Excited-state Structural Evolution Research Articles

Sequential Multistep Excited-State Structural Transformations in N,N'-Diphenyl-dihydrodibenzo[a,c]phenazine Fluorophores.

We demonstrate that a single polycyclic π-scaffold can undergo sequential multistep excited-state structural evolution along the bent, planar, and twisted conformers, which coexist to produce intrinsic multiple fluorescence emissions in room-temperature solution. By installing a methyl or trifluoromethyl group on the ortho-site of N,N'-diphenyl-dihydrodibenzo[a,c]phenazine (DPAC), the enhanced steric effects change the fluorescence emission of DPAC from a dominant red band to well-resolved triple bands. The ultra-broadband triple emissions of ortho-substituted DPACs range from ≈350 to ≈850 nm, which is unprecedented for small fluorophores with molecular weight of <500. Ultrafast spectroscopy and theoretical calculations clearly reveal that the above dramatic changes originate from the influence of steric hindrance on the shape of excited state potential energy surface (S1 PES). Compared to the steep S1 PES of parental DPAC, the introduction of ortho-substituent is shown to make the path of structural evolution in S1 wider and flatter, so the ortho-substituted derivatives exhibit slower structural transformations from bent to planar and then to twisted forms, yielding intrinsic triple emission. The results provide the proof of concept that the bent, planar, and twisted emissive states can coexist in the same S1 PES, which greatly expand the fundamental understanding of the excited-state structural relaxation.

Excited state structural evolution in fluorescent proteins and their model chromophores

The discovery of green fluorescent protein (GFP) has revolutionized molecular and cellular biology. Photocycle in wt-GFP involves generation of a bright fluorescent deprotonated chromophore from feebly fluorescent protonated form via excited-state proton transfer (ESPT). The chromophore loses its fluorescence outside the protein matrix due to ultrafast structural changes (ring twisting motion) during ESPT. To identify the key vibrational modes leading to such structural changes, we recently demonstrated how a systematic analysis of spectral data from non-resonant/resonant impulsive excitation followed by spectral dispersion disentangles vibrations arising in ground/excited electronic states of solute and solvent.

Ultrafast Dynamics in Light-Driven Molecular Rotary Motors Probed by Femtosecond Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy.

Photochemical isomerization in sterically crowded chiral alkenes is the driving force for molecular rotary motors in nanoscale machines. Here the excited-state dynamics and structural evolution of the prototypical light-driven rotary motor are followed on the ultrafast time scale by femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS) and transient absorption (TA). TA reveals a sub-100-fs blue shift and decay of the Franck-Condon bright state arising from relaxation along the reactive potential energy surface. The decay is accompanied by coherently excited vibrational dynamics which survive the excited-state structural evolution. The ultrafast Franck-Condon bright state relaxes to a dark excited state, which FSRS reveals to have a rich spectrum compared to the electronic ground state, with the most intense Raman-active modes shifted to significantly lower wavenumber. This is discussed in terms of a reduced bond order of the central bridging bond and overall weakening of bonds in the dark state, which is supported by electronic structure calculations. The observed evolution in the FSRS spectrum is assigned to vibrational cooling accompanied by partitioning of the dark state between the product isomer and the original ground state. Formation of the product isomer is observed in real time by FSRS. It is formed vibrationally hot and cools over several picoseconds, completing the characterization of the light-driven half of the photocycle.

Role of Coherent Low-Frequency Motion in Excited-State Proton Transfer of Green Fluorescent Protein Studied by Time-Resolved Impulsive Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy.

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) from jellyfish Aequorea victoria, an essential bioimaging tool, luminesces via excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) in which the phenolic proton of the p-hydroxybenzylideneimidazolinone chromophore is transferred to Glu222 through a hydrogen-bond network. In this process, the ESPT mediated by the low-frequency motion of the chromophore has been proposed. We address this issue using femtosecond time-resolved impulsive stimulated Raman spectroscopy. After coherently exciting low-frequency modes (<300 cm(-1)) in the excited state of GFP, we examined the excited-state structural evolution and the ESPT dynamics within the dephasing time of the low-frequency vibration. A clear anharmonic vibrational coupling is found between one high-frequency mode of the chromophore (phenolic CH bend) and a low-frequency mode at ∼104 cm(-1). However, the data show that this low-frequency motion does not substantially affect the ESPT dynamics.

