Journal of Chemistry
Volume 2016 (2016), Article ID 3608137, 8 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/3608137

Research Article

A Way to Improve Luminescent Efficiency of Bis-Chalcone Derivatives

Meng Guan Tay,¹ Mee Hing Tiong,¹ Ying Ying Chia,¹ Suzie Hui Chin Kuan,¹ and Zhi-Qiang Liu²

¹Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
²State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, 27 Shanda South Road, Jinan 250100, China

Received 30 April 2016; Accepted 20 June 2016

Academic Editor: Artur M. S. Silva

Copyright © 2016 Meng Guan Tay et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Chalcone related compounds have been reported as a poor luminescence molecule due to the quenching processes from the intramolecular torsional motions and cis-trans isomerization in the α,β-unsaturated ketone moiety. Despite this limitation, we found a way to improve the luminescent efficiency of our bis-chalcone derivative. In this project, two series of bis-chalcone compounds have been synthesized through Claisen-Schmidt condensation by reacting terephthaldehyde or 2,5-dimethoxyterephthaldehyde with the respective R-acetophenone [where R = H (1a and 2a) and ortho-hydroxy (1b and 2b)] in 1 : 2 mole ratio. The presence of a methoxy (OMe) substituent on the central phenyl ring of bis-chalcone has weakened the C=C bond at the α,β-unsaturated ketone moiety of 2a and 2b. Interestingly, the OMe group has improved the emission efficiency of the bis-chalcone; that is, the quantum yield of 1a in DCM solution was not able to be determined due to poor luminescence, but the quantum yield of 2a in DCM solution was improved to 0.57. In addition, compound 2a also shows solvatochromism effect where the emission shifted from 499 nm in nonpolar solvents (benzene) to 523 nm in polar solvents (acetonitrile). This work provides another way to improve the emission efficiency of chalcone related compounds apart from using the complexation method which has been reported before.

1. Introduction

Chalcone and its derivatives have been known to exhibit antimicrobial, antitumor, anti-HIV, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic activities [1–6]. The α,β-unsaturated ketone (C=C-C=O) moiety in the chalcone structure plays an important role in chalcone derivative compounds’ biological activities. Selvi and coworkers (2012) found that most of these biological effects are related to the ability to create an electrophilic site that is then able to act as a binding site for biological targets [7].

Apart from the biological activities, the photophysical properties of chalcone derivatives also attracted considerable attention from both chemists and physicists. For example, chalcone derivatives have been reported in relation to nonlinear optics (NLO), photorefractive polymers, holographic recording materials, and fluorescent probes for the sensing of metal ions [8–14]. However, one of the main limitations in the photophysical properties of chalcones is their weak luminescent efficiency, which is due to quenching processes from the intramolecular torsional motions and cis-trans isomerization in the α,β-unsaturated ketone moiety [15, 16].

Unlike the biological properties, the photophysical properties of chalcone derivatives such as 2′-hydroxychalcones have still not been fully understood. This could be the reason for limited use of chalcone derivatives and complexes in current green technology devices. D’Aléo and his coworkers (2012) found that the boron complexes with 2′-hydroxychalcone derivatives can increase the fluorescent efficiency from 0.02 to 0.79 by substituting different electron donor groups at the 2′-hydroxychalcone moiety [17]. Herein, we report two series of bis-chalcone derivatives (Scheme 1) in which the emission efficiency also showed dramatic improvement after addition of the methoxy (OMe) moiety on the central phenyl ring. This work provides another way to improve the emission efficiency of chalcone related compounds apart from using the complexation method as reported by D’Aléo et al. (2012). Compounds 1a and 1b were reported by a number of researchers; however, the compounds were mainly used as a starting material for other compounds’ synthesis and also were studied concerning their biological activities [18–25], yet, the photophysical properties of 1a and 1b were not the main concern in these papers.

Scheme 1: Synthesis of bis-chalcones 1a−2b.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Characterizations

Melting point was measured using open capillary in Stuart MP3 melting point apparatus. UV-Vis spectra were recorded in dichloromethane (DCM) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution with a Jasco V-630 ultraviolet spectrophotometer. Infrared spectra were recorded on KBr discs using Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS10 Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer in the range of 4000–370 cm⁻¹ at room temperature. The ¹H and ¹³C-NMR spectra were recorded on a JEOL 500 MHz-NMR spectrometer using DMSO-d ₆ and CDCl₃ which were set at 2.50 and 7.25 ppm as standard reference of the solvent. Elemental analyses were performed using a Thermo Scientific FLASH 2000 HT Elemental Analyser operated by Eager 300 software.

