Spin-orbit Coupling Matrix Elements Research Articles

Porphyrin photosensitizer molecules as effective medicine candidates for photodynamic therapy: electronic structure information aided design.

Traditional photosensitizers (PS) in photodynamic therapy (PDT) have restricted tissue penetrability of light and a lack of selectivity for tumor cells, which diminishes the efficiency of PDT. Our aim is to effectively screen porphyrin-based PS medication through computational simulations of large-scale design and screening of PDT candidates via a precise description of the state of the light-stimulated PS molecule. Perylene-diimide (PDI) shows an absorption band in the near-infrared region (NIR) and a great photostability. Meanwhile, the insertion of metal can enhance tumor targeting. Therefore, on the basis of the original porphyrin PS segments, a series of metalloporphyrin combined with PDI and additional allosteric Zn-porphyrin-PDI systems were designed and investigated. Geometrical structures, frontier molecular orbitals, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectra, adiabatic electron affinities (AEA), especially the triplet excited states and spin-orbit coupling matrix elements (SOCME) of these expanded D-A porphyrin were studied in detail using the density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) methods. PS candidates, conforming type I or II mechanism for PDT, have been researched carefully by molecular docking which targeted Factor-related apoptosis (Fas)/Fas ligand (Fasl) mediated signaling pathway. It was found that porphyrin-PDI, Fe2-porphyrin-PDI, Zn-porphyrin-PDI, Mg-porphyrin-PDI, Zn-porphyrin combined with PDI through single bond (compound 1), and two acetylenic bonds (compound 2) in this work would be proposed as potential PS candidates for PDT process. This study was expected to provide PS candidates for the development of novel medicines in PDT.

PH-sensitive phosphorescence in penicillamine-coated Au22 nanoclusters: Theoretical and experimental insights

Penicillamine-coated Au22 nanoclusters have an intensified yet pH-adjustable red to near infrared-I (NIR-I) phosphorescence due to their unique electronic structure, which endues them a high potential for tumor imaging and detecting in nanotheranostics. This study reports a sort of engineered Au22(D-pen)18 nanoclusters with a high quantum yield 7.39% as well as pH-conditioned phosphorescence intensity and lifetime that were addressed experimentally and theoretically. Through spin-orbital coupling calculation based on time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT), this study ascertains that the deprotonation of carboxylic groups on the D-penicillamine gives rise to a series of changes in the electronic structure of Au22(D-pen)18 nanocluster, leading to an ensuing pH-conditioned phosphorescence from pH-dependent spin–orbit coupling matrix element during inter-system crossing. The deprotonation also alters the bonding and interaction between Au-S core of the Au22(D-pen)18 nanocluster, which compromises the structural stability and potentially generates non-radiative decay with a quenched phosphorescence. The unique in-vitro and in vivo tumor-imagingadvantage of Au22(D-pen)18 nanocluster qualifies it as an efficient tumor-targeting phosphorescence sensor with pH-sensitivity capability for bright contrast to distinguish cancer cells from normal ones. This study provides a comprehensive view on the preparation and characterization of Au22(D-pen)18 nanoclusters, as well as the underlying mechanism of pH-conditioned phosphorescence and application prospects beside uniqueness in methodology, shedding light on further investigation for rational design and engineering of surface of ligand-coated nanoclusters.

Generalized Semiclassical Ehrenfest Method: A Route to Wave Function-Free Photochemistry and Nonadiabatic Dynamics with Only Potential Energies and Gradients.

We reconsider recent methods by which direct dynamics calculations of electronically nonadiabatic processes can be carried out while requiring only adiabatic potential energies and their gradients. We show that these methods can be understood in terms of a new generalization of the well-known semiclassical Ehrenfest method. This is convenient because it eliminates the need to evaluate electronic wave functions and their matrix elements along the mixed quantum-classical trajectories. The new approximations and procedures enabling this advance are the curvature-driven approximation to the time-derivative coupling, the generalized semiclassical Ehrenfest method, and a new gradient correction scheme called the time-derivative matrix (TDM) scheme. When spin-orbit coupling is present, one can carry out dynamics calculations in the fully adiabatic basis using potential energies and gradients calculated without spin-orbit coupling plus the spin-orbit coupling matrix elements. Even when spin-orbit coupling is neglected, the method is useful because it allows calculations by electronic structure methods for which nonadiabatic coupling vectors are unavailable. In order to place the new considerations in context, the article starts out with a review of background material on trajectory surface hopping, the semiclassical Ehrenfest scheme, and methods for incorporating decoherence. We consider both internal conversion and intersystem crossing. We also review several examples from our group of successful applications of the curvature-driven approximation.