Excited state structural evolution during charge-transfer reactions in betaine-30.

Ultrafast photo-induced charge-transfer reactions are fundamental to a number of photovoltaic and photocatalytic devices, yet the multidimensional nature of the reaction coordinate makes these processes difficult to model theoretically. Here we use femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy to probe experimentally the structural changes occurring following photoexcitation in betaine-30, a canonical intramolecular charge-transfer complex. We observe changes in vibrational mode frequencies and amplitudes on the femtosecond timescale, which for some modes results in frequency shifts of over 20 cm(-1) during the first 200 fs following photoexcitation. These rapid mode-specific frequency changes track the planarization of the molecule on the 400 ± 100 fs timescale. Oscillatory amplitude modulations of the observed high frequency Raman modes indicate coupling between specific high frequency and low frequency vibrational motions, which we quantify for 6 low frequency modes and 4 high frequency modes. Analysis of the mode-specific kinetics is suggestive of the existence of a newly discovered electronic state involved in a relaxation pathway, which may be a low-lying triplet state. These results directly track the multiple nuclear coordinates involved in betaine-30's reactive pathway, and should be of use in rationally designing molecular systems with rapid electron transfer processes.

Excited-state structural dynamics of a dual-emission calmodulin-green fluorescent protein sensor for calcium ion imaging

Fluorescent proteins (FPs) have played a pivotal role in bioimaging and advancing biomedicine. The versatile fluorescence from engineered, genetically encodable FP variants greatly enhances cellular imaging capabilities, which are dictated by excited-state structural dynamics of the embedded chromophore inside the protein pocket. Visualization of the molecular choreography of the photoexcited chromophore requires a spectroscopic technique capable of resolving atomic motions on the intrinsic timescale of femtosecond to picosecond. We use femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy to study the excited-state conformational dynamics of a recently developed FP-calmodulin biosensor, GEM-GECO1, for calcium ion (Ca(2+)) sensing. This study reveals that, in the absence of Ca(2+), the dominant skeletal motion is a ∼ 170 cm(-1) phenol-ring in-plane rocking that facilitates excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) with a time constant of ∼ 30 ps (6 times slower than wild-type GFP) to reach the green fluorescent state. The functional relevance of the motion is corroborated by molecular dynamics simulations. Upon Ca(2+) binding, this in-plane rocking motion diminishes, and blue emission from a trapped photoexcited neutral chromophore dominates because ESPT is inhibited. Fluorescence properties of site-specific protein mutants lend further support to functional roles of key residues including proline 377 in modulating the H-bonding network and fluorescence outcome. These crucial structural dynamics insights will aid rational design in bioengineering to generate versatile, robust, and more sensitive optical sensors to detect Ca(2+) in physiologically relevant environments.

Early Time Excited-State Structural Evolution of Pyranine in Methanol Revealed by Femtosecond Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy

To understand chemical reactivity of molecules in condensed phase in real time, a structural dynamics technique capable of monitoring molecular conformational motions on their intrinsic time scales, typically on femtoseconds to picoseconds, is needed. We have studied a strong photoacid pyranine (8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid, HPTS, pK(a)* ≈ 0) in pure methanol and observed that excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) is absent, in sharp contrast with our previous work on HPTS in aqueous solutions wherein ESPT prevails following photoexcitation. Two transient vibrational marker bands at ~1477 (1454) and 1532 (1528) cm(-1) appear in CH3OH (CD3OD), respectively, rising within the instrument response time of ~140 fs and decaying with 390-470 (490-1400) fs and ~200 ps time constants in CH3OH (CD3OD). We attribute the mode onset to small-scale coherent proton motion along the pre-existing H-bonding chain between HPTS and methanol, and the two decay stages to the low-frequency skeletal motion-modulated Franck-Condon relaxation within ~1 ps and subsequent rotational diffusion of H-bonding partners in solution before fluorescence. The early time kinetic isotope effect (KIE) of ~3 upon methanol deuteration argues active proton motions particularly within the first few picoseconds when coherent skeletal motions are underdamped. Pronounced quantum beats are observed for high-frequency modes consisting of strong phenolic COH rocking (1532 cm(-1)) or H-out-of-plane wagging motions (952 cm(-1)) due to anharmonic coupling to coherent low-frequency modes impulsively excited at ca. 96, 120, and 168 cm(-1). The vivid illustration of atomic motions of HPTS in varying H-bonding geometry with neighboring methanol molecules unravels the multidimensional energy relaxation pathways immediately following photoexcitation, and provides compelling evidence that, in lieu of ESPT, the photoacidity of HPTS promptly activates characteristic low-frequency skeletal motions to search phase space mainly concerning the phenolic end and to efficiently dissipate vibrational energy via skeletal deformation and proton shuttling motions within the intermediate, relatively confined excited-state HPTS-methanol complex on a solvent-dependent dynamic potential energy surface.

