A general approach to enhancing the emission quantum yield of several widely studied organic chromophores is presented. The luminescence properties of a series of symmetrical sulfur-bridged chromophores are reported as a function of the oxidation state of the bridging sulfur atom. The photoluminescence quantum yield is significantly enhanced by successively oxidizing the sulfur bridge from sulfide (S), to sulfoxide (SO), to sulfone (SO2).

A general approach to enhancing the photoluminescent quantum yield for a series of organic chromophores is presented. By bridging a chromophore symmetrically about a sulfur atom it was found that the photoluminescence could be systematically increased by oxidizing the bridge. Furthermore, the enhanced quantum yields were achieved without diminishing the solubility of these chromophores in common organic solvents. The photophysical characterization, as well as potential applications of these molecules will be discussed.