Triplet Excited State Mechanistic Study of meso‐Substituted Methylthio Bodipy Derivative: Time‐Resolved Optical and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectral Studies

AbstractUnderstanding the intersystem crossing (ISC) mechanism of organic compounds is essential for designing new triplet photosensitizers. Herein, we investigated the ISC mechanism of a heavy atom‐free Bodipy derivative with thiomethyl substitution (S−BDP). A long‐lived triplet state was observed with nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy with lifetime of 7.5 ms in a polymer film and 178 μs intrinsic lifetime in fluid solution, much longer as compared with what was previously reported (apparent triplet lifetime=15.5 μs). Femtosecond transient absorption studies retrieved an ISC time constant of ∼3 ns. Time‐resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) indicated a special triplet electron spin polarization phase (ESP) pattern (a, e, a, e, a, e) for S−BDP, different from the ESP (e, e, e, a, a, a) typical for the spin‐orbital coupling (SOC) mechanism. This indicates that the electron spin selectivity of the ISC of S−BDP is different from that of the normal SOC effect in iodo‐Bodipy. Simulations of the TREPR spectra give a zero‐field‐splitting D parameter of −2257 MHz, much smaller as compared to the reference 2,6‐diiodo‐Bodipy (D=−4380 MHz). The computed SOC matrix elements (0.28–1.59 cm−1) and energy gaps for the S1/Tn states suggest that the energy matching between the S1 and T2/T3 states (supported by the largest kISC ∼109 s−1) enhances the ISC for this compound.

Exploring electron donor and acceptor effects: DFT analysis of ESIPT/GSIPT in 2-(oxazolinyl)-phenols for photophysical and luminophore enhancement.

Understanding excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) is essential for designing organic molecules to enhance photophysical and luminophore properties in the development of optoelectronic devices. In this context, an attempt has been made to understand the impact of substituents on the ESIPT process of 2-(oxazolinyl)-phenol. Electron donating (EDG: -NH2, -OCH3, and -CH3) and electron withdrawing (EWG: -Cl, -Br, -COOH, -CF3, -CN, and -NO2) substitutions have been computationally designed and screened through density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT) calculations. Furthermore, the ground state intramolecular proton transfer and ESIPT mechanisms of these designed luminophores are explored using the transition state theory. The results reveal that molecules with EDG show higher absorption and emission peaks than molecules with EWG and also indicate that the mobility of charge carriers in 2-(oxazolinyl)-phenol derivatives is significantly influenced by substituents. We found that the EWGs decrease the reorganization energy and increase the vertical ionization potential and electron affinity values, as well as the highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gap, compared to the EDG substituted molecules. Significantly, the excited state (S1) of the keto emission (K) form shows notably larger values for the EDG substitutions. The intersystem crossing pathway efficiency weakens with reduced spin-orbit coupling matrix element in the enol form with electron-donating substituents and vice versa in the keto form during S1-T3 transitions. Our research links intramolecular proton transfers and triplet generation, making these substituted molecules appealing for optoelectronic devices. Introducing EDGs, such as -NH2, boosts the ESIPT reaction in 2-(oxazolinyl)-phenol. This study guides designing ESIPT emitters with unique photophysical properties.

