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Leveraging the unique reactivity profile of donor-acceptor aminocyclopropanes and cyclobutanes allows the preparation of complex nitrogen-substituted molecules. While most reports focus on donor-acceptor strained rings with two geminal carbonyl groups as acceptors, mono carbonyl acceptor systems, despite their synthetic relevance, have been considerably less studied. Herein we describe catalytic annulation reactions ofaminocyclopropane and aminocyclobutane monoesters employing silylium catalysis to activate these less reactive donor-acceptor systems.

A set of novel 1,4-diaryl-1,3-butadiynes terminated by two 7-(arylethynyl)-1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene fragments was prepared via the Glaser–Hay oxidative dimerization of 2-ethynyl-7-(arylethynyl)-1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalenes. The oligomers synthesized in this way are cross-conjugated systems, in which two conjugation pathways are possible: π-conjugation of 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene (DMAN) fragments through a butadiyne linker and a donor–acceptor aryl–C≡C–DMAN conjugation path. The conjugation path can be “switched” simply by protonation of DMAN fragments. X-ray diffraction, UV–vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry are applied to analyze the extent of π-conjugation and the efficiency of particular donor–acceptor conjugation path in these new compounds. X-ray structures and absorption spectra of doubly protonated tetrafluoroborate salts of the oligomers are also discussed.

Donor–acceptor-substituted biphenyl derivatives are particularly interesting model compounds, which exhibit intramolecular charge transfer because of the extent of charge transfer between both substituents. The connection of a 4-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl-2-pyrimidinyl) moiety to differently disubstituted amino groups at the biphenyl terminal can offer push–pull compounds with distinctive photophysical properties. Herein, we report a comprehensive study of the influence of the torsion angle of the disubstituted amino group on the emissive properties of two pull–push systems: 4-[4-(4-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)phenyl]-2,6-diphenylpyrimidine (D1) and 4-[4-(4-N,N-diphenylaminophenyl)phenyl]-2,6-diphenylpyrimidine (D2). The torsion angle of the disubstituted amino group, either N,N-dimethyl-amine or N,N-diphenyl-amine, at the biphenyl end governs their emissive properties. A drastic fluorescence quenching occurs in D1 as the solvent polarity increases, whereas D2 maintains its emission independently of the solvent polarity. Theoretical calculations on D1 support the presence of a twisted geometry for the lowest energy, charge-transfer excited state (S1,90), which corresponds to the minimum energy structure in polar solvents and presents a small energy barrier to move from the excited to the ground state, thereby favoring the non-radiative pathway and reducing the fluorescence efficiency. In contrast, this twisted structure is absent in D2 due to the steric hindrance of the phenyl groups attached to the amine group, making the non-radiative decay less favorable. Our findings provide insights into the crucial role of the substituent in the donor moiety of donor–acceptor systems on both the singlet excited state and the intramolecular charge-transfer process.

Homoconjugated push–pull chromophores were obtained by an efficient, click-type formal [2+2] cycloaddition. With these short synthetic transformations, complex chromophore structures were achieved in a single step without any by-product formation. Significant second-order optical nonlinearities have been calculated for the synthesized compounds.

We explore various aspects of the entropy of the donor–acceptor QD system (GaAs – (Ga, Al)As) under the effect of terahertz excitation and magnetic field. We solve the optical Bloch equations of the system in presence of the total dephasing rate. The analysis illustrate the presence of the sudden death and sudden birth of entropy. It is shown that these phenomena can be controlled using system parameters and likewise determining the influence of the magnetic field on the donor–acceptor system. By selectively choosing the system’s parameters, it is possible to control the dynamics of entropy.

