Photophysical properties of an array of various polyaromatic hydrocarbons were benchmarked with B3LYP, M06 and B97D methods coupled with Pople and CEP-31G(d) basis sets. Results from the benchmark show the importance of diffuse basis sets when modeling the electronic properties of highly conjugated systems and provide qualitative reliable accuracy with certain levels of theory. B97D and M06 are applied to modeling pyrene adducts governed by non-covalent interactions in both gaseous and condensed states to reproduce experimental spectra. DFT calculations with both B97D and M06 functionals show qualitatively and quantitatively that pyrene dimer is a stronger π–base as compared to its monomer. Binding energies coupled with MEP, PCA and Qzz results show that the difference in π-basicity of the monomer and dimer impacts the supramolecular chemistry involved in adducts formed with super π-acidic silver cyclometallic trimer (CTC). Non-covalent interactions between coinage metal CTCs and ammonia/phosphine substrates is reported. Interactions between these substrates and the facial plane of the π-rich gold CTC reveal a novel interaction, where the typical Lewis acid/base roles are reversed for the substrates. Adducts formed through this type of interaction define typical Lewis bases like ammonia and phosphine as Lewis acids, wherein the partially positive hydrogens coordinate to the metallo-aromatic center through dipole-quadrupole interactions. Interactions of ammonia at the side positions is shown to heavily impact the Lewis basicity of the CTC facial plane leading to similar interactions exhibited by the ammonia-gold CTC adducts. Structural and electronic properties of the adducts modeled are examined.

About 85% of the world’s energy is derived from non-renewable sources—coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Solar photocatalysis is one way to potentially generate renewable fuels. Zinc dipyrrin complexes have the potential to be efficient sensitizers for reductive photochemistry, but their ability to form long-lived triplet excited states needs further investigation. The overall aim of this research is to compare the photophysical properties zinc and boron dipyrrin complexes and investigate the role of the charge separated state in triplet state formation. This presentation will describe the synthesis and purification of zinc and boron dipyrrin complexes and their photophysical characterization, including fluorescence quantum yields in a series of solvents and their emission at low temperatures.

Two indole-based squaraine dyes bonded to two pyrenyl groups through vinyl- and ethynyl- linkers were synthesized with the aim of enhancing the intramolecular charge transfer interaction in addition to improving their optical properties. The absorption and emission properties of these derivatives were determined in order to gain an insight into the intensity of this type of interaction, their aggregation behavior and compare them with results obtained through quantum chemical calculations. Both compounds presented high photochemical stability in THF, and the linear spectroscopic characterization revealed high extinction coefficients, large fluorescence quantum yields and relatively low tendency of forming excimers in several solvents. The nonlinear spectroscopic study revealed two-photon absorption cross section maxima greater than 10,000 GM (1 GM = 1 × 10-50 cm4 s/photon), which are improved values in comparison with the indole-based squaraine core. The experimental results were compared with time-dependent DFT calculations. These observations propose a new trend in the formulation of highly absorbing organic molecules containing pyrenyl groups for the development of new materials with Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) applications. Moreover, this work contributes to the study of intramolecular charge transfer interaction and its tailoring for the improvement of the linear and nonlinear optical properties.

The discovery of any new technology is usually accompanied by a need for new or improved materials which make that technology useful in practical applications. In the case of two-photon absorption (2PA) this has truly been the case. Since its first demonstration in 1961, there has been an ever increasing quest to understand the relationships between two-photon absorption and the structure of two-photon absorbing materials. This quest has been motivated by the many applications for 2PA which have been reported, including fluorescence bioimaging, 3D microfabrication, 3D optical data storage, upconverted lasing, and photodynamic therapy. The work presented in this dissertation represents another step in the effort to better understand the structure/property relationships of 2PA. In this work a new, squaraine-fluorenesquaraine molecule, proposed through a joint effort of quantum and synthetic chemists, was synthesized and its photophysical properties were measured. The measurements included linear and two-photon photophysical properties, as well as solvatochromic behavior. Quantum calculations were done to aid in understanding those photophysical and solvatochromic properties. A single squaraine dye was also synthesized and used as a model compound to assist in understanding this new structure. In Chapter 1 an introduction to 2PA and several of its applications is given. Chapter 2 gives a background of 2PA structure/property relationships that have been reported to date, based on work done with polymethine dyes. Chapter 3 gives a full account of the synthesis, characterization, and detailed quantum chemical analyses of this new squaraine-fluorenesquaraine molecule and the corresponding model compound squaraine dye. Chapter 4 gives some additional work and suggested future directions.

