Excited-state Proton Transfer Reaction Research Articles

Theoretical Investigation of the Reaction Mechanism of Photodeamination Induced by Excited-State Intramolecular Proton Transfer of Cresol Derivatives.

The novel photodeamination process of cresol derivatives 1 and 3 has been reported experimentally ( J. Org. Chem . 2015 , 80 , 10817 ). However, a full theoretical interpretation of the mechanism is still lacking. In the present study, we aim to provide insight into the factors that promote the deamination reaction through density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT methods. Calculated absorption and emission spectra are in good agreement with the experimental results. Hydrogen-bond strengthening in the excited state has been verified by analyzing relevant bond parameters and vibrational frequencies as well as frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), implying that hydrogen-bond interaction acts as the important parameter for the excited-state intramolecular proton-transfer (ESIPT) reaction. The proton-transfer and deamination reactions have been qualitatively analyzed through Gibbs free-energy reaction profiles in different electronic states. It can be concluded that the ESIPT and photodeamination reactions occur in the excited state. To further illustrate the photodeamination mechanism, the constructed 2D potential-energy surface indicates that the photodeamination reaction is infeasible without the ESIPT reaction. This work provides the first theoretical rationale for ESIPT-induced photodeamination occurring spontaneously because of protonation of a basic nitrogen atom.

A Red-Emitting, Multidimensional Sensor for the Simultaneous Cellular Imaging of Biothiols and Phosphate Ions

The development of new fluorescent probes for cellular imaging is currently a very active field because of the large potential in understanding cell physiology, especially targeting anomalous behaviours due to disease. In particular, red-emitting dyes are keenly sought, as the light in this spectral region presents lower interferences and a deeper depth of penetration in tissues. In this work, we have synthesized a red-emitting, dual probe for the multiplexed intracellular detection of biothiols and phosphate ions. We have prepared a fluorogenic construct involving a silicon-substituted fluorescein for red emission. The fluorogenic reaction is selectively started by the presence of biothiols. In addition, the released fluorescent moiety undergoes an excited-state proton transfer reaction promoted by the presence of phosphate ions, which modulates its fluorescence lifetime, τ, with the total phosphate concentration. Therefore, in a multidimensional approach, the intracellular levels of biothiols and phosphate can be detected simultaneously using a single fluorophore and with spectral clearing of cell autofluorescence interferences. We have applied this concept to different cell lines, including photoreceptor cells, whose levels of biothiols are importantly altered by light irradiation and other oxidants.

The effect of protic solvents on the excited state proton transfer of 3-hydroxyflavone: A TD-DFT static and molecular dynamics study

The effect of intermolecular hydrogen bonding played by protic solvents (ammonia, methanol and water) on the excited state proton transfer (ESPT) reaction of 3-hydroxyflavone (3HF) was theoretically investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT). The formation of intermolecular hydrogen bond induced by protic solvents indicates that the intramolecular hydrogen bond may be interrupted in favor of a complex causing low quantum yield of keto emission and exhibiting dual emission (both enol and keto) in experiment. The strengthening of intermolecular hydrogen bond in the S1 state has been confirmed by the red-shift of IR vibrational spectra and shorter bond distances involving proton transfer (PT) process in comparison with those of the S0 state. From potential energy curves (PECs) of PT coordinate, PT process is likely to proceed in S1 state and PT in 3HF(NH3) occurs more easily than those of 3HF(CH3OH) and 3HF(H2O) due to its lower barrier. Moreover, on-the-fly dynamics simulations of all complexes were carried out to provide the detailed information on the PT mechanism. The dynamic results show that ESPT process of 3HF with protic solvent takes place through intermolecular hydrogen bond with slower PT time (259, 117 and 104fs for 3HF(NH3), 3HF(CH3OH) and 3HF(H2O), respectively) than that of 3HF (76fs) via intramolecular hydrogen bond. Furthermore, the ultrafast PT time is found to be nicely correlated with polarity of solvent and PT probability is also anti-correlated with PT barrier.

Using Density Based Indexes and Wave Function Methods for the Description of Excited States: Excited State Proton Transfer Reactions as a Test Case.

