Simple dissymmetrical and asymmetrical Troger's bases: photophysical and structural characterization

Despite their continuously growing preparation and applications in the last few decades, the photophysical properties of Troger's bases (TBs) with small substituents have not been analyzed. We synthesized three dissymmetrical TBs with amino, isocyano and formamido groups and a new asymmetrical TB with one amino and one isocyano group and studied their absorption and emission properties and solvatochromic effects. An intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state was found for the isocyano containing derivatives, associated to the isocyano acceptor group and the nitrogen donor atom in the central diazocinic core. The results of NMR and IR spectroscopy were also analyzed, demonstrating the communication between both ends of the TBs.