X-ray measurements for compound 1b were performed on a Bruker SMART diffractometer equipped with a graphite monochromated Mo Ka () radiation source and a CCD detector. Frame integration was performed using the program SAINT [28]. The structure was resolved using a direct method provided by the program package SHELXTL-97 and refined using full matrix least square against F2 for all data [29]. All nonhydrogen atoms were refined anisotropically. All hydrogen atoms were introduced at idealized positions and were allowed to refine isotropically.

2.2. Quantum Yield and Lifetime Measurements of Compound 2a

The fluorescence quantum yield of 2a in DCM solution was measured using a calibrated integrating sphere (inner diameter: 150 mm) from Edinburgh Instruments FLSP920 spectrometer. The lifetime of this compound was recorded in FLS980 spectrometer using time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) method. The DCM solution of compound 2a was excited with pulsed laser diode at the wavelength of 376 nm in the lifetime measurement.

2.3. General Preparation Procedures of Bis-Chalcones 1a–2b

10 mL of 10% KOH was added to a 125 mL conical flask that contained a solution of R-acetophenone (2 eq. mol) [where R = H (1a and 2a) and ortho-OH (1b and 2b)] in 20 mL ethanol. The mixture was stirred for 5 min and added to 10 mL ethanolic solution of terephthaldehyde for the synthesis of bis-chalcones 1a and 1b (0.67 g, 5 mmol) or 2,5-dimethoxyterephthaldehyde for the synthesis of bis-chalcones 2a and 2b (0.20 g, 1 mmol). The mixture was stirred vigorously for 24 h at room temperature. Then, HCl (3.0 M) was added dropwise until the mixture solution was neutralized. The precipitated solid was filtered and then washed with ethanol and hot water and dried under reduced pressure. The solid was purified via recrystallization from the slow diffusion of hexane into the DCM solution.

3-[4-(3-Oxo-3-pheylpro-penpyl)-phenyl]-1-phenyl-propenone, 1a [18–24, 30]. Yellow solid. Yield: 1.58 g, 93%. M.P.: 193.7–195.4°C. IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 1655 (vC=O), 1606 (vC=C), 1579 and 1445 (vC=C, aromatic ring). ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 8.02 (d, 4H, J = 8 Hz, Ar-H), 7.80 (d, 2H, J = 16 Hz, CH=CHβ,), 7.68 (s, 4H, Ar-H), 7.59 (t, 2H, J = 6 Hz, Ar-H), 7.57 (d, 2H, J = 16 Hz, CHα=CH), 7.51 (t, 4H, J = 7 Hz, Ar-H), 6.96 (t, 2H, J = 7 Hz, Ar-H). ¹³C-NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 189.9, 143.5, 138.0, 136.8, 133.0, 129.0, 128.7, 128.5 and 123.0. UV-Vis (DCM) (/nm): 270 and 348. Anal. Cal. for C₂₄H₁₈O₂: C, 85.18; H, 5.36; Found: C, 85.23; H, 5.37.

1-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-3- 4-[3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxo-propenyl]- -propenone, 1b [25, 30]. Yellow solid. Yield: 1.45 g, 80%. M.P.: 235.4–236.9°C. IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3450 (vOH), 1638 (vC=O), 1606 (vC=C), 1567 and 1486 (vC=C, aromatic ring). ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 12.74 (s, 2H, OH), 7.93 (d, 2H, J = 8 Hz, Ar-H), 7.92 (d, 2H, J = 15 Hz, CH=CHβ), 7.73 (s, 4H, Ar-H), 7.71 (d, 2H, J = 15 Hz, CHα=CH), 7.51 (t, 2H, J = 6 Hz, Ar-H), 7.04 (d, 2H, J = 8 Hz, Ar-H), 6.97 (t, 2H, J = 7 Hz, Ar-H). ¹³C-NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-) δ: 193.5, 143.5, 161.8, 143.7, 136.7, 136.4, 130.9, 129.7, 123.0, 120.8, 119.2 and 117.8. UV-Vis (DCM) (/nm): 285 and 383. Anal. Cal. for C₂₄H₁₈O₄: C, 77.82; H, 4.90; Found: C, 77.85; H, 4.73.