To provide tools to interpret photochemical reactions, in this paper we demonstrate how a recently developed density-based index (DCT), up to now used in conjunction with time dependent density functional theory methods, can be extended to multiconfigurational methods. This index can guide chemists in the interpretation of photochemical reactions providing a measure of the spatial extent of a photoinduced charge transfer and, more generally, of charge transfer phenomena. This qualitative and quantitative description can be particularly relevant in the case of multiconfigurational calculations providing a simple tool for the interpretation of their complex outputs. To prove the potentiality of this approach we have considered a simple intramolecular excited state proton transfer reaction as study case and applied both wave function (CASSCF-CASPT2) and density-based methods in conjunction with a DCT analysis. Our results confirm that, also in the case of multiconfigurational methods, the DCT provides very useful information about the structural reorganization of a molecule at the excited state.

The mechanism of the excited-state multiple proton transfer reaction for 3-Me-2,6-diazaindole in aqueous solution

The potential energy curves show that(2,6-aza)Indin aqueous solution undergoes a quadruple-proton transfer reaction with the assistance of three water molecules.

Proton Transfer Reaction Dynamics of Pyranine in DMSO/Water Mixtures.

Photoinduced intermolecular excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) reactions are ubiquitous in chemistry and biology. ESPT reactions are extremely sensitive to the nature of water molecules in its microenvironment and thus serve as a sensitive reporter for the water structure and dynamics in a system. Herein, the photoinduced intermolecular ESPT reaction of 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,5-trisulfonic acid (HPTS, also known as pyranine) has been investigated in various DMSO/water mixtures by using steady-state and time-resolved emission spectroscopy. The DMSO/water binary mixture yields an interesting and anomalous behavior for the proton transfer reaction dynamics of HPTS at a mole fraction of DMSO (XDMSO ) of 0.41-0.51, which has also been previously investigated and projected as an anomalous region by molecular dynamics simulation and other experimental techniques. The extreme slowdown of the proton transfer reaction observed at XDMSO =0.41-0.51 has been attributed to the slow solvation dynamics, as well as the non-availability of free water molecules at this composition, which are required to solvate the newly generated proton. These observations have been also corroborated by time-resolved area-normalized emission spectra. The dimensionality of the proton diffusion process has been investigated by analyzing the geminate recombination process, and is found to be significantly different in DMSO/water mixtures (XDMSO =0.41-0.51) compared with three-dimensional proton diffusion in neat water.

Spectral and time-resolved properties of photoinduced hydroxyquinolines doped thin polymer films

Quinoline and its derivatives have a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities. Quinoline ring is used to design functional materials (quinoline derivatives) for OLEDs and field-induce electrooptics. It possesses antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, cardiotonic, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant and analgesic activity. Here, we have examined photoexcitation dynamics of 6-hydroxyquinoline (6-HQ) doped in polymer films of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and cellulose acetate (CA) at atmospheric conditions. The absorption maximum of 6-HQ in polymer films was observed at 333 ± 1 nm, whereas fluorescence (FL) maximum fell in the range of 365–371 nm. In PVA film, in addition to the typical FL, a band maximum at 432 nm appeared as a result of an excited-state intermolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction facilitated in the hydrogen-bonded complex formed in the ground state between 6-HQ:PVA. The multi-exponential decay behavior of 6-HQ in all the three polymer films indicates a nanoscale heterogeneity of the polymer environments.

Excited-State Proton Transfer on the Surface of a Therapeutic Protein, Protamine.

Proton transfer reactions on biosurfaces play an important role in a myriad of biological processes. Herein, the excited-state proton transfer reaction of 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonate (HPTS) has been investigated in the presence of an important therapeutic protein, Protamine (PrS), using ground-state absorption, steady-state, and detailed time-resolved emission measurements. HPTS forms a 1:1 complex with Protamine with a high association constant of 2.6 × 104 M-1. The binding of HPTS with Protamine leads to a significant modulation in the ground-state prototropic equilibrium causing a downward shift of 1.1 unit in the acidity constant (pKa). In contrast to a large number of reports of slow proton transfer of HPTS on biosurfaces, interestingly, HPTS registers a faster proton transfer event in the presence of Protamine as compared to that of even the bulk aqueous buffer medium. Furthermore, the dimensionality of the proton diffusion process is also significantly reduced on the surface of Protamine that is in contrast to the behavior of HPTS in the bulk aqueous buffer medium, where the proton diffusion process is three-dimensional. The effect of ionic strength on the binding of HPTS toward PrS suggests a predominant role of electrostatic interaction between anionic HPTS and cationic Protamine, which is further supported by molecular docking simulations which predict that the most preferable binding site for HPTS on the surface of Protamine is surrounded by multiple cationic arginine residues.

