Excited Singlet Electronic States Research Articles

The computational and experimental investigations of photophysical and spectroscopic properties of BF2 dipyrromethene complexes

The electronic excited states of BF2 dipyrromethene (2BrDPM, DPMI, DPMII, PM567 and 4PhDPM) complexes were investigated using the extended multi-configuration quasi-degenerate at the second order of perturbation theory (XMCQDPT2) and the second-order approximate coupled-cluster (CC2) methods. The excitation energies calculated by CC2 are significantly overestimated by 0.42–0.59eV because of the substantial contributions of double excitation levels to excited states (>10%). However, the calculated XMCQDPT2 excitation energies agree well with experimental ones within the accuracy 0.11–0.20eV. The very low lasing efficiency (7.8–8.4%) of 4PhDPM compound was explained by the T1→T4 and T1→T5 reabsorptions at XMCQDPT2 level of theory. The molecular photonics of pyrromethenes are studied using a combination of the first-principle and semi-empirical calculations. The main mechanism for the deactivation of the energy of the first singlet excited electronic state is the radiative electronic transition for DPMI, DPMII, PM567 and 4PhDPM compounds. Also, the main mechanism for the quenching of fluorescence in considered complexes (except DPMII compound) is the internal conversion. The processes of the internal conversion and intersystem crossing compete with each other in DPMII compound. The measured and calculated fluorescence quantum yields agree well for all considered molecules.

Towards the assignment of the REMPI spectrum of Ph2O using CIS and TD-DFT methods

Tentative assignment of the low-lying vibrational features of the first electronic excited singlet-state S1 of diphenyl ether (Ph2O), obtained from resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionisation (REMPI) spectroscopy, is performed using CIS and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) methods. The potential energy surfaces, regarding the rotation of the phenyl rings relatively to the C–O–C plane, are obtained at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory, for the ground-state of neutral and cationic Ph2O and for its first excited singlet state. The torsional barriers of the ground state of diphenyl ether were studied by means of quantum-chemical perturbations of increasing accuracy and an extrapolation to the complete basis set limit and full configuration interaction (FCI) was performed through the use of correlation consistent basis sets and the continued fraction method. The first adiabatic ionisation energy (AIE) of the twist conformer is computed at 8.60 eV in the FCI limit, much higher than the experimental results of Terlouw et al. (8.09±0.03 eV) and Paiva et al. (7.8±0.1 eV). The B3LYP result of 7.82 eV is, however, in reasonable agreement with the result of Paiva et al.The first singlet excitation energy for the twist conformation is found to be 5.5 eV at the CIS/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. Some features of the experimental REMPI spectrum, previously obtained by one of the authors, are explained and a new insight on the ionisation energy of diphenyl ether is presented.

The Predicted Spectrum and Singlet–Triplet Interaction of the Hypermetallic Molecule SrOSr

In accordance with previous studies in our group on Be, Mg, and Ca hypermetallic oxides, we find that SrOSr has a linear X̃1Σ(g)+ ground electronic state and a very low lying first excited ã3Σ(u)+ triplet electronic state. No gas-phase spectrum of this molecule has been assigned yet, and to encourage and assist in its discovery we present a complete ab initio simulation, with absolute intensities, of the infrared absorption spectrum for both electronic states. The three-dimensional potential energy surfaces and the electric dipole moment surfaces of the X̃1Σ(g)+ and ã3Σ(u)+ electronic states are calculated using a multireference configuration interaction (MRCISD) approach in combination with internally contracted multireference perturbation theory (RS2C) based on complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) wave functions applying a Sadlej pVTZ basis set for both O and Sr and the Stuttgart relativistic small-core effective core potential for Sr. The infrared spectra are simulated using the MORBID program system. We also calculate vertical excitation energies and transition moments for several excited singlet and triplet electronic states in order to predict the positions and intensities of the most prominent singlet and triplet electronic absorption bands. Finally, for this heavy molecule, we calculate the singlet–triplet interaction matrix elements between close-lying vibronic levels of the X̃ and ã electronic states and find them to be very small.

