Distinct Tetracyanoquinodimethane Derivatives: Enhanced Fluorescence in Solutions and Unprecedented Cation Recognition in the Solid State

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Abstract

Tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) is known to react with various amines to generate substituted TCNQ derivatives with remarkable optical and nonlinear optical characteristics. The choice of amine plays a crucial role in the outcome of molecular material attributes. Especially, mono/di-substituted TCNQ's possessing strong fluorescence in solutions than solids are deficient. Furthermore, cation recognition in the solid-state TCNQ derivatives is yet undetermined. In this article, we present solution-enhanced fluorescence and exclusive solid-state recognition of K+ ion achieved through the selection of 4-(4-aminophenyl)morpholin-3-one (APM) having considerable π-conjugation and carbonyl (C≠O) functionality, particularly in the ring. TCNQ when reacted with APM, in a single-step reaction, resulted in two well-defined distinct compounds, namely, 7,7-bis(4-(4-aminophenyl)morpholin-3-ono)dicyanoquinodimethane (BAPMDQ [1], yellow) and 7,7,8-(4-(4-aminophenyl)morpholin-3-ono)tricyanoquinodimethane (APMTQ [2], red), with increased fluorescence intensity in solutions than their solids. Crystal structure investigation revealed extensive C-H-πinteractions and strong H-bonding in [1], whereas moderate to weak interactions in [2]. Surprisingly, simple mechanical grinding during KBr pellet preparation with [1, 2] triggered unidentified cation recognition with a profound color change (in ∼1 min) detected by the naked eye, accompanied by a drastic enhancement of fluorescence, proposed due to the presence of carbonyl functionality, noncovalent intermolecular interactions, and molecular assemblies in [1, 2] solids. Cation recognition was also noted with various other salts as well (KCl, KI, KSCN, NH4Cl, NH4Br, etc.). Currently, the recognition mechanism of K+ ion in [1, 2] is demonstrated by the strong electrostatic interaction of K+ ion with CO and simultaneously cation-πinteraction of K+ with the phenyl ring of APM, supported by experimental and computational studies. Computational analysis also revealed that a strong cation-πinteraction occurred between the K+ ion and the phenyl ring (APM) in [2] than in [1] (ΔGbinding calculated as ∼16.3 and ∼25.2 kcal mol-1 for [1] and [2], respectively) providing additional binding free energy. Thus, both electrostatic and cation-πinteractions lead to the recognition. Scanning electron microscopy of drop-cast films showed microcrystalline "roses"in [1] and micro/nano "aggregates"in [2]. Optical band gap (∼3.565 eV) indicated [1, 2] as wide-band-gap materials. The current study demonstrates fascinating novel products obtained by single-pot reaction, resulting in contrasting optical properties in solutions and experiencing cation recognition capability exclusively in the solid state.

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Syed, A., Battula, H., Mishra, S., & Jayanty, S. (2021). Distinct Tetracyanoquinodimethane Derivatives: Enhanced Fluorescence in Solutions and Unprecedented Cation Recognition in the Solid State. ACS Omega, 6(4), 3090–3105. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.0c05486

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