Synthesis, photochemical and luminescent properties of ortho-hydroxystyrylquinazolinone-linked benzocrown ethers

Abstract Photoinduced transformations of (E)-2-(2-hydroxystyryl)quinazolinone-linked benzo[15(18)]crown-5(6) ethers in solutions have been studied by using UV–vis absorption and NMR spectroscopy. These crown ethers were found to have dual emission at 520 and 650 nm, associated with proton-transfer tautomer emission (ESIPT-luminescence) as a rare case of excited-state proton-transfer reaction in the non-pseudocyclic chromophoric systems. It was established also, that the organic bases affect the luminescence intensity of solutions of these compounds in the 550–650-nm wavelength range. An X-ray crystallography analysis of molecular structures of crown ethers and their complexes in crystals has been carried out. The fact of reversible photo/thermal E-Z isomerization in DMF and Et3N for these macroheterocyclic compounds has been confirmed. An opportunity to control the photochemical isomerization rate of quinazolinone 2-(hydroxyphenyl)ethenyl derivatives by changing pH of the medium has been demonstrated.

Effect of Different Substituted Groups on Excited-State Intramolecular Proton Transfer of 1-(Acylamino)-anthraquinons

This study uses density functional and time-dependent density functional theory to investigate excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reactions of 1-(acylamino)-anthraquinons (AYAAQs). We report that hydrogen-bond intensity in excited states is affected by the different AYAAQs substituted groups in ethanol for the first time. Absorption and emission spectra were also calculated and show that the changed AYAAQs spectra can be explained perfectly by combining the AYAAQs potential energy curves. The theoretical spectral values show good agreement with experimental results. The theoretical calculations indicate that proton transfer reactions can be implemented in the first excited (S1) state. The hydrogen-bond strengthening mechanism was confirmed, where hydrogen-bond interaction acts as the driving force for the ESIPT reactions. Therefore, ESIPT reactions are more likely to occur from AAAQ → CAAQ → DCAQ → TFAQ molecules, which are different substituted derivatives.

Solvent controlling excited state proton transfer reaction in quinoline/isoquinoline‐pyrazole isomer QP‐I: A theoretical study

AbstractIn this present work, we theoretically study the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism about a quinoline/isoquinoline‐pyrazole isomer QP‐I system. Compared with previous experimental results, our calculated results reappear previous data, which further confirm the theoretical level we used is reasonable. We mainly adopt 2 kinds of solvents (nonpolar cyclohexane and polar acetonitrile) to explore solvents effects on this system. Through reduced density gradient (RDG) function, the intramolecular hydrogen bond N1─H2···N3 has been confirmed existing in both S0 and S1 states, although the distance between H2 and N3 is not short. In addition, the strengthening N1─H2···N3 in the S1 state provides possibility for ESIPT. Explorations about charge redistribution reveal the trend of ESIPT, and frontier orbital gap reflects the reactivity in polar and nonpolar solvents. The constructing potential energy curves reveal that potential energy barriers could be controlled and regulated by solvent polarity.

Tunable excited-state intramolecular proton transfer reactions with N[sbnd]H or O[sbnd]H as a proton donor: A theoretical investigation

Excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reactions occurring in the S1 state for five molecules, which possess five/six-membered ring intramolecular NH···N or OH···N hydrogen bonds bearing quinoline or 2-phenylpyridine moiety, have been described in detail by the time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) approach using the B3LYP hybrid functional. For the five molecules, the constrained potential energy profiles along the ESIPT reactions show that proton transfer is barrierless in molecules possessing six-membered ring intramolecular H-bonds, which is smoother than that with certain barriers in five-membered ring H-bonding systems. For the latter, chemical modification by a more strong acid group can lower the ESIPT barrier significantly, which harnesses the ESIPT reaction from a difficult type to a fast one. The energy barrier of the ESIPT reaction depends on the intensity of the intramolecular H-bond, which can be measured with the topological descriptors by topology analysis of the bond critical point (BCP) of the intramolecular H-bond. It is found that when the value of electron density ρ(r) at BCP is bigger than 0.025a.u., the corresponding molecule might go through an ultrafast and barrierless ESIPT process, which opens a new scenario to explore the ESIPT reactions.

