Channels to Singlet and Triplet Phenylcarbenes in Phenyldiazomethane: A CASSCF and MRCI Study

Diazo compounds such as phenyldiazomethane (C₆H₅C(H)N₂) exhibit intriguing phenomena including the ultrafast formation of singlet carbene and the excited‐state rearrangement reaction (RIES). In this work, we have used multi‐reference configuration interaction with single and double excitations (MRCI‐SD) and complete active space self‐consistent field (CASSCF) methods to study the photodissociation dynamics of C₆H₅C(H)N₂. The equilibrium structures, transition states in the lowest three electronic states (S₁, T₁, and S₀), and S₁/S₀ and T₁/S₀ minimum‐energy crossing points both in the Franck–Condon region and on the pathway of the CN bond dissociation have been optimized. On the basis of the calculated S₁, T₁, and S₀ potential energy surfaces, we have uncovered the most efficient pathways to the lowest singlet and triplet phenylcarbenes (C₆H₅CH) in irradiated C₆H₅C(H)N₂.     

MO Study on the photochemical isomerization of isoxazole

The reaction mechanism of photoisomerization of isoxazoles to oxazoles through azirine intermediates is investigated theoretically by means of ab initio MO CI calculations. Azirine intermediates in S₁ state [(n →*) state of the carbonyl chromophore] cause the C? N bond rupture of azirine ring and transform to isoxazoles via intersystem crossing to T₁ state. On the other hand, azirine intermediates in S₂ state [(n →*) state of the ketimine chromophore] lead to the C? C bond rupture of azirine ring and convert to oxazoles via intersystem crossing to T₁ state.     

Theoretical studies of spin state‐specific [2 + 2] and [5 + 2] photocycloaddition reactions of n‐(1‐penten‐5‐yl)maleimide

N‐alkenyl maleimides are found to exhibit spin state‐specific chemoselectivities for [2 + 2] and [5 + 2] photocycloadditions; but, reaction mechanism is still unclear. In this work, we have used high‐level electronic structure methods (DFT, CASSCF, and CASPT2) to explore [2 + 2] and [5 + 2] photocycloaddition reaction paths of an N‐alkenyl maleimide in the S₁ and T₁ states as well as relevant photophysical processes. It is found that in the S₁ state [5 + 2] photocycloaddition reaction is barrierless and thus overwhelmingly dominant; [2 + 2] photocycloaddition reaction is unimportant because of its large barrier. On the contrary, in the T₁ state [2 + 2] photocycloaddition reaction is much more favorable than [5 + 2] photocyclo‐addition reaction. Mechanistically, both S₁ [5 + 2] and T₁ [2 + 2] photocycloaddition reactions occur in a stepwise, nonadiabatic means. In the S₁ [5 + 2] reaction, the secondary C atom of the ethenyl moiety first attacks the N atom of the maleimide moiety forming an S₁ intermediate, which then decays to the S₀ state as a result of an S₁ → S₀ internal conversion. In the T₁ [2 + 2] reaction, the terminal C atom of the ethenyl moiety first attacks the C atom of the maleimide moiety, followed by a T₁ → S₀ intersystem crossing process to the S₀ state. In the S₀ state, the second C C bond is formed. Our present computational results not only rationalize available experiments but also provide new mechanistic insights. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics Study on the Photoreactions of Dark‐ and Light‐Adapted States of a Blue‐Light YtvA LOV Photoreceptor

The dark‐ and light‐adapted states of YtvA LOV domains exhibit distinct excited‐state behavior. We have employed high‐level QM(MS‐CASPT2)/MM calculations to study the photochemical reactions of the dark‐ and light‐adapted states. The photoreaction from the dark‐adapted state starts with an S₁→T₁ intersystem crossing followed by a triplet‐state hydrogen transfer from the thiol to the flavin moiety that produces a diradical intermediate, and a subsequent internal conversion that triggers a barrierless C−S bond formation in the S₀ state. The energy profiles for these transformations are different for the four conformers of the dark‐adapted state considered. The photochemistry of the light‐adapted state does not involve the triplet state: photoexcitation to the S₁ state triggers C−S bond cleavage followed by recombination in the S₀ state; both these processes are essentially barrierless and thus ultrafast. The present work offers new mechanistic insights into the photoresponse of flavin‐containing blue‐light photoreceptors.     

Insights into the Photoinduced Isomerization Mechanisms of a N,C–Chelate Organoboron Compound: A Theoretical Study

As the first discovered organoboron compound with photochromic property, B(ppy)Mes₂ (ppy=2-phenylpyridine, Mes=mesityl) displays rich photochemistry that constitutes a solid foundation for wide applications in optoelectronic fields. In this work, we investigated the B(ppy)Mes₂ to borirane isomerization mechanisms in the three lowest electronic states (S₀, S₁, and T₁) based on the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) and its second-order perturbation (CASPT2) methods combined with time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations. Our results show that the photoisomerization in the S₁ state is dominant, which is initiated by the cleavage of the B-C_ppy bond. After overcoming a barrier of 0.5 eV, the reaction pathway leads to a conical intersection between the S₁ and S₀ states (S₁/S₀)_x, from which the decay path may go back to the reactant B(ppy)Mes₂ via a closed-shell intermediate (Int1-S₀) or to the product borirane via a biradical intermediate (Int2-S₀). Although triplet states are probably involved in the photoinduced process, the possibility of the photoisomerization in T₁ state is very small owing to the weakly allowed S₁→T₁ intersystem crossing and the high energy barrier (0.77 eV). In addition, we found the photoisomerization is thermally reversible, which is consistent with the experimental observations.     