3-[4-(3-Oxo-3-pheylpropenpyl)-phenyl]-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl-propenone, 2a. Yellowish green solid. Yield: 0.36 g, 80%. M.P.: 242.1–243.8°C. IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 1639 (C=O), 1577 (C=C), 1564 & 1484 (C=C, aromatic ring), 1180 (OCH₃). ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d ₆) δ: 8.06 (d, 2H, J = 16 Hz, CH=CHβ), 8.03 (d, 4H, J = 7 Hz, Ar-H), 7.72 (s, 2H, Ar-H), 7.67 (d, 2H, J = 16 Hz, CHα=CH), 7.60 (t, 4H, J = 8 Hz, Ar-H), 7.53 (t, 2H, J = 8 Hz, Ar-H), 7.16 (d, 2H, J = 8 Hz, Ar-H), 3.96 (s, 6H, OCH₃). ¹³C-NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-d ₆) δ: 189.9, 152.8, 138.1, 133.3, 129.4, 129.0, 127.1, 123.7, 111.7, 110.6 and 57.3. UV-Vis (DCM) (/nm): 268, 333 and 421. Anal. Cal. for C₂₆H₂₂O₄: C, 78.37; H, 5.57; Found: C, 77.75; H, 5.54.

1-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-3- 4-[3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxo-propenyl]-2,5- -propenone, 2b. Orange solid. Yield: 0.36 g, 76%. M.P.: 252.6–253.4°C. IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 3449 (vOH), 1633 (vC=O), 1578 (vC=C), 1561 and 1489 (vC=C, aromatic ring), 1197 (vOCH₃). ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 12.74 (s, 2H, OH), 7.93 (d, 2H, J = 8 Hz, Ar-H), 7.92 (d, 2H, J = 15 Hz, CH=CHβ), 7.73 (s, 2H, Ar-H), 7.71 (d, 2H, J = 15 Hz, CHα=CH), 7.51 (t, 2H, J = 6 Hz, Ar-H), 7.04 (d, 2H, J = 8 Hz, Ar-H), 6.96 (t, 2H, J = 6 Hz, Ar-H). ¹³C-NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 194.1, 163.6, 153.4, 140.1, 136.4, 129.7, 126.6, 122.4, 120.2, 118.8, 118.6, 112.2 and 56.3. UV-Vis (DCM) (/nm): 275, 350 and 445. Anal. Cal. for C₂₆H₂₂O₆: C, 72.55; H, 5.15; Found: C, 71.79; H, 4.95.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Spectroscopic Analyses

The formation of bis-chalcones can be represented by the presence of α,β-unsaturated ketone (C=C-C=O) bands at 1633–1665 cm⁻¹ for C=O and 1577–1606 cm⁻¹ for C=C in the IR spectra. The IR frequency of C=O group is lower than the typical value (ca. 1700 cm⁻¹) because of the conjugation effect along the C=C-C=O moiety. The presence of the electron donor and acceptor at the para- and ortho-positions of the wing phenyl rings shifted the energy of the carbonyl group and C=C aliphatic group. For example, for bis-chalcone 1a, the C=O band was present at the frequency of 1655 cm⁻¹, but a lower frequency of C=O band (ca. 1638 cm⁻¹) was observed in bis-chalcone 1b, which has ortho-OH as the substituent (Figure 1). In addition, the presence of methoxy (OMe) substituent on the central phenyl ring also shifts the IR frequency of C=C in bis-chalcones 2a and 2b (1583–1578 cm⁻¹) to a lower frequency compared to compounds 1a and 1b (1606 cm⁻¹). This is due to the electron donation from OCH₃ group to the C=C aliphatic moiety which consequently weakens the C=C bond.

Figure 1: IR spectrum of compound 1b.

