Double Proton Transfer Mechanism Research Articles

Theoretical study on the cascaded double proton transfer mechanism involving two adjacent hydrogen bonds in conjugated organic molecules

The cascaded double proton transfer reaction has attracted the interest of many researchers due to its effective six-level system cycle. Herein, the double proton transfer mechanism of naphthalene-based analog NDH and anthracene-based analog ADH in different solvents is investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). The results indicate that the first occurrence of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) in NDH and ADH is an ultrafast, barrierless process. Additionally, ADH undergoes a second ESIPT reaction, radiating a wider range of fluorescence spectrum. Theoretical studies reveal that this is due to the significantly increased hydrogen bond strength of ADH compared to NDH in the first excited (S1) state, creating favorable conditions for the second ESIPT. Analysis of electronic properties indicates that ADH exhibits enhanced chemical and kinetic activity, with a more pronounced intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), leading to increased stability of the keto structure (KB2*) after the second ESIPT. Finally, we identify the factors influencing the cascaded double proton transfer reaction. The second ESIPT process is promoted by extending the π-conjugated skeleton of the core molecule horizontally and leveraging the driving force provided by the H3 atom near the proton donor O3–H2. It is expected that these studies will provide theoretical guidance and new insights for the design and synthesis of near infrared (NIR) organic materials.

Theoretical investigation of the excited-state intramolecular double proton transfer process of 2,2'-(benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole)-2,6-diyl)diphenol.

In this work, the excited state intramolecular double proton transfer (ESIDPT) mechanism of 2,2'-(benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d']bis(thiazole)-2,6-diyl)diphenol (BTAP) is proposed using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT). The changes in bond lengths, bond angles and IR vibrational spectra associated with two intramolecular hydrogen bonds of BTAP upon photoexcitation indicate that the hydrogen bonds are strengthened in the excited state, facilitating the ESIDPT process. Investigation of the constructed S1-state potential energy surface proposes that BTAP prefers a stepwise ESIDPT mechanism. Electronic spectra and frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) are also presented to illustrate the luminescent properties of BTAP.

Theoretical insights from computational analyses: solvent-polarity-associated excited state behaviours for the novel NP-BSD chemosensor

Given the potential luminous advantages of salicylideneaniline (SA) derivatives, in this work, the phenyl π-extension-bis(salicylidene)-1,5-diaminonaphthalene (NP-BSD) fluorophore is explored on its photo-induced reactional behaviours in solvents theoretically. Given solvent surroundings with different polarities, we studied the hydrogen-bonding interactions in different solvents and their influences on excited state proton transfer (ESPT) reaction by photoexcitation for NP-BSD fluorophore. First, photo-induced geometrical variations related to dual hydrogen bonds (O1-H2···N3 and O4-H5···N6) and infrared (IR) vibrational changes and qualitative chemical bond strength reveal excited-state hydrogen bonding enhancement. Probing into the photo-induced excitation process, the charge redistribution derived from vertical excitation confirms the tendency of ESIPT reaction for NP-BSD fluorophore. By constructing potential energy surfaces (PESs) in three aprotic polar solvents, the excited-state intramolecular double proton transfer (ESIDPT) mechanism of NP-BSD could be verified that could be regulated by solvent polarity. We clarify and present the solvent-polarity-associated ESIDPT behaviours for NP-BSD fluorophore.

Synchronous or stepwise Mechanism? a theoretical study on the Excited-State double proton transfer properties of shikonin and acetylshikosin

The excited state double proton transfer (ESDPT) mechanism of shikonin (Shk) and its derivative acetylshikosin (AcShk) were studied by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) methods. The potential energy curves scanned along the coordinates of proton transfer indicate a preference for the ESDPT reaction to occur step by step. The AcShk molecule possesses an additional reaction pathway in comparison to the Shk molecule. Furthermore, efforts have been made to compute the absorption and fluorescence peak, which exhibits favorable conformity with the experimental findings of the system investigated. The fluorescence spectra in cyclohexane and acetonitrile solvents indicate that the solvent polarity affects the location of the ESDPT fluorescence peak in both Shk and AcShk systems. The fluorescence spectra concentrated in the green light region (504 nm ∼ 550 nm) are obtained, which has the potential to promote human health through disinfection and boosting the immune system.