Experimental Observation and Quantum Chemical Characterization of theS1←S0Transition of Protonated Naphthalene–Argon Clusters

We report on the photodissociation spectrum of protonated naphthalene(+)-argon complexes (NpH(+)-Ar) recorded by excitation into the first excited singlet electronic state. Unlike previous electronic spectra of the free molecule (NpH(+)), both the α and the β isomer could be observed for the Ar adducts. Detailed information on the S0 and S1 state of both isomers is provided by quantum chemical calculations. An assignment of observed vibrational bands is proposed based on Franck-Condon simulations.

Tuning Photophysical Properties and Improving Nonlinear Absorption of Pt(II) Diimine Complexes with Extended π-Conjugation in the Acetylide Ligands

Two new Pt(II) 4,4'-di(5,9-diethyltridecan-7-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine complexes (1 and 2) bearing 9,9-diethyl-2-ethynyl-7-(2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethynyl)-9H-fluorene ligand and N-(4-(2-(9,9-diethyl-7-ethynyl-9H-fluoren-2-yl)ethynyl)phenyl)-N-phenylbenzeneamine ligand, respectively, were synthesized and characterized. Their photophysical properties were investigated systematically by UV-vis absorption, emission, and transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy, and the nonlinear absorption was studied by nonlinear transmission technique. Theoretical TD-DFT calculations using the CAM-B3LYP functional were carried out to determine the nature of the singlet excited electronic states and to assist in the assignment of significant transitions observed in experiments. Complex 1 exhibits an intense, structureless absorption band at ca. 397 nm in CH2Cl2 solution, which is attributed to mixed metal-to-ligand charge transfer ((1)MLCT)/ligand-to-ligand charge transfer ((1)LLCT)/intraligand charge transfer ((1)ILCT)/(1)π,π* transitions, and two (1)MLCT/(1)LLCT transitions in the 300-350 nm spectral region. Complex 2 possesses an intense acetylide ligand localized (1)π,π* absorption band at ca. 373 nm and a moderately intense (1)MLCT/(1)LLCT tail above 425 nm in CH2Cl2. Both complexes are emissive in solution at room temperature, with the emitting state being tentatively assigned to the predominant (3)π,π* state for 1, whereas the emitting state of 2 exhibits a switch from (3)π,π* state in high-polarity solvents to (3)MLCT/(3)LLCT state in low-polarity solvents. Both 1 and 2 exhibit strong singlet excited-state TA in the visible to NIR region, where reverse saturable absorption (RSA) is feasible. The spectroscopic studies and theoretical calculations indicate that the photophysical properties of these Pt complexes can be tuned drastically by extending the π-conjugation of the acetylide ligands. In addition, strong RSA was observed at 532 nm for nanosecond (ns) laser pulses from 1 and 2, demonstrating that the RSA of the Pt(II) diimine complexes can be improved by extending the π-conjugation of the acetylide ligands.

MS-CASPT2 study of the low-lying electronic excited states of di-thiosubstituted formic acid dimers

The suitability of di-thiosubstituted derivatives of formic acid dimer, both in hydroxyl and carbonyl position, as possible hydrogen-bonded electron transfer linkers in a hypothetical donor–acceptor dyad for photovoltaic cells and artificial photosynthesis reactors has been studied from a theoretical point of view. To this purpose, the valence singlet electronic excited states of the four possible di-thiosubstituted isomers have been characterized through multi-state complete active space second-order perturbation theory (MS-CASPT2). These hydrogen-bonded systems present electronic spectra consisting of nπ* and ππ* excitations, both intra- and intermonomer. The eventual comparison of the calculated spectroscopic characteristics of the isolated hydrogen-bonded linkers with the experimental spectrum of the chromophore in a donor–acceptor dyad could allow establishing whether the linker would compete with the electron donor in the photon absorption process. Additionally, the analysis of the structural changes undergone by these species upon electronic excitation to the S1 would allow determining whether the population of this state of the linker upon UV–vis light absorption could compromise the formation of the charge transfer complex, key in the performance of photovoltaic devices.