Multifunctional applications of organic light-emitting diodes and room temperature phosphorescence based on benzoyl-fluorene hybrid molecules

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials have attracted great interests for their wide application in lighting and other fields. How to efficiently utilize triplet excitons to achieve the multifunctionality of OLED and RTP simultaneously is a major challenge. Herein, two blue molecules, 3PCZFB and 3PCZBF were reported. Theoretical calculations indicate that both molecules possess hybrid localized charge transfer (HLCT) characteristic. More importantly, both can simultaneously obtain electro-fluorescence and RTP properties by multiple harvesting of triplet excitons with high spin-orbit coupling matrix element (SOCME). The introduction of benzoyl fluorene increased the contribution of the n-orbital, resulting in a high SOCME, which is beneficial to both high exciton utilization efficiency (EUE) and RTP. The non-doped OLED of 3PCZFB achieved maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 4.9 % and EUE of 58.6 % at 459 nm. Besides, 0.1 % 3PCZFB and 3PCZBF doped in PMMA sheets achieve RTP efficiencies of 6.6 % at 524 nm and 25.9 % at 506 nm, as well as lifetimes of 379.8 ms and 204.8 ms. This is the first time Benzoyl fluorene-based molecules achieved dual-function applications in OLED and RTP by utilizing and recycling triplet excitons of T1.

MRCI Study of the Electronic Structure and Transition Properties of a Tin Dimer.

The ground and excited states of Sn2 are calculated using the multireference configuration interaction method combined with Davidson correction (MRCI+Q). The influence of the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) effect on the electronic structure is also considered by the state interaction method of Breit-Pauli Hamiltonian. In the calculations, the potential energy curves and spectroscopic constants of 23 Λ-S states and 31 Ω states of Sn2 are obtained. The prominent spectral features in the visible region, new constants, and potential energy curves are discussed. The intensity of weak magnetic and quadrupole transitions in the near IR spectra is also calculated. From a computational point of view, we predict that the weak v'(0-2)-v″(0-5) bands of the magnetic b1Σg,0++-X3Σg,1(Ms=±1)- transition may be detected experimentally; the sub-bands (0, 0), (1, 0), and (2, 0) of the a1Δg,2-X3Σg,1(Ms=±1)- transition also may be observed in experiments since they are not overlapped by the strong electric dipole transition in the same IR region. According to the SOC matrix elements and contributions of the 15Πu0+, 15Πu1 (|Σ| = 0), and 15Πu1 (|Σ| = 2) states to the predissociation line width of the 13Σu- -X3Σg1- transition, the broading and other predissociation features of the 13Σu- state are analyzed. From our calculations, it follows that the strong coupling between the bound 13Σu- state and the repulsive 15Πu state causes the predissociation of the 13Σu- state at the vibrational levels v' ≥ 8. In addition, our results suggest that the previously observed bands of Sn2 in the visible range of 19000-20000 cm-1 should be reassigned into the mixing transitions among the X3Σg,1--23Σu,0-+ and X3Σg,0+--23Σu,1+ manifold. The results are expected to provide new comprehensive information for better understanding the spectra and dynamics of the electronic excited states of the Sn2 molecule.

Insight into magnetically induced ring currents and photophysics of six-porphyrin nanorings.

The series of nanorings based on Zn-porphyrins and tetraoxa-isophlorins in different oxidation states (Q = 0, 2+, 4+, 6+) have been studied studied computationally at density functional theory level (DFT) using BHandHLYP functional combined with def2-SVP basis sets. Magnetically induced ring currents of nanorings have been calculated using the GIMIC method and the Ampère-Maxwell integration scheme. Ring current calculations show that neutral nanorings sustain equal diatropic and paratropic currents of 8 nA T-1, resulting in zero net ring current strengths. The charged nanorings sustain strong ring currents with tropicity depending on the oxidation state Q. Among the considered nanorings, the nanoring composed of 6 isophlorins c-Iso66+ is the most aromatic with a ring current of IGIMIC = 81.6 nA T-1. The structure c-P62+ with a ring current of IGIMIC = 54.9 nA T-1 can be considered as the most aromatic among the synthesized porphyrin nanorings. Spin-orbit coupling matrix elements, oscillator strengths, and excitation energies calculated at the CAM-B3LYP/def2-SVP level of theory were used to estimate rate constants for radiative and nonradiative processes. The algorithm based on X-H approximation were used to calculate the internal conversion rates (kIC). The main channel for the deactivation of the excitation energy in the studied nanorings is the process of internal conversion. The deactivation of excited energy occurs due to the vibrations of certain groups of C-H bonds in the nanorings. The nanoring c-Iso6 has magnetically allowed low-lying transitions that contributes significantly to the paratropic ring current, resulting in strong local antiaromaticity in the tetraoxa-isophlorin units.

