Excited-state hydrogen bonding dynamics of methyl isocyanide in methanol solvent: A DFT/TDDFT study

The time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method was performed to investigate the hydrogenbonding dynamics of methyl cyanide (MeNC) as hydrogen bond acceptor in hydrogen donating methanol (MeOH) solvent. The ground-state geometry optimizations and electronic transition energies and corresponding oscillation strengths of the low-lying electronically excited states for the isolated MeNC and MeOH monomers, the hydrogen-bonded MeNC-MeOH dimer and MeNC-2MeOH trimer are calculated by the DFT and TDDFT methods, respectively. An intermolecular hydrogen bond N≡C…H-O is formed between MeNC and methanol molecule. According to Zhao’s rule on the excited-state hydrogen bonding dynamics, we find the intermolecular hydrogen bonds N≡C…H-O are strengthened in electronically excited states of the hydrogen-bonded MeNC-MeOH dimer and MeNC-2MeOH trimer, with the excitation energy of a related excited state being lowered and electronic spectral redshifts being induced. Furthermore, the hydrogen bond strengthening in the electronically excited state plays an important role on the photophysics and photochemistry of MeNC in solutions     

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.     

Elaborating the excited state behavior of 2‐(4′‐N,N‐dimethylaminophenyl)‐imidazo[4,5‐c]pyridine coupling with methanol solvent

We present a theoretical investigation about the excited state dynamical mechanism of 2‐(4′‐N,N‐dimethylaminophenyl)‐imidazo[4,5‐c]pyridine (DMAPIP‐c). Within the framework of density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods, we reasonably repeat the experimental electronic spectra, which further confirm the theoretical level used in this work is feasible. Given the best complex model, 3 methanol (MeOH) solvent molecules should be connected with DMAPIP‐c forming DMAPIP‐c‐MeOH complex in both ground state and excited state. Exploring the changes about bond lengths and bond angles involved in hydrogen bond wires, we find the O7‐H8···N9 one should be largely strengthened in the S₁ state, which plays an important role in facilitating the excited state intermolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. In addition, the analyses about infrared vibrational spectra also confirm this conclusion. The redistribution about charges distinguished via frontier molecular orbitals based on the photoexcitation, we do find tendency of ESIPT reaction due to the most charges located around N9 atom in the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital. Based on constructing the potential energy curves of both S₀ and S₁ states, we not only confirm that the ESIPT process should firstly occur along with hydrogen bond wire O7‐H8···N9, but also find a low potential energy barrier 8.898 kcal/mol supports the ESIPT reaction in the S₁ state forming DMAPIP‐c‐MeOH‐PT configuration. Subsequently, DMAPIP‐c‐MeOH‐PT could twist its dimethylamino moiety with a lower barrier 3.475 kcal/mol forming DMAPIP‐c‐MeOH‐PT‐TICT structure. Our work not only successfully explains previous experimental work but also paves the way for the further applications about DMAPIP‐c sensor in future.     

Excited‐state hydrogen bonding dynamics of pyruvic acid and geminal‐diol, 2,2‐dihydroxypropanoic acid in aqueous solution: a DFT/TDDFT study

In this work, we present the optimized ground state geometrical structures, electronic excitation energies and corresponding oscillation strengths of the low‐lying electronically excited states for the isolated Tce‐CH3COCOOH and Tce‐CH3C(OH)2COOH as well as their corresponding hydrogen‐bonded dimers Tce‐CH3COCOOH‐H2O and Tce‐CH3C(OH)2COOH‐H2O through time‐dependent density functional theory method. It is found that the intermolecular hydrogen bonds C=O···H‐O are strengthened in the electronically excited states of the hydrogen‐bonded dimers Tce‐CH3COCOOH‐H2O and Tce‐CH3C(OH)2COOH‐H2O, in that the excitation energies of the related excited states for the hydrogen‐bonded dimers are decreased compared with those of the corresponding monomers. The calculated results are consistent with the rules that are first demonstrated by Zhao on the excited‐state hydrogen bonding dynamics. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exploring excited‐state proton transfer mechanism for 9,10‐dihydroxybenzo[h]quinolone