Theoretical study on influence of geometry controlling over the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer of 10-hydroxybenzo[h]quinoline and its derivatives

A structural modification on quinoline as a proton donor of 10-hydroxybenzo[h]quinoline (HBQ) giving different HBQ derivatives greatly affects their photophysical properties. In this study, the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reactions of HBQ and its derivatives with different geometries have been systematically investigated using DFT and TD-DFT at B3LYP/TZVP. Calculated absorption and emission spectra are used to describe the photophysical changes in which the absorption spectra of HBQ derivatives are blue-shifted compared with that of HBQ while their emission spectra are blue-shifted except those of 3,4-dihydro indene[1,2-b]pyrrole-8-ol (IPRO) and 2-(4H-pyrrol-2-yl)phenol (PRP) compounds with different proton donor and connecting moiety are red-shifted. From results of potential energy curves along the proton transfer (PT) coordinate, PT is favorable in the excited-state but not in the ground state. On-the-fly dynamics simulations in the excited-state are further employed to determine reaction mechanisms and the time evolution of PT. The ESIPT process easily occurs in most of the compounds except the IPRO with much high PT barrier. The ESIPT times in most compounds take place within 100fs and PT probability is nicely anti-correlated with the PT barrier. Thus, the geometry changes alter the electronic spectra but do not affect ESIPT of HBQ derivatives. Moreover, once the PT is complete, the internal conversion is initiated by twisted skeleton, leading to lower intensity of tautomer emission.

Efficient acetate sensor in biological media based on a selective Excited State Proton Transfer (ESPT) reaction

We have synthesized a new fluoride−containing xanthenic dye able to dynamically and quantitatively detect acetate anion, a biologically relevant analyte, in water. We studied deeply the photophysical properties of the compound and verified its use as an acetate probe in synthetic serum.

Comparing the performance of TD-DFT and SAC-CI methods in the description of excited states potential energy surfaces: An excited state proton transfer reaction as case study.

The performances, in the description of excited state potential energy surfaces, of several density functional approximations representative of the currently most applied exchange correlation functionals' families have been tested with respect to post Hartree-Fock references (here Symmetry Adapted Cluster-Configuration Interaction results). An experimentally well-characterized intermolecular proton transfer reaction has been considered as test case. The computed potential energy profiles were analyzed both in the gas phase and in toluene solution, here represented as a polarizable continuum model. The presence of intermolecular (dark) and intramolecular (bright) charge transfer excited states, whose polarity strongly differs along the reaction pathway, makes clear that only subtle compensation between spurious electronic effects-related to the incorrect asymptotic behavior of the functional-and solvent stabilization of polar states leads to the overall correct description of this excited state reaction when using global hybrids with low percentage of Hartree Fock exchange. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Illuminating Photochemistry of an Excitation Ratiometric Fluorescent Protein Calcium Biosensor.

Fluorescent protein (FP)-based biosensors have become an important and promising tool to track metal ion movement inside living systems. Their working principles after light irradiation, however, remain elusive. To facilitate the rational design of biosensors, we dissect the fluorescence modulation mechanism of a newly developed excitation ratiometric green FP-based Ca2+ biosensor, GEX-GECO1, using femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS) in the electronic excited state. Upon 400 nm photoexcitation, characteristic vibrational marker bands at ∼1180 and 1300 cm-1 show concomitant decay and rise dynamics, probing the progression of an ultrafast excited state proton transfer (ESPT) reaction. The Ca2+-bound biosensor exhibits two distinct populations that undergo ESPT with ∼6 and 80 ps time constants, in contrast to one dominant population with a 25 ps time constant in the Ca2+-free biosensor. This result is supported by key structural constraints from molecular dynamics simulations with and without Ca2+. The blueshift of the ∼1265 cm-1 C-O stretch mode unravels the vibrational cooling dynamics of the protonated chromophore regardless of Ca2+ binding events. This unique line of inquiry reveals the essential structural dynamics basis of fluorescence modulation inside an excitation ratiometric protein biosensor, correlating the uncovered chromophore structural heterogeneity with different H-bonding configurations and intrinsic proton transfer rate in the photoexcited state.

Tracking Ultrafast Vibrational Cooling during Excited-State Proton Transfer Reaction with Anti-Stokes and Stokes Femtosecond Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy.