No description available.

Neste trabalho foi realizado um estudo das interações entre os fungicidas (carbendazim e fuberidazole) e as partículas de argilas SWy-1, SHCa-1 e SYn-1 em suspensão aquosa. Foram determinados através de isotermas de adsorção, espectrofometria de absorção no UV, de emissão de fluorescência e difratometria de raios -X. Os resultados experimentais envolvendo a adsorção foram bem ajustados pelas isotermas de Langmuir, Freundlich e Dubinin-Radushkevich os quais indicam haver alta afinidade entre os fungicidas e as argilas. A capacidade de adsorção foi maior na argila SWy-1 comparada às argilas SHCa-1 e SYn-1, sendo estas ultimas com capacidade de adsorção similares. Foi observada a adsorção dos fungicidas carbendazim e fuberidazole à região interlamelar das partículas de argila, onde ocorre a protonação da molécula dos fungicidas, tornando-a mais estável. Medidas espectrofotométricas, na região do UV, foram efetuadas em função do tempo durante 24 horas. Pela análise dos resultados obtidos, foi possível propor um mecanismo geral para explicar as mudanças espectrais que ocorrem durante a adsorção dos fungicidas nas partículas das argilas em suspensão aquosa. Os resultados de espectrofotometria de absorção no UV do fuberidazole adsorvido nas partículas das argilas e as isotermas de adsorção indicaram que existe uma correlação entre a saturação das argilas e a saturação dos sítios ácidos no processo de adsorção. A intensidade de emissão aumentou significativamente quando o carbendazim foi adsorvido nas argilas SHCa-1 e SYn-1. No entanto, com o fuberidazole observou-se uma diminuição da fluorescência. Nenhuma emissão da fluorescência dos fungicidas carbendazim e fuberidazole adsorvidos nas partículas da argila SWy-1 foi observada devido ao alto teor de ferro. A fotodegradação do carbendazim foi significativamente acelerada quando foi adsorvido nas partículas das argilas. Foi possível observar o aparecimento de novas bandas nos espectros de absorção e de emissão dos fotoprodutos formados na argila que não foram reportados na literatura. / In the present work, studies on the interaction between the fungicides (carbendazim and fuberidazole) and clay particles in aqueous suspension. It has been studied by isotherm adsorption, UV spectroscopy, emission of fluorescence and X-Ray. The results were fitted according the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin- Radushkevich isotherms indicating a high affinity between the fungicide and the clay surfaces. The adsorption capacity in the SWy-1 clay was higher than the SHCa-1 and SYn-1 clays, being these last clays with same adsorption capacity between them. The fungicides can be adsorbed as neutral molecules in the external surfaces as well can be protonated in the interlamellar region of the clay particles. Spectrofothometric measurements in the UV region were taken after different time intervals. A mechanism for the adsorption of fungicides molecules on the clay particles was perceived, leading to a better understanding of the adsorption of this compound on clays. The data obtained by the absorption spectrophotometry in the UV region of the fuberidazole adsorbed in the particle clays and its adsorption isotherms indicated the correlation between the saturation of the clays and the saturation of the acid sites in the adsorption process. When carbendazim was adsorbed on the SHCa-1 and SYn-1 clay particles, the emission intensity increased significantly. However with the fuberidazole was decreased. The emission spectra showed bands attributed to both neutral adsorbed and protonated forms of the fungicides. The emission of the fungicides molecules adsorbed on the particles of SWy-1 clays was almost totally quenched due to the high load of iron. The carbendazim photodegradation process was significantly accelerated when carbendazim was adsorbed on the clay particles compared to the aqueous phase. It was possible to determine the absorption and emission spectra of photoproducts formed on the clay particles, which were not detected in other studies reported in the literature.