The Photophysical properties, such as fluorescence quenching, and photoexcitation dynamics of bimolecular non-covalent systems consisting of cationic poly[(9,9-di(3,3′-N,N′-trimethyl-ammonium) propyl fluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-alt-co-(9,9-dioctyl-fluorenyl-2,7-diyl)] diiodide salt (PFN) and anionic graphene carboxylate (GC) have been discovered for the first time via steady-state and time-resolved femtosecond transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy with broadband capabilities. The steady-state fluorescence of PFN is quenched with high efficiency by the GC acceptor. Fluorescence lifetime measurements reveal that the quenching mechanism of PFN by GC is static. Here, the quenching mechanisms are well proven via the TA spectra of PFN/GC systems. For PFN/GC systems, the photo electron transfer (PET) and charge recombination (CR) processes are ultrafast (within a few tens of ps) compared to static interactions, whereas for PFN/1,4-dicyanobenzene DCB systems, the PET takes place in a few hundreds of ps (217.50 ps), suggesting a diffusion-controlled PET process. In the latter case, the PFN+•–DCB−• radical ion pairs as the result of the PET from the PFN to DCB are clearly resolved, and they are long-lived. The slow CR process (in 30 ns time scales) suggests that PFN+• and DCB−• may already form separated radical ion pairs through the charge separation (CS) process, which recombine back to the initial state with a characteristic time constant of 30 ns. The advantage of the present positively charged polyfluorene used in this work is the control over the electrostatic interactions and electron transfers in non-covalent polyfluorene/quencher systems in DMSO solution.

Multicomponent reactions, conducted in a domino, sequential or consecutive fashion, have not only considerably enhanced synthetic efficiency as one-pot methodology, but they have also become an enabling tool for interdisciplinary research. The highly diversity-oriented nature of the synthetic concept allows accessing huge structural and functional space. Already some decades ago this has been recognized for life sciences, in particular, lead finding and exploration in pharma and agricultural chemistry. The quest for novel functional materials has also opened the field for diversity-oriented syntheses of functional π-systems, i.e. dyes for photonic and electronic applications based on their electronic properties. This review summarizes recent developments in MCR syntheses of functional chromophores highlighting syntheses following either the framework forming scaffold approach by establishing connectivity between chromophores or the chromogenic chromophore approach by de novo formation of chromophore of interest. Both approaches warrant rapid access to molecular functional π-systems, i.e. chromophores, fluorophores, and electrophores for various applications.

Abstract A family of tunable halochromic switches is developed using a naphthalimide‐fused dipyrrin as the core π‐conjugated motif. Electronic properties of these dipyrrins are tuned by substitution of their alpha and meso positions with aryl groups of variable donor–acceptor strength. The first protonation results in a conformational change that enhances electronic coupling between the dipyrrin chromophore and the meso substituent, leading to halochromic effects that occasionally exceed 200 nm and switch the absorption between the near‐infrared (NIR)‐I and NIR‐II ranges. A NIR‐II photothermal effect, switchable by acid–base chemistry is demonstrated for selected dipyrrins. Further protonation is possible for derivatives bearing additional amino groups, leading to up to four halochromic switching step. The most electron‐rich dipyrrins are also susceptible to chemical oxidation, yielding NIR‐absorbing radical cations and closed‐shell dications.

Boomerang-shaped bipyrroles containing donor–acceptor units were obtained through a tandem palladium-mediated reaction consisting of a cyclization step, involving double C–H bond activation, and a double α-oxygenation. The latter reaction can be partly suppressed for the least reactive systems, providing access to α-unsubstituted boomerangs for the first time. These “α-free” systems are highly efficient fluorophores, with emission quantum yields exceeding 80% in toluene. Preliminary measurements show that helicene-like boomerangs may be usable as circularly polarized luminescent materials.

Four new conjugated polymers alternating benzothiadiazole units and thiophene moieties functionalized with ionic phosphonium or sulfonic acid salts in the side chains were synthesized by a postfunctionalization approach of polymeric precursors. The introduction of ionic groups makes the conjugated polymers soluble in water and/or polar solvents, allowing for the fabrication of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells using environmentally friendly conditions. All polymers were fully characterized by spectroscopic, thermal, electrochemical, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron, and atomic force techniques. BHJ solar cells were obtained from halogen-free solvents (i.e., ethanol and/or anisole) by blending the synthesized ionic push–pull polymers with a serinol-fullerene derivative or an ionic homopolymer acting as electron-acceptor (EA) or electron-donor (ED) counterparts, respectively. The device with the highest optical density and the smoothest surface of the active layer was the best-performing, showing a 4.76% photoconversion efficiency.