Transverse electronic transport properties of single DNA nucleobase pairs between different electrode materials

Detection of gene mutation through electronic transport properties measurements is an attractive research topic. For this purpose, we computed the current–voltage characteristics of adenine-thymine and guanine-cytosine nucleobase pairs, using a combination method of density-functional theory with non-equilibrium Green’s function. Gene mutation was also simulated by structural change in nucleobase pairs by a double proton transfer mechanism. Four different metal electrodes were tested. Comparing the results, nucleobase pairs between platinum surfaces showed distinct electronic transport properties. Such as reverse rectifying direction and negative differential resistance behaviors. The discrepancy can be explained from series of electronic and structural analyses. All these results made identification of structural changes in individual DNA nucleobase pairs possible.

Influence of an Oriented External Electric Field on the Mechanism of Double Proton Transfer between Pyrazole and Guanidine: from an Asynchronous Plateau Transition State to a Synchronous or Stepwise Mechanism.

The double proton transfer (DPT) reaction between pyrazole and guanidine, a concerted reaction but strongly asynchronous and presenting a "plateau transition region", has been theoretically reinvestigated in the presence of an external uniform electric field. First, we computed the reaction path by DFT and proposed a very detailed description of the constitutive electronic events, based on the ELF topology and the bond evolution theory. Then, we studied the effect of an oriented external electric field (OEEF) on the reaction mechanism, for an OEEF oriented along the proton transfer axis. We observe that in one direction, the DPT reaction can be transformed into a stepwise reaction, going through a stabilized single proton transferred intermediate. Contrarily, the two proton transfers occur simultaneously when the electric field is applied in the opposite direction. In the latter case, the order in which the two protons are transferred in the same elementary step can even be reversed if the OEEF is intense enough. Finally, it has been shown that the evolution of the double proton transfer reaction in the presence of an electric field could be quantitatively anticipated by analyzing the ELF value at the bifurcation point between V(A, H) proton donor and V(B) proton acceptor of the double hydrogen bonded complex in the entrance channel.

Excited-state intramolecular double proton transfer mechanism associated with solvent polarity for 9,9-dimethyl-3,6-dihydroxy-2,7-bis(4,5-dihydro-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolyl)fluorene compound

Excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) has been well investigated in recent years, whereas we investigated the system containing double hydrogen bonds. We explore the influence of solvent polarity on the proton transfer mechanism for 9,9-dimethyl-3,6-dihydroxy-2,7-bis(4,5-dihydro-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolyl)fluorene compound ((Oxa-OH)2). We consider three solvents with different polarities: cyclohexane, chloroform and acetonitrile. Various analytical methods indicate that hydrogen bonding is enhanced in the first excited state, which facilitates the proton transfer within the excited-state molecule. The frontier molecular orbital theory is employed to demonstrate that the system is subjected to photoexcitation to generate charge density redistribution. Three-dimensional potential energy surfaces are also constructed along the direction of hydrogen bond elongated, and their corresponding projection in the X-axis and Y-axis planes are plotted. The comparison of the potential barriers and the transition state structures of each proton transfer path reveals the excited-state intramolecular single proton transfer mechanism of the system. By comparing the potential barriers in different solvents, we also propose a mechanism that can modulate the excited-state proton transfer by changing the solvent polarity.

The C5‐substituent effects on the formic acid‐assisted tautomerization of protonated cytosine: A lower isomerization barrier and potential biological importance

