Design of novel conjugated systems bearing donor-acceptor groups (pyrene-bodipy): Optical, photophysical properties and energy transfer

Herein, we report the design and characterization of a novel series of systems bearing pyrene units as donors and a bodipy group with extended degree of pi-conjugation as acceptor, as well as model bodipy compounds bearing only methoxy groups. The optical and photophysical properties of all obtained compounds were studied by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. Molecular orbitals and electronic transitions were simulated by means of Density Functional Theory (DFT) methodologies and the obtained results showed good accuracy with respect to the experimental values. The compounds bearing pyrene-bodipy donor-acceptor pair exhibited optimal results for fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) applications, since both chromophores displayed high quantum yields and elevated extinction coefficients, as well as emission in the visible region. High FRET efficiencies were obtained for these dyads making them potential candidates as molecular antennae.

Automated summary

A novel series of systems with pyrene and bodipy groups were reported, showing high FRET efficiencies and potential for fluorescence resonance energy transfer applications.