Photoionization of pentalene and derivatives

Abstract

The vertical, valence ionization energies for pentalene (C8H6) and some of its derivatives have been calculated as free molecules in the gas phase using high-level ab initio coupled-cluster method: EOM-DLPNO-CCSD. Their valence electronic structures depend on the number, type and position of substituents. We have used the calculated vertical, valence ionization energies to simulate UV photoelectron spectra. HOMO-LUMO gaps and the influence of substituents on ionization energies and electronic structure were also studied. We discuss the antiaromaticity and bis-annulation effects in pentalenes.