Femtosecond pump-probe studies of nitrosyl chloride photochemistry in solution

We present a femtosecond pump-probe study of the primary events of nitrosyl chloride (ClNO) photochemistry in solution. Following 266 nm photolysis, the resulting evolution in optical density is measured for ClNO dissolved in acetonitrile, chloroform, and dichloromethane. The results demonstrate that photolysis results in the production of a photoproduct that has an absorption band maximum at 295 nm in acetonitrile and 330 nm in chloroform and dichloromethane. To determine the extent of Cl production, comparative photochemical studies of methyl hypochlorite (MeOCl) and ClNO are performed. Photolysis of MeOCl in solution results in the production of the Cl:solvent charge-transfer complex; therefore, a comparison of the spectral evolution observed following MeOCl and ClNO photolysis under identical photolysis conditions is performed to determine the extent of Cl production following ClNO photolysis. We find that similar to the gas-phase photochemistry, Cl and NO formation is the dominant photochemical channel in acetonitrile. However, the photochemistry in chloroform and dichloromethane is more complex, with a second product formed in addition to Cl and NO. It is proposed that in these solvents photoisomerization also occurs, resulting in the production of ClON. The results presented here represent the first detailed examination of the solution phase photochemistry of ClNO.     

含对甲氧基苯氧羰基偶氮苯基团的侧链液晶高分子的光致变色性能研究

研究了含对甲氧基苯氧羰基偶氮苯基团的甲基丙烯酸酯单体及其与含对甲氧基苯氧羰基苯基团的甲基丙烯酸酯单体的共聚物的氯仿溶液、二甲基甲酰胺溶液和共聚物薄膜在紫外光诱导下的光异构化及热回复异构化行为。结果表明,它们在紫外光诱导下均能发生先致变色现象,且介质对其光致变色行为起决定作用。     

Tracking ultrafast excited-state bond-twisting motion in solution close to the Franck-Condon point

Applying optimal control to photoinduced trans-cis isomerization in condensed phase, the dynamics of bond-twisting motion of 1,1'-diethyl-4,4'-cyanine in methanol and propanol is revealed. The shape of the optimized pulse resulting from minimization of the photoisomer formation can be directly related to the initial excited-state dynamics in close proximity to the Franck-Condon point. The solvent viscosity-dependent ultrafast wavepacket motion is reflected in the prominent down-chirp of the optimized pulses and reveals a detailed picture of the control mechanism: The reduction of the isomer production is achieved by most efficient dumping of excited population back to the trans ground state. In the higher-viscosity solvent, propanol, wavelength-dependent oscillatory features are superimposed to the overall chirp structure pointing to the importance of excited-state vibrational coherences for the dumping process.     

Cyclooctatetraene computational photo- and thermal chemistry: a reactivity model for conjugated hydrocarbons

We use ab initio CASSCF and CASPT2 computations to construct the composite multistate relaxation path relevant to cycloocta-1,3,5,7-tetraene singlet photochemistry. The results show that an efficient population of the dark excited state (S(1)) takes place after ultrafast decay from the spectroscopic excited state (S(2)). A planar D(8)(h)-symmetric minimum represents the collecting point on S(1). Nonadiabatic transitions to S(0) appear to be controlled by two different tetraradical-type conical intersections, which are directly accessible from the S(1) minimum following specific excited-state reaction paths. The higher-energy conical intersection belongs to the same type of intersections previously documented in linear and cyclic conjugated hydrocarbons and features a triangular -(CH)(3)- kink. This point mediates both cis --> trans photoisomerization and cyclopropanation reactions. The lowest energy conical intersection has a boat-shaped structure. This intersection accounts for production of semibullvalene or for double-bond shifting. The mapping of both photochemical and thermal reaction paths (including also Cope rearrangements, valence isomerizations, ring inversions, and double-bond shifting) has allowed us to draw a comprehensive reactivity scheme for cyclooctatetraene, which rationalizes the experimental observations and documents the complex network of photochemical and thermal reaction path interconnections. The factors controlling the selection and accessibility of a number of conjugated hydrocarbon prototype conical intersections and ground-state relaxation channels are discussed.     

Initial excited-state structural dynamics of thymine are coincident with the expected photochemical dynamics

To explore the excited-state structural dynamics of thymine, a DNA nucleobase, we measured the resonance Raman spectra of thymine in aqueous solution at wavelengths throughout the lowest-energy absorption band. Self-consistent analysis of the resulting resonance Raman excitation profiles and absorption spectrum using a time-dependent wave packet formalism yielded the excited-state structural dynamics. The photochemically relevant C=C stretching and C-H deformation vibrational modes were found to exhibit maximum resonance Raman intensity and structural change upon photoexcitation for thymine, suggesting that the initial dynamics of thymine lie along the photochemical reaction coordinate.     