Há no organismo humano Glutationas peroxidases (GPx), muitas dessas responsáveis por proteger as células contra espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS, do inglês Reactive Oxygen Species), cuja detecção pode ser realizada por sondas fluorescentes. Tais sondas podem conter em sua estrutura átomos de selênio ou telúrio. Esses calcogênios apresentam várias propriedades, dentre elas a suscetibilidade a processos oxidativos, que podem levar a mecanismos de transferência eletrônica fotoinduzida (PET), promovendo um sistema on/off de fluorescência na molécula. Sendo assim os derivados de selenoaminoácidos e sondas fluorescentes contendo calcogênios podem ser empregados tanto na eliminação de espécies reativas de oxigênio como na sua detecção. O presente trabalho propôs a síntese de derivados de selenoaminoácidos, via reações do tipo Morita-Baylis-Hillman, que poderiam ser empregados como antioxidante. Entretanto, foi também foco da nossa pesquisa explorar a síntese de novos composto organocalcogênios com propriedades fluorescentes e seu estudo fotofísico / Glutathione peroxidases (GPx) are enzymes present in the human body, and many of them are responsible for protecting cells against reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can be detected by fluorescent probes. Selenium or tellurium atoms can be present in these probes and are susceptible to oxidative processes, which can lead to photoinduced electron transfer mechanism (PET). These mechanisms can promote an on/off fluorescence system, thus, selenium amino acids derivatives and fluorescent probes containing chalcogens can be used both in the elimination of reactive oxygen species and their detection. Herein, we proposed the synthesis of selenium amino acids derivatives, vía Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction, and the products were pointed out as potential antioxidants. In addition, it was also the focus of our research exploring the synthesis of new organochalcogen compounds with fluorescent properties and their photophysical study.

A síntese, caracterização e propriedades fotofísicas e fotoquímicas de uma série de meso-(fenilpiridil)porfirinas, com n substituintes fenila e 4-n substituintes piridina (n = 1 a 4), e as respectivas espécies supermoleculares obtidas pela coordenação de complexos [Ru(2,2\'-bipy)2Cl]+ aos nitrogênios piridínicos, são descritos. Os resultados dos estudos espectroscópicos e eletroquímicos foram consistentes com as estruturas propostas. Foi constatada a ocorrência de processo de transferência de energia do estado MLCT3 dos complexos periféricos para o estado singlete da porfirina em vidro de etanol, e para o estado triplete a 25°C. Esses resultados sugerem que o estado excitado MLCT3 está energeticamente acima do estado S1, a 77 K, e existe uma interação eletrônica significativa entre os complexos de rutênio e o anel porfirínico. A temperatura ambiente, a transferência de energia para o estado singlete da porfirina é ineficiente devido a rápida desativação não radiativa do estado MLCT3. Esse fato foi confirmado pelo espectro de excitação, que reproduz apenas as bandas de absorção da porfirina. O rendimento quântico de fluorescência da porfirina sofre uma diminuição bastante pronunciada quando em presença de O2 dissolvido, que parecem ser inversamente proporcionais ao número de substituintes piridina. Além disso, o tempo de vida, a constante de velocidade de supressão pelo O2 e o rendimento quântico de formação de oxigênio singlete a partir da espécie no estado triplete T1, parecem não ser influenciados pelo número de complexos [Ru(bipy)2Cl]+ coordenados ao anel porfirínico. Nenhuma fotodecomposição foi observada durante os experimentos. Os rendimentos quânticos de oxigênio singlete (~O,5) obtidos para as porfirinas supermoleculares são comparável ao de outros fotossensibilizadores porfirínicos utilizados em estudos de terapia fotodinâmica. Logo, a estratégia de se introduzir complexos de rutênio bipiridina como modificadores das propriedades das meso(fenilpiridil)porfirinas, e também como novos sítios de interação, por exemplo, com biomoléculas, parece ser adequada para a preparação de novos sensibilizadores supramoleculares. / The preparation, characterization and photophysical and photochemical properties of a series of meso-(phenylpyridyl)porphyrins, with n phenyl and 4n pyridyl substituents (n =1 to 4), and the respective supermolecular species obtained by the coordination of [Ru{2,2\'-bipy)2Cl]+ complexes to the pyridine nitrogen atoms, are described. The results of the spectroscopic and electrochemical studies were consistent . with the proposed molecular structures. The occurrence of energy transfer processes from the MLCT3 state of the peripheral ruthenium complexes to the porphyrin singlet state in ethanol glass, and to the triplet state at room temperature, were observed. These strongly suggest that the excited MLCT3 state is energetically above the porphyrin S1 state (77 K), and that there is a sufficiently strong electronic interaction between the ruthenium complexes and the porphyrin ring. The energy transfer from MLCT3 to the porphyrin S1 state is inefficient at room temperature, because ofthe fast non-radiactive deactivation of that excited state. This was confirmed by the excitation spectra, that exhibited only the absorption bands ofthe porphyrin moiety. The fluorescence quantum yield of the porphyrin is decreased in presence of dissolved O2, and this behavior seems to be inversely proportional to the number of pyridyl substituents. Furthermore, the lifetime, the quenching rate constant by 02 and the singlet oxygen quantum yields for the porphyrin triplet state, seems to be independent of the number of [Ru(bipy)2Cl]+ complexes coordinated to the ring. No photodecomposition were observed during the above experiments. The singlet oxygen quantum yields (~O,5) determined for the supermolecular porphyrins are comparable to that of other porphyrin type photosensitizers used in studies on photodynamic terapy. Consequently, the strategy of coordinating ruthenium bipyridyl complexes as modifiers ofthe meso-(phenylpyridyl)porphyrins and also as new interaction sites, for example for biomolecules, seems adequate for the preparation of new supermolecular photosensitizers.

