Donor-acceptor cross-conjugated molecules have been shown to undergo intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). Fundamental knowledge of the electronic properties of these molecules will lead to the rational design of molecular electronics. Determining the effects of the solvent environment on ICT in donor-acceptor cross-conjugated molecules is an important step to using these molecules for electronics. Emission, excitation, and absorbance spectra, as well as fluorescence lifetimes, of 2-(4-cyanophenyl)-3-(4-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)-butadiene (DAB) and 2,3-bis[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1,3-butadiene-1,1,4,4,-tetracarbonitrile (DTB) were observed in different solvent environments. DAB was highly solvent dependent and formed dimers in solution as determined by the observation of concentration dependence in the absorbance spectra and fluorescence lifetimes. DTB showed no concentration dependence, but showed solvent dependence in the absorbance spectra. The molecules, though similar in structure, showed unique solvent dependence. An insight into the ICT processes can lead to improved design of molecular electronics.

Spectroscopic exploration of the structure-function relationship of geometry on intramolecular charge transfer in cross-conjugated molecules

246th National Meeting (2013)

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