Pump-shaped dump optimal control reveals the nuclear reaction pathway of isomerization of a photoexcited cyanine dye

Using optimal control as a spectroscopic tool we decipher the details of the molecular dynamics of the essential multidimensional excited-state photoisomerization - a fundamental chemical reaction of key importance in biology. Two distinct nuclear motions are identified in addition to the overall bond-twisting motion: Initially, the reaction is dominated by motion perpendicular to the torsion coordinate. At later times, a second optically active vibration drives the system along the reaction path to the bottom of the excited-state potential. The time scales of the wavepacket motion on a different part of the excited-state potential are detailed by pump-shaped dump optimal control. This technique offers new means to control a chemical reaction far from the Franck-Condon point of absorption and to map details of excited-state reaction pathways revealing unique insights into the underlying reaction mechanism.     

The direct synthesis of triorganotin compounds: Process and reaction mechanism

The reaction of tin metal with alkyl halides in the presence of a stoichiometric amount of halide ion rapidly produces very high yields of triorganotin halides. An overview of these reaction conditions and those required for the catalytic preparation of diorganotin dihalides shows that these preparations follow the normal reactivity of the alkyl halides towards nucleophiles. Both processes are satisfactorily explained by a mechanism involving tin halogenoanions as nucleophiles. A similar mechanism also explains the formation of organomagnesium and organozinc halides.     

Solvent effect on the excited-state dynamics of analogues of the photoactive yellow protein chromophore

We previously reported that two analogues of the Photoactive Yellow Protein chromophore, trans-p-hydroxycinnamic acid (pCA(2-)) and its amide derivative (pCM-) in their deprotonated forms, undergo a trans-cis photoisomerization whereas the thioester derivative, trans-p-hydroxythiophenyl cinnamate (pCT-), does not. pCT- is also the only one to exhibit a short-lived intermediate on its excited-state deactivation pathway. We here further stress the existence of two different relaxation mechanisms for these molecules and examine the reaction coordinates involved. We looked at the effect of the solvent properties (viscosity, polarity, solvation dynamics) on their excited-state relaxation dynamics, probed by ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy. Sensitivity to the solvent properties is found to be larger for pCT- than for pCA(2-) and pCM-. This difference is considered to reveal that either the relaxation pathway or the reaction coordinate is different for these two classes of analogues. It is also found to be correlated to the electron donor-acceptor character of the molecule. We attribute the excited-state deactivation of analogues bearing a weaker acceptor group, pCA(2-) and pCM-, to a stilbene-like photoisomerization mechanism with the concerted rotation of the ethylenic bond and one adjacent single bond. For pCT-, which contains a stronger acceptor group, we consider a photoisomerization mechanism mainly involving the single torsion of the ethylenic bond. The excited-state deactivation of pCT- would lead to the formation of a ground-state intermediate at the "perp" geometry, which would return to the initial trans conformation without net isomerization.     

A Photophysical Study of Sensitization-Initiated Electron Transfer: Insights into the Mechanism of Photoredox Activity

The development of photocatalytic reactions has provided many novel opportunities to expand the scope of synthetic organic chemistry. In parallel with progress towards uncovering new reactivity, there is consensus that efforts focused on providing detailed mechanistic insight in order to uncover underlying excited-state reactions are essential to maximise formation of desired products. With this in mind, we have investigated the recently reported sensitization-initiated electron transfer (SenI-ET) reaction for the C−H arylation of activated aryl halides. Using a variety of techniques, and in particular nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, we are able to distinguish several characteristic signals from the excited-state species involved in the reaction, and subsequent kinetic analysis under various conditions has facilitated a detailed insight into the likely reaction mechanism.     

Stimulated emission three-pulse photo-echo peakshift: a mixed pump-probe and photon-echo technique for studying excited-state dynamics

A novel four-pulse photon-echo technique for exploring condensed phase dynamics at different parts of the excited-state potential energy surface is presented. In contrast to traditional three-pulse photon-echo signals, the introduction of a fourth pump pulse allows the use of photon-echo techniques to probe excited-state phenomena. Here, a "proof of principle" experiment is presented where the excited-state solvent dynamics of the coumarin 153 chromophore dissolved in methanol is explored. The fluctuations of the stimulated emission transition is probed, in contrast to the ground-state absorption transition explored in traditional echo measurements. Distinctly different excited-state dynamics, in contrast to ground-state signals, is observed and discussed.     