In this work, we mainly focus on the excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer mechanism of a new molecule 9,10‐dihydroxybenzo[h]quinoline (9‐10‐HBQ). Within the framework of density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods, we have theoretically investigated its excited‐state dynamical process and our theoretical results successfully reappeared previous experimental electronic spectra. The ultrafast excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer process occurs in the first excited state (S₁ state) forming 9‐10‐HBQ‐PT1 structure without potential energy barrier along with hydrogen bond (O₃–H₄···N₅). Then the second proton may transfer via another intramolecular hydrogen bonded wire (O₁–H₂···N₃) with a moderate potential energy barrier (about 7.69 kcal/mol) in the S₁ state forming 9‐10‐HBQ‐PT2 configuration. After completing excited‐state dynamical process, the molecule on the first excited electronic state would come back to the ground state. We not only clarify the excited‐state dynamical process for 9‐10‐HBQ but also put forward new predictions and successfully explain previous experimental results.     

TDDFT study on the excited‐state hydrogen bonding of N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐1,8‐naphthalimide and N‐(3‐hydroxyethyl)‐1,8‐naphthalimide in methanol solution

The time‐dependent density functional theory method was performed to investigate the excited‐state hydrogen‐bonding dynamics of N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐1,8‐naphthalimide (2a) and N‐(3‐hydroxyethyl)‐1,8‐naphthalimide (3a) in methanol (meoh) solution. The ground and excited‐state geometry optimizations, electronic excitation energies, and corresponding oscillation strengths of the low‐lying electronically excited states for the complexes 2a + 2meoh and 3a + 2meoh as well as their monomers 2a and 3a were calculated by density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods, respectively. We demonstrated that the three intermolecular hydrogen bonds of 2a + 2meoh and 3a + 2meoh are strengthened after excitation to the S₁ state, and thus induce electronic spectral redshift. Moreover, the electronic excitation energies of the hydrogen‐bonded complexes in S₁ state are correspondingly decreased compared with those of their corresponding monomer 2a and 3a. In addition, the intramolecular charge transfer of the S₁ state for complexes 2a + 2meoh and 3a + 2meoh were theoretically investigated by analysis of molecular orbital. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

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 theoretical forecast of the hydrogen bond changes in the electronic excited state for BN and its derivatives

The relationship between electronic spectral shifts and hydrogen-bonding dynamics in electronically excited states of the hydrogen-bonded complex is put forward. Hydrogen bond strengthening will induce a redshift of the corresponding electronic spectra, while hydrogen bond weakening will cause a blueshift. Time-dependent density function theory (TDDFT) was used to study the excitation energies in both singlet and triplet electronically excited states of Benzonitrile (BN), 4-aminobenzonitrile (ABN), and 4-dimethylaminobenzonitrile (DMABN) in methanol solvents. Only the intermolecular hydrogen bond C≡N...H-O was involved in our system. A fairly accurate forecast of the hydrogen bond changes in lowlying electronically excited states were presented in light of a very thorough consideration of their related electronic spectra. The deduction we used to depict the trend of the hydrogen bond changes in excited states could help others understand hydrogen-bonding dynamics more effectively.     

Theoretical studies on structure and performance of [1,2,5]‐oxadiazolo‐[3,4‐d]‐pyridazine‐based derivatives

