Fluorescence self-quenching and charge transfer of a novel A-σ-π-σ-A type of silicon-bridged compound

A novel A-σ-π-σ-A type of silicon-bridged compound, 1,4-bis(cyanophenyldimethylsilyl)benzene (CPDMB), was synthesized and fully characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HRMS, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Ultraviolet properties and steady-state fluorescence of CPDMB were studied. The concentration self-quenching phenomena of CPDMB were found in 2-propanol, THF, and CH2Cl2. It can be well interpreted by photoinduced self-assembly behavior (J-aggregate) of the CPDMB in solvents. Moreover, the effects of solvents on the fluorescence self-quenching phenomena were also investigated. In order to interpret the novel photoelectric properties of CPDMB, DFT calculations on gas phase CPDMB were carried out.