Tomohiro Seki

Design amphiphilic dipolar π-systems for stimuli-responsive luminescent materials using metastable states

π-Conjugated compounds that exhibit tunable luminescence in the solid state under external mechanical stimuli have potential applications in sensors and imaging devices. However, no rational designs have been proposed that impart these mechano-responsive luminescent properties to π-conjugated compounds. Here we demonstrate a strategy for mechano-responsive luminescent materials by imparting amphiphilic and dipolar characteristics to a luminescent π-conjugated system. The oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) luminophore with a didodecylamino group at one end and a tri(ethylene glycol) ester group at the other end yields segregated solid structures by separately aggregating its hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties. The segregated structures force the molecules to align in the same direction, thereby generating a conflict between the side-chain aggregation and dipolar stabilization of the π-system. Consequently, these metastable solid structures can be transformed through mechanical stimulation to a more stable structure, from a π-π stacked aggregate to a liquid crystal and further to a crystalline phase with variable luminescence.

Controlling Mechano‐ and Seeding‐Triggered Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal Phase Transition: Molecular Domino with a Disconnection of Aurophilic Bonds

Green and blue polymorphs: A single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) phase transition of phenyl(3,5-dimethylphenyl isocyanide)gold(I) was triggered by mechanical picking or solid seeding and propagated spontaneously with a domino-like mechanism. As a result, one phase with intense green emission was transformed to another phase with weaker blue emission.

Supramolecularly engineered perylene bisimide assemblies exhibiting thermal transition from columnar to multilamellar structures

Perylene 3,4:9,10-tetracarboxylic acid bisimide (PBI) was functionalized with ditopic cyanuric acid to organize it into complex columnar architectures through the formation of hydrogen-bonded supermacrocycles (rosette) by complexing with ditopic melamines possessing solubilizing alkoxyphenyl substituents. The aggregation study in solution using UV-vis and NMR spectroscopies showed the formation of extended aggregates through hydrogen-bonding and π-π stacking interactions. The cylindrical fibrillar nanostructures were visualized by microscopic techniques (AFM, TEM), and the formation of lyotropic mesophase was confirmed by polarized optical microscopy and SEM. X-ray diffraction study revealed that a well-defined hexagonal columnar (Col(h)) structure was formed by solution-casting of fibrillar assemblies. All of these results are consistent with the formation of hydrogen-bonded PBI rosettes that spontaneously organize into the Col(h) structure. Upon heating the Col(h) structure in the bulk state, a structural transition to a highly ordered lamellar (Lam) structure was observed by variable-temperature X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and AFM studies. IR study showed that the rearrangement of the hydrogen-bonding motifs occurs during the structural transition. These results suggest that such a striking structural transition is aided by the reorganization in the lowest level of self-organization, i.e., the rearrangement of hydrogen-bonded motifs from rosette to linear tape. A remarkable increase in the transient photoconductivity was observed by the flash-photolysis time-resolved microwave conductivity (FP-TRMC) measurements upon converting the Col(h) structure to the Lam structure. Transient absorption spectroscopy revealed that electron transfer from electron-donating alkoxyphenyl groups of melamine components to electron-deficient PBI moieties takes place, resulting in a higher probability of charge carrier generation in the Lam structure compared to the Col(h) structure.

Formation of Supramolecular Polymers and Discrete Dimers of Perylene Bisimide Dyes Based on Melamine−Cyanurates Hydrogen-Bonding Interactions

Melamine-linked perylene bisimide dyes (MPBIs) bearing an ethylene or trimethylene group as linker moieties were synthesized, and their self-aggregation and coaggregation with cyanurates through complementary triple hydrogen bonds have been investigated. UV/vis studies revealed that both the MPBIs self-assemble in nonpolar organic solvent through pi-pi stacking interaction between perylene cores, giving self-aggregates with nearly identical thermal stabilities. Upon addition of 1 equiv of cyanurate components, however, the stabilities of the resulting aggregates were dramatically changed between the two systems, suggesting the formation of different types of hydrogen-bonded supramolecular species. Dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopic studies revealed that the system featuring ethylene linker moieties generates a discrete dimer of MPBI supported by two cyanurate molecules, whereas the system featuring trimethylene linker moieties affords extended supramolecular polymers hierarchically organizing into nanoscopic fibers. These results demonstrate that it is possible to obtain distinct supramolecular species by just changing the number of carbon atoms at the linker moieties of MPBI components. The present strategy for the fabrication of discrete or polymeric supramolecular assemblies should be applicable to other functional pi-conjugated molecules.

A Screening Approach for the Discovery of Mechanochromic Gold(I) Isocyanide Complexes with Crystal-to-Crystal Phase Transitions

