Work

Diphenoquinone as a Prototype of Singlet Fission Chromophores

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Singlet fission (SF) is attracting attention due to its potential applications in organic photovoltaics, quantum computing, and dynamic nuclear polarization. In this paper, we have theoretically investigated the potential of 4,4’-diphenoquinone (1a) as a promising backbone for efficient SF chromophores. Single-reference ab initio correlated methods were employed to investigate the excited states of 1a. A strong photo-absorption is predicted for the S0-S3 transition, which is described by the HOMO-LUMO excitation. Although the excitation energies of the S3 and T1 states satisfy the exothermic energy matching condition of SF, internal conversion from the S3 to a low-lying nπ* singlet excited state may suppress the efficient generation of 1(T1T1) in the condensed phase. We have demonstrated that the obstacle of 1a can be overcome by introducing typical donors or halogen atoms and fusing aromatic six-membered ring(s), while retaining the advantages of the diphenoquinone backbone.

Source: The Journal of Physical Chemistry A

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.5c07396

Authors: Kenji Okada, Ren-ya Kurata, Kohei Tada, Ryohei Kishi, Yasutaka Kitagawa

Institution: The University of Osaka

Language: English

Topic: Photochemistry and Electron Transfer Studies

Subfield: Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Awards: Synthesis and electronic structure of multi-spin compounds, Establishment of the Theory of Controlling Open-shell Structure by Solid-Surfaces and its Application to Data-driven Studies of Nano Composite Interfaces, Renovation of the chemistry of antiaromatic compounds, G7008215345, G8437344404