Cocrystals of the green fluorescence protein chromophore analogue: coformer-induced switch between AIE and ACQ

TitleCocrystals of the green fluorescence protein chromophore analogue: coformer-induced switch between AIE and ACQ
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2025
AuthorsSuresh, S, Dabke, NB, Pandya, R, Vanka, K, Dutta, M, Gonnade, RG
JournalCrystal Growth & Design
Volume25
Issue18
Pagination7473-7488
Date PublishedSEP
Type of ArticleArticle
ISSN1528-7483
Abstract

Fluorescent organic solids hold great potential for advancing photonics applications. However, tuning their solid-state photoluminescent emissions remains a significant challenge. In this study, we report the synthesis and characterization of five cocrystals (two cocrystal polymorphs) derived from a pristine imidazolinone derivative (A) and the various coformer molecules, namely 1,2,4,5-tetrafluoro-3,6-diiodobenzene, 1,2,4,5-tetrafluoro-3,6-dibromobenzene, perfluoronaphthalene, and 3,4,5-trifluorobenzoic acid. The structural and optical properties of these cocrystals were examined by using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and photoluminescence decay spectroscopy. Cocrystals I, II, and III are isomorphous pairs and exhibit three-dimensional isostructurality, where the coformer molecules bridge adjacent helices of compound A, leading to aggregation-induced emission. In contrast, the cocrystal polymorphs IVA and IVB developed using coformer 3,4,5-trifluorobenzoic acid form two-dimensional sheet-like structures mediated by pi-stacking interactions between the coformers and molecule A, with interplanar distances ranging from 3.2 to 3.5 & Aring;. These stronger pi-pi interactions promote nonradiative decay pathways, resulting in reduced or quenched fluorescence and an aggregation-caused quenching effect. To gain further insights into their electronic properties, theoretical analysis including frontier molecular orbitals, time-dependent density functional theory, Hirshfeld surface analysis, molecular electrostatic potential, and noncovalent interaction plots were performed.

DOI10.1021/acs.cgd.5c00559
Type of Journal (Indian or Foreign)

Foreign

Impact Factor (IF)

3.4

Divison category: 
Physical and Materials Chemistry
Database: 
Web of Science (WoS)

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