Facile method for synthesis of mixed-cation halide perovskites by mild equilibrium conversion via iodine-mediated transport reaction in inert liquid media

A new facile method for the synthesis of mixed-cation halide R2 = 0.9935 perovskites based on the chemical conversion of solid precursors (organic halides and lead halides) via an iodine-mediated transport reaction in inert liquid media under mild conditions is described. The equilibrium nature of the conversion provides an exact match between the stoichiometry of the resulting perovskite powder and the molar ratio of the precursors. This method can serve as a useful tool for the synthesis of complex perovskite precursors and the investigation of phase equilibria     

Initial excited-state structural dynamics of 2'-deoxyguanosine determined via UV resonance Raman spectroscopy

The resonance Raman spectra of 2'-deoxyguanosine, a DNA nucleoside, were measured in aqueous solution at wavelengths throughout its 260 nm absorption band. Self-consistent analysis of the resulting resonance Raman excitation profiles and absorption spectrum using a time-dependent wave packet formalism with two electronic states yielded the initial excited-state structural dynamics in both states. The vibrational modes containing the N(7)═C(8) stretching and C(8)-H bending internal coordinates were found to exhibit significant initial structural dynamics upon photoexcitation to either state and are coincident with the photochemical reaction coordinate involving the formation of the 2'-deoxyguanosine cation radical.     

Leaving group effects in gas-phase substitutions and eliminations

Using a methodology recently developed for studying the product distributions of gas-phase S(N)2 and E2 reactions, the effect of the leaving group on the reaction rate and branching ratio was investigated. Using a dianion as the nucleophile, reactions with a series of alkyl bromides, iodides, and trifluoroacetates were examined. The alkyl groups in the study are ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, isopropyl, sec-butyl, and tert-butyl. The data indicate that leaving group abilities are directly related to the exothermicities of the reaction processes in both the gas phase and the condensed phase. Gas-phase data give a reactivity order of iodide > trifluoroacetate > bromide for S(N)2 and E2 reactions. Previous condensed phase data indicate a reactivity order of iodide > bromide > trifluoroacetate for substitution reactions; however, the basicities of bromide and trifluoroacetate are reversed in the condensed phase so this reactivity pattern does reflect the relative reaction exothermicities. Aside from this variation, the gas-phase data parallel condensed phase data indicating that the substituent effects are rooted in the nature of the alkyl substrate rather than in differences in solvation. The experimental data are supported by calculations at the MP2/6-311+G(d,p)//MP2/6-31+(d) level.     

Applications of time-resolved step-scan Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy in revealing the light-initiated reactions in condensed phases

Step-scan Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ssFTIR) simultaneously provides the spectroscopic and kinetic information of a given reaction. ssFTIR has been extensively employed to acquire the transient absorption and emission spectra in gas phase for identifying unstable species, for example, various Criegee intermediates, and elucidating the dynamics and kinetics of the reaction, such as the molecular elimination dynamics of haloalkenes and the bimolecular reactions involving chlorine atoms and singlet oxygen atoms. In addition to gaseous studies, ssFTIR has been also utilized to record the time-resolved difference spectra of the photochemical reactions in condensed phases, such as the photolysis of metal–ligand complexes, photocycles of the retinal proteins, coordination capability of solvents to unstable transient species, chemical reactions of atmosphere-related molecules in aqua, and the exciplex dynamics of organic light emitting materials. Moreover, my group has pioneered the recording of the transient thermal infrared emission of gold nanostructures upon photoexcitation. The experimental setups and the working principles for probing the time-resolved infrared absorption and emission in condensed phases will be revealed and a number of studies on chemical, biological, and materials systems will be described. These reported results demonstrate that ssFTIR is a versatile tool for exploring the properties of novel materials and photoreactions in condensed phases.     

Theoretical Understanding on the Facilitated Photoisomerization of a Carbonyl Supported Borane System

Boron compound BOMes₂ containing an internal B−O bond undergoes highly efficient photoisomerization, followed by sequential structural transformations, resulting in a rare eight-membered B, O-heterocycle (S. Wang, et al. Org. Lett. 2019 , 21, 5285–5289). In this work, the detailed reaction mechanisms of such a unique carbonyl-supported tetracoordinate boron system in the first excited singlet (S₁) state and the ground (S₀) state were investigated by using the complete active space self-consistent field and its second-order perturbation (MS-CASPT2//CASSCF) method combined with time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). Moreover, an imine-substituted tetracoordinated organic boron system (BNMes₂) was selected for comparative study to explore the intrinsic reasons for the difference in reactivity between the two types of compounds. Steric factor was found to influence the photoisomerization activity of BNMes₂ and BOMes₂. These results rationalize the experimental observations and can provide helpful insights into understanding the excited-state dynamics of heteroatom-doped tetracoordinate organoboron compounds, which facilitates the rational design of boron-based materials with superior photoresponsive performances.     