A multi-resonance emitter with five-membered thiophene as the π-core enables efficient, narrowband and reduced efficiency roll-off OLEDs.

Efficient, narrowband multi-resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) emitters have recently sparked significant interest in high-resolution organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays. However, almost all the progress in MR-TADF materials has been accomplished using a six-membered ring as the π-core to date. Herein, we present the first example of a five-membered ring π-core-based MR-TADF emitter named Th-BN developed by introducing thiophene instead of hexagonal benzene as the π-core. The introduction of thiophene significantly enhances intramolecular charge transfer intensity and the spin-orbit coupling matrix elements but does not change the intrinsic MR properties. As a result, Th-BN exhibits a narrowband green emission at 512 nm, with a high luminous efficiency of 97%, a narrow full-width at half maximum of 41 nm/0.20 eV, and a rapid reverse intersystem crossing rate of 18.7 × 104 s-1, which is 10 times higher than that of its benzenoid counterpart DtBuCzB. The corresponding green OLEDs based on Th-BN achieve excellent electroluminescence performance with an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 34.6% and a reduced efficiency roll-off with an EQE of 26.8% at a high luminance of 1000 cd m-2.

Photophysical properties of Pt(ii) complexes based on the benzoquinoline (bzq) ligand with OLED implication: a theoretical study.

In this study, we investigate photophysical properties of eight inorganic Pt(ii) complexes containing the bzq (benzoquinoline) ligand for OLED applications using high-level density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations. We explore the radiative and non-radiative relaxation constants (k r, k nr), spin-orbit coupling (SOC) matrix elements, and spectral properties. To ensure compatibility between the host and guest compounds, we determine the HOMO and LUMO energy levels, as well as the triplet excitation energies of the selected systems, and evaluate their efficiency for OLED devices. Our findings indicate that all systems, except for 2a and 2b, exhibit a small S1-T1 energetic gap (ΔE ≤ 0.60 eV) and promising SOC matrix elements (25-93 cm-1), leading to a significant intersystem crossing (ISC) process. These complexes also show promising radiative relaxation rates (k r = ∼10-4 s-1) and high phosphorescent quantum yields (Φ > 30%). Thus, our results confirm that six out of the eight selected Pt(ii) complexes are promising candidates for use in the emitting layer (EML) of OLED devices as efficient green emitters.

Achieving pure room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) in phenoselenazine-based organic emitters through synergism among heavy atom effect, enhanced n → π* transitions and magnified electron coupling by the A-D-A molecular configuration.

The weak spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in metal-free organic molecules poses a challenge in achieving phosphorescence emission. To attain pure phosphorescence in RTP organic emitters, a promising molecular design concept has been proposed. This involves incorporating n → π* transitions and leveraging the heavy atomic effect within the spin-orbit charge transfer-induced intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC) mechanism of bipolar molecules. Following this design concept, two bipolar metal-free organic molecules (PhSeB and PhSeDB) with donor-acceptor (D-A) and acceptor-donor-acceptor (A-D-A) configurations have been synthesized. When the molecular configuration changes from D-A to A-D-A, PhSeDB exhibits stronger electron coupling and n → π* transitions, which can further enhance the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) together with the heave atom effect from the selenium atom. By the advanced synergism among enhanced n → π* transitions, heavy atom effect and magnified electron coupling to efficiently promote phosphorescence emission, PhSeDB can achieve pure RTP emission in both the solution and doped solid film. Thanks to the higher spin-orbit coupling matrix elements (SOCMEs) for T1 ↔ S0, PhSeDB attains the highest phosphorescence quantum yield (ca. 0.78) among all the RTP organic emitters reported. Consequently, the purely organic phosphorescent light-emitting diodes (POPLEDs) based on PhSeDB achieve the highest external quantum efficiencies of 18.2% and luminance of 3000 cd m-2. These encouraging results underscore the significant potential of this innovative molecular design concept for highly efficient POPLEDs.

