When considering new sensory technologies one should look to nature for guidance. Indeed, living organisms have developed the ultimate chemical sensors. Many insects can detect chemical signals with perfect specificity and incredible sensitivity. Mammalian olfaction is based on an array of less discriminating sensors and a memorized response pattern to identify a unique odor. It is important to recognize that the extraordinary sensory performance of biological systems does not originate from a single element. In actuality, their performance is derived from a completely interactive system wherein the receptor is served by analyte delivery and removal mechanisms, selectivity is derived from receptors, and sensitivity is the result of analyte-triggered biochemical cascades. Clearly, optimal artificial sensory sys-

Conjugated polymer-based chemical sensors.

3.2. Thienothiophenes 1216 3.2.1. Thieno[3,4-b]thiophene Analogues 1216 3.2.2. Thieno[3,2-b]thiophene Analogues 1217 3.2.3. Thieno[2,3-b]thiophene Analogues 1218 3.3. , ′-Bridged Bithiophenes 1219 3.3.1. Dithienothiophene (DTT) Analogues 1220 3.3.2. Dithieno[3,2-b:2′3′-d]thiophene-4,4-dioxides 1221 3.3.3. Dithienosilole (DTS) Analogues 1221 3.3.4. Cyclopentadithiophene (CPDT) Analogues 1221 3.3.5. Nitrogen and Phosphor Atom Bridged Bithiophenes 1222

Functional oligothiophenes: molecular design for multidimensional nanoarchitectures and their applications.

This paper reviews the tools to manipulate and minimize the band gap of conjugated (co)polymers. The effects of minimization of the bond length alternation and of the incorporation of donor-π-acceptor units are discussed in particular. A systematic study of a series of alternating donor–acceptor oligomers has revealed the achievable limits and allowed for a prognosis of the performance of corresponding copolymers. The decisive influence of the LUMO eigenvectors of the acceptors on the band gap is highlighted. A new synthesis of benzo[1,2-c:4,5-c]bis[1,2,5]thiadiazole containing donor–acceptor monomers and their acid-catalyzed polymerization are described. Finally, band gap tuning by appropriate substitution, conformational adjustment and mesoscopic ordering is discussed.

Developments in the chemistry and band gap engineering of donor-acceptor substituted conjugated polymers

The photophysical properties of a series of laser−dye-labeled poly(aryl ether) dendrimers, generations 1−4, have been determined. The dendrimers act as extremely efficient light-harvesting antennae capable of transferring light energy through space from their periphery to their core. The light-harvesting ability of these molecules increases with generation due to an increase in the number of peripheral chromophores. The energy-transfer efficiency was found to be quantitative for generations 1−3, with only a slight decrease observed for the fourth generation (∼93%). Due to the high extinction coefficients and fluorescence quantum yields of the chromophores and the efficient intramolecular energy transfer of the dendritic assemblies, these macromolecules have the potential to become integral components of molecular photonic devices.

Light Harvesting and Energy Transfer in Laser-Dye-Labeled Poly(aryl ether) Dendrimers

Strategies for the design and construction of non-linear, 2D and 3D conjugated macromolecules are presented in this critical review. The materials, termed here as star-shaped structures, feature a core unit which may or may not provide conjugated links between arms that radiate like spokes from a central axle. The arms of the macromolecules consist of linear oligomers or irregular conjugated chains lacking a formal repeat unit. The cores range from simple atoms to single or fused aromatic units and can provide a high level of symmetry to the overall structure. The physical properties of the star-shaped materials can be markedly different to their simple, linear conjugated analogues. These differences are highlighted and we report on anomalies in absorption/emission characteristics, electronic energy levels, thermal properties and morphology of thin films. We provide numerous examples for the application of star-shaped conjugated macromolecules in organic semiconductor devices; a comparison of their device performance with those comprising analogous linear systems provides clear evidence that the star-shaped compounds are an important class of material in organic electronics. Moreover, these structures are monodisperse, well-defined, discrete molecules with 100% synthetic reproducibility, and possess high purity and excellent solubility in common organic solvents. They feature many of the attributes of plastic materials (good film-forming properties, thermal stability, flexibility) and are therefore extremely attractive alternatives to conjugated polymers (210 references).

Star-shaped π-conjugated oligomers and their applications in organic electronics and photonics

In the new trichromophoric supermolecule 1, a quantitative intramolecular energy transfer (>98 %) occurs from the anthracene donor to the emitting porphyrin acceptor through the oligothiophene chain after selective UV excitation of anthracene. Energy-transfer properties and fluorescence quantum yields are independent of the oligothiophene chain length. Attachment of further anthrylquinquethienyl chromophores to the porphyrin ring results in an increase in the intensity of characteristic absorption and fluorescence bands.

Anthryloligothienylporphyrins : energy transfer and light-harvesting systems

Synthesis and Energy Transfer Properties of Terminally Substituted Oligothiophenes

Design, synthesis and assembly of new thiophene-based molecular functional units with controlled properties

9-Anthryl-oligothiophenes (9A-T., n= l-4) have been studied in n-hexane solution between helium and room temperature using absorption, fluorescence emission and excitation spectra and time resolved fluorescence measurements. These compounds are reference systems for studies on intramolecular energy and charge transfer in donor/acceptor-substituted conjugated chain molecules. The absorption spectra show contributions of both substituents anthracene and oligothiophene, but no additional bands due to mixed electronic states. Dual fluorescence is observed at T, 120 K for the compounds 9A-T, (n= l-3), but not for 9A-T+ Time resolved spectroscopy reveals a dynamical coupling between the two emission components whose relative quantum yields are strongly temperature dependent. The occurrence of the dual fluorescence is explained by an intramolecular torsional motion between the two molecular subunits.

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Peter Emele

Papers

Anthryloligothienylporphyrins : energy transfer and light-harvesting systems

Synthesis and Energy Transfer Properties of Terminally Substituted Oligothiophenes

Design, synthesis and assembly of new thiophene-based molecular functional units with controlled properties

Dual fluorescence of 9-anthryl-substituted oligothiophenes in nonpolar environment

Lowest excited singlet states of α-9-anthrylpolyenes