Cyclohepta[c]furan-based fluorophores: Synthesis, optical properties, solvatochromism and DFT study

Novel 6H-cyclohepta[c]furan derivatives possessing aryl groups on 1,3-position were synthesized, and their photophysical behavior were investigated. 1,3-Diphenyl-5,7-difomyl derivative showed solvatochromism. As the electron donating ability at 1,3-positions and the electron withdrawing ability at 5,7-positions increased, the absorption and emission wavelengths were bathochromically shifted. Theoretical calculations revealed that their photophysical behaviors are reproduced.