Triplet properties and intersystem crossing mechanism of PtAg28 nanocluster sensitizers achieving low threshold and efficient photon upconversion.

Ligand-protected metal nanoclusters have emerged as a promising platform for providing sensitizers for triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC). Herein, we report [PtAg28(BDT)12]4- (PtAg28; BDT = 1,3-benzenedithiolate) as a sensitizer enabling TTA-UC at low excitation intensities. PtAg28 exhibits a long-lived triplet state (approximately 7 μs) generated with a 100% intersystem crossing (ISC) quantum yield. The mechanism driving this efficient ISC was unveiled with the aid of theoretical calculations. Specifically, the S1-T1 ISC reveals a small spin-orbit coupling (SOC) matrix element, attributed to their similar electron configuration. In contrast, the T2 state, which is energetically close to S1, features a hole distribution derived from the Py superatomic orbital of the icosahedral Pt@Ag12 core. This distribution enables direct SOC based on the orbital angular momentum change from the S1 state with a Pz-derived hole distribution. Consequently, the efficient ISC was rationalized by the S1 → T2 → T1 pathway. The T1 state possesses a metal core-to-surface metal charge transfer character, facilitating triplet energy transfer and conferring superior sensitization ability. Leveraging these characteristics, the combination of PtAg28 sensitizer with a 9,10-diphenylanthracene annihilator/emitter attained an extremely low UC threshold of 0.81 mW cm-2 at 532 nm excitation, along with efficient green-to-blue TTA-UC with an internal quantum yield (ΦUCg) of 12.2% (50% maximum). This results in a pseudo-first-order TTA process with strong UC emission under 1-sun conditions.

Large magnetic anisotropy and enhanced Curie temperature in two-dimensional MnTe2 coupled with β-phase group-VA semiconductor monolayers.

Promoting the Curie temperature (T C) and tunning the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy (MAE) have been key issues with two-dimensional (2D) ferromagnetic (FM) materials. Here, the structural and magnetic properties of MnTe2/X (X = As, Sb and Bi) heterostructures are investigated through first-principles calculations. We reveal that monolayer MnTe2 weakly interacts with monolayer As or Sb through van der Waals (vdW) forces, but has strong covalent bonds with monolayer Bi, indicated by Bi-Te bond formation. The coupling of MnTe2 with these β-phase group-VA semiconductor monolayers substantially modulates MAE, with MnTe2/As showing a shift to in-plane easy magnetization, and MnTe2/Sb exhibiting a large perpendicular MAE of 4.13 meV per cell. The formation of vdW heterostructures influence on Te spin-orbit coupling matrix elements markedly governs MAE. MnTe2/Bi also has an in-plane MAE, contributed by both Te and Bi atoms. Additionally, coupling MnTe2 with X significantly affects magnetic interactions. It is worth noting that the T C of MnTe2/Sb reaches 233.2 K, significantly larger than that of pure MnTe2. A large perpendicular MAE and a heightened T C makes MnTe2/Sb desired candidates for next-generation spintronic applications. Our work provides a way to modulate the magnetic properties of 2D FM materials.

Insights into mechanistic interpretation of crystalline-state reddish phosphorescence of non-planar π-conjugated organoboron compounds.

Metal-free room-temperature phosphorescent (RTP) materials are attracting attention in such applications as organic light-emitting diodes and bioimaging. However, the chemical structures of RTP materials reported thus far are mostly predominantly based on π-conjugated systems incorporating heavy atoms such as bromine atoms or carbonyl groups, resulting in limited structural diversity. On the other hand, triarylboranes are known for their strong Lewis acidity and deep LUMO energy levels, but few studies have reported on their RTP properties. In this study, we discovered that compounds based on a tetracyclic structure containing boron, referred to as benzo[d]dithieno[b,f]borepins, exhibit strong solid-state reddish phosphorescence even in air. Quantum chemical calculations, including those for model compounds, revealed that the loss of planarity of the tetracyclic structure increases spin-orbit coupling matrix elements, thereby accelerating the intersystem crossing process. Moreover, single-crystal X-ray structural analysis and natural energy decomposition analysis suggested that the borepin compounds without bromine or oxygen atoms, unlike typical RTP materials, exhibit red-shifted phosphorescence in the crystalline state owing to structural relaxation in the T1 state. Additionally, the borepin compounds showed potential application as bioimaging dyes.

