Spectroscopic and theoretical evidence for the photoinduced twisted intramolecular charge transfer state formation in N,N-dimethylaminonaphthyl-(acrylo)-nitrile

The phenomenon of excited state twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) process in N,N-dimethylaminonaphthyl-(acrylo)-nitrile (DMANAN) has been reported on the basis of steady-state absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy in combination with quantum chemical calculations. The absorption and fluorescence characteristics of DMANAN in solvents of different polarity reveal the presence of a single species in the ground state which forms the intramolecular charge transfer state upon photoexcitation. The observed dual fluorescence is assigned to a high-energy emission from the locally excited or the Franck-Condon state and the red-shifted emission from the charge transfer (CT) state. In polar protic solvents, hydrogen-bonding interaction on CT emission has been established from the linear dependency of the position of the low-energy emission maxima on hydrogen-bonding parameter (α). The experimental findings have been correlated with the theoretical results based on TICT model obtained at density functional theory (DFT) level. The theoretical potential energy surface for the first excited state along both the donor and acceptor twist coordinates in the gas phase obtained by time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method and in polar solvent by time dependent density functional theory-polarized continuum model (TDDFT-PCM) method predicts well the experimental spectral properties.     

Ab initio investigation of excited state dual hydrogen bonding interactions and proton transfer mechanism for novel oxazoline compound

Owing to the importance of excited state dynamical relaxation, the excited state intramolecular proton transfer(ESIPT) mechanism for a novel compound containing dual hydrogen bond(abbreviated as "1-enol") is studied in this work.Using density functional theory(DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory(TDDFT) method, the experimental electronic spectra can be reproduced for 1-enol compound. We first verify the formation of dual intramolecular hydrogen bonds, and then confirm that the dual hydrogen bond should be strengthened in the first excited state. The photo-excitation process is analyzed by using frontier molecular orbital(HOMO and LUMO) for 1-enol compound. The obvious intramolecular charge transfer(ICT) provides the driving force to effectively facilitate the ESIPT process in the S1 state. Exploration of the constructed S0-state and S1-state potential energy surface(PES) reveals that only the excited state intramolecular single proton transfer occurs for 1-enol system, which makes up for the deficiencies in previous experiment.     

Interpretation of the electronic spectra of phthalocyanines with transition metals from quantum-chemical calculations by the density functional method

Using the time-dependent formalism of the density functional theory (time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT)), the energies and intensities of the electronic transitions of some metal phthalocyanines of transition metals and of their anionic forms with different electron localization are studied quantum chemically. It is shown that, in all the cases studied, calculations using the B3LYP functional with even a comparatively narrow basis set (6–31G) are quite consistent with the previous calculations of the same objects by the ZINDO/S-CI semiempirical method taking into account double excitations. For a number of particular examples, it is shown that a lack of consideration of doubly excited configurations in the calculation of excited states by the TDDFT method can be compensated by the contribution from single excitations, which proves to be more significant due to the presence of the correlation component of the exchange-correlation functional.     

Excited state intramolecular proton transfer mechanism of o-hydroxynaphthyl phenanthroimidazole

By utilizing the density functional theory(DFT) and the time-dependent density functional theory(TDDFT), the excited state intramolecular proton transfer(ESIPT) mechanism of o-hydroxynaphthyl phenanthroimidazole(HNPI) is studied in detail. Upon photo is excited, the intramolecular hydrogen bond is obviously enhanced in the S_1 state, which thus promotes the ESIPT process. Hydrogen bond is shown to be strengthened via comparing the molecular structures and the infrared vibration spectra of the S_0 and S_1 states. Through analyzing the frontier molecular orbitals, we can conclude that the excitation is a type of the intramolecular charge transfer excitation, which also indicates the trend of proton transfer in S_1 state. The vertical excitation based on TDDFT calculation can effectively repeat the absorption and fluorescence spectra of the experiment. However, the fluorescence spectrum of normal structure, which is similar to the spectrum of isomer structure is not detected in the experiment. It can be concluded that the fluorescence measured in the experiment is attributed to both structures. In addition, by analyzing the potential energy curves(PECs) calculated by the B3 LYP functional method, it can be derived that since the molecule to cross the potential barrier in the S_1 state is smaller than in the S_0 state and the reverse proton transfer process in the S_1 state is more difficult than in the S_0 state, the ESIPT occurs in the S_1 state.     

Theoretical investigation of excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) for 2,5-bis(2-benzothiazolyl)hydroquinone: single or double?