Based on energetic compound [1,2,5]‐oxadiazolo‐[3,4‐d]‐pyridazine, a series of functionalized derivatives were designed and first reported. Afterwards, the relationship between their structure and performance was systematically explored by density functional theory at B3LYP/6‐311 g (d, p) level. Results show that the bond dissociation energies of the weakest bond (N–O bond) vary from 157.530 to 189.411 kJ · mol^?1. The bond dissociation energies of these compounds are superior to that of HMX (N–NO_2, 154.905 kJ · mol^?1). In addition, H1, H2, H4, I2, I3, C1, C2, and D1 possess high density (1.818–1.997 g · cm^?3) and good detonation performance (detonation velocities, 8.29–9.46 km · s^?1; detonation pressures, 30.87–42.12 GPa), which may be potential explosives compared with RDX (8.81 km · s^?1, 34.47 GPa ) and HMX (9.19 km · s^?1, 38.45 GPa). Finally, allowing for the explosive performance and molecular stability, three compounds may be suggested as good potential candidates for high‐energy density materials. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrogen bond nature in formamide (CYHNH2···XH; YO,S, Se,Te; XF,HO, NH2) complexes at their ground and low‐lying excited states

A theoretical study on the nature of hydrogen bond for formamide and its heavy complexes (CYHNH₂···XH; Y?O, S, Se, Te; X?F, HO, NH₂) was performed on the basis of density functional theory and the quantum chemistry analysis. Except for the CYHNH₂···NH₃ complexes, the substitution of O atom at formamide with less electronegative atoms (S, Se, and Te) is found to weaken the hydrogen bond (H‐bond). This substitution results in cyclic structure of hydrated and ammoniated formamide complexes by the formation of bifunctional H‐bonds (Y···H₄X; X···H₃C). Natural bond orbital analysis indicates that the H‐bond is weakened because of less charge transfer from a lone pair orbital of H‐bond acceptor to antibonding orbital of H‐bond donor. The quantum theory of atoms in molecules analysis reveals that the acyclic structure with single H‐bond stabilizes the complexes more than the cyclic structure formed by bifunctional H‐bonds. Natural energy decomposition analysis (NEDA) and block‐localized wavefunction energy decomposition (BLW‐ED) analyses show that the H‐bond stabilization energies of NEDA and BLW‐ED have good correlation with the dissociation energy of formamide complexes and charge transfer from donor to acceptor atom play an important role in H‐bonding. We have also studied the low‐lying electronic excited states (T₁, T₂, and S₁) for CYHNH₂···H₂O complexes to explore the nature of H‐bond on the basis of electronegativity and found that NEDA also establishes a good correlation with relative electronic energy (with respect to their ground state) and H‐bond strength at their excited states. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

Investigation of cation–anion interaction in 1‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐3‐methylimidazolium‐based ion pairs by density functional theory calculations and experiments

Gas‐phase structure, hydrogen bonding, and cation–anion interactions of a series of 1‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐3‐methylimidazolium ([HOEMIm]⁺)‐based ionic liquids (hereafter called hydroxyl ILs) with different anions (X = [NTf₂]^–, [PF₆]^–, [ClO₄]^–, [BF₄]^–, [DCA]^–, [NO₃]^–, [AC]^– and [Cl]^–), as well as 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimizolium ([EMIm]⁺)‐based ionic liquids (hereafter called nonhydroxyl ILs), were investigated by density functional theory calculations and experiments. Electrostatic potential surfaces and optimized structures of isolated ions, and ion pairs of all ILs have been obtained through calculations at the Becke, three‐parameter, Lee–Yang–Parr/6‐31 + G(d,p) level and their hydrogen bonding behavior was further studied by the polarity and Kamlet–Taft Parameters, and ¹H‐NMR analysis. In [EMIm]⁺‐based nonhydroxyl ILs, hydrogen bonding preferred to be formed between anions and C2–H on the imidazolium ring, while in [HOEMIm]⁺‐based hydroxyl ILs, it was replaced by a much stronger one that preferably formed between anions and OH. The O–H···X hydrogen bonding is much more anion‐dependent than the C2–H···X, and it is weakened when the anion is changed from [AC]^– to [NTf₂]^–. The different interaction between [HOEMIm]⁺ and variable anion involving O–H···X hydrogen bonding resulted in significant effect on their bulk phase properties such as ¹H‐NMR shift, polarity and hydrogen‐bond donor ability (acidity, α). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A detailed DFT/TDDFT study on excited‐state intramolecular hydrogen bonding dynamics and proton‐transfer mechanism of 2‐phenanthro[9,10‐d]oxazol‐2‐yl‐phenol

