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The effect of acceptor strength on excited state charge‐transfer (CT) and charge separation (CS) in central phenothiazine (PTZ) derived symmetric 1 (PTZ-(TCBD-TPA)2) and asymmetric, 2 (PTZ-(TCBD/DCNQ-TPA)2) push-pull conjugates, in which triphenylamine (TPA) act as end capping and 1,1,4,4–tetracyanobuta–1,3–diene (TCBD) and cyclohexa–2,5–diene–1,4–ylidene–expanded TCBD (DCNQ) act as electron acceptor units is reported. Due to strong push-pull effects, intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) was observed in the ground state extending the absorption into the near-IR region. Electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical and computational studies coupled with energy level calculations predicted both 1 and 2 to be efficient candidates for ultrafast charge transfer. Subsequent femtosecond transient absorption studies along with global target analysis, performed in both polar and nonpolar solvents, confirmed such processes in which the CS was efficient in asymmetric 2 having both TCBD and DCNQ acceptors in polar benzonitrile while in toluene, only charge transfer was witnessed. This work highlights significance of number and strength of electron acceptor entities and the role of solvent polarity in multi-modular push-push systems to achieve ultrafast CS.
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Near‐IR Capturing N‐Methylbenzene Sulfonamide‐Phenothiazine Incorporating Strong Electron Acceptor Push‐Pull Systems: Photochemical Ultrafast Carrier Dynamics
Abstract Unraveling the intriguing aspects of the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) phenomenon of multi‐modular donor‐acceptor‐based push–pull systems are of paramount importance considering their promising applications, particularly in solar energy harvesting and light‐emitting devices. Herein, a series of symmetrical and unsymmetrical donor‐acceptor chromophores1–6, are designed and synthesized by the Corey‐Fuchs reaction via Evano's condition followed by [2+2] cycloaddition retroelectrocyclic ring‐opening reaction with strong electron acceptors TCNE and TCNQ in good yields (~60–85 %). The photophysical, electrochemical, and computational studies are investigated to explore the effect of incorporation of strong electron acceptors 1,1,4,4‐tetracyanobuta‐1,3‐diene (TCBD) and dicyanoquinodimethane (DCNQ) with phenothiazine (PTZ) donor. An additional low‐lying broad absorption band extended towards the near‐infrared (NIR) region suggests charge polarization after the introduction of the electron acceptors in both symmetrical and asymmetrical systems, leading to such strong ICT bands. The electrochemical properties reveal that reduction potentials of3and6are lower than those of2and5, suggesting DCNQ imparts more on the electronic properties and hence largely contributes to the stabilization of LUMO energy levels than TCBD, in line with theoretical observations. Relative positions of the frontier orbitals on geometry‐optimized structures further support accessing donor‐acceptor sites responsible for the ICT transitions. Eventually, ultrafast carrier dynamics of the photoinduced species are investigated by femtosecond transient absorption studies to identify their spectral characteristics and target analysis further provides information about different excited states photophysical events including ICT and their associated time profiles. The key findings obtained here related to excited state dynamical processes of these newly synthesized systems are believed to be significant in advancing their prospect of utilization in solar energy conversion and related photonic applications.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2000988
- PAR ID:
- 10642375
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Chemistry – A European Journal
- Volume:
- 30
- Issue:
- 25
- ISSN:
- 0947-6539
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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