AbstractThe continuous oxidative products of 5‐methylcytosine are called the “three new DNA bases.” When it comes to 5‐formylcytosine and 5‐carboxylcytosine, the electron densities at N3 sites of both bases tend to be decreased due to the presence of the electron withdrawing groups of CHO and COOH. The vital steps for mutations of DNA are tautomerism in nucleotide bases. Although there are great deal of studies on the protonated new DNA bases in photophysical and photochemical reactivity, the relationship of pKa at N3 position with the intermolecular tautomerization barrier is seldom reported. The C5 atom of cytosine is substituted by the CH3, HOCH2, CHO, and COOH, and their isomerization barriers in the presence of HCOOH have nearly linear relationship with the pKa at N3 positions of these bases. The solvent water affects the activation free energies of these paths, and yet their isomerization mechanisms are still more favorable in aqueous solution. Meantime, the rate constants could be calculated by the conventional transition state theory with Wigner's tunneling correction. The corrected rate constant for these paths is very consistent with uncorrected results. Finally, the product and reaction complexes are in a fast tautomerism equilibrium, which is a synchronous double proton transfer mechanism. The product complexes may further dissociated into the monomers. These researches may give a chemical basis for differentiating 5‐fCyt and 5‐caCyt from Cyt, 5‐MeCyt, and 5‐HCyt in the protein‐DNA interactions which might be used for selective recognition.

Elaborating the excited-state double proton transfer mechanism and multiple fluorescent characteristics of 3,5-bis(2-hydroxypheny)-1H-1,2,4-triazole

Recently, Krishnamoorthy and coworkers reported a new type of proton transfer, which was labeled as ‘proton transfer triggered proton transfer’, in 3,5-bis(2-hydroxypheny)-1H-1,2,4-triazole (bis-HPTA). In this work, the excited-state double proton transfer (ESDPT) mechanism and multiple fluorescent characteristics of bis-HPTA were investigated. Upon photo-excitation, the intramolecular hydrogen bonding strength changed and the electron density of bis-HPTA redistributed. These changes will affect the proton transfer process. In S0 state, the proton transfer processes of bis-HPTA were prohibited on the stepwise and concerted pathways. After vertical excitation to the S1 state, the ESIPT-II process was more likely to occur than the ESIPT-I process, which was contrary to the conclusion that the ESIPT-II process is blocked and the ESIPT-II process takes place after the ESIPT-I process proposed by Krishnamoorthy and coworkers. When the K2 tautomer was formed through the ESIPT-II process, the second proton transfer process on the stepwise pathway was prohibited. On another stepwise pathway, after the ESIPT-I process (form the K1 tautomer), the second proton transfer process should overcome a higher potential barrier than the ESIPT-I process to form ESDPT tautomer. On the concerted pathway, the bis-HPTA can synchronous transfer double protons to form the ESDPT tautomer. The ESDPT tautomer was unstable and immediately converted to the K2 tautomer via a barrierless reverse proton transfer process. Thus, the fluorescent maximum at 465 nm from the ESDPT tautomer reported by Krishnamoorthy and coworkers was ascribed to the K2 tautomer. Most of the fluorophores show dual fluorescent properties, while the bis-HPTA undergoing ESDPT process exhibited three well-separated fluorescent peaks, corresponding to its normal form (438 nm), K1 tautomer (462 nm) and K2 tautomer (450 nm), respectively.

Double proton transfer in a polar nano-droplet: Phototautomerization of alloxazine in AOT/alkane reverse micelles containing water or glycerol

Alloxazine phototautomerization is believed to occur through an excited state double proton transfer (ESDPT) mechanism involving cyclic intermolecular H-bonded complexes between Alloxazine and hydroxylic solvents like water and alcohols. In AOT/alkane dispersions in the absence of any polar liquid, Alloxazine molecules reside inside the polar core of the AOT reverse micelle nanoparticles, where they involve in H-bonding with the anionic sulfonate head-groups of the AOT molecules, but are unable to generate the appropriate cyclic intermolecular H-bonded complexes conducive to ESDPT. However, tautomerization is switched on with addition of water and formation ofwater nano-droplet at the core of reverse micelle. Evidently, the Alloxazine⋅⋅⋅⋅AOT H-bonds are now replaced by Alloxazine⋅⋅⋅⋅Water H-bonds, promotingESDPT. On the other hand, Alloxazine phototautomerization is hindered in Glycerol, irrespective of whether the latter is in the bulk liquid state or in the form of a polar nano-droplet. This may be explained by steric considerations.

