-transporting material (HTM) in mesoporous methylammonium lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) it produced better device performance than the current state-of-the-art HTM 2,2',7,7'-tetrakis-(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenylamine)-9,9'-spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD). The F101-HTM-based device exhibited both slightly higher Jsc (19.63 vs. 18.41 mA cm(-2) ) and Voc (1.1 vs. 1.05 V) resulting in a marginally higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) (13.1 vs. 13 %). The steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence show that F101 has significant charge extraction ability. The simple molecular structure, short synthesis route with high yield and better performance in devices makes F101 an excellent candidate for replacing the expensive spiro-OMeTAD as HTM in PSCs.

Bright quantum-dot-sized single-chain conjugated polyelectrolyte nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization and application for specific extracellular labeling and imaging.

We report a simple method to fabricate quantum-dot-sized nanoparticles (NPs) from poly[9,9-bis((6-N,N,N-trimethylammonium)hexyl)fluorene-alt-co-2,1,3-benzo-xadiazole dibromide] (PFBD). The transmission electron microscope results reveal that the obtained NPs have a mean diameter of ≈4 nm, which is composed of a single PFBD chain. The NPs show bright fluorescence with an emission maximum at ≈636 nm and a quantum yield of ≈26% in water. The fluorescence properties of the NPs are characterized by steady fluorescence microscopy, fluorescence dynamic study and single nanoparticle microscopy, which show superior brightness over commercial quantum dots QD655. The NPs are further conjugated with streptavidin to yield PFBD-SA NPs, which serve as a specific extracellular labeling and imaging probe with high specificity and good photostability.

Excited-state dynamics in an α-perylene single crystal: two-photon- and consecutive two-quantum-induced singlet fission.

Excited-state dynamics in α-perylene single crystals is studied by time-resolved fluorescence and transient absorption techniques under different excitation conditions. The ultrafast lifetimes of the "hot" excimer (Y) state were resolved. Three competing excited-states decay channels are observed: excimer formation, dimer cation generation, and singlet fission. The singlet fission induced by two-photon and consecutive two-quantum absorption is reported for the first time in an α-perylene crystal.

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.

Eccentric loading of fluorogen with aggregation-induced emission in PLGA matrix increases nanoparticle fluorescence quantum yield for targeted cellular imaging.

A simple strategy is developed to prepare eccentrically or homogeneously loaded nanoparticles (NPs) using poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) as the encapsulation matrix in the presence of different amounts of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the emulsifier. Using 2,3-bis(4-(phenyl(4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)-phenyl)amino)-phenyl)-fumaronitrile (TPETPAFN), a fluorogen with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics, as an example, the eccentrically loaded PLGA NPs show increased fluorescence quantum yields (QYs) as compared to the homogeneously loaded ones. Field emission transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence lifetime measurements reveal that the higher QY of the eccentrically loaded NPs is due to the more compact aggregation of AIE fluorogens that restricts intramolecular rotations of phenyl rings, which is able to more effectively block the non-radiative decay pathways. The eccentrically loaded NPs show far red/near infrared emission with a high fluorescence QY of 34% in aqueous media. In addition, by using poly([lactide-co-glycolide]-b-folate [ethylene glycol]) (PLGA-PEG-folate) as the co-encapsulation matrix, the obtained NPs are born with surface folic acid groups, which are successfully applied for targeted cellular imaging with good photostability and low cytotoxicity. Moreover, the developed strategy is also demonstrated for inorganic-component eccentrically or homogeneously loaded PLGA NPs, which facilitates the synthesis of polymer NPs with controlled internal architectures.

Two-photon-induced singlet fission in rubrene single crystal.

The two-photon-induced singlet fission was observed in rubrene single crystal and studied by use of femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy. The location of two-photon excited states was obtained from the nondegenerate two-photon absorption (TPA) spectrum. Time evolution of the two-photon-induced transient absorption spectra reveals the direct singlet fission from the two-photon excited states. The TPA absorption coefficient of rubrene single crystal is 52 cm∕GW at 740 nm, as obtained from Z-scan measurements. Quantum chemical calculations based on time-dependent density functional theory support our experimental data.

Near-Infrared BODIPY Photosensitizer for Modulating Mitochondrial Fusion Proteins and Inhibiting Choroidal Neovascularization.

Photosensitizers have emerged as cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) activators in photodynamic therapy (PDT), which induced cell apoptosis. As the major contributors to ROS and oxidative stress, mitochondria play an important role in cell apoptosis. Although there are many reports about near-infrared 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) as photosensitizers (PSs) for PDT, this kind of PS has rarely been used for treating mitochondrial function and choroidal neovascularization application at the same time. Herein, a novel near-infrared PS (BDP2) characterized by good water solubility, long wavelength excitation, and high ROS quantum yield has been made. Under near-infrared light irradiation, BDP2 would generate ROS with high yield, induce a mitochondrial morphology change, and trigger cell apoptosis by changing the fusion protein level. Deep investigation revealed that BDP2 can cause oxidative stress, break the balance between fusion and fission of mitochondrial dynamics protein through decreasing fusion protein MFN2 and OPA1 expression, and finally cause cell apoptosis. Due to these characteristics, the BDP2 PS was used to treat choroidal neovascularization in animal models and can inhibit neovascularization.

Silver nanocube-enhanced far-red/near-infrared fluorescence of conjugated polyelectrolyte for cellular imaging.

We present the study of silver nanocube (Ag NC)-enhanced fluorescence of a cationic conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) for far-red/near-infrared fluorescence cell imaging. Layer-by-layer self-assembly of polyelectrolytes on 78 nm Ag NCs is used to control CPE-metal distance and its effect on CPE fluorescence. The highest fluorescence enhancement factor (FEF) is obtained for Ag NCs with two bilayers, corresponding to a CPE-metal spacer thickness of ~6 nm. At the optimal excitation wavelength, the FEF is 13.8 with respect to the control silica nanoparticles (NPs). The fluorescent NPs are further used for cellular imaging studies. The CPE-loaded Ag NCs with two bilayers exhibit excellent image contrast, superior to the control of CPE-silica NP at a similar uptake efficiency. The viability test indicates low cytotoxicity of the CPE-loaded Ag NCs, rendering them as promising cell imaging agents.

Singlet fission in rubrene single crystal: direct observation by femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy.

The excited state dynamics of rubrene in solution and in the single crystal were studied by femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy under various excitation conditions. Singlet fission was demonstrated to play a predominant role in the excited state relaxation of the rubrene crystal in contrast to rubrene in solution. Upon 500 nm excitation, triplet excitons form on the picosecond time scale via fission from the lowest excited singlet state. Upon 250 nm excitation, fission from upper excited singlet states is observed within 200 fs.

Plenty of Room on the Top: Pathways and Spectroscopic Signatures of Singlet Fission from Upper Singlet States.

We investigate dynamic signatures of the singlet fission (SF) process triggered by the excitation of a molecular system to an upper singlet state SN (N > 1) and develop a computational methodology for the simulation of nonlinear spectroscopic signals revealing the SN → TT1 SF in real time. We demonstrate that SF can proceed directly from the upper state SN, bypassing the lowest excited state, S1. We determine the main SN → TT1 reaction pathways and show by computer simulation and spectroscopic measurements that the SN-initiated SF can be faster and more efficient than the traditionally studied S1 → TT1 SF. We claim that the SN → TT1 SF offers novel promising opportunities for engineering SF systems and enhancing SF yields.