Neste trabalho foi realizado um estudo das interações entre os fungicidas (carbendazim e fuberidazole) e as partículas de argilas SWy-1, SHCa-1 e SYn-1 em suspensão aquosa. Foram determinados através de isotermas de adsorção, espectrofometria de absorção no UV, de emissão de fluorescência e difratometria de raios -X. Os resultados experimentais envolvendo a adsorção foram bem ajustados pelas isotermas de Langmuir, Freundlich e Dubinin-Radushkevich os quais indicam haver alta afinidade entre os fungicidas e as argilas. A capacidade de adsorção foi maior na argila SWy-1 comparada às argilas SHCa-1 e SYn-1, sendo estas ultimas com capacidade de adsorção similares. Foi observada a adsorção dos fungicidas carbendazim e fuberidazole à região interlamelar das partículas de argila, onde ocorre a protonação da molécula dos fungicidas, tornando-a mais estável. Medidas espectrofotométricas, na região do UV, foram efetuadas em função do tempo durante 24 horas. Pela análise dos resultados obtidos, foi possível propor um mecanismo geral para explicar as mudanças espectrais que ocorrem durante a adsorção dos fungicidas nas partículas das argilas em suspensão aquosa. Os resultados de espectrofotometria de absorção no UV do fuberidazole adsorvido nas partículas das argilas e as isotermas de adsorção indicaram que existe uma correlação entre a saturação das argilas e a saturação dos sítios ácidos no processo de adsorção. A intensidade de emissão aumentou significativamente quando o carbendazim foi adsorvido nas argilas SHCa-1 e SYn-1. No entanto, com o fuberidazole observou-se uma diminuição da fluorescência. Nenhuma emissão da fluorescência dos fungicidas carbendazim e fuberidazole adsorvidos nas partículas da argila SWy-1 foi observada devido ao alto teor de ferro. A fotodegradação do carbendazim foi significativamente acelerada quando foi adsorvido nas partículas das argilas. Foi possível observar o aparecimento de novas bandas nos espectros de absorção e de emissão dos fotoprodutos formados na argila que não foram reportados na literatura. / In the present work, studies on the interaction between the fungicides (carbendazim and fuberidazole) and clay particles in aqueous suspension. It has been studied by isotherm adsorption, UV spectroscopy, emission of fluorescence and X-Ray. The results were fitted according the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin- Radushkevich isotherms indicating a high affinity between the fungicide and the clay surfaces. The adsorption capacity in the SWy-1 clay was higher than the SHCa-1 and SYn-1 clays, being these last clays with same adsorption capacity between them. The fungicides can be adsorbed as neutral molecules in the external surfaces as well can be protonated in the interlamellar region of the clay particles. Spectrofothometric measurements in the UV region were taken after different time intervals. A mechanism for the adsorption of fungicides molecules on the clay particles was perceived, leading to a better understanding of the adsorption of this compound on clays. The data obtained by the absorption spectrophotometry in the UV region of the fuberidazole adsorbed in the particle clays and its adsorption isotherms indicated the correlation between the saturation of the clays and the saturation of the acid sites in the adsorption process. When carbendazim was adsorbed on the SHCa-1 and SYn-1 clay particles, the emission intensity increased significantly. However with the fuberidazole was decreased. The emission spectra showed bands attributed to both neutral adsorbed and protonated forms of the fungicides. The emission of the fungicides molecules adsorbed on the particles of SWy-1 clays was almost totally quenched due to the high load of iron. The carbendazim photodegradation process was significantly accelerated when carbendazim was adsorbed on the clay particles compared to the aqueous phase. It was possible to determine the absorption and emission spectra of photoproducts formed on the clay particles, which were not detected in other studies reported in the literature.