Solvent polarity dependent excited state hydrogen bond effects and intramolecular double proton transfer mechanism for 2-hydroxyphenyl-substituted benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d’]bisimidazole system

In this work, we probe into the photo-induced excited state hydrogen bonding interactions and excited state proton transfer (ESPT) behaviors for a representative benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d’]bisimidazole derivative (i.e., 2-hydroxyphenyl-substituted benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d’]bisimidazole (HPBB)) compound. In view of aprotic solvents with different polarities, cyclohexane (CYH), dichloromethane (DCM) and acetonitrile (MeCN) solvents are considered. Analyzing hydrogen-bond geometrical parameters, infrared (IR) vibrational spectra, Mayer bond order and predicting hydrogen bonding energy (E(HB)), we verify dual hydrogen bonds of HPBB are strengthened in S1 state. Particularly, in nonpolar solvent, the enhanced excited state hydrogen bonds become more obvious. The intriguing charge redistribution and frontier molecular orbitals (MOs) reveal hydrogen bonding acceptance ability of acceptor moieties becomes stronger, which plays a crucial role in capturing hydroxyl proton via photoexcitation. To check and explore ESIPT mechanism, we present the solvent polarity dependent asynchronous excited state intramolecular double proton transfer (ESIDPT) mechanism. That is, nonpolar solvent promotes excited state intramolecular single proton transfer (ESISPT) process for HPBB, while polar solvent contributes to ESIDPT behavior with the primary single proton-transfer product in S1 state. This work not only makes a rational attribution to experimental phenomena, but also clarifies detailed excited state behaviors for HPBB and presents regulating ESIPT mechanism via solvent polarity.

Phototautomerism of Alloxazine in Acetic acid – Water solvent systems

The photophysics of Alloxazine was studied in Acetic acid – Water solvent systems which included neutral water (pH = 7), pure acetic acid, and their binary mixtures. Alloxazine was found to exhibit tautomerization into Isoalloxazine over a time-scale which depended on the nature of the solvent. While the process was too fast in neutral water to be detected with a ~100 ps time-resolution, it was drastically inhibited on addition of small quantities of acetic acid, displaying a remarkably long time-constant ~700 ps. However, further addition of acetic acid gradually decreased the time-constant, until it finally reached ~280 ps in pure acetic acid. Quantum chemical calculations indicated that the tautomerization occurred via Excited-state Double Proton Transfer (ESDPT) mechanism in cyclic intermolecular H-bonded complexes of Alloxazine with the solvent molecule (water or acetic acid). This involved reorganization of the H-bonded structures in the S1 energy surface, causing effective transfer of the N(1) bound proton of Alloxazine to its N(10) position, producing the Isoalloxazine tautomer. The H-bond reorganization of the complexes were strongly coupled with the solvation dynamics of the solvent concerned, and this helped to explain the large divergence of the tautomerization time-constants in the different solvents and solvent mixtures used in this study.

Nonequilibrium Dynamics of Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer in Proton Wires: Concerted but Asynchronous Mechanisms.

The coupling between electrons and protons and the long-range transport of protons play important roles throughout biology. Biomimetic systems derived from benzimidazole-phenol (BIP) constructs have been designed to undergo proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) upon electrochemical or photochemical oxidation. Moreover, these systems can transport protons along hydrogen-bonded networks or proton wires through multiproton PCET. Herein, the nonequilibrium dynamics of both single and double proton transfer in BIP molecules initiated by oxidation are investigated with first-principles molecular dynamics simulations. Although these processes are concerted in that no thermodynamically stable intermediate is observed, the simulations predict that they are predominantly asynchronous on the ultrafast time scale. For both systems, the first proton transfer typically occurs ∼100 fs after electron transfer. For the double proton transfer system, typically the second proton transfer occurs hundreds of femtoseconds after the initial proton transfer. A machine learning algorithm was used to identify the key molecular vibrational modes essential for proton transfer: a slow, in-plane bending mode that dominates the overall inner-sphere reorganization, the proton donor–acceptor motion that leads to vibrational coherence, and the faster donor–hydrogen stretching mode. The asynchronous double proton transfer mechanism can be understood in terms of a significant mode corresponding to the two anticorrelated proton donor–acceptor motions, typically decreasing only one donor–acceptor distance at a time. Although these PCET processes appear concerted on the time scale of typical electrochemical experiments, attaching these BIP constructs to photosensitizers may enable the detection of the asynchronicity of the electron and multiple proton transfers with ultrafast two-dimensional spectroscopy. Understanding the fundamental PCET mechanisms at this level will guide the design of PCET systems for catalysis and energy conversion processes.

