Enhancement of intramolecular charge transfer strength in diphenylamine substituted symmetric 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives

The intramolecular charge transfer characteristic of two diphenylamine substituted symmetric 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives (DPAOXD and DPAOXDBEN) was studied through a combination of experimental techniques and theoretical calculations. Significant enhancement of intramolecular charge transfer strength has been found in both these compounds through molecular structure modification. The experimental result found only a small red shift in the absorption spectra (∼15 nm) but a very large red shift in the emission spectra (∼114 nm for DPAOXD and ∼140 nm for DPAOXDBEN) with increasing solvent polarity, indicating a large extent charge transfer occurred in their excited state. The increase of molecular dipole moment from the ground state to the charge transfer excited state is calculated to be 22.10 D in DPAOXD and 26.67 D in DPAOXDBEN, respectively. Theoretical calculations present clear evidence that electrons transfer from the terminal diphenylamine to the bi-1,3,4-oxadiazole rings in DPAOXD, and the two 1,3,4-oxadiazole rings and central benzene ring in DPAOXDBEN. As compared to the methoxy group, the substitution by a diphenylamine group could increase both the transferred charge and distance, which could substantially strengthen the charge transfer character. Further introduction of a central benzene ring in DPAOXDBEN could further increase the transferred distance, and then the charge transfer strength. These findings could provide good guidance for the design of molecules with high intramolecular charge transfer characteristics.