A síntese, caracterização e propriedades fotofísicas e fotoquímicas de uma série de meso-(fenilpiridil)porfirinas, com n substituintes fenila e 4-n substituintes piridina (n = 1 a 4), e as respectivas espécies supermoleculares obtidas pela coordenação de complexos [Ru(2,2\'-bipy)2Cl]+ aos nitrogênios piridínicos, são descritos. Os resultados dos estudos espectroscópicos e eletroquímicos foram consistentes com as estruturas propostas. Foi constatada a ocorrência de processo de transferência de energia do estado MLCT3 dos complexos periféricos para o estado singlete da porfirina em vidro de etanol, e para o estado triplete a 25°C. Esses resultados sugerem que o estado excitado MLCT3 está energeticamente acima do estado S1, a 77 K, e existe uma interação eletrônica significativa entre os complexos de rutênio e o anel porfirínico. A temperatura ambiente, a transferência de energia para o estado singlete da porfirina é ineficiente devido a rápida desativação não radiativa do estado MLCT3. Esse fato foi confirmado pelo espectro de excitação, que reproduz apenas as bandas de absorção da porfirina. O rendimento quântico de fluorescência da porfirina sofre uma diminuição bastante pronunciada quando em presença de O2 dissolvido, que parecem ser inversamente proporcionais ao número de substituintes piridina. Além disso, o tempo de vida, a constante de velocidade de supressão pelo O2 e o rendimento quântico de formação de oxigênio singlete a partir da espécie no estado triplete T1, parecem não ser influenciados pelo número de complexos [Ru(bipy)2Cl]+ coordenados ao anel porfirínico. Nenhuma fotodecomposição foi observada durante os experimentos. Os rendimentos quânticos de oxigênio singlete (~O,5) obtidos para as porfirinas supermoleculares são comparável ao de outros fotossensibilizadores porfirínicos utilizados em estudos de terapia fotodinâmica. Logo, a estratégia de se introduzir complexos de rutênio bipiridina como modificadores das propriedades das meso(fenilpiridil)porfirinas, e também como novos sítios de interação, por exemplo, com biomoléculas, parece ser adequada para a preparação de novos sensibilizadores supramoleculares. / The preparation, characterization and photophysical and photochemical properties of a series of meso-(phenylpyridyl)porphyrins, with n phenyl and 4n pyridyl substituents (n =1 to 4), and the respective supermolecular species obtained by the coordination of [Ru{2,2\'-bipy)2Cl]+ complexes to the pyridine nitrogen atoms, are described. The results of the spectroscopic and electrochemical studies were consistent . with the proposed molecular structures. The occurrence of energy transfer processes from the MLCT3 state of the peripheral ruthenium complexes to the porphyrin singlet state in ethanol glass, and to the triplet state at room temperature, were observed. These strongly suggest that the excited MLCT3 state is energetically above the porphyrin S1 state (77 K), and that there is a sufficiently strong electronic interaction between the ruthenium complexes and the porphyrin ring. The energy transfer from MLCT3 to the porphyrin S1 state is inefficient at room temperature, because ofthe fast non-radiactive deactivation of that excited state. This was confirmed by the excitation spectra, that exhibited only the absorption bands ofthe porphyrin moiety. The fluorescence quantum yield of the porphyrin is decreased in presence of dissolved O2, and this behavior seems to be inversely proportional to the number of pyridyl substituents. Furthermore, the lifetime, the quenching rate constant by 02 and the singlet oxygen quantum yields for the porphyrin triplet state, seems to be independent of the number of [Ru(bipy)2Cl]+ complexes coordinated to the ring. No photodecomposition were observed during the above experiments. The singlet oxygen quantum yields (~O,5) determined for the supermolecular porphyrins are comparable to that of other porphyrin type photosensitizers used in studies on photodynamic terapy. Consequently, the strategy of coordinating ruthenium bipyridyl complexes as modifiers ofthe meso-(phenylpyridyl)porphyrins and also as new interaction sites, for example for biomolecules, seems adequate for the preparation of new supermolecular photosensitizers.