Isotopic Effect in Double Proton Transfer Process of Porphycene Investigated by Enhanced QM/MM Method.

The single deuterium substitution in porphycene leads to an asymmetric molecular geometry, which may affect the double proton transfer process in the porphycene molecule. In this study, we applied an enhanced QM/MM method called SITS-QM/MM to investigate hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) isotope effects on the double proton transfer in porphycene. Distance changes in SITS-QM/MM molecular dynamics simulations suggested that the deuterium substituted porphycene adopted the stepwise double proton transfer mechanism. The structural analysis and the free energy shifts of double proton transfer process indicated that the asymmetric isotopic substitution subtly compressed the covalent hydrogen bonds and may alter the original transition state location.

A theoretical investigation on the excited state intramolecular single or double proton transfer mechanism of a salicyladazine system

Given the tremendous potential applications of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) systems, ESIPT molecules have received widespread attention. In this work, based on density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT (TDDFT) methods, we theoretically study the excited state dynamical behaviors of salicyladazine (SA) molecules. Our simulated results show that the double intramolecular hydrogen bonds of SA are strengthened in the S1 state via exploring bond distances, bond angles, and infrared (IR) vibrational spectra. Exploring the frontier molecular orbitals (MOs), we confirm that charge redistributions indeed have effects on excited state dynamical behaviors. The increased electronic densities on N atoms and the decreased electronic densities on O atoms imply that charge redistribution may trigger the ESPT process. Analyzing the constructed S0‐state and S1‐state potential energy surfaces (PESs), we confirm that only the excited state single proton transfer reaction can occur although SA possesses two intramolecular hydrogen bonds. In this work, we clarify the specific ESIPT mechanism, which may facilitate developing novel applications based on the SA system in future.

Mechanism of Excited State Double Proton Transfer in 2-Amino-3-Methoxypyridine and Acetic Acid Complex

The excited-state double-proton transfer (ESDPT) mechanism of 2-amino-3-methoxypyridine and acetic acid complex is studied by the density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT with CAM-B3LYP functional. The complex is connected through two different types of inter-molecular hydrogen bonds. After photo-excitation, both hydrogen bonds get strengthened, which can facilitate the ESDPT reaction. The scanned potential energy curve along the proton transfer coordinate indicates that the ESDPT reaction proceeds in a stepwise pattern.

Unraveling the Detailed Mechanism of Excited-State Proton Transfer.

As one of the most fundamental processes, excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) plays a major role in both chemical and biological systems. In the past several decades, experimental and theoretical studies on ESPT systems have attracted considerable attention because of their tremendous potential in fluorescent probes, biological imaging, white-light-emitting materials, and organic optoelectronic materials. ESPT is related to fluorescence properties and usually occurs on an ultrafast time scale at or below 100 fs. Consequently, steady-state and femtosecond time-resolved absorption, fluorescence, and vibrational spectra have been used to explore the mechanism of ESPT. However, based on previous experimental studies, direct information, such as transition state geometries, energy barrier, and potential energy surface (PES) of the ESPT reaction, is difficult to obtain. These data are important for unravelling the detailed mechanism of ESPT reaction and can be obtained from state-of-the-art ab initio excited-state calculations. In recent years, an increasing number of experimental and theoretical studies on the detailed mechanism of ESPT systems have led to tremendous progress. This Account presents the recent advances in theoretical studies, mainly those from our group. We focus on the cases where the theoretical studies are of great importance and indispensable, such as resolving the debate on the stepwise and concerted mechanism of excited-state double proton transfer (ESDPT), revealing the sensing mechanism of ESPT chemosensors, illustrating the effect of intermolecular hydrogen bonding on the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction, investigating the fluorescence quenching mechanism of ESPT systems by twisting process, and determining the size of the solute·(solvent) n cluster for the solvent-assisted ESPT reaction. Through calculation of vertical excitation energies, optimization of excited-state geometries, and construction of PES of the ESPT reactions, we provide modifications to experimentally proposed mechanisms or completely new mechanism. Our proposed new and inspirational mechanisms based on theoretical studies can successfully explain the previous experimental results; some of the mechanisms have been further confirmed by experimental studies and provided guidance for researchers to design new ESPT chemosensors. Determination of the energy barrier from an accurate PES is the key to explore the ESPT mechanism with theoretical methods. This approach becomes complicated when the charge transfer state is involved for time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method and optimally tuned range-separated TDDFT provides an alternative way. To unveil the driving force of ESPT reaction, the excited-state molecular dynamics combined with the intrinsic reaction coordinate calculations can be employed. These advanced approaches should be used for further studies on ESPT systems.

