Spectroscopic Investigation of the Ultrafast Photoinduced Dynamics in π-Conjugated Terpyridines

Time-resolved spectroscopy is applied to investigate the ultrafast relaxation dynamics of several pi-conjugated mono-, bis-, tris- and tetrokis(terpyridine) derivatives. This particular series of structurally closely related systems was prepared applying efficient synthetic strategies and resembles key building blocks for a wide range of photoactive complexes, dendrimers and metallo-polymers with resulting potential applications, for example, in photovoltaics or as organic light-emitting diodes. Aiming for applications of supramolecular assemblies based on these recently presented terpyridine ligands a detailed knowledge of the light-induced processes of the ligands themselves represents a prerequisite. By applying femtosecond time-resolved absorption spectroscopy in concert with time-resolved fluorescence and Raman measurements, we detail the photophysical properties.