Switch between charge transfer and local excited states in 4-aminophenyl-substituted Hantzsch 1,4-dihydropyridine induced by pH change and transition metal ions

The absorption and fluorescence spectra of a Hantzsch 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative bearing a N,N-dimethylaminophenyl group at 4-position (H2Py - PhN(CH3)(2)) in aprotic solvents have been examined and compared to model compounds 4-phenyl- and 4-methyl-substituted Hantzsch 1,4-dihydropyridines (H2Py - Ph and H2Py - Me). While H2Py - Ph and H2Py - Me show fluorescence around 420 nm from the local excited state of the dihydropyridine chromophore, H2Py - PhN(CH3)(2) exhibits fluorescence around 520 nm from the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state involving the aniline and dihydropyridine groups as donor and acceptor, respectively. Upon addition of an acid to the solution of H2Py - PhN(CH3)(2), the amino group in the aniline is protonated. Thus, the photoinduced intramolecular charge transfer is prevented, and only the fluorescence from the local excited state of the dihydropyridine chromophore can be detected. These changes in the fluorescence behavior are fully reversible: subsequent addition of a base to the acidic solution leads to the recovery of the ICT fluorescence and the quenching of the local fluorescence. Transition metal ions also can switch the fluorescence of H2Py - PhN(CH3)(2). Evidence for the interaction between transition metal ions and the amino group in the dimethylaniline have been provided by absorption and emission spectrum as well as NMR studies.