A series of novel V-shaped quinoxaline, [1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4-b]pyrazine and [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-b]pyrazine push–pull derivatives with 2,4′-biphenylene linker were designed and their electrochemical, photophysical and nonlinear optical properties were investigated. [1,2,5]Oxadiazolo[3,4-b]pyrazine is the stronger electron-withdrawing fragment as shown by electrochemical, and photophysical data. All compounds are emissive in a solid-state (from the cyan to red region of the spectrum) and quinoxaline derivatives are emissions in DCM solution. It has been found that quinoxaline derivatives demonstrate important solvatochromism and extra-large Stokes shifts, characteristic of twisted intramolecular charge transfer excited state as well as aggregation induced emission. The experimental conclusions have been justified by theoretical (TD-)DFT calculations.

A series of 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene dicyanovinyl end-capped derivatives have been used in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) photovoltaic cells prepared by the solution process. The compounds were excessively decorated with moieties enhancing solubility to avoid spontaneous crystallisations in the blends. The topology of the dyes is of the acceptor-donor-acceptor (A-D-A) type. The quantum chemical calculations were done at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory and HOMO-LUMO levels were calculated. The solar cells’ configuration was as follows: ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT(P3OT)dyes/Al and parameters characterising them, open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current density (Jsc), fill factor (FF) and power conversion efficiency (PCE) are presented. Anthracene based A-D-A molecules showed photovoltaic activity with an average power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of 2.7%.

Subsystem phases and electronic flows involving the acidic and basic sites of the donor (B) and acceptor (A) substrates of chemical reactions are revisited. The emphasis is placed upon the phase–current relations, a coherence of elementary probability flows in the preferred reaction complex, and on phase-equalization in the equilibrium state of the whole reactive system. The overall and partial charge-transfer (CT) phenomena in alternative coordinations are qualitatively examined and electronic communications in A—B systems are discussed. The internal polarization (P) of reactants is examined, patterns of average electronic flows are explored, and energy changes associated with P/CT displacements are identified using the chemical potential and hardness descriptors of reactants and their active sites. The nonclassical (phase/current) contributions to resultant gradient information are investigated and the preferred current-coherence in such donor–acceptor systems is predicted. It is manifested by the equalization of equilibrium local phases in the entangled subsystems.

Two new photosensitizers featured with a cyanoacrylic acid electron acceptor (A) and a hybrid electron donor (D) of cyclopentadithiophene and dithiafulvenyl, either directly linked or separated by a phenyl ring, were synthesized and characterized. Both of them undergo two reversible oxidations and strongly absorb in the visible spectral region due to a photo-induced intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) transition. To a great extent, the electronic interaction between the D and A units is affected by the presence of a phenyl spacer. Without a phenyl ring, the D unit appears more difficult to oxidize due to a strong electron-withdrawing effect of the A moiety. In sharp contrast, the insertion of the phenyl ring between the D and A units leads to a broken π-conjugation and therefore, the oxidation potentials remain almost unchanged compared to those of an analogue without the A group, suggesting that the electronic coupling between D and A units is relatively weak. As a consequence, the lowest-energy absorption band shows a slight hypsochromic shift upon the addition of the phenyl spacer, indicative of an increased HOMO–LUMO gap. In turn, the direct linkage of D and A units leads to an effective π-conjugation, thus substantially lowering the HOMO–LUMO gap. Moreover, the application in dye-sensitized solar cells was investigated, showing that the power conversion efficiency increases by the insertion of the phenyl unit.

In this paper we report the synthesis donor - acceptor systems based on fullerene C60 and lipophilic meso - arylporphyrins . The obtained conjugates were characterized by IR, UV-vis,1H,13C NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The fluorescence spectra of porphyrin–fullerene C60 donor-acceptor dyads were studied.