A theoretical study of the photochemistry of indigo in its neutral and dianionic (leucoindigo) forms

A thorough analysis of the single and double proton transfer and the internal rotations of neutral indigo and its dianionic leucoindigo form has been performed for the ground and first singlet excited electronic states using, respectively, DFT and TDDFT state-of-the-art methods. Our theoretical analysis discloses that the diketo isomer is the most stable one in the ground state of indigo but not in leucoindigo where the dienol minimum is more stable. Single and double proton transfer processes are not energetically favored in the ground electronic state but a single proton transfer gives a more stable tautomer in the excited electronic state of indigo whereas a double proton transfer is energetically favorable in the excited state of leucoindigo. The internal rotations are not thermodynamically allowed except for the keto-enol tautomer where a full rotation of the inter-ring C-C bond leads to another stable keto-enol structure. A preliminary analysis of the plausible conical intersections for both indigo and leucoindigo allows the discussion of the likely deactivation paths that will follow light irradiation. Our results point to a very different photochemistry of the two molecules. For indigo the proton transfer can only take place through tunneling so the main deactivation path would involve a conical intersection accessed directly upon internal rotation of the keto-keto tautomer. For leucoindigo a richer photochemistry is expected as the single and double proton transfer processes are energetically open. The more favorable path involves single proton transfer followed by a trans to cis isomerization and a second proton transfer. This process competes on equal grounds with several non-radiative decays through conical intersections. All these results are in agreement with the experimental facts known to date.

Effect of temperature on rate of the spin-forbidden transition in uracil and thymine

The intersystem crossing rates of uracil and thymine molecules in interaction with the heat bath were studied by means of the ab initio methods. The rates were calculated employing the time-dependent approach based on the correlation function. The normal modes of the singlet and triplet electronic states were related by the Duschinsky transformation. The correlation function was calculated using the Condon approximation for the spin-orbit matrix element and harmonic approximation for the nuclear motion. The excess vibrational energy in the initial singlet excited electronic state decreases the rate of the triplet formation in uracil and thymine. This decrease is more pronounced for uracil. Also, it was found that the change of the adiabatic energy gap can significantly modify the rate of the triplet formation.

Theoretical Investigations on the Electronic and Optical Properties of Bridged Oligothiophenes

A study of the structure, electronic, and optical properties of oligothiophenes is reported. Geometry optimizations of the ground state of derivatives of these molecules were carried out using the density functional theory (DFT) with the B3LYP functional and the 6-31G(d) basis set. Bridged oligothiophenes by C═O, C═S, and C═C(CN)(2) functional groups were found to be planar in their electronic ground states (S(0)). The electronic excitation transitions of the bridged oligothiophenes were investigated using the time-dependent TD-DFT method performed on the ground-state optimized geometries. For all the derivatives, excitation to the S(1) state corresponds mainly to the HOMO → LUMO transition. The excitation energies are found in fair agreement with the experimental values. The optimization (relaxation) of the first singlet excited electronic state (S(1)) has been done using the restricted configuration interaction (singles) (RCIS/6-31G(d) approach. The electronically excited geometries favor a more quinoidic type structure. Emission energies have been obtained from TD-DFT calculations performed on the excited-state optimized geometries S(1). The change of group (C═O, C═S, and C═C(CN)(2)) as well as the incorporation of monomer moieties induce a significant decrease in the excitation and emission energies.

