Compositions, apparatus, systems, and methods for resolving electronic excited states

A conjugated fused polycyclic molecule having a structure according to Formula I:

• wherein
• R1 is independently nitrile, C(O)R3, C(O)N(R4)R5, C(O)—S—R6, or fused aryl,
• R2 is independently nitrile, C(O)R7, C(O)N(R8)R9, C(O)—S—R10, or fused aryl,
• R3, R4 R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are each independently H, aryl, substituted aryl, fused aryl, alkyl, substituted alkyl, or branched alkyl,
• D1 is independently H, hydroxyl, or R11,
• D2 is independently H, hydroxyl, or R12, and
• R11 and R12 are each independently H, alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkoxyl, heteroalkoxyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or fused aryl,
• provided that
• R1 and R2 are not both nitrile,
• if R1 is nitrile then R2 is not C(O)NH2, R1 and R2 are not fused to each other,
• R11 and R12 do not comprise azo,
• the fused tricyclic moiety defined by rings X, Y, and Z is the only tricyclic moiety in the molecule, and
• D1 and D2 are not fused to each other,
• wherein the conjugated fused polycyclic molecule is configured (a) to resolve at least one excited state of a photoactive molecule substantially without observable photochemical reaction, (b) to resolve at least one excited state of a photoactive molecule substantially non-radiatively, or (c) to resolve at least one excited state of a photoactive molecule substantially without observable photochemical reaction and substantially non-radiatively.

A method for resolving at least one excited energy state of a photoactive molecule, the method comprising:

• positioning the photoactive molecule in electrical communication with a conjugated fused polycyclic molecule prior to, during, or following excitation of the photoactive molecule to the at least one excited energy state,
• wherein the conjugated fused polycyclic molecule has a structure according to Formula I:
• wherein
• R1 is independently nitrile, C(O)R3, C(O)N(R4)R5, C(O)—S—R6, or fused aryl,
• R2 is independently nitrile, C(O)R7, C(O)N(R8)R9, C(O)—S—R10, or fused aryl,
• R3, R4 R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are each independently H, aryl, substituted aryl, fused aryl, alkyl, substituted alkyl, or branched alkyl,
• D1 is independently H, hydroxyl, or R11,
• D2 is independently H, hydroxyl, or R12, and
• R11 and R12 are each independently H, alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkoxyl, heteroalkoxyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or fused aryl,
• provided that
• R1 and R2 are not both nitrile,
• if R1 is nitrile then R2 is not C(O)NH2, R1 and R2 are not fused to each other,
• R11 and R12 do not comprise azo,
• the fused tricyclic moiety defined by rings X, Y, and Z is the only tricyclic moiety in the molecule, and
• D1 and D2 are not fused to each other.