Milan Klikar

N,N′-Dibutylbarbituric acid as an acceptor moiety in push–pull chromophores

Twelve novel D–π–A chromophores with the N,N′-dibutylbarbituric acid acceptor, the N,N-dimethylamino donor and a systematically extended π-linker were synthesized. The extent of intramolecular charge-transfer, structure–property relationships and nonlinear optical properties were further investigated by X-ray analysis, electrochemistry, UV/Vis absorption spectra, calculations and EFISH experiments.

Solvent and branching effect on the two-photon absorption properties of push–pull triphenylamine derivatives

The photophysical and two-photon absorption (2PA) properties of two tri-podal molecules and of their quadrupolar and dipolar counterparts are reported for a series of solvents with varying polarity. The molecules possess a tri-phenylamine electron donating group and mono-cyano acceptors while olefinic and acetylenic π-linkers have been used. Branching led to an increase of the molar extinction coefficient and to a slight bathochromic shift of the absorption spectra while the fluorescence quantum yields decrease but they are maintained to relatively high values. Solvatochromic measurements in the tri-podal molecules revealed an emitting state with a polar nature. The 2PA cross sections in general increase upon branching but the observed behaviour strongly depends on the type of solvent. The highest 2PA cross sections are obtained in solvents of medium polarity and values as high as 1420 GM are reported.

Modulation of (non)linear optical properties in tripodal molecules by variation of the peripheral cyano acceptor moieties and the π-spacer

A series of twelve tripodal push-pull molecules with a central triphenylamine donor and peripheral cyano substituted acceptors has been prepared. These molecules possess systematically altered π-linkers as well as cyano acceptors. Based on the experimental properties measured by differential scanning calorimetry, electrochemistry, one and two photon absorption/emission spectroscopy, supported by the DFT calculations, thorough structure–property relationships were elucidated.

Dipolar NLO Chromophores Bearing Diazine Rings as π-Conjugated Linkers

The synthesis of a series of push-pull derivatives bearing triphenylamine electron-donating group, cyclopenta[c]thiophen-4,6-dione electron acceptor and various π-linkers including (hetero)aromatic fragments is reported. All target chromophores with systematically varied π-linker structure were further investigated by electrochemistry, absorption measurements, and EFISH experiments in conjunction with DFT calculations. Based on electrochemical and photophysical measurements, when a polarizable 2,5-thienylene moiety is embedded into the chromophore π-backbone the highest intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) is observed. Benzene, pyrimidine, and pyridazine derivatives exhibit lower polarizability and extent of the ICT across these π-linkers. The elongation of the π-conjugated system via additional ethenylene linker results in a significant reduction of the HOMO-LUMO gap and an enhancement of the NLO response. Whereas it does not significantly influence electrochemical and linear optical properties, the orientation of the pyrimidine ring seems to be a key parameter on the μβ value due to significant variation of the dipolar moment (μ) value. In 2a and 2c, pyrimidine is oriented to behave as an acceptor and thus generate dipolar molecule with μ above 5 D, whereas in 2b and 2d ground state dipole moment is significantly reduced. This study seems to indicate a high aromaticity of pyrimidine and pyridazine derivatives, close to the benzene analogues and significantly higher than thiophene analogues.

Alphabet-Inspired Design of (Hetero)Aromatic Push–Pull Chromophores

Push-pull molecules represent a unique and fascinating class of organic π-conjugated materials. Herein, we provide a summary of their recent extraordinary design inspired by letters of the alphabet, especially focusing on H-, L-, T-, V-, X-, and Y-shaped molecules. Representative structures from each class were presented and their fundamental properties and prospective applications were discussed. In particular, emphasis is given to molecules recently prepared in our laboratory with T-, X-, and Y-shaped arrangements based on indan-1,3-dione, benzene, pyridine, pyrazine, imidazole, and triphenylamine. These push-pull molecules turned out to be very efficient charge-transfer chromophores with tunable properties suitable for second-order nonlinear optics, two-photon absorption, reversible pH-induced and photochromic switching, photocatalysis, and intercalation.

Multipodal arrangement of push–pull chromophores: a fundamental parameter affecting their electronic and optical properties

A series of model push–pull molecules with linear, quadrupolar, and tripodal arrangements, a varyingly substituted amino donor, two acceptors, and a partially extended π-system has been prepared. Two peripheral electron acceptors, namely N,N′-dibutylbarbituric acid and dicyanovinyl, were employed. The fundamental properties of 24 push–pull chromophores were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, electrochemistry, one-photon absorption spectroscopy, photoinduced piezooptics, and were supported by DFT calculations. Thorough structure–property relationships were elucidated, while a significant influence of the structural arrangement/branching on the electronic and optical properties has been revealed. The fundamental optoelectronic properties of push–pull molecules are affected by their arrangement (linear/quadrupolar/tripodal), the peripheral acceptor attached, extension and planarization of the π-system, and also by the type of auxiliary N-substituent.

N→Sn-Coordinated Stannaoxidoborates Containing a SnB4O6 Unit

We report here the synthesis of new N→Sn-coordinated stannaoxidoborates H[LSnB4O6R4] {L = [2,6-(Me2NCH2)C6H3](-) and R = Ph (6), 4-Br-Ph (7), 3,5-(CF3)2-Ph (8), and 4-CHO-Ph (9)} containing a nonsymmetric SnB4O6 unit. Compounds 6-9 represent new derivatives of the pentaborates [B5O6R4](-) in which the central boron is substituted by a tin atom. Compounds 6-9 were characterized by means of elemental analysis, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and NMR spectroscopy and in the case of 6-8 also by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The structures of N→Sn-coordinated stannaoxidoborates 6-8 consist of a spirobicyclic arrangement, with two six-membered SnB2O3 rings at the tin atom providing the new stannaoxidoborate [LSnB4O6R4](-) motif, which is compensated for by the proton atom coordinated to the Me2N group of the ligand L. The linear and thermal properties of 6-9 were studied with the help of electronic absorption spectra and differential scanning calorimetry. In addition, the presence of the nonsymmetric stannaoxidoborate SnB4O6 unit in 6, 7, and 9 prompted us to investigate their second-order nonlinear-optical properties.

2,4-Distyryl- and 2,4,6-Tristyrylpyrimidines: Synthesis and Photophysical Properties

The synthesis of a series of 20 new 2,4,6-tristyrylpyrimidines and three new 2,4-distyrylpyrimidines by means of combination of Knoevenagel condensation and Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction is reported. This methodology enables us to obtain chromophores with identical or different substituent on each arm. The photophysical properties of the compounds are described. Optical properties and time-dependent density functional theory calculations indicate that photophysical properties of target compounds are mainly affected by the nature of the electron-donating group in C4/C6 positions, except when the C2 substituent is a significantly stronger electron-donating group. However, the C2 substituent has a strong influence on emission quantum yield: addition of a strong electron-donating group tends to decrease the fluorescence quantum yield, whereas a moderate electron-withdrawing group results in a significant increase of fluorescence quantum yield.

Structure–property relationships and third-order nonlinearities in diketopyrrolopyrrole based D–π–A–π–D molecules

Nine new quadrupolar chromophores based on diketopyrrolopyrrole were designed and prepared by cross-coupling reactions. The property tuning has been achieved by structural variation of the peripheral substituents (donor) and enlargement of the π-system. Fundamental properties of target molecules were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, electrochemistry, and absorption and emission spectra. Nonlinear optical properties were studied by measuring the third harmonic generation. The experimental data were completed by quantum-chemical calculations and structure–property relationships were elucidated.