The and protons of bis-chalcone appear as two doublets in the ranges of 7.6–8.2 ppm () and 7.5–7.8 ppm () with the coupling constant (J) value of 15-16 Hz (Figure 2). The large J value of these two protons clearly indicates that compounds 1a–2b are in the trans-conformation. For the ¹³C-NMR spectrum, the carbonyl carbon (C=O) of the bis-chalcones usually appears at the region of 189.9 to 194.1 ppm. The presence of 2′-hydroxyl group at the wing phenyl rings shifted the carbon resonance of C=O from 190 ppm for compound 2a downfield by 4 ppm at 194 ppm for compound 2b. This is due to the formation of hydrogen bond in between the 2′-hydroxyl and oxygen in the carbonyl groups.

Figure 2: ¹H NMR spectrum of compound 1b.

3.2. X-Ray Crystallography of Bis-Chalcone 1b

The molecular structure of bis-chalcone 1b was previously reported by Gaur and Mishra in 2013 [25]. The yellow crystal of bis-chalcone 1b was grown in DCM solution via slow diffusion in hexane under ambient conditions. The molecular structure of bis-chalcone 1b is shown in Figure 3 and the main crystallographic parameters are presented in Table 1. Bis-chalcone 1b crystallized into monoclinic crystal system with the space group of P2₁/. The bond length of C6-C7 is about 1.325 Å, which is close to the typical C=C bond (1.34 Å). The single bonds of C4-C5, C5-C6, and C7-C8 are in the range of 1.459–1.467 Å, which is relatively shorter than the typical single bond (1.54 Å). This is due to the fact of the conjugated system present along the molecule [31]. On the other hand, supporting the discussion of the ¹³C-NMR above, the molecular structure of bis-chalcone 1b shows the presence of intramolecular hydrogen bond in between phenolic hydrogen and the oxygen atom at C=O.

Table 1: Summary of crystal data and structure refinement parameters of bis-chalcone 1b.

Compound
1b

Empirical formula
C₂₄H₁₈O₄

Formula weight
370.38

Temperature (K)
296()

Crystal system
Monoclinic

Space group
P2₁/n

(Å)
4.9841()

(Å)
27.0759()

(Å)
6.9770()

(°)
90.00

(°)
101.37()

(°)
90.00

Volume (Å³)
923.05()

2

Density (calculated) (mg/m³)
1.333

Absorption coefficient (mm⁻¹)
0.090

range for data collection (°)
3.07 to 25.87

Reflections collected
2111

Independent reflections
1546

Data/restraints/parameters
2111/0/129

Final indices []
= 0.0394
= 0.1164

indices (all data)
= 0.0565
= 0.1326

Figure 3: Molecular structure of bis-chalcone 1b with the thermal ellipsoids plotted at 50% probability.

3.3. Photophysical Studies on Bis-Chalcone Compounds

The photophysical data of bis-chalcones 1a–2b are shown in Table 2, and the absorption spectra of bis-chalcones 1a and 2a in DCM are shown in Figure 4.

Table 2: Photophysical data for compounds 1a to 2b in solution state at room temperature.

Compound
/nm (ε/10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹)
/nm

/ns
Stokes shift/cm⁻¹

1a
270 (0.970)
430
—
—
5500

348 (2.228)

1b
278 (0.979)
432
—
—
3000

383 (2.369)

2a
268 (1.519)
505

2.44 (15%)
10200

333 (2.662)

4.04 (85%)

421 (2.384)

2b
275 (1.385)
—
—
—
—

350 (2.164)

445 (2.576)

All the UV data was recorded in DCM solution. Not able to be determined due to very poor emission. Fluorescence quantum yield which was measured in DCM solution using an integrating sphere. Fluorescence quantum yield which was measured in acetonitrile solution using Coumarin 307 as a reference [26, 27]. Stokes shift was calculated based on abs  −   em.

Figure 4: Absorption spectrum of bis-chalcones 1a (top) and 2a (bottom) in DCM.