In this present work, using density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods, we theoretically study the excited‐state hydrogen bonding dynamics and the excited state intramolecular proton transfer mechanism of a new 2‐phenanthro[9,10‐d]oxazol‐2‐yl‐phenol (2PYP) system. Via exploring the reduced density gradient versus sign(λ₂(r))ρ(r), we affirm that the intramolecular hydrogen bond O1‐H2?N3 is formed in the ground state. Based on photoexcitation, comparing bond lengths, bond angles, and infrared vibrational spectra involved in hydrogen bond, we confirm that the hydrogen bond O1‐H2?N3 of 2PYP should be strengthened in the S₁ state. Analyses about frontier molecular orbitals prove that charge redistribution of 2PYP facilitates excited state intramolecular proton transfer process. Via constructing potential energy curves and searching transition state structure, we clarify the excited state intramolecular proton transfer mechanism of 2PYP in detail, which may make contributions for the applications of such kinds of system in future.     

A theoretical investigation about sensing mechanism of fluoride anion for (E)‐2‐(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl)‐6‐(4‐hydroxystyryl)‐1H‐benzo[de]‐isoquinoline‐1,3 (2H)‐dione

In the present work, we theoretical study the sensing mechanism of a new fluoride chemosensor (E)‐2‐(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl)‐6‐(4‐hydroxystyryl)‐1H‐benzo[de]‐isoquinoline‐1,3(2H)‐dione (the abbreviation is NIM ). Based on density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods, the fluoride anion response mechanism has been confirmed via constructing potential energy curve. The exothermal deprotonation process along with the intermolecular hydrogen bond O–H···F reveals the uniqueness of detecting F^?. After capturing hydrogen proton forming NIM‐A anion configuration, a new absorption peak around 655 nm appears in dimethyl sulfoxide solvent. In addition, the emission of NIM can be quenched when adding F^? has been also confirmed. Due to the twisted intramolecular charge transfer character NIM‐A‐S ₁ form, we further verify the experimental phenomenon. The theoretical electronic spectra (vertical excitation energies and fluorescence peak) reproduced previous experimental results (ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2014, 6, 7996), which not only reveals the rationality of our theoretical level used in this work but also confirms the correctness of geometrical attribution. In view of the excitation process, the strong intramolecular charge transfer process of S₀ → S₁ transition explain the redshift of absorption peak for NIM with the addition of fluoride anion. This work presents a straightforward sensing mechanism (deprotonation process) of fluoride anion for the novel NIM chemosensor.     

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.     

FT‐Raman,FT‐IR spectra and DFT calculations on monomeric and dimeric structures of 5‐fluoro‐ and 5‐chloro‐salicylic acid

The experimental and theoretical study on the structures and vibrations of 5‐fluoro‐salicylic acid and 5‐chloro‐salicylic acid (5‐FSA and 5‐ClSA, C₇H₅FO₃ and C₇H₅ClO₃) is presented. The Fourier transform infrared spectra (4000–400 cm⁻¹) and the Fourier transform Raman spectra (4000–50 cm⁻¹) of the title molecules in the solid phase were recorded. The molecular structures, vibrational wavenumbers, infrared intensities, Raman intensities and Raman scattering activities were calculated for a pair of molecules linked by the intermolecular O H···O hydrogen bond. The geometrical parameters and energies of 5‐FSA and 5ClSA were obtained for all eight conformers/isomers from density functional theory (DFT) (B3LYP) with 6‐311++G(d,p) basis set calculations. The computational results identified the most stable conformer of 5‐FSA and 5‐ClSA as the C1 form. The complete assignments were performed on the basis of the total energy distribution (TED) of the vibrational modes, calculated with scaled quantum mechanics (SQM) method. The spectroscopic and theoretical results were compared with the corresponding properties for 5‐FSA and 5‐ClSA monomers and dimer of C1 conformer. The optimized bond lengths, bond angles and calculated wavenumbers showed the best agreement with the experimental results. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermolysis and photolysis of 2‐ethyl‐4‐nitro‐1(2H)‐isoquinolinium hydroperoxide