Energy dissipation following photoexcitation is foundational to photophysics and chemistry. Consequently, understanding such processes on molecular time scales holds paramount importance. Femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS) has been used to study the molecular structure-function relationships but usually on the Stokes side. Here, we perform both Stokes and anti-Stokes FSRS to track energy dissipation and excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) for the photoacid pyranine in aqueous solution. We reveal biphasic vibrational cooling on fs-ps time scales during ESPT. Characteristic low-frequency motions (<800 cm-1) exhibit initial energy dissipation (∼2 ps) that correlates with functional events of forming contact ion pairs via H-bonds between photoacid and water, which lengthens to ∼9 ps in methanol where ESPT is inhibited. The interplay between photoinduced dissipative and reactive channels is implied. Thermal cooling to bulk solvent occurs on the ∼50 ps time scale. These results demonstrate the combined Stokes and anti-Stokes FSRS as a powerful toolset to elucidate structural dynamics.

Interrogating ultrafast dynamics of a salicylideneaniline derivative within faujasite zeolites

We report on femtosecond (fs) studies of (E)-2-(2-hydroxybenzyliden) amino-4-nitrophenol (HBA-4NP) in dichloromethane (DCM) and triacetin (TAC) solutions, and within NaX and NaY zeolites. In solution, an ultrafast (≤80fs) excited-state intramolecular proton-transfer (ESIPT) reaction produces a keto (K) tautomer, which undergoes a rotational process in ∼4 (DCM) and ∼7ps (TAC) toward the formation of non-emitting structures. Within NaX and NaY, where monomers and aggregates are formed, host-guest and guest-guest interactions play an important role in the ultrafast behaviour of these complexes. These results clearly reflect how nanoconfinement and zeolite composition affect the encapsulated dye photodynamics.

Tuning of energetics and reaction mechanism of water-assisted intramolecular proton transfer of 7-azaindole by external electric field applied in various directions: a TD-DFT study

Ground- and excited-state intramolecular proton transfer reactions, as one of the most important processes in biological systems, have been utilized as the basis of artificially designed molecular photoswitch. Taking 7-azaindole as model of study, we report the electric field tuning of water-assisted proton transfer reactions in both the ground and excited states, by applying static electric fields along various directions. The electric fields applied in the direction (or those with component in the direction) of net proton transfer path have remarkable impact on the energetics of reaction, including tuning of thermodynamic and kinetic balance of tautomers, as well as red-/blueshifting the absorption and emission maxima. The electric fields applied in a direction perpendicular to the net proton transfer, although which have been found to play negligible roles in changing the energetics, tune the concerted double-proton transfer reactions from roughly synchronic to asynchronic. The electrostatic origins of such influences are analyzed. The findings of our (TD)-DFT calculations provide insights into fine tuning of both energetic and mechanistic aspects of reversible systems by electric field, and shed light on the nature of proton transfer in natural systems as well as designing novel electric optical switches.

Solvation Dynamics and Proton Transfer in Diethylaminohydroxyflavone.

4'-N,N-Diethylamino-3-hydroxyflavone (DEAHF) exhibits dual fluorescence in most solvents as a result of a rapid excited-state intramolecular proton transfer reaction. The high sensitivity of its dual emission to solvent polarity and hydrogen bonding make DEAHF of interest as a ratiometric fluorescence sensor. In addition, prior work has suggested that the rate of this proton transfer should depend on solvent relaxation in an unusual manner. It has been proposed that rapid solvation of the initially excited reactant should retard reaction. The present work tests this idea by using femtosecond Kerr-gated emission spectroscopy to measure the reaction kinetics of DEAHF in mixtures of propylene carbonate (PC) + acetonitrile (ACN). This mixture was chosen to maintain constant solvent polarity and thereby constant reaction energies while varying solvation times ∼10-fold with composition. The reaction kinetics observed in these mixtures are multiexponential, consisting of resolvable components of ∼2 and ∼30 ps and a small fraction of reaction faster than detectable by the 400 fs resolution of the experiment. Average reaction times increase by approximately a factor of 2 as a function of ACN mole fraction, primarily as a result of changes to the slower kinetic component. This trend is opposite to the composition dependence of solvation times, thereby supporting the unusual role of polar solvation dynamics in this proton transfer. In n-alkane solvents, where electrostatic coupling is minimized, frictional properties of the solvent do not influence reaction rates.