Abstract: Recent studies on applications of the information theoretic concepts to molecular systems are reviewed. This survey covers the information theory basis of the Hirshfeld partitioning of molecular electron densities, its generalization to many electron probabilities, the local information distance analysis of molecular charge distributions, the charge transfer descriptors of the donor-acceptor reactive systems, the elements of a “thermodynamic†description of molecular charge displacements, both “vertical†(between molecular fragments for the fixed overall density) and “horizontal†(involving different molecular densities), with the entropic representation description provided by the information theory. The average uncertainty measures of bond multiplicities in molecular “communication†systems are also briefly summarized. After an overview of alternative indicators of the information distance (entropy deficiency, missing information) between probability distributions the properties of the “stockholder†densities, which minimize the entropy deficiency relative to the promolecule reference, are summarized. In particular, the surprisal analysis of molecular densities is advocated as an attractive information-theoretic tool in the electronic structure theory, supplementary to the familiar density difference diagrams. The subsystem information density equalization rules satisfied by the Hirshfeld molecular fragments are emphasized: the local values of alternative information distance densities of subsystems are equal to the corresponding global value, characterizing the molecule as a whole. These local measures of the information content are semi-quantitatively related to the molecular density difference function. In the density functional theory the effective external potentials of molecular fragments are defined, for which the subsystem densities are the ground-state densities. The nature of the energetic and “entropic†equilibrium conditions is reexamined and the entropy representation forces driving the charge transfer in molecular systems are introduced. The latter combine the familiar Fukui functions of subsystems with the information densities, the entropy representation “intensive†conjugates of the subsystem electron densities, and are shown to exactly vanish for the “stockholder†charge distribution. The proportionality relations between charge response characteristics of reactants, e.g., the Fukui functions, are derived. They are shown to follow from the minimum entropy deficiency principles formulated in terms of both the subsystems electron densities and Fukui functions, respectively.

Organic photovoltaic cells based on bulk-heterojunction architecture have been a topic of intense research for the past two decades. Recent reports on power conversion efficiency surpassing 10% suggest these devices are a viable low-cost choice for a range of applications where conventional silicon solar cells are not suitable. Further improvements in efficiency could be achieved with the enhanced interaction between the donor and acceptor components. Effective utilization of supramolecular interactions to tailor and manipulate the communication between the components in the blend is a good strategy towards this end. Literature reports suggest that the long-term stability of organic solar cells, a major hurdle for commercial applications, can also be partially addressed by generating stable supramolecular nanostructures. In this review, we have made an attempt to summarize advances in small molecule, oligomer and polymer based systems, wherein supramolecular interactions such as hydrogen-bonding, pi-pi stacking, and dipole-dipole are explored for realizing stable and efficient bulk-heterojunction solar cells.

Donor-substituted cyanoethynylethenes (CEEs) are planar push–pull chromophores featuring intense intramolecular charge-transfer (CT) interactions and high third-order optical nonlinearities. Their thermal stability allows for the formation of crystalline thin films by vapor-phase deposition. On the other hand, high-quality amorphous thin films are preferred for opto-electronic applications and such films can be prepared using nonplanar push–pull chromophores with a less pronounced propensity to crystallize. By taking advantage of a versatile, atom-economic 'click-chemistry'-type transformation, involving a formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition of tetracyanoethene (TCNE) to electron-rich alkynes, followed by cycloreversion, stable donor-substituted 1,1,4,4-tetracyanobuta-1,3-dienes (TCBDs) are obtained in high yield and large quantities. These nonplanar push–pull chromophores also feature intense intramolecular CT and, in many cases, high third-order optical nonlinearities. Some of these compounds form high-optical-quality amorphous thin films by vapor-phase deposition, and first applications in next-generation opto-electronic devices have already been demonstrated. Chiral derivatives display high helical twisting power and are efficient dopants to translate molecular into macroscopic chirality, by switching nematic into cholesteric liquid crystalline phases.