Ab Initio Time-Domain Study of the Triplet State in a Semiconducting Carbon Nanotube: Intersystem Crossing, Phosphorescence Time, and Line Width

Motivated by recent experiments (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 17156), we used nonadiabatic (NA) molecular dynamics implemented within ab initio time-domain density functional theory to investigate the evolution of the excited electronic singlet and triplet states in the (6,4) carbon nanotube (CNT). The simulation simultaneously included the NA electron-phonon interaction and the spin-orbit (SO) interaction and focused on the intersystem crossing (ISC) from the first excited singlet state (S(1)) to the triplet state (T(1)) and subsequent relaxation to the ground electronic state (S(0)). For the first time, the state-of-the-art methodology (Phys. Rev. Lett. 2005, 95, 163001; Phys. Rev. Lett. 2008, 100, 197402) has been advanced to include triplet states. The S(1)-T(1) ISC was calculated to occur within tens of picoseconds, in agreement with the experimental data. This time scale is on the same order as the S(1)-S(0) nonradiative decay time obtained previously for the (6,4) CNT. The homogeneous phosphorescence line width, which can be measured in single-molecule experiments, was predicted to be on the order of 10 meV at room temperature. This value is similar to the fluorescence line widths of CNTs suspended in air. The NA electron-phonon and SO couplings were found to be on the order of 1 meV; however, the former fluctuates much more than the latter, causing the ISC rate to be limited by the SO interaction rather than NA interaction. The electronic energy lost nonradiatively during ISC is deposited into high-frequency optical phonons of the CNT arising from C-C stretching motions. The calculations indicate that ISC can contribute to the nonradiative energy losses and low photoluminescence quantum yields observed in semiconducting CNTs.

Hydrogen bond effects in the ground and excited singlet states of 4H-1-benzopyrane-4-thione in water—theory and experiment

The hydrogen bond energies for 4H-1-benzopyrane-4-thione (BPT) in its ground and two lowest excited singlet electronic states have been determined using ab initio methods. It was shown that the BPT molecule can form, as an acceptor, four relatively strong hydrogen bonds with water molecules, leading to a stable complex in the ground electronic state S(0). The hydrogen bonds involving the sulfur atom from the thiocarbonyl group were found to be stronger than those involving the oxygen atom from the benzopyran moiety. The former hydrogen bonds were predicted to become significantly weaker upon excitation to the S(1) state and, in contrast, stronger upon excitation to the S(2) state. Calculated changes in the hydrogen bond energy due to the S(0)→ S(1) and S(0)→ S(2) excitation are in very good agreement with the experimental values obtained from the absorption solvatochromic study, according to a procedure proposed by us in [E. Krystkowiak, et al., J. Photochem. Photobiol. A: Chem., 2006, 184, 250]. The maxima of absorption spectra of the BPT-water hydrogen-bonded complex, calculated taking into consideration nonspecific solute-solvent interactions, are also in good agreement with the experimental results.

Competing 1πσ* mediated dynamics in mequinol: O–H versus O–CH3 photodissociation pathways

Deactivation of excited electronic states through coupling to dissociative (1)πσ* states in heteroaromatic systems has received considerable attention in recent years, particularly as a mechanism that contributes to the ultraviolet (UV) photostability of numerous aromatic biomolecules and their chromophores. Recent studies have expanded upon this work to look at more complex species, which involves understanding competing dynamics on two different (1)πσ* potential energy surfaces (PESs) localized on different heteroatom hydride coordinates (O-H and N-H bonds) within the same molecule. In a similar spirit, the work presented here utilizes ultrafast time-resolved velocity map ion imaging to study competing dissociation pathways along (1)πσ* PESs in mequinol (p-methoxyphenol), localized at O-H and O-CH(3) bonds yielding H atoms or CH(3) radicals, respectively, over an excitation wavelength range of 298-238 nm and at 200 nm. H atom elimination is found to be operative via either tunneling under a conical intersection (CI) (298 ≥ λ ≥ 280 nm) or ultrafast internal conversion through appropriate CIs (λ ≤ 245 nm), both of which provide mechanisms for coupling onto the dissociative state associated with the O-H bond. In the intermediate wavelength range of 280 ≥ λ ≥ 245 nm, mediated H atom elimination is not observed. In contrast, we find that state driven CH(3) radical elimination is only observed in the excitation range 264 ≥ λ ≥ 238 nm. Interpretation of these experimental results is guided by: (i) high level complete active space with second order perturbation theory (CASPT2) calculations, which provide 1-D potential energy cuts of the ground and low lying singlet excited electronic states along the O-H and O-CH(3) bond coordinates; and (ii) calculated excitation energies using CASPT2 and the equation-of-motion coupled cluster with singles and doubles excitations (EOM-CCSD) formalism. From these comprehensive studies, we find that the dynamics along the O-H coordinate generally mimic H atom elimination previously observed in phenol, whereas O-CH(3) bond fission in mequinol appears to present notably different behavior to the CH(3) elimination dynamics previously observed in anisole (methoxybenzene).