ABSTRACT

In this work, the single and double proton transfer dynamic process in the first excited state of 2,5-bis(2-benzothiazolyl)hydroquinone (BBTHQ) were theoretically investigated based on the time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) method. The calculations of primary bond lengths, bond angles, IR vibrational spectra and NCI analysis reveal that two intramolecular hydrogen bonds of BBTHQ are strengthened in the first excited state, which provides a driving force for excited state proton transfer. The frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) indicate the nature of intramolecular charge transfer. In addition, the potential energy surfaces (PESs) of the ground state and first excite state were also constructed to further elucidate the mechanism of intramolecular proton transfer of BBTHQ.     

6-巯基-5-三唑并[4,3-b]-s-四嗪(MTT）的密度泛函理论研究

采用密度泛函理论（Density functional theory,DFT）,在B3LYP/6-31g(d) (C,H,N,S),Ag原子采用LanL2d赝势基组水平上对甲醛（HCHO）与4-氨基-5肼基-3-巯基-1,2,4-三唑(4-amino-5-hydrazino-3-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole,AHMT)衍生化反应生的成产物6-巯基-5-三唑并[4,3-b]-s-四嗪（6-mercapto-5-triazolo[4,3-b]-s-tetrazine,MTT）及其银配合物进行结构优化,优化结果表明MTT的结构是一个近平面结构。通过对频率计算,获得MTT分子及其银配合物的拉曼光谱,对400-1800 cm-1波段内的拉曼光谱特征峰进行了指认。同时讨论了MTT分子的表面静电势,分析可能发生化学反应的位点。并采用含时密度泛函理论（Time Dependent density functional theory,TDDFT）对MTT分子与Ag3配合物的激发态进行了计算分析,并使用电荷转移光谱对Ag配合物与MTT之间电荷转移关系进行了研究。该研究对MTT分子的光谱测定和电子性质提供了理论基础。     

3发色团激发态分子内质子转移机理的研究

采用密度泛函(DFT)和含时密度泛函理论(TDDFT)方法对一种新合成的发色团(3)在非质子性溶剂DMSO中的激发态分子内质子转移机制进行了理论研究.基于3发色团的基态和激发态优化结构, 计算得到了该发色团中与氢键相关的键长和键角的大小, 以及与氢键相连接的 O-H键红外振动光谱, 发现分子内氢键在激发态下有增强的趋势. 理论计算得到的吸收谱和荧光谱的峰值与实验测得的结果吻合得很好, 证明了所采用的理论方法的正确性与合理性. 最终, 通过对该发色团的分子内电荷转移与电荷分布的分析, 证实了激发态分子内质子转移发生的可能性, 并说明了其转移过程的发生机制.     

3发色团激发态分子内质子转移机理的研究

采用密度泛函(DFT)和含时密度泛函理论(TDDFT)方法对一种新合成的发色团(3)在非质子性溶剂DMSO中的激发态分子内质子转移机制进行了理论研究.基于3发色团的基态和激发态优化结构,计算得到了该发色团中与氢键相关的键长和键角的大小,以及与氢键相连接的O-H键红外振动光谱,发现分子内氢键在激发态下有增强的趋势.理论计算得到的吸收谱和荧光谱的峰值与实验测得的结果吻合得很好,证明了所采用的理论方法的正确性与合理性.最终,通过对该发色团的分子内电荷转移与电荷分布的分析,证实了激发态分子内质子转移发生的可能性,并说明了其转移过程的发生机制.     

Understanding the absorption and emission spectra of borondipyrromethene dye and its substituted analogues

Borondipyrromethene (BODIPY) dye possesses a bright and long wavelength emitting fluorescent character with a wide spectral range from visible to near infrared region. In the present work, the spectral properties of BODIPY dyes were analyzed using ab intio and density functional theory methods. The ground and excited state geometries of BODIPY and its substituted analogues in chloroform medium, were optimized using the density functional theory (DFT) and singly excited configuration interaction (CIS) methods. Based on the ground and excited state geometries, the absorption and emission spectra have been calculated using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method. The TDDFT calculations have been performed using hybrid exchange correlation functionals B3LYP and M06-HF and long-range separated functionals LC-BLYP, LC-BOP, LC-PBE, LC-PBE0 and CAM-B3LYP. The solvent phase calculations were carried out using polarizable continuum model (PCM). The TDDFT investigation reveals that the substitution of acceptor, donor–donor, donor–acceptor–donor and phenyl group in BODIPY dye influence the absorption and emission spectra significantly.     

Effect of oxidation state and coordination with Hg(II) on the electronic spectra of an anthraquinone–rhodamine sensor

ABSTRACT

In this study, a computational examination of the electronic transitions and through-space energy transfer processes lends insight into the experimental electronic spectra of a redox-sensitive rhodamine–anthraquinone dyad. Electronic transitions were calculated using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) based on models optimised from single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) ion positions. DFT calculations were performed on gas-phase models using the Vienna Ab Initio Software Package (VASP) with the functional developed by Perdew, Burke, and Ernzerhof (PBE) on a basis set of plane waves. Using the DFT results, select transitions were evaluated based on a dipole–dipole coupling mechanism to find the Förster resonance energy transfer coupling, the square of which is approximately proportional to the rate of energy transfer between the donor and the acceptor. Electronic transitions during the relaxation of charge carriers are also investigated using nonadiabatic molecular dynamics. In order to investigate the transitions contributing to key peaks in the experimental absorbance spectra, TDDFT calculations were performed in Gaussian 09 with the B3LYP functional on the sensor in solution phase, which is simulated using a polarisable continuum model (PCM). The computed electron transfer process from the excited rhodamine to the quinone correlates better with the experimental data than does the computed Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) process. This computed electron transfer process is faster than the radiative lifetime of the fluorescent state, which collectively suggests that the charge transfer process quenches fluorescence. These results support the observation that fluorescence is more prominent in the oxidised sensor than in the reduced sensor.     

Time-dependent density functional theory study on excited state intramolecular proton transfer of 3-hydroxy-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one

The time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method was carried out to investigate the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process of 3-hydroxy-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one (1a). 1a has two tautomeric forms: one is 1a(O), which is induced by intramolecular hydrogen bond O-H?O=C, and the other one is 1a(N), which is caused by intramolecular hydrogen bond O-H?N. From excited state to tautomer excited state coming from ESIPT, the hydroxyl hydrogen breaks away and the dissociated hydrogen adsorbed on pyridinic nitrogen or carbonyl oxygen formed new intramolecular HB and the corresponding bond length and bond angle varied greatly. In comparison, a similar process of proton transfer for 1a(N)H⁺ protonated 1a(N) from ground state to excited state was obtained. This detailed proton transfer mechanism was provided by molecular orbitals analysis and it may be applied to molecular switch and organic Lewis acid/base. We investigated the excited state proton transfer mechanism of the four molecules through the theoretical method for the first time and gave unambiguous geometry of excited state.     

激发态下甘氨酸与水分子间氢键性质研究

在生物体中氨基酸通常以水作为溶剂,是形成细胞的重要成分.在该环境下,分子间氢键的产生会对氨基酸分子与水分子的结构和性质产生影响.为了研究其在基态和激发态下的性质,本文利用密度泛函理论(DFT)和含时密度泛函理论(TD-DFT)对甘氨酸分子和H₂O分子在基态和激发态下的分子间氢键的静电势、键长、自然键轨道(NBO)电荷、分子中的原子理论(AIM)分析、Wiberg键级b、红外(IR)光谱、空穴-电子轨道和基态与激发态之间的电子转移进行了理论研究.结果表明：分子间氢键的形成会导致分子结构的改变和红外光谱振动频率的移动.在激发态下,分子间氢键有不同程度的增强或减弱.该计算结果为氢键的形成和激发态下分子间氢键的研究提供理论依据.     

Hydrogen bonding and excited state properties of the photoexcited hydrogen‐bonded (E)‐S‐(2‐aminopropyl) 3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐enethioate complexes

The time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method has been performed to investigate the excited state and hydrogen bonding dynamics of a series of photoinduced hydrogen‐bonded complexes formed by (E)‐S‐(2‐aminopropyl) 3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐enethioate with water molecules in vacuum. The ground state geometric optimizations and electronic transition energies as well as corresponding oscillator strengths of the low‐lying electronic excited states of the (E)‐S‐(2‐aminopropyl) 3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐enethioate monomer and its hydrogen‐bonded complexes O₁‐H₂O, O₂‐H₂O, and O₁O₂‐(H₂O)₂ were calculated by the density functional theory and TDDFT methods, respectively. It is found that in the excited states S₁ and S₂, the intermolecular hydrogen bond formed with carbonyl oxygen is strengthened and induces an excitation energy redshift, whereas the hydrogen bond formed with phenolate oxygen is weakened and results in an excitation energy blueshift. This can be confirmed based on the excited state geometric optimizations by the TDDFT method. Furthermore, the frontier molecular orbital analysis reveals that the states with the maximum oscillator strength are mainly contributed by the orbital transition from the highest occupied molecular orbital to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital. These states are of locally excited character, and they correspond to single‐bond isomerization while the double bond remains unchanged in vacuum.     

DFT studies of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy of 1,4‐benzenedithiol–Au2 complex under the effect of static electric fields

In this work, we demonstrate that the applied electric‐field strength and orientation can multiply modulate the Raman intensity and vibrational wavenumber of small molecule–metal complex, 1,4‐benzenedithiol–Au₂ (1,4BDT–Au₂), by density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory simulations. The polarizabilities are changed by the applied electric fields, leading to enhanced specific vibrational intensity and shifted vibrational wavenumber of the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering effect. The applied electric fields perturb the bonds and angles of the 1,4BDT–Au₂ complex. Owing to this reason, the peaks of Raman spectra related to these structures exhibit distinguishable responses in quasi‐static field (low‐frequency oscillating electric field). We use the visualized method of charge difference density to show that the electric fields tune the traditional excited state to pure charge‐transfer excited state. The charge‐transfer resonance transition produces enhanced Raman intensities for non‐totally symmetric modes and totally symmetric modes. These simulation results of the function of static electric field provide new guidance for the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering measurements. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Role of electron-hole pair excitations in the dissociative adsorption of diatomic molecules on metal surfaces

We quantitatively evaluate the contribution of electron-hole pair excitations to the reactive dynamics of H2 on Cu(110) and N2 on W(110), including the six dimensionality of the process in the entire calculation. The interaction energy between molecule and surface is represented by an ab initio six-dimensional potential energy surface. Electron friction coefficients are calculated with density functional theory in a local density approximation. Contrary to previous claims, only minor differences between the adiabatic and nonadiabatic results for dissociative adsorption are found. Our calculations demonstrate the validity of the adiabatic approximation to analyze adsorption dynamics in these two representative systems.     

Push–pull hyperbranched molecules. A theoretical study

The electronic properties of the ground state, unrelaxed and relaxed first excited states of push–pull hyperbranched molecules bearing amino and nitro terminal groups have been studied at BB1K/cc‐pvdz//HF/6‐31g(d), TD‐BB1K/cc‐pvdz//HF/6‐31g(d) and TD‐BB1K/cc‐pvdz//CIS/6‐31g(d) levels of theory, respectively. It was demonstrated that dendritic architecture of push–pull molecules favours the charge transfer in the excited state compared to linear molecules. The possibility of adopting a plane conformation is an important condition for the charge transfer in an excited state. According to the calculations 1:1 ratio of donor and acceptor groups is another important precondition for the manifestation of strong charge separation in the excited state. In case of excess of nitro groups over the amino, some of the excitations participating in the S0 → S1 transition favour the charge transfer in the excited state in the opposite directions, thus decreasing the charge separation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exploring the effect of aggregation-induced emission on the excited state intramolecular proton transfer for a bis-imine derivative by quantum mechanics and our own n-layered integrated molecular orbital and molecular mechanics calculations

We theoretically investigate the excited state intramolecular proton transfer(ESIPT) behavior of the novel fluorophore bis-imine derivative molecule HNP which was designed based on the intersection of 1-(hydrazonomethyl)-naphthalene-2-ol and 1-pyrenecarboxaldehyde. Especially, the density functional theory(DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory(TDDFT) methods for HNP monomer are introduced. Moreover, the "our own n-layered integrated molecular orbital and molecular mechanics"(ONIOM) method(TDDFT:universal force field(UFF)) is used to reveal the aggregation-induced emission(AIE) effect on the ESIPT process for HNP in crystal. Our results confirm that the ESIPT process happens upon the photoexcitation for the HNP monomer and HNP in crystal, which is distinctly monitored by the optimized geometric structures and the potential energy curves. In addition, the results of potential energy curves reveal that the ESIPT process in HNP will be promoted by the AIE effect. Furthermore, the highest occupied molecular orbital(HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital(LUMO) for the HNP monomer and HNP in crystal have been calculated. The calculation demonstrates that the electron density decrease of proton donor caused by excitation promotes the ESIPT process. In addition, we find that the variation of atomic dipole moment corrected Hirshfeld population(ADCH) charge for proton acceptor induced by the AIE effect facilitates the ESIPT process. The results will be expected to deepen the understanding of ESIPT dynamics for luminophore under the AIE effect and provide insight into future design of high-efficient AIE compounds.