Mechanoinduced phase transitions of emissive organic crystalline materials have received much attention. Although a variety of such luminescent mechanochromic compounds have been reported, it is challenging to develop mechanochromic compounds with crystal-to-crystal phase transitions in which precise structural information about molecular arrangements can be obtained. Here, we report a screening approach to explore mechanochromic compounds exhibiting a crystal-to-crystal phase transition. We prepared 48 para-substituted (R(1)) phenyl[para-substituted (R(2)) phenyl isocyanide]gold(I) complexes designated R(1)-R(2) (six R(1) and eight R(2) substituents) and then performed three-step screening experiments. The first screening step was selection of emissive complexes under UV light, which gave 37 emissive R(1)-R(2) complexes. The second screening step involved evaluation of the mechanochromic properties by emission spectroscopy. Twenty-eight complexes were found to be mechanochromic. The third screening step involved preparation of single crystals, reprecipitated powders, and ground powders of the 28 mechanochromic R(1)-R(2) complexes. The changes in the powder diffraction patterns of these complexes induced by mechanical stimulation were investigated. Two compounds exhibited a crystal-to-crystal phase transition upon mechanical stimulation, including the previously reported H-H complex. Single crystals of the as-prepared and ground forms of the newly discovered CF3-CN complex were obtained. Density functional theory calculations indicated that the mechanoinduced red-shifted emission of CF3-CN is caused by formation of aurophilic interactions. Comparison of the crystal structures of CF3-CN with those of the other complexes suggests that the weaker intermolecular interactions in the as-prepared form are an important structural factor for the observed mechanoinduced crystal-to-crystal phase transition.

Luminescent Mechanochromic 9-Anthryl Gold(I) Isocyanide Complex with an Emission Maximum at 900 nm after Mechanical Stimulation

Upon mechanical stimulation, 9-anthryl gold(I) isocyanide complex 3 exhibited a bathochromic shift of its emission color from the visible to the infrared (IR) region, which is unprecedented in its magnitude. Prior to exposure to the mechanical stimulus, the polymorphs 3α and 3β exhibit emission wavelength maxima (λem,max) at 448 and 710 nm, respectively. Upon grinding, the λem,max of 3αground and 3βground are bathochromically shifted to 900 nm, i.e., Δλem,max (3α) = 452 nm or 1.39 eV. Polymorphs 3α and 3β thus represent the first examples of mechanochromic luminescent materials with λem,max in the IR region.

Unconventional hydrogen-bond-directed hierarchical co-assembly between perylene bisimide and azobenzene-functionalized melamine

Co-assembly of ditopic perylene bisimide and azobenzene-functionalized melamine occurs with an unconventional stoichiometric ratio, providing well-defined nanostructures with a helically-coiled architecture where perylene chromophores are packed in desirable J-type arrangements.

Multifunctional, polymorphic, ionic fullerene supramolecular materials: self-assembly and thermotropic properties.

An N-methylfulleropyrrolidine (2) bearing three eicosyloxy chains on the laterally substituted phenyl group can be further functionalized to give the ionic fullerene derivative, i.e., N,N-dimethylfulleropyrrolidinium iodide (1). The spectroscopic, electrochemical, self-assembly, and liquid crystalline properties of 1 have been investigated and compared to its neutral precursor 2. Changes in electronic structure upon ionization are observed in the UV spectra. Additionally, a positive potential shift of electrochemical reductions for 1 compared to those of 2 is noted in both homogeneous solution and film state. Driven by the π-π, van der Waals, and electrostatic interactions, the ionic compound 1 is able to form a variety of functional and polymorphic self-assembled structures both from solution and on substrates, including hierarchically organized flakelike microparticles with high water repellency, doughnut-shaped objects with rough surfaces, and long one-dimensional C(60) nanowires (>1 μm). The thermotropic behavior of 1 has also been investigated, and a smectic liquid crystalline phase was observed at elevated temperatures. Further investigations of the thermotropic behavior of 1 revealed that a deionization back-reaction from 1 to the neutral precursor 2 gradually occurred. The mechanism of this deionization reaction is presented and discussed. These investigations provide insight into the effects of added ionicity to alkylated fullerene derivatives, in particular on their self-assembly features and functionality.

Molecular-Level Understanding of Structural Changes of Organic Crystals Induced by Macroscopic Mechanical Stimulation.

Structural changes to molecular crystals upon mechanical stimulation have attracted attention for sensing, recording, and microactuation. Comprehensive structure information is required to understand relationships between the mechanical force applied, the crystal structure, and the bulk property changes in order to develop general design concepts for mechanoresponsive compounds. Unfortunately, mechanical stimulation of organic crystals typically deteriorates their integrity, preventing detailed structure analyses by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. However, in the past three years, several interesting studies have been reported in which molecular crystals retain their integrity even after a mechanically induced crystalline structure change. These materials have allowed us to investigate how macroscopic mechanical forces affect the microscopic structures of molecular crystals by single-crystal XRD analyses. This Minireview summarizes current knowledge of mechanically induced structure changes in molecular crystals, which will facilitate research in this field.

Luminescent Europium(III) Coordination Zippers Linked with Thiophene-Based Bridges

Novel Eu(III) coordination polymers [Eu(hfa)3 (dpt)]n (dpt: 2,5-bis(diphenylphosphoryl)thiophene) and [Eu(hfa)3 (dpedot)]n (dpedot: 2,5-bis(diphenylphosphoryl)ethylenedioxythiophene) with hydrogen-bonded zipper structures are reported. The coordination polymers are composed of Eu(III) ions, hexafluoroacetylacetonato ligands, and thiophene-based phosphine oxide bridges. The zig-zag orientation of single polymer chains induced the formation of densely packed coordination structures with multiple intermolecular interactions, resulting in thermal stability above 300 °C. They exhibit a high intrinsic emission quantum yield (ca. 80 %) due to their asymmetrical and low-vibrational coordination structures around Eu(III) ions. Furthermore, the characteristic alternative orientation of substituents also contributes to the dramatically high ligand-to-metal energy transfer efficiencies of up to 80 % in the solid state.