有机磷化合物的研究 X:五价膦(磷)酸酯与卤代烷在卤化钠存在下的酯烷基交换反应

A detailed study on the ester alkyl exchange reaction of various types of quinique-valent phosphorus esters with alkyl halide in the presence of sodium bromides was reported. This ester alkyl exchange reaction was evidently influenced by the structure of phosphorus esters and alkyl halides as well as by the nature of the halides of metal ions. In contrast with the reaction without sodium hadlide, the alkyl phosphinmate is more reactive than phosphonate and phosphate by treatment with alkyl halide in the presence of sodium halide. This is consistent with the high nucleophilicity of >P(CO)O- as leaving group. The reactivity of butyl halides was decreased in the following order: n-BuBr>i-BuBr=s-BuBr>t-BuBr. Alkyl iodide was proved to be more reactive than the corresponding bromide and chloride. However, the use of iodioe is limited by the formation of alkene resulted from the elimination of HI. These structural effects show the general characteristics of a nucleophilic substitution reaction. A reaction mechanism involving the formation of sodium salt intermecutiate was proposed based on the concept of HSAB principle. This reaction may, however, be used as a convenient method for the preparation of mixed esters of quinque-valent phosphorus acids.     

Mechanistic and synthetic aspects of the reaction of alkyl esters of phosphorus with trimethylstannyl halides

The reaction of trimethylstannyl halides with trialkyl phosphates has been studied. The results are interpreted in terms of a mechanism involving a trimethylstannyloxyphosphonium salt intermediate. The much lower reactivity of the stannyl halides compared with their silicon analogs is explained by the lower ionization of the stannyl halide phosphate complexes and the unfavourable direction of the decomposition of the phosphonium salt intermediate. The reaction may be useful in synthesis of phosphates containing only one O-stannyl group, which can be used in generation of the acid function or replaced in reactions with compounds containing active halogen.     

Comparative theoretical study of intramolecular proton transfer in the photochemical cycles of 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole and 5,8-dimethyl-1-tetralone

We present a comparative golden rule analysis of the dynamics of the intramolecur (IM) hydrogen atom and proton transfer in the photochemical cycles of 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole (HBO) and 5,8-dimehtyl-1-tetralone (DMT). Two major effects are taken into consideration: the promoting effect of the IM vibrations which are symmetrically coupled to the reaction coordinate,and the suppressing effect resulting from the reorganization of both the molecule and solvent.

Semiempirical quantum-chemical calculations at the AM1 level were carried out to study the energy levels of all states involved in the photochemical cycles, including the effects of solvation in a polar protic solvent in the case of DMT. Two rotamers E_I and E_II for the enol form of DMT were located corresponding to different positions of the H atom in the hydroxyl group. In the group state the first is more stable both in the gas phase and in polar protic solvents such as diethyl ether—isopentane—ethanol (5:2:5 by volume). Therefore the reketonization reaction is treated as one-step tunneling from the rotamer E_I to the keto form, i.e. without the activated rotational equilibrium E_I↔E_II proposed by Grellmann and coworkers in an earlier study. The steep slope of the kinetic curve of this reaction is attributed to the additional activation energy resulting from the final reorganization of the low frequency oscillators, both intramolecular and solvent. For the dynamic calculations, the standard AM1 output (structural and force field data) was used as the input, and good agreement with the available kinetic experiments was reached for both compounds. No special reasons were found for the similarity of the kinetic curves for triplet excited-state intramolecular proton transfer in HBO and DMT.     

含对硝基偶氮苯基团的侧链液晶高分子的合成及其光致变色性能研究

报道了新型的含对硝基偶氮苯基团的甲基丙烯酸酯单体与含介晶基团的甲基丙烯酸酯单体的合成及其自由基共聚合．利用１Ｈ ＮＭＲ、ＩＲ、ＵＶ Ｖｉｓ、ＧＰＣ、元素分析、ＤＴＡ及ＰＯＭ等手段对偶氮单体和聚合物进行了结构表征．证明两种单体的共聚合产物为无规共聚物，而且各聚合物在加热过程中均显示出明显的向列相液晶织构．研究了偶氮单体及其与介晶单体的共聚物的氯仿溶液和聚合物薄膜在紫外光诱导下的光异构化及热回复异构化行为．结果表明，它们在紫外光诱导下均能发生光致变色现象，而且介质对其光化学行为起决定作用．     

Time-resolved multiphoton ionization in the organic condensed phase: Picosecond conformational dynamics of cis-stilbene and tetraphenylethylene

Picosecond time-resolved multiphoton ionization has been extended to studies of photochemical dynamics in the condensed phase. The early time dynamics