Control of Conformation and Spin for Programmable Singlet‐Triplet Exciton Balance in Through‐Space Charge‐Transfer Emitters

ABSTRACT Achieving continuous and predictable control over singlet‐triplet exciton partitioning in solution remains challenging for organic molecules, partly because electronic structure, conformational dynamics, and nonradiative decay are intertwined. Here we introduce a dual‐key, coordination‐activated through‐space charge‐transfer (TSCT) platform that enables programmable modulation of spin‐dependent excited‐state pathways in solution. Flexible donor‐σ‐acceptor ligands Cz‐nC‐TPP comprising a carbazole donor (Cz) and a terpyridine acceptor (TPP) linked by alkyl spacers ( n = 2, 4, 6, 8) predominantly emit from local excited states and show negligible oxygen sensitivity before metal binding. Upon coordination with ZnX 2 (X = Cl, Br, I), a TSCT channel is activated without covalent re‐engineering, producing microsecond delayed fluorescence consistent with TSCT‐based thermally activated delayed fluorescence. Spacer length acts as a geometric key that regulates access to folded TSCT geometries and Δ E ST , whereas halide identity serves as a spin key that tunes spin‐orbit coupling and triplet involvement. Together, these inputs enable predictable modulation of delayed, triplet‐associated emission across the series. Notably, the Cz‐6C‐TPP‐ZnBr 2 complex shows the best balance between delayed‐emission prominence and overall brightness. This programmability enables a modular library of dissolved‐oxygen probes with turn‐off and ratiometric responses, visible color evolution, low detection limits, and rapid, reversible responses.

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Publication Details

Journal
Angewandte Chemie
Published
2026-04-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.5167793
Primary Topic
Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Control of Conformation and Spin for Programmable Singlet‐Triplet Exciton Balance in Through‐Space Charge‐Transfer Emitters

Shujuan Liu, Qiang Zhao, Yun Ma, Jiangang Li et al.
Angewandte Chemie
Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Research
article

Control of Conformation and Spin for Programmable Singlet‐Triplet Exciton Balance in Through‐Space Charge‐Transfer Emitters

Shujuan Liu, Qiang Zhao, Yun Ma, Jiangang Li, Yongjing Deng, Yuyang Ju, Mengzhu Wang, Min Xiao
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Achieving continuous and predictable control over singlet‐triplet exciton partitioning in solution remains challenging for organic molecules, partly because electronic structure, conformational dynamics, and nonradiative decay are intertwined. Here we introduce a dual‐key, coordination‐activated through‐space charge‐transfer (TSCT) platform that enables programmable modulation of spin‐dependent excited‐state pathways in solution. Flexible donor‐σ‐acceptor ligands Cz‐nC‐TPP comprising a carbazole donor (Cz) and a terpyridine acceptor (TPP) linked by alkyl spacers ( n = 2, 4, 6, 8) predominantly emit from local excited states and show negligible oxygen sensitivity before metal binding. Upon coordination with ZnX 2 (X = Cl, Br, I), a TSCT channel is activated without covalent re‐engineering, producing microsecond delayed fluorescence consistent with TSCT‐based thermally activated delayed fluorescence. Spacer length acts as a geometric key that regulates access to folded TSCT geometries and Δ E ST , whereas halide identity serves as a spin key that tunes spin‐orbit coupling and triplet involvement. Together, these inputs enable predictable modulation of delayed, triplet‐associated emission across the series. Notably, the Cz‐6C‐TPP‐ZnBr 2 complex shows the best balance between delayed‐emission prominence and overall brightness. This programmability enables a modular library of dissolved‐oxygen probes with turn‐off and ratiometric responses, visible color evolution, low detection limits, and rapid, reversible responses.

Angewandte Chemie
Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Key Research and Development Program of China
Openalex Percentile: Top 19%
Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Research
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