Rod-like pyrene–perylene bisimide molecular triads: Synthesis and photophysical properties

Two rod-like pyrene–perylene bisimide triads with different linkers were synthesized and characterized. Their photophysical properties were investigated by UV–vis absorption, both steady-state and time-resolved emission. According to fluorescence excitation and time-resolved emission spectroscopic studies, efficient intramolecular resonance energy transfer was observed in both triads. Furthermore, the influence of the molecular structure on the energy transfer rates was also studied and discussed. To gain insights into the intramolecular interactions and the electronic structures, the electronic structures of both triads were investigated through theoretical calculation.