Anthracene derivatives with strong spin-orbit coupling and efficient high-lying reverse intersystem crossing beyond the El-Sayed rule.

The attention to materials with hot exciton channel and triplet-triplet fusion (TTF) mediated high-lying reverse intersystem crossing (hRISC) has been raised for their ability to convert non-emissive 'dark' triplets into radiative singlet excitons. This spin conversion process results in high exciton utilization efficiency (EUE) that exceeds the theoretical limits. Notably, it is known that such spin conversion processes from the high-lying excited triplet to the singlet state are facilitated by the orthogonal orbital transition effect governed by the El-Sayed's rule. In this study, an anthracene derivative with indenoquinoline substituent 7,7-dimethyl-9-(10-(4-(naphthalen-1-yl)phenyl)anthracen-9-yl)-7H-indeno[1,2-f]quinoline (2MIQ-NPA) was synthesized and analyzed to investigate whether the hRISC process occurs in these molecules, even when the El-Sayed's rule is not followed. The hRISC channels of the emitter were fully unraveled through DFT calculations and experiments, which were quantitatively subdivided using transient electroluminescence measurements. The results showed that 2MIQ-NPA, which does not follow the El-Sayed's rule and has a relatively strong spin-orbit coupling matrix element of 0.116 cm-1 between the high-lying triplet state of T4 and the lowest singlet state of S1, effectively converted triplet excitons into singlet excitons with an EUE of 64.3%, contributed by a direct hot exciton channel of 19.2% and a TTF-mediated hot exciton channel of 15.1%. Despite the low outcoupling efficiency, the non-doped device with 2MIQ-NPA achieved an excellent device performance with an external quantum efficiency of 7.0%.

Ab initio investigation on predissociation of the A2Σ+ state of the SeH radical induced by spin-orbit coupling

High-level ab initio calculations are performed to investigate potential energy curves (PECs) of seven low-lying Λ-S states associated with the two lowest dissociation limits of the SeH radical by utilizing the internally contracted multireference configuration interaction (icMRCI) method in combination with the aug-cc-pwCV5Z Gaussian basis set. The scalar relativistic effect (SR), the electronic core-valence (CV) correction, and Davidson (+Q) modification are included in our calculations. The fourteen Ω states generated from the seven Λ-S states are yielded when the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) effect is taken into account by using the Breit-Pauli operator. On the ground of the obtained PECs, the spectroscopic constants of the bound Λ-S and Ω states are evaluated, which reproduce pretty well the available experimental and theoretical values. By virtue of SOC matrix elements between the bound A2Σ+ state and repulsive 4Σ–(I), 2Σ–(I), or 4∏(I) states crossing with the A2Σ+ state PEC, the spin-orbit perturbations in the A2Σ+ rovibrational manifold in the crossing region and the A-state predissociation mechanism are analyzed. It is clearly exhibited that the avoided crossing phenomena between electronic states possessing the same Ω quantum number provide obvious spectroscopic effects in the transition dipole moments (TMDs) and Franck-Condon factors (FCFs) of the A2Σ+-X2Π transition. The radiative lifetimes of the A2Σ+ vibrational sublevels are determined. In addition, we finalized our study of the SeH molecule by optimizing its equilibrium ground state geometry in terms of a restricted coupled cluster approach including singles and doubles with perturbative triples account (RCCSD(T) method) plus CV, SR, and SOC corrections with extrapolating to complete basis set (CBS) limit.

Intensity-Borrowing Mechanisms Pertinent to Laser Cooling of Linear Polyatomic Molecules.

