2,2'-Disilylazobenzenes featuring double intramolecular nitrogen∙∙∙silicon coordination: a photoisomerizable fluorophore.

(E)-4,4'-Dimethyl-2,2'-disilylazobenzenes were synthesized. Double intramolecular N∙∙∙Si coordination in the bis(fluorodimethylsilyl) and bis(trifluorosilyl) derivatives was confirmed using X-ray crystallographic analysis and (29)Si NMR spectroscopy. In the absorption bands, due to the π,π* transitions, introduction of silyl groups was found to cause a bathochromic shift. In contrast to most azobenzenes, which do not fluoresce at all, the (E)-2,2'-bis(trifluorosilyl)azobenzene derivative with the N∙∙∙Si coordination fluoresced a yellow-green colour at room temperature. Methyl and trifluorosilyl groups lowered the n and π* orbitals, as revealed by DFT calculations. As a result, the lowest singlet excitation energy state is found to be the allowed π,π* transition, different from the forbidden n,π* transition in general azobenzenes, as revealed by TD-DFT calculations. The allowed transition character of the lowest singlet excited state and moderately rigid conformation of the azo moiety, provided by the double N∙∙∙Si coordination, account for the fluorescence emission. Nevertheless, the N∙∙∙Si coordination is weak enough to be cleaved upon photoexcitation, and thus the (E)-2,2'-disilylazobenzenes undergo photoisomerization to the (Z)-isomers. Both the photoisomerization and fluorescence emission properties of the azobenzene moiety have been achieved for the first time. After photoisomerization of the (E)-2,2'-disilylazobenzenes to the corresponding (Z)-isomer, they do not fluoresce. This change in the fluorescence intensity upon photoisomerization is useful for the regulation of fluorescence properties. Therefore, this compound can be recognized as a unique photoisomerizable fluorophore to regulate the fluorescence intensity using a single light source.