A Theoretical Investigation About the Excited State Dynamical Mechanism for Doxorubicin Sensor

We theoretically investigate the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism about a novel doxorubicin (DOX) system based on density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT methods. We mainly focus on the double proton transfer process regarding the stepwise versus synchronous dual proton transfer mechanism. The changes in our calculated primary bond lengths and bond angles show that the intramolecular hydrogen bonds (O1–H2···O3 and O4–H5···O6) are both strengthened in the S1 state, which provides the possibility of the ESIPT process. Though our computational simulations, the DOX indicates the lowest absorption at around 490 nm. After excitation, we find three emission bands maximized at 656, 663 and 687 nm, which are ascribed to the tautomer. To further elucidate the ESIPT mechanism, we construct the potential energy surfaces (PESs) of both S0 and S1 states. Clearly, three kinds of stable structures could be located on the S1-state PES. We establish a new mechanism of DOX that excludes synchronous double proton transfer, while the stepwise double proton transfer mechanism is confirmed theoretically. We believe that the systematic investigation for photo-physical and photochemical properties of the antineoplastic drug DOX might be significant to obtain fundamental insight into the transport mechanism of DOX inside cultured cells.

Stimuli-responsive luminescent coumarin thiazole hybrid dye: Mechanism of excited-state intramolecular double proton transfer

Recently, a novel coumarin thiazole hybrid dye with azomethine linkage is synthesized. It is revealed that the symmetrical structures 3,3'-(5,5'-((1E,1'E)-hydrazine-1,2-diylidenebis(methanylylidene))bis(2-morpholinothiazole-5,4-diyl))bis(4-hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-one) (abbreviated as CS) takes shape two intramolecular hydrogen bonds and that excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) takes place with thiazole nitrogen atoms [Dyes Pigments. 142, 2017, 121]. However the corresponding reaction mechanisms are lacking. This study uses density functional and time-dependent density functional theory to calculate hydrogen-bond lengths, hydrogen-bond angles, infrared vibrational spectra and Mulliken charges of relevant groups, which confirm the excited-state hydrogen-bond strengthening mechanism. Enhanced hydrogen-bond strength facilitates the ESIPT process of the CS molecule. The absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of CS in dimethyl formamide (DMF) are calculated, which are consistent with the observed results in experiment. To further illustrate mechanism of excited-state double proton transfer (ESDPT) reactions, the potential energy surfaces of CS are constructed and analyzed, which demonstrate ESDPT more likely occur stepwise rather than concertedly. The frontier molecular orbitals of CS system are also calculated and display the nature of the charge redistribution, which demonstrate that CS system exhibits light fastness because ESIPT process inhibits intramolecular charge transfer.

Intramolecular hydrogen bonding promoted excited state double proton transfer mechanism based on a typical molecule: Porphycene

The double excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanisms of porphycene, were theoretically studied. The primary bond lengths, IR vibrational spectra and hydrogen-bond energy indicate that the intramolecular hydrogen bonds were strengthened in the first excited state, which facilitate the ESIPT processes. To elucidate the proposed mechanism, the potential-energy surfaces of the ground state and first excited state were constructed as functions of NH bond lengths and its relative torsional angle rotation. The intramolecular proton transfer of prophycene is more likely to occur through lengthwise pathway and proceed in the concerted coordinated transfer manner.