A study of the intensity-borrowing mechanisms important to optical cycling transitions in laser-coolable polyatomic molecules arising from non-adiabatic coupling, contributions beyond the Franck-Condon approximation, and Fermi resonances is reported. It has been shown to be necessary to include non-adiabatic coupling to obtain computational accuracy that is sufficient to be useful for laser cooling of molecules. The predicted vibronic branching ratios using perturbation theory based on the non-adiabatic mechanisms have been demonstrated to agree well with those obtained from variational discrete variable representation calculations for representative molecules including CaOH, SrOH, and YbOH. The electron-correlation and basis-set effects on the calculated transition properties, including the vibronic coupling constants, the spin-orbit coupling matrix elements, and the transition dipole moments, and on the calculated branching ratios have been thoroughly studied. The vibronic branching ratios predicted using the present methodologies demonstrate that RaOH is a promising radioactive molecule candidate for laser cooling.

Spectroscopic Constants and Predissociation of the low-lying states in selenium dimer

High-level ab initio calculations on the electronic structure and spectroscopic properties for the low-lying electronic states of selenium dimer (Se2) are performed by using internally contracted multireference-configuration interaction method (icMRCI) including Davidson correction (+Q) and scalar relativistic effect (SR). The spin-orbit coupling (SOC) effect is introduced in the computations via state-interacting technique with the full Breit-Pauli Hamiltonian. The potential energy curves (PECs) of 22 Λ-S states of Se2 are computed. After taking SOC effect into account, PECs of 28 Ω states generated from the Λ-S states with the energy under 36,000cm−1 are yielded. Moreover, from the calculated PECs, the spectroscopic constants of the bound Λ-S and Ω states are determined, and good agreement with available experimental and theoretical works is found. By virtue of the calculated SOC matrix elements and the PECs of the Λ-S states, the spin-orbit induced predissociation mechanism of the B3Σu− state is discussed. Our computations would provide helpful information on spectroscopic properties of the low-lying electronic states for the Se2, and deep understanding of the predissociation mechanism for the B3Σu− state.

Theoretical studies of new iridium-based terpolymer donors for high-efficiency triplet-material-based organic photovoltaics: Incorporation of different iridium(III) complexes

Screening potential terpolymer donors for high-performance triplet-material-based organic photovoltaics (T-OPVs) has been a challenge. Herein, four terpolymer donors, with different bis-tridentate iridium(III) complexes incorporated into the backbone of PTB7Ir, were designed and investigated by DFT and TD-DFT methods. The results show that, for designed 1–4 molecules, the bis-tridentate architecture in iridium complexes contributes to the formation of the orbital transitions involving iridium atoms, and promotes the enhancement of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in heavy metals. Based on the efficient exciton transformation channel from the lowest singlet (S1) state to the third triplet (T3) state, the designed 1–3 have smaller energy differences (ΔES1−T3) and larger SOC matrix elements (⟨S1|HSOC|T3⟩) between S1 and T3, resulting in the faster intersystem crossing (ISC) and triplet exciton formation. Furthermore, 1–3/PC71BM heterojunctions with –ΔGCRT<−0.1 eV (–ΔGCRT refers to the driving force of triplet charge recombination) could exhibit suppressed triplet charge recombination (CRT) processes. The calculation results suggest that designed 1–3 systems can present enhanced inter-facial charge transfer and photovoltaic performance, and become promising candidates for iridium-based terpolymer donors in T-OPVs. This work will provide valuable guidance for the molecular design of T-OPV terpolymer donors.

Low-Temperature Luminescence in Organic Helicenes: Singlet versus Triplet State Circularly Polarized Emission.

The experimental measurement of the photophysical and chiroptical properties of helicene-based π-conjugated emitters with electron-accepting (-CN, -py, -NO2) or donating (TMS, NMe2, NH2) moieties is reported at low temperature (77 K). The samples exhibit strong circularly polarized phosphorescence in frozen solution of 2-MeTHF, with a luminescence dissymmetry factor reaching 1.6 × 10-2 and a lifetime of over 0.46 s for the most active molecule, the nitro compound. The theoretical investigation shows that although the singlet (S1) and triplet (T1) excited-state emissions mainly arise from the helicene core, the rotatory strengths of the spin-allowed versus spin-forbidden emission have opposite signs. Further analysis of the spin-orbit coupling matrix elements shows that there is no strong mixing between S1 and T1, justifying the different signs of the rotatory strengths. In the case of the nitro compound, the enhanced phosphorescence emission is due to an efficient intersystem crossing.