Multistate Photochemical Reaction Dynamics of ClNO in Solution: An Absolute Resonance Raman Intensity Analysis Study

The excited-state reaction dynamics of nitrosyl chloride (ClNO) are studied using absolute resonance Raman intensity analysis. The absolute resonance Raman cross sections for ClNO dissolved in cyclohexane and acetonitrile are measured at several excitation wavelengths spanning the absorption band commonly referred to as the “A band” (λmax ≈ 200 nm). The resonance Raman and absorption cross sections are modeled using the time-dependent formalism. Resonance Raman depolarization ratios are also measured and are found to be consistent with at least two electronic transitions participating in the scattering process. Therefore, the standard time-dependent formalism approach was modified by incorporating two excited states into the analysis, with state contributions deconvolved through modeling of the depolarization ratios in addition to the absolute resonance Raman and absorption cross sections. The spectroscopic observables are well reproduced using this two-state model. The analysis presented here demonstrates that the photoexcitation of solution-phase ClNO results in a substantial evolution of the N−Cl stretch coordinate consistent with the dissociation of the N−Cl bond. Significant structural evolution is also observed along the bend, with minimal excited-state structural evolution observed along the NO stretch. The structural evolution along the dissociative N−Cl stretch coordinate is found to be solvent-dependent, and the origin of this dependence is related to changes in the ground-state equilibrium geometry as a function of solvent environment. Finally, the homogeneous line width undergoes a significant increase in acetonitrile relative to cyclohexane, and this increase is proposed to reflect the modification of the excited-state interactions and nonadiabatic relaxation dynamics.

Absolute Resonance Raman Intensity Analysis of Isopropyl Nitrate in the Condensed Phase

The first resonance Raman spectra of isopropyl nitrate (IPN) are reported. Absolute resonance Raman scattering cross-sections for IPN dissolved in cyclohexane and acetonitrile are measured at excitation wavelengths spanning the strong π−π* absorption located at ∼200 nm. Resonance enhancement is observed for seven vibrational coordinates, all involving the −ONO2 chromophore, demonstrating that the photoinduced excited-state structural evolution is dominated by structural changes localized to the −ONO2 group. The absorption and absolute resonance Raman cross-sections are modeled using the time-dependent formalism for absorption and Raman scattering. This analysis demonstrates that the photoinitiated excited-state structural-relaxation dynamics are multidimensional, and consistent with N−O bond cleavage. This observation is consistent with N−O bond dissociation being the dominant photodissociation pathway for larger (e.g., three or more carbon atoms) alkyl nitrates. Comparison of the results in cyclohexane a...