Two absorption bands located at 268–278 nm and 333–383 nm were observed in bis-chalcones 1a–2b; however, for bis-chalcones 2a-2b, an additional absorption band was observed at about 421 nm, which corresponded to intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) from an ethylenic electron to a carbonyl electron [31, 32]. The absorption band at the range of 268 to 278 nm corresponded to the transition in the aromatic ring. The absorption of this transition normally appears at around 200–250 nm; however, due to the conjugation effect of the carbonyl group and the carbon-carbon double bond system with the aromatic ring, the transition was shifted to a longer wavelength. The presence of ortho-hydroxyl group at the wing phenyl rings has shifted the and transitions in compounds 1b and 2b to a lower energy region (a longer wavelength). This is because the electron donating nature of the hydroxyl group has weakened the bond order of C=C and C=O groups. Surprisingly, the transition (ε = ca. 22,000–26,000 mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ dm³) is much stronger than the transition (ca. 9,700–15,000 mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ dm³) in all the reported bis-chalcone compounds. This phenomenon can be explained by the presence of extended conjugation C=C-C=O chromophoric system in the bis-chalcone structure, which resulted in greater delocalization of electrons along the molecule [31]. Similar phenomena of absorption spectra were also found in the papers reported by Si and his coworkers in 2011 [13] and Tay et al. [33]. In the bis-chalcones reported by Si et al., they claimed that the increase of the absorption band 259 nm and the decrease of the band at 341 nm resulted from the [] cycloaddition of the double bond in the chalcone unit to give a cyclobutane ring [13].

The emission spectra of bis-chalcones 1a-1b and 2a-2b are shown in Figure 5. The emissions of bis-chalcones 2a and 2b were shifted to a lower energy after the addition of the OMe group on the central phenyl ring. In general, bis-chalcone compounds 1a, 1b, and 2b exhibited weak emission as seen in the low signal versus noise emission spectra. Due to this reason, we could not obtain the quantum yields and lifetimes of these compounds even in less polar solvents, that is, DCM. The quenching process in chalcones is normally due to intramolecular torsional motions as well as the cis-trans isomerization of the α,β-unsaturated ketone moiety [15, 16]. However, for compounds 1b and 2b, quenching could also be due to the intramolecular hydrogen bond, which can be observed from the molecular structure of 1b in Figure 3.

Figure 5: Emission spectra of compounds 1a-1b (top) and 2a-2b (bottom) in DMSO.

Interestingly, bis-chalcone 2a was found to be highly emissive at 505 nm with a quantum yield of 0.57 as well as lifetimes of 2.44 and 4.04 ns in DCM solution. Apart from DCM, this compound also shows intense emission in polar solvents, that is, acetonitrile. The quantum yield in acetonitrile was 0.40 using Coumarin 307 as the reference [26, 27]. The nanosecond lifetime indicates that emission originates from the singlet excited state. Comparing bis-chalcone 1a, the emission efficiency of bis-chalcone 2a improves when there is an OMe group on the central phenyl ring. Chalcone and related compounds are generally known as poor emitters. The introduction of an OMe group on the central phenyl ring in compound 2a is considered another method to improve the emission efficiency of chalcone compounds apart from the method reported by D’Aléo and his coworkers (2012) [17].

3.4. Solvatochromism Study of Bis-Chalcone 2a

The solvatochromism study of bis-chalcone 2a was performed by dissolving the compound in the following solvents: benzene, tetrahydrofuran (THF), DCM, and acetonitrile (MeCN). The emission changed from 499 nm (blue) in benzene to 523 nm (yellowish green) in MeCN (Figure 6), which indicates that the excited molecule of bis-chalcone 2a has intermolecular interaction with the polar solvent molecules. It is believed that intramolecular charge transfer occurred from the OMe group on the central phenyl ring towards both sides of the phenyl rings.

Figure 6: Solvatochromism study of bis-chalcone 2a.

4. Conclusions

A method to improve the emission efficiency of bis-chalcone has been found. By adding a methoxy group at the central phenyl ring of bis-chalcone, the quantum yield of bis-chalcone 2a was improved to 0.57 in DCM solution, and it was still emissive () in acetonitrile using Coumarin 307 as the reference. A solvatochromism study of bis-chalcone 2a was performed and the emission increased from 499 nm in benzene to 523 nm in MeCN.

Competing Interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia, for the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme [FRGS/SG01(01)/1067/2013(13)] for the financial support of this work. Mee Hing Tiong thanks the funding from MyBrain 15 Program for supporting his Master Scholarship. Meng Guan Tay and Ying Ying Chia would like to thank Jörn Nitsch from the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg for his help in measuring the quantum yield and lifetime of 2a. Last but not least, the authors also would like to thank Dr. Andrew Crawford for proofreading this paper.

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