Protonation effect on the electronic structure of small PAHs: Acenaphthylene and Acenaphthene

The low lying singlet and triplet electronic excited states of neutral and protonated Acenaphthylene (C12H8, ACYN) and Acenaphthene (C12H10, ACN) have been investigated extensively by RI–MP2 and RI–CC2 methods. The first and second electronic excited tates (S1,S2) of protonated ACYN and ACN have ππ∗ nature and lie in the visible or UV region. Similar to naphthalene, anthracene, and other linear PAHs, the protonation of ACYN and ACN leads to a strong red shift of the electronic transition as compared to the neutral molecule. The calculations indicate a charged transfer character of S1–S0 transition in protonated ACYN and ACN as well as protonated naphthalene.

High-Pressure Photoinduced Reactivity of CH3OH and CD3OH

The room-temperature reactivity of liquid methanol induced by two-photon absorption of near UV photons (350 nm) was studied as a function of pressure. Different chemical reactions were triggered by the radical species produced through the population of the lowest electronic excited singlet state because of its dissociative character. Experiments were performed at room temperature between 0.1 and 1.8 GPa on CH3OH and between 0.2 and 1.5 GPa on CD3OH. Different irradiation cycles were performed at constant pressure conditions, and FTIR and Raman spectra were measured to monitor the reaction evolution. Methoxymethanol and methylformate were the main products and the only ones detected in all the experiments. Ethylene glycol formed only at low pressure (0.2–0.3 GPa), whereas small amounts of methane, water, and unsaturated (C═C) species were also detected independently of the reaction pressure. Only dissociation along the O–H and C–O coordinates was relevant in the investigated pressure range. Ethylene glycol...

TDDFT Study on Different Sensing Mechanisms of Similar Cyanide Sensors Based on Michael Addition Reaction

The solvents and substituents of two similar fluorescent sensors for cyanide, 7-diethylamino-3-formylcoumarin (sensor a) and 7-diethylamino-3-(2-nitrovinyl)coumarin (sensor b), are proposed to account for their distinct sensing mechanisms and experimental phenomena. The time-dependent density functional theory has been applied to investigate the ground states and the first singlet excited electronic states of the sensor as well as their possible Michael reaction products with cyanide, with a view to monitoring their geometries and photophysical properties. The theoretical study indicates that the protic water solvent could lead to final Michael addition product of sensor a in the ground state, while the aprotic acetonitrile solvent could lead to carbanion as the final product of sensor b. Furthermore, the Michael reaction product of sensor a has been proved to have a torsion structure in its first singlet excited state. Correspondingly, sensor b also has a torsion structure around the nitrovinyl moiety in its first singlet excited state, while not in its carbanion structure. This could explain the observed strong fluorescence for sensor a and the quenching fluorescence for the sensor b upon the addition of the cyanide anions in the relevant sensing mechanisms.

Vibrational Mode Analysis of Isotope-Labeled Electronically Excited Riboflavin

Isotope-labeled riboflavin in DMSO was employed in conjunction with femtosecond time-resolved infrared vibrational spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations to analyze and assign the electronically excited state vibrational modes of the isoalloxazine unit as a prototype for the cofactors in flavin binding blue-light receptors. Using the riboflavin (13)C-analogues RF-2-(13)C and RF-4,10a-(13)C, the carbonyl vibrations, in particular, were studied. Various quantum chemical models were applied that take into account a polarizable environment or the impact of hydrogen bonds. The CIS quantum-chemistry method was successfully applied to describe the lowest singlet excited electronic state in riboflavin. The experimentally observed frequencies and isotope-shifts as well as their variability in the diverse model calculations are discussed. On these grounds, a consistent assignment of the electronic ground and excited state vibrations is presented.