Investigating the phase-dependent photochemical reaction dynamics of chlorine dioxide using resonance Raman spectroscopy

Recent progress in understanding the phase-dependent reactivity demonstrated by halooxides is outlined. Specifically, resonance Raman intensity analysis (RRIA) and time-resolved resonance Raman (TRRR) studies of chlorine dioxide (OClO) photochemistry in solution are presented. Using RRIA, it has been determined that the excited-state structural evolution that occurs along the asymmetric-stretch coordinate in the gas phase is restricted in solution. The absence of evolution along this coordinate results in the preservation of groundstate symmetry in the excited state. The role of symmetry in defining the reaction coordinate and the solvent-solute interactions responsible for modification of the excited-state potential energy surface are discussed. TRRR studies are presented which demonstrate that geminate recombination of the primary photoproducts resulting in the reformation of ground-state OClO is a central feature of OClO photochemistry in solution. These studies also demonstrate that a fraction of photoexcited OClO undergoes photoisomerization to form ClOO, with the ground-state thermal decomposition of this species resulting in Cl production on the subnanosecond timescale. Finally, time-resolved anti-Stokes experiments are presented which demonstrate that the OClO vibrational-relaxation dynamics are solvent dependent. The current picture of OClO photochemistry derived from these studies is discussed, and future directions for study are outlined.

UV resonance Raman studies of ClNO in solution

The first resonance Raman spectra of nitrosyl chloride (ClNO) in solution obtained with excitation resonant with the A-band are reported. For ClNO dissolved in cyclohexane, intensity is observed for transitions corresponding to all three normal coordinates: the bend, NCl stretch and NO stretch. This observation demonstrates that excited-state structural evolution occurs along these coordinates following photoexcitation resonant with the A-band. Resonance Raman depolarization ratios measured at excitation wavelengths spanning the A-band are reported. The depolarization ratios are found to be less that 1/3 consistent with at least two electronic transitions contributing to the A-band absorption intensity.

Vibrational spectroscopy and mode assignments for an analog of the green fluorescent protein chromophore

Infrared absorption (IR), Raman, and resonance Raman spectra have been obtained from 500 to 1700 cm −1 for 4-hydroxybenzylidene-2,3-dimethyl-imidazolinone (HBDI), an analog of the green-fluorescent protein (GFP) chromophore. Numerous transitions are evident in both the IR and Raman spectra, with the resonance Raman spectrum of HBDI dominated by a subset of transitions in the 1430–1700 cm −1 region. Assignment of the transitions in this frequency region to the corresponding normal coordinates is accomplished through computational studies employing density functional and Hartree–Fock theory. The computational results indicate that the vibrational transitions in this frequency range are dominated by in-plane stretching modes that are localized to the imidazolinone or tyrosine portions of the chromophore, rather than being delocalized over the entire chromophore. No evidence is obtained for significant excited-state structural evolution along the O–H stretching coordinate. The implications of these findings with respect to the excited-state proton transfer dynamics of GFP are discussed.

Resonance Raman intensity analysis of chlorine dioxide dissolved in chloroform: The role of nonpolar solvation

Absolute resonance Raman cross sections for chlorine dioxide (OClO) dissolved in chloroform are obtained at several excitation wavelengths spanning the photochemically relevant B12–A22 optical transition. The absolute scattering cross sections of OClO are determined by reference to the 666 cm−1 transition of chloroform whose absolute scattering cross sections are reported here. The time-dependent theory for Raman and absorption are used to develop a mode-specific description of the A22 excited state surface. This description demonstrates that photoexcitation of OClO leads to significant structural evolution along the symmetric stretch and bend coordinates, with only limited evolution occurring along the asymmetric stretch. This description is similar to that determined for OClO dissolved in cyclohexane and water demonstrating that the excited-state structural evolution of OClO is similar in these solvents. Analysis of the OClO absolute scattering cross sections establishes that the homogeneous linewidth is 95±15 cm−1 in chloroform, essentially identical to the linewidths in cyclohexane and water. To establish the origin of this linewidth, the fluorescence cross section for OClO dissolved in cyclohexane is measured and found to be consistent with an excited-state lifetime of ∼200 fs. Comparison of this lifetime to the homogeneous linewidth establishes that the homogeneous broadening is dominated by solvent-induced pure dephasing. It is proposed that the apparent solvent independence of the homogeneous linewidth reflects the mechanical response of the solvent to the photoinitiated change in solute geometry. In support of this hypothesis, the homogeneous linewidth is reproduced using the viscoelastic continuum model of nonpolar solvation. Finally, it is argued that the restricted evolution along the asymmetric-stretch coordinate is due to dielectric solvent–solute interactions consistent with the increase in inhomogeneous linewidth with an increase in solvent polarity.

