Water molecular bridge-induced selective dual polarization in crystals for stable multi-emitters† † Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. CCDC 2090475–2090477. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see https://doi.org/10.1039/d2sc00908k

ABSTRACT: In the solid state, the molecular polarization of donor–acceptor (D–A) molecules can be implemented in a simple way via the use of an external polarizing source (e.g., an electric field). However, internal chemical polarization approaches are less studied due to difficulties related to controlling the charge-separation orientation in the solid state. Herein, a series of D–A molecules with both a proton donor and an acceptor were designed. Water-based molecular bridges were then established in their crystal structures, which firmly and alternately connected the proton donor of one molecule and the acceptor of another via an intermolecular H-bond network. In this way, the selective dual polarization of a phenolic hydroxyl group and a pyridinyl group could be achieved, owing to the strengthening of the charge-separation orientation upon the simultaneous deprotonation and protonation of the D–A molecules. This effect led to a 3–5-fold amplification of the molecular dipole moment in the crystal form relative to the monomeric state. On this basis, multi-excitation and multi-emission characteristics were achieved in these charge-separated crystals, endowing them with the ability to visually detect the energy of a light source, covering a wide range of the UV-Vis spectral region. This work provides a practical chemical approach for developing intrinsically polarized systems that can exhibit stable but distinct molecular photophysical properties. In the solid state, the molecular polarization of donor–acceptor (D–A) molecules can be implemented by internal chemical polarization approaches.

SUBMITTER: Xing Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9132028 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature