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 on the excited state intramolecular proton coupled charge transfer phenomenon for a novel fluorophore

We theoretically investigate the excited state behaviors of the novel fluorophore tetraphenylethene‐2‐(2′‐hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole (TPE‐HBT), which was designed based on the intersection of TPE and HBT, using density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods. Compared with previous experimental results about fluorescence peaks, our calculated results are in good agreement with experimental data, which further confirms that the theoretical level we used is reasonable. Furthermore, our results confirm that the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process happens upon photoexcitation, which is distinctly monitored by the infrared spectra and the potential energy curves. In addition, the calculation of highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital reveals that the electron density change of proton acceptor because of the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) process in the S₁ state induces the ESIPT. Moreover, the transition density matrix is worked out to facilitate deeper insight into the ESIPT coupled ICT process. It is hoped that the present work not only elaborates the ESIPT coupled ICT phenomenon and corresponding mechanisms for the TPE‐HBT but also may be helpful to design and develop new materials and applications involved in TPE‐HBT systems in future.     

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.     

取代基对2-(2-羟基苯基)苯并噻唑分子内氢键及质子转移的影响:密度泛函理论研究

运用密度泛函(DFT)和含时密度泛函(TD DFT)理论方法研究了在2-(2-羟基苯基)苯并噻唑(HBT)苯环羟基的邻位或对位分别引入羟基和醛基后的衍生物分子内质子转移过程,考察了取代基的电子效应及取代位置对分子内氢键和质子转移反应的影响,模拟计算了各分子的IR振动光谱和电子光谱.研究发现,HBT及其衍生物分子可以形成分子内氢键,且激发态时氢键增强.基态时以醇式构型稳定存在,激发态时酮式结构为优势构象.分子的最大吸收峰和发射峰主要源于电子从前线分子轨道HOMO到LUMO之间的跃迁.基态分子内质子转移需要越过较高的能垒因而难以发生,而激发态时只需越过较低能垒就很容易发生激发态分子内质子转移.取代基的电子效应和取代位置对HBT分子氢键强度、互变异构体的相对稳定性、电子光谱及质子转移反应的能垒均有一定影响.     

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.     

A TDDFT Study on the Excited-State Intramolecular Proton Transfer (ESIPT): Excited-State Equilibrium Induced by Electron Density Swing

One important issue of current interest is the excited-state equilibrium for some ESITP dyes. However, so far, the information about the driving forces for excited-state equilibrium is very limited. In this work, the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method was employed to investigate the nature of the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). The geometric structures, vibrational frequencies, frontier molecular orbitals (MOs) and the potential-energy curves for 1-hydroxy-11H-benzo[b]fluoren-11-one (HHBF) in the ground and the first singlet excited state were calculated. Analysis of the results shows that the intramolecular hydrogen bond of HHBF is strengthened from E to E*. Moreover, it is found that electron density swing between the proton acceptor and donor provides the driving forces for the forward and backward ESIPT, enabling the excited-state equilibrium to be established. Furthermore, we proposed that the photoexcitation and the interchange of position for electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups are the main reasons for the electron density swing. The potential-energy curves suggest that the forward ESIPT and backward ESIPT may happen on the similar timescale, which is faster than the fluorescence decay of both E* and K* forms.     

The ESIPT mechanism of dibenzimidazolo diimine sensor: a detailed TDDFT study

Spectroscopic investigations on excited state proton transfer of a new dibenzimidazolo diimine sensor (DDS) were reported by Goswami et al. recently. In our present work, based on the time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT), the excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism of DDS is studied theoretically. Our calculated results reproduced absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of the previous experiment, which verifies that the TDDFT method we adopted is reasonable and effective. The calculated dominating bond lengths and bond angles involved in hydrogen bond demonstrate that the intramolecular hydrogen bond is strengthened. In addition, the phenomenon of hydrogen bond reinforce has also been testified based on infrared vibrational spectra. Further, hydrogen bonding strengthening manifests the tendency of ESIPT process. The calculated frontier molecular orbitals further demonstrate that the excited state proton transfer is likely to occur. According to the calculated results of potential energy curves along O–H coordinate, the potential energy barrier of about 5.02 kcal/mol is discovered in the S₀ state. However, a lower potential energy barrier of 0.195 kcal/mol is found in the S₁ state, which demonstrates that the proton transfer process is more likely to happen in the S₁ state than the S₀ state. In other words, the proton transfer reaction can be facilitated based on the photo‐excitation effectively. Moreover, the phenomenon of fluorescence quenching could be explained based on the ESIPT mechanism. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

黄芩素激发态分子内质子转移耦合电荷转移反应的实验和理论研究

通过稳态光谱实验和量子化学计算相结合,研究了黄芩素激发态质子转移耦合电荷转移的反应. 实验和计算中S₁态吸收峰的缺失表明S₁态是暗态. S₁暗态导致在实验中观察不到黄芩素在乙醇溶液中的荧光峰,且固体的荧光峰很弱. 黄芩素分子的前线分子轨道和电荷差异密度表明S₁态是电荷转移态,然而S₂态是局域激发态. 计算的黄芩素分子的势能曲线在激发态只有一个稳定点,这表明了黄芩素激发态分子内质子转移的过程是一个无     

A DFT/TD-DFT study of effect of different substituent on ESIPT fluorescence features of 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-4-chloro- methylthiazole derivatives

Based on density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT), the effects of substituent on the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process and photophysical properties of 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-4-chloromethylthiazole (HCT) are studied. The electron-donating group (CH₃, OH) and electron-withdrawing group (CF₃, CHO) are introduced to analyze the changes of intramolecular H-bond, the frontier molecular orbitals, the absorption/fluorescence spectra, and the energy barrier of ESIPT process. The calculation results indicate that electron-donating group strengthens the intramolecular H-bond in the S₁ state, and leads to an easier ESIPT process. The electron-withdrawing group weakens the corresponding H-bond and makes ESIPT process a little harder. Different substituents also affect the photophysical properties of HCT. The electron-withdrawing group (CF₃, CHO) has a little effect on electronic spectra. The electron-donating group (CH₃, OH) red-shifts both the absorption and fluorescence emission peaks of HCT, respectively, which causes the Stokes shift to increase.     

Theoretical investigation on the excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer mechanism of 2‐(2′‐benzofuryl)‐3‐hydroxychromone

Spectroscopic studies on excited‐state proton transfer of a new chromophore 2‐(2′‐benzofuryl)‐3‐hydroxychromone (BFHC) have been reported recently. In the present work, based on the time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT), the excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) of BFHC is investigated theoretically. The calculated primary bond lengths and angles involved in hydrogen bond demonstrate that the intramolecular hydrogen bond is strengthened. In addition, the phenomenon of hydrogen bond reinforce has also been testified based on infrared (IR) vibrational spectra as well as the calculated hydrogen bonding energies. Further, hydrogen bonding strengthening manifests the tendency of excited state proton transfer. Our calculated results reproduced absorbance and fluorescence emission spectra of experiment, which verifies that the TD‐DFT theory we used is reasonable and effective. The calculated Frontier Molecular Orbitals (MOs) further demonstrate that the excited state proton transfer is likely to occur. According to the calculated results of potential energy curves along O―H coordinate, the potential energy barrier of about 14.5 kcal/mol is discovered in the S₀ state. However, a lower potential energy barrier of 5.4 kcal/mol is found in the S₁ state, which demonstrates that the proton transfer process is more likely to happen in the S₁ state than the S₀ state. In other words, the proton transfer reaction can be facilitated based on the photo‐excitation effectively. Moreover, the phenomenon of fluorescence quenching could be explained based on the ESIPT mechanism. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Comprehensive Therotical Investigation of Intramolecular Proton Transfer in the Excited States for Some Newly-designed Diphenylethylene Derivatives Bearing 2-(2-Hydroxy-Phenyl)-Benzotriazole Part

This article presents a comprehensive therotical investigation of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) for some newly-designed diphenylethylene derivatives containing 2-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-benzotriazole moiety with various substituted groups. The calculation shows the structural parameters and Mulliken charges of phototautomers enol (E) and keto (K) of these compounds exhibit no or tiny changes from S₀ to S₁. The calculated results suggest that HOMO and LUMO + 1 of the compounds displays excellent overlapping nature, and thus the absorption and emission could be from the electron transition of HOMO→LUMO + 1. The electron density distribution in the frontier orbital of E and K are influenced remarkably by various substituted groups in S₀ and S₁ states. Electron density distribution deficiency in 2-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-benzotriazole part is observed in L + 1 for these derivatives. The calculation also suggests the potential energy curves of ESIPT are shown to be a strong relationship with electron donor-acceptor groups. The absorption spectra, normal emission spectra and ESIPT spectra of the derivatives were also calculated.     

The substituent effect on the excited state intramolecular proton transfer of 3-hydroxychromone

The excited state intramolecular proton transfer of four derivatives(FM, BFM, BFBC, CCM) of 3-hydroxychromone is investigated.The geometries of different substituents are optimized to study the substituent effects on proton transfer.The mechanism of hydrogen bond enhancement is qualitatively elucidated by comparing the infrared spectra, the reduced density gradient, and the frontier molecular orbitals.The calculated electronic spectra are consistent with the experimental results.To quantify the proton transfer, the potential energy curves(PECs) of the four derivatives in S_0 and S_1 states are scanned.It is concluded that the ability of proton transfer follows the order: FM BFM BFBC CCM.     

Theoretical insight into the excited‐state behavior of a novel Compound 1: A TDDFT investigation

In the present work, using density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods, we investigated and presented the excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanisms of a novel Compound 1 theoretically. Analyses of electrostatic potential surfaces and reduced density gradient (RDG) versus sign(λ₂)ρ, we confirm the existence of intramolecular hydrogen bond O1‐H2···N3 for Compound 1 in the S₀ state. Comparing the primary structural variations of Compound 1 involved in the intramolecular hydrogen bond, we find that O1‐H2···N3 should be strengthened in the S₁ state, which may facilitate the ESIPT process. Concomitantly, infrared (IR) vibrational spectra analyses further verify the stability of hydrogen bond. In addition, the role of charge transfer interaction has been addressed under the frontier molecular orbitals, which depicts the nature of electronical excited state and supports the ESIPT reaction. The theoretically scanned and optimized potential energy curves according to variational O1‐H2 coordinate demonstrate that the proton transfer process should occur spontaneously in the S₁ state. It further explains why the emission peak of Compound 1‐enol was not reported in previous experiment. This work not only presents the ESIPT mechanism of Compound 1 but also promotes the understanding of this kind of molecules for further applications in future.     

A theoretical study on the ESPT mechanism for a novel Bis‐HPBT fluorophore

In this work, based on the density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods, the properties of the 2 intramolecular hydrogen bonds (O1‐H2···N3 and O4‐H5···N6) of a new photochemical sensor 4‐(3‐(benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)‐5‐tert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxybenzyl)‐2‐(benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)‐6‐tert‐butyl phenol (Bis‐HPBT) have been investigated in detail. The calculated dominating bond lengths and bond angles about these 2 hydrogen bonds (O1‐H2···N3 and O4‐H5···N6) demonstrate that the intramolecular hydrogen bonds should be strengthened in the S₁ state. In addition, the variations of hydrogen bonds of Bis‐HPBT have been also testified based on infrared vibrational spectra. Our theoretical results reproduced absorption and emission spectra of the experiment, which verifies that the theoretical level we used is reasonable and effective in this work. Further, hydrogen bonding strengthening manifests the tendency of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. Frontier molecular orbitals depict the nature of electronically excited state and support the ESIPT reaction. According to the calculated results of potential energy curves along stepwise and synergetic O1‐H2 and O4‐H5 coordinates, the potential energy barrier of approximately 1.399 kcal/mol is discovered in the S₁ state, which supports the single ESIPT process along with 1 hydrogen bond of Bis‐HPBT. In other words, the proton transfer reaction can be facilitated based on the electronic excitation effectively. In turn, through the process of radiative transition, the proton‐transfer Bis‐HPBT‐SPT form regresses to the ground state with the fluorescence of 539 nm.     

Photophysical properties of substituted intramolecularly hydrogen bonded compounds: A combined experimental and theoretical study

Photophysical properties of prototype excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) system 4-methyl-2,6-diformyl phenol (MFOH) and its derivatives were studied by steady state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy as well as by ab-initio quantum chemical calculation. It has been found that nonradiative decay process is the most important deactivation channel in all the cases and the hydrogen bonded enol conformer is stable in the ground state whereas, the proton transferred keto form is energetically favoured in the S₁(ππ^*) state. However, the net gain in stabilization in the process of ESIPT is almost unaffected by the substitution. The reversal of stability in the excited state was explained on the basis of the nature of frontier molecular orbital in all the cases. Intrinsic reaction coordinate analysis showed that drastic change in nonbonded interoxygen distance R(O-O) in the proton transfer pathway causes the switch over from the enol to keto configuration. A close comparison of several properties like molecular geometry, hydrogen bond strength and atomic charge in different derivatives of MFOH were found to be consistent and in good agreement with the experimental results obtained from time-resolved fluorescence experiments.     

Interaction of the excited state intramolecular proton transfer probe 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid with poly N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone polymer in water: An insight into the water structure in the binding region

The enhancement of the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) emission of 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (3HNA) in presence of poly N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (PVP) has been investigated by time resolved fluorescence and anisotropy measurement. In other water soluble polymers and monomers there is no enhancement of the ESIPT emission of 3HNA. The microenvironment of the probe in PVP-water mixture is investigated by comparing the ESIPT emission of 3HNA in mixed solvents of acetonitrile-toluene. The anisotropy, rotational correlation time and the blue shift observed in the ESIPT emission in PVP-water mixture have been ascribed to both the polarity and the motional restriction of the probe imposed by the bound water region of PVP.     

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.     

激发态分子内质子转移分子2－（2′－羟基苯基）间氮杂氧茚“染料”激光特性的实验和理论研究

报道了以Ｎ２激光为泵浦光源，获得激发态分子内质子转移（ＥＳＩＰＴ）分子ＨＢＯ的激光输出现象。其激光转换效率约为１７％，调谐范围为４９５～５４０ｎｍ，最强的输出波长在５１０ｎｍ。以ＨＢＯ的激发态分子内质子转移的光物理和光化学过程为基础，建立了ＨＢＯ产生激光的动态模型，数值模拟了在宽带和窄带情况下激光输出的光谱特性和时间特性，理论计算值与实验观测值很好相符，同时证实了激发态分子内质子转移分子的激光脉冲宽度依赖于激发态分子内质子转移分子的酮式异构体的基态Ｓ′０的寿命     

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.