Absorption and Resonance Raman Study of the 2B1(X)−2A2(A) Transition of Chlorine Dioxide in the Gas Phase

The photochemical reaction dynamics of chlorine dioxide (OClO) are investigated using absorption and resonance Raman spectroscopy. The first Raman spectra of gaseous OClO obtained directly on resonance with the 2B1−2A2 electronic transition are reported. Significant scattering intensity is observed for all vibrational degrees of freedom (the symmetric stretch, bend, and asymmetric stretch), demonstrating that structural evolution occurs along all three normal coordinates following photoexcitation. The experimentally measured absorption and resonance Raman intensities are compared to the intensities predicted using both empirical and ab initio models for the optically active 2A2 surface. Comparison of the experimental and theoretical absorption spectra demonstrates that the frequencies and intensities of transitions involving the asymmetric stretch are well reproduced by the empirical model characterized by a double-minimum along the asymmetric stretch. However, the ab initio model is also found to reproduce a subset of the experimental intensities. In addition, the extremely large resonance Raman intensity of the asymmetric stretch overtone transition is predicted by both models. The results presented here taken in combination with the model for the 2A2 surface in condensed environments suggest that the phase-dependent photochemical reactivity of OClO is due to environment-dependent excited-state structural evolution along the asymmetric stretch coordinate.

Excited-State Reaction Dynamics of Chlorine Dioxide in Water from Absolute Resonance Raman Intensities

Resonance Raman spectra of aqueous chlorine dioxide (OClO) are measured for several excitation wavelengths spanning the photochemically relevant 2B1−2A2 optical transition. A mode-specific description of the optically prepared, 2A2 potential energy surface is derived by simultaneous analysis of the absolute resonance Raman and absorption cross sections. The resonance Raman spectra are dominated by transitions involving the symmetric stretch and bend coordinates demonstrating that excited-state structural evolution occurs predominately along these degrees of freedom. Scattering intensity is not observed for transitions involving the asymmetric stretch, demonstrating that excited-state structural evolution along this coordinate is modest. The limited evolution along the asymmetric stretch coordinate results in the preservation of C2v symmetry on the 2A2 surface. It is proposed that this preservation of symmetry is responsible for the increase in Cl photoproduct quantum yield in solution relative to the gas ...

Excited-State Dynamics of Chlorine Dioxide in the Condensed Phase from Resonance Raman Intensities

Resonance Raman spectra of chlorine dioxide (OClO) dissolved in cyclohexane obtained with excitation throughout the 2B1−2A2 electronic transition are presented. Resonance Raman intensity corresponding to all vibrational degrees of freedom (the symmetric stretch, bend, and asymmetric stretch) is observed, demonstrating that excited-state structural evolution along all three coordinates occurs upon photoexcitation. The electronic absorption and absolute resonance Raman cross sections are reproduced employing the time-dependent formalism for Raman scattering using an anharmonic description of the 2A2, excited-state potential-energy surface. Analysis of the resonance Raman cross-sections demonstrates that both homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadening mechanisms are operative in cyclohexane. Comparison of the experimentally determined, gas-phase 2A2 surface to that in solution defined by the analysis presented here shows that although displacements along the symmetric stretch and bend are similar in both phases, evolution along the asymmetric stretch is dramatically altered in solution. Specifically, employing the gas-phase potential along this coordinate, the predicted intensity of the overtone transition is an order of magnitude larger than that observed. The analysis presented here demonstrates that the asymmetric stretch overtone intensity is consistent with a reduction in excited-state frequency along this coordinate from 1100 to 750 ± 100 cm-1. This comparison suggests that differences in evolution along the asymmetric stretch may be responsible for the phase-dependent reactivity of OClO. In particular, the absence of substantial evolution along the asymmetric stretch in solution results in the ground-state symmetry of OClO being maintained in the 2A2 excited state. The role of symmetry in defining the reaction coordinate and the nature of the solvent interaction responsible for modulation of the excited-state potential energy surface are discussed.