The geometric and spectroscopic properties of four cationic N-aryl-2,4,6-triphenylpyridinium-based donor–acceptor
dyes1-[4-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)phenyl]-2,4,6-triphenylpyridinium,
1-[4-(N,N-diphenylamino)phenyl]-2,4,6-triphenylpyridinium,
1-(9-phenyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)-2,4,6-triphenylpyridinium,
and 1-(9-ethyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)-2,4,6-triphenylpyridiniumare
reported. The four dyes exhibited a twisted, quasi-perpendicular geometry
about the central donor–acceptor bond, shown by X-ray crystallography
and supported by Raman spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The electronic
absorption spectra show weak charge transfer (CT) transitions at about
400 nm (ε ∼ 3000 L mol–1 cm–1). Time dependent (TD) DFT supported the nature of the CT transition,
displaying an 89–97% shift in electron density from the donor
to the acceptor upon electronic excitation. Excited state geometry
calculations revealed significant geometry changes upon electronic
excitation. Enhancement of vibrational modes attributable to this
transition was also recognized in the resonance Raman spectra. Emission
spectroscopies showed two distinct emission bands. The lower energy
band, resulting from radiative decay of the CT excited state, exhibited
large anomalous Stokes shifts of ∼9000 cm–1. Much of the Stokes shift was a consequence of geometry changes
between the ground and excited states. This was confirmed by variable
temperature emission studies, with Stokes shifts reducing by up to
3000 cm–1 upon cooling from 293 to 80 K. Additionally,
a high energy aggregation induced emission band was present for two
of the dyes, resulting from the inhibition of excited state geometry
reorganization and supported by solid-state emission spectra. These
phenomena exemplify the importance of geometry in short range donor–acceptor
dyes such as these.