Synthesis of two new azo-azomethines; spectral characterization, crystal structures, computational and fluorescence studies

• Two novel azo-azometine dyes were synthesized.
• The dyes were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods.
• The structures of the dyes were determined by X-ray diffraction.
• Computational calculations have been performed using DFT methods.
• The photoluminescence properties of the azo-azomethines were also evaluated.

This study describes the preparation, characterization and the photoluminescence properties of novel azo-azomethines (2-{(E)-[(4-ethylphenyl)imino]methyl}-4-[(E)-phenyldiazenyl]phenol, HL1 and 2-{(E)-[(3-ethylphenyl)imino]methyl}-4-[(E)-phenyldiazenyl]phenol, HL2 dyes). The dyes were characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic studies such as IR, 1H and 13C NMR, mass and fluorescence spectra. Molecular structures of the dyes were examined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The molecular structures are mostly similar, differing mainly in the position of the ethyl group and dihedral angles between aromatic rings. X-ray data revealed that both HL1 and HL2 favor phenol-imine tautomer in the solid state. An intramolecular phenol-imine hydrogen bond (O1⋯N1) were observed in both compounds resulting in a S(6) hydrogen bonding motif. Molecular packing of both compounds are determined by π⋯π interactions. Quantum chemical investigation of mentioned molecules were performed by using DFT hybrid function (B3LYP) with 6-31+G(d) basis set. The compounds HL1 and HL1 gave intense light emissions upon irradiation by Ultra-Violet light. The photoluminescence quantum yields and long excited-state lifetimes of the compounds HL1 and HL2 were measured. The azo-azomethine dyes HL1 and HL2 have photoluminescence quantum yields of 34% and 32% and excited-state lifetimes of 3.21 and 2.98 ns, respectively. The photoluminescence intensities and quantum yields of these dyes were dependent on the position of alkyl group on the phenyl ring.

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