Calculation and interpretation of the vibronic spectra of pyridine and trans-1,2-di(2′-pyridyl)ethylene in the second approximation of the parametric method

Abstract

The structures of pyridine and dipyridylethylene molecules in an excited state and their vibronic spectra are calculated within the second approximation of the parametric method. The system of parameters obtained, including parameters of the σ and π types, ensures a quantitative agreement between the theoretical and experimental spectra of the pyridine and dipyridylethylene molecules. This agreement indicates that the proposed model is adequate to the real structure of the molecules. The parameterization is sufficiently complete and provides a means for quantitatively modeling the vibrational structure of the spectra of complex molecules containing fragments similar to those characterized by the σπ* and ππ* transitions. It is demonstrated that, after such essential substitutions of atoms in the molecules, the system of parameters of the acene and polyene fragments retains the high stability. The vibrational structure of the electronic spectra of the pyridine and dipyridylethylene molecules is interpreted, and the changes observed in the geometry of these molecules under electronic excitation are analyzed.