Abstract
The D-π-A type phosphonium salts in which electron acceptor (A=-+PR3) and donor (D=-NPh2) groups are linked by polarizable π-conjugated spacers show intense fluorescence that is classically ascribed to excited-state intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). Unexpectedly, salts with π=-(C6H4)n- and -(C10H6C6H4)- exhibit an unusual dual emission (F1 and F2 bands) in weakly polar or nonpolar solvents. Time-resolved fluorescence studies show a successive temporal evolution from the F1 to F2 emission, which can be rationalized by an ICT-driven counterion migration. Upon optically induced ICT, the counterions move from -+PR3 to -NPh2 and back in the ground state, thus achieving an ion-transfer cycle. Increasing the solvent polarity makes the solvent stabilization dominant, and virtually stops the ion migration. Providing that either D or A has ionic character (by static ion-pair stabilization), the ICT-induced counterion migration should not be uncommon in weakly polar to nonpolar media, thereby providing a facile avenue for mimicking a photoinduced molecular machine-like motion.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Angewandte Chemie - International Edition |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2019 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- charge transfer
- donor–acceptor systems
- dual emission
- fluorescence
- ion migration