Experimental determination and interpretation of fluorescence and fluorescence excitation spectra of 1,2-benzanthracene cooled in supersonic jet

We measured the fluorescence and fluorescence excitation spectra of supersonic jet-cooled 1,2-benzanthracene. Using the MO/M8ST method, we calculated the frequencies of in-plane vibrations in the ground and first excited singlet electronic states, and, in the Franck-Condon approximation, we calculated the intensities of transitions between them. Experimental spectra are interpreted based on these data. In the fluorescence excitation spectrum, the position of the line of the 0–0 transition (26535 ± 1 cm−1), which is the most intense, is determined.

Unravelling Complex Spectra of a Simple Molecule: REMPI Study of the 420 nm Band System of KRb

Complex spectra of the KRb 420 nm system are analyzed by mass-resolved resonance enhanced two-photon ionization in a cold molecular beam. Vibronic structures of three singlet-singlet (4(1)Π, 7(1)Σ(+), and 5(1)Π←X(1)Σ(+)) transitions were identified for the first time. By comparing with highly accurate ab initio calculations, we assigned the singlet excited electronic states, and determined their electronic term values and vibrational constants. Weak singlet-triplet transitions were observed and identified as the 5(3)Π(0(+))←X(1)Σ(+) transitions by the homogeneous perturbation selection rule.

Substituent Effects of Porphyrin on Singlet Oxygen Generation Quantum Yields

The singlet oxygen photosensitizing efficiencies of the ortho-, meta-, and para-substituted free-base and zinc (II) tetraarylporphyrins have been investigated on the basis of the heavy atom effect, electronegativity, and spatial orbital overlap. Both the endocyclic and exocyclic heavy atom effects have been exploited to induce various degrees of spin-orbit coupling. The ground state and the lowest singlet excited electronic state of the porphyrins have been studied using optical absorption and fluorescence emission spectroscopic techniques. The experimental data suggest that implementation of the halogen substituent effect to enhance the photosensitizing properties of a chromophore from the excited triplet state should be done cautiously, as it may have negative implications.

Synthesis, photophysics and excited state structure of 1,8-di(p-tolyl)-1,3,5,7-octatetrayne

The Cadiot–Chodkiewicz type C2-elongation of p-tolylacetylene followed by dimerization of the resulted diyne p-CH3C6H4(CC)2TMS (1) gave thermally stable octatetrayne p-CH3C6H4(CC)4-p-C6H4CH3 (2) as light yellow powder in 75% yield. Compound 2 was characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray crystallography. Careful analysis of the crystal data revealed high degree of chain linearity with a potential for 1,n-topochemical polymerization. Next, photophysical properties of 2 were studied in details by experimental and advanced theoretical methods (ab initio HF as well as DFT calculations involving both the ground and excited state geometry optimization). These properties are similar to the properties of the parent polyyne C6H5(CC)4C6H5 previously described in literature (in particular, the lowest electronic excited singlet state (S1) of 2 is a dark state). This was confirmed by the experimental facts, namely, few progressions of the stretching mode (ag) of the polyyne chain, starting from different “false origins” lying below the second excited (bright) state (S2), were observed in the fluorescence excitation spectrum. The red shift of the electronic spectra (155cm−1 and 300cm−1 for absorption and fluorescence, respectively) and an increase of an energy gap between S1 and S2 states by 450cm−1 are the effects of methylation of C6H5(CC)4C6H5 to 2. Theoretical results showed that in the excited state of 2 a shortening of single bonds and elongation of triple bonds occurred. This is in accordance with an observation of a long progression of the stretching vibration mode in the experimental absorption spectrum of 2. Besides that, stretching vibration of the polyyne chain is also active in the fluorescence spectra.