Photochemistry upon charge separation in triphenylamine derivatives from fs to s

Quantum chemical methods and time-resolved laser spectroscopy are employed to elucidate ultrafast charge separation processes in triphenylamine (TPA) derivatives upon photoexcitation. When changing the ambient solvent from generic ones to those capable of accepting electrons, such as chloroform, a vastly extended and multifaceted photochemistry is observed. Following the initial excitation, two concurrent charge transfer processes are identified. Firstly, when the TPA derivative and solvent molecules are correctly positioned, an electron transfer to the solvent molecule with immediate charge separation takes place. Consequently, this process gives rise to the formation of the corresponding radical cation of the TPA derivative. This highly reactive species can subsequently combine with other TPA derivative molecules to yield dimeric species. Secondly, when the molecular positioning upon photoexcitation is not optimal, relaxation back to the S₁ state occurs. From this state, an electron transfer process leads to the formation of a charge transfer complex. In this complex, the negatively charged solvent molecule remains closely associated with the positively charged TPA derivative. Within 30 picoseconds, the charges within this complex recombine, yielding a triplet state. This transition to the triplet state is driven by a lower reaction barrier for charge separation compared to the formation of the singlet state.