The thermal and light‐induced O ? O bond breaking of 2‐ethyl‐4‐nitro‐1(2H)‐isoquinolinium hydroperoxide (IQOOH) were studied using ¹H NMR, steady‐state UV/vis spectroscopy, femtosecond UV/vis transient absorption (fs TA) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TD DFT) calculations. Thermal O ? O bond breaking occurs at room temperature to generate water and the corresponding amide. The rate of this reaction, k = 5.4 · 10^?6 s^?1, is higher than the analogous rates of simple alkyl and aryl hydroperoxides; however, the rate significantly decreases in the presence of small amounts of methanol. The calculated structure of the transition state suggests that the thermolysis is facilitated by a 1,2 proton shift. The photochemical process yields the same products, as confirmed using NMR and UV/vis spectroscopy. However, the quantum yield for the photolysis is low (Φ = 0.7%). Fs TA studies provide additional detail of the photochemical process and suggest that the S₁ state of IQOOH undergoes fast internal conversion to the ground state, and this process competes with the excited‐state O ? O bond breaking. This result was supported by the fact that the model compound IQOH exhibits similar excited‐state decay lifetimes as IQOOH, which is assigned to the S₁ → S₀ internal conversion. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solvent controlling excited state proton transfer reaction in quinoline/isoquinoline‐pyrazole isomer QP‐I: A theoretical study

In this present work, we theoretically study the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism about a quinoline/isoquinoline‐pyrazole isomer QP‐I system. Compared with previous experimental results, our calculated results reappear previous data, which further confirm the theoretical level we used is reasonable. We mainly adopt 2 kinds of solvents (nonpolar cyclohexane and polar acetonitrile) to explore solvents effects on this system. Through reduced density gradient (RDG) function, the intramolecular hydrogen bond N1─H2···N3 has been confirmed existing in both S₀ and S₁ states, although the distance between H2 and N3 is not short. In addition, the strengthening N1─H2···N3 in the S₁ state provides possibility for ESIPT. Explorations about charge redistribution reveal the trend of ESIPT, and frontier orbital gap reflects the reactivity in polar and nonpolar solvents. The constructing potential energy curves reveal that potential energy barriers could be controlled and regulated by solvent polarity.     

Reaction pathway and H/D kinetic isotope effects of the triple proton transfer in a 7‐hydroxyquinoline‐methanol complex in the ground state: A computational approach

Multiple proton transfer (PT) is an essential process in long‐range proton transport such as proton relay in enzymes. 7‐Hydroxyquinoline (7HQ) undergoes alcohol‐mediated PT in both the excited and ground states, and this system has been investigated as a biomimetic model. In the present study, the reaction pathway of triple PT in a 7HQ‐methanol cluster, 7HQ·(MeOH)₂, in the ground state has been investigated using density functional theory calculations to clarify the reaction mechanism and the origin of the experimentally observed kinetic isotope effect (KIE). The PT takes place in an asynchronous concerted fashion, in which the oxygen atom in 7HQ first accepts a proton from the directly hydrogen‐bonded MeOH. The rate constants and primary H/D KIEs have been estimated with canonical variational transition state theory in combination with the small curvature tunneling approximation. The tunneling effect on the PT rate is significant, and the KIE is much greater than 1 at room temperature. The rule of the geometric mean for the KIEs breaks down because of the asynchronicity in the motions of 3 protons and tunneling effect. In addition, the rate constant is smaller, the KIE is larger, and the activation energy is higher compared with the experimental values in heptane solution, suggesting that the PT dynamics in solution is governed by not only the intrinsic PT process but also thermal fluctuation of the solute and solvent molecules, which plays an important role in the configurational change of the 7HQ·(MeOH)₂ complex.