Multireference Calculation of the Photodissociation of Benzyl Chloride

The photodissociation mechanism of benzyl chloride （BzCl） under 248 nm has been investigated by the complete active space SCF （CASSCF） method by calculating the geometries of the ground （S0） and lower excited states, the vertical （Tv） and adiabatic （T0） excitation energies of the lower states, and the dissociation reaction pathways on the potential energy surfaces （PES） of SI, TI and T2 states. The calculated results clearly elucidated the photodissociation mechanism of BzCl, and indicated that the photodissociation on the PES of T1 state is the most favorable.     

2-氢吡喃分子光激发开环反应机理的理论研究

用完全活性空间多组态(CASSCF)方法对2-氢吡喃分子光激发开环反应机理进行了研究。利用价键理论(VB)和自然键道分析(NBO)探究了沿能量最低反应途径电子的重新分布情况。计算结果表明从S0-Min p®p*垂直激发到Franck-Condon点后很容易弛豫到S1-Min,经较低的势垒到达圆锥交叉点S1/S0。而S1/S0与S1-Min相比能量低0.63eV。这样体系沿非绝热最低反应途径从激发单重态经交叉点S1/S0很容易得到产物S0-Prod。     

硫代乙酰胺光化学反应机理的理论研究

用B3LYP, MP2和CASSCF方法, 采用cc-pVDZ和6-31++G**基组, 研究了硫代乙酰胺在基态和最低三态上消除硫化氢以及其它光解离反应, 并考虑了单个溶剂分子参与反应对质子迁移反应的影响, 得到了消除硫化氢反应的反应机理, 计算结果可以很好地解释实验结果. 进而用CASSCF方法计算了第一激发单态上的各驻点, 以及各交叉点. 计算结果表明, 在S1和T1态上发生除分子内转动以外的化学反应的可能性比较小, 当分子被激发到S2态上时, 将通过S2/S1交叉点到S1态, 在S1态上的分子有两条途径去活化, 通过S1/S0交叉点到热基态, 通过S1/T1交叉点系间窜越到T1态. 因而得出CH3CSNH2发生光解离反应的可能性不大. 基于此, 可将硫代酰胺结构引入蛋白或多肽中, 有望在不破坏分子整体结构的情况下对其进行光化学研究.     

Catalytic Diastereoselective Tandem Conjugate Addition–Elimination Reaction of Morita–Baylis–Hillman C Adducts by C?C Bond Cleavage

Through the cleavage of the C? C bond, the first catalytic tandem conjugate addition–elimination reaction of Morita–Baylis–Hillman C adducts has been presented. Various S_N2′‐like C‐, S‐, and P‐allylic compounds could be obtained with exclusive E configuration in good to excellent yields. The Michael product could also be easily prepared by tuning the β‐C‐substituent group of the α‐methylene ester under the same reaction conditions. Calculated relative energies of various transition states by DFT methods strongly support the observed chemoselectivity and diastereoselectivity.     

4‐Ethoxycarbonyl‐3‐hydroxy‐3‐phenylcyclohexanone

The title compound, ethyl 2‐hydroxy‐4‐oxo‐2‐phenyl­cyclo­hexane­carboxyl­ate, C₁₅H₁₈O₄, was obtained by a Michael–Aldol condensation and has the cyclo­hexanone in a chair conformation. The attached hydroxy, ethoxy­carbonyl and phenyl groups are disposed in β‐axial, β‐equatorial and α‐­equatorial configurations, respectively. An intermolecular hydrogen bond, with an O?O distance of 2.874 (2) Å, links the OH group and the ring carbonyl. Weak intermolecular C—H?O=C (ester and ketone), O—H?O=C (ketone) and C—H?OH hydrogen bonds exist.     

Spin-forbidden electronic transitions in non-planar aromatic amines

Evidence is presented which indicates that the direct spin—orbit coupling between low-lying ππ^* states is largely responsible for the efficient S₁ → T₁ intersystem crossing and T₁ → S₀ radiative transition in non-planar aromatic amines.     

Synthesis and Conformation of Fluorinated β‐Peptidic Compounds

Experimental and theoretical data indicate that, for α‐fluoroamides, the F? C? C(O)? N(H) moiety adopts an antiperiplanar conformation. In addition, a gauche conformation is favoured between the vicinal C? F and C? N(CO) bonds in N‐β‐fluoroethylamides. This study details the synthesis of a series of fluorinated β‐peptides ( 1 – 8 ) designed to use these stereoelectronic effects to control the conformation of β‐peptide bonds. X‐ray crystal structures of these compounds revealed the expected conformations: with fluorine β to a nitrogen adopting a gauche conformation, and fluorine α to a C?O group adopting an antiperiplanar conformation. Thus, the strategic placement of fluorine can control the conformation of a β‐peptide bond, with the possibility of directing the secondary structures of β‐peptides.     

Photochemical reaction mechanism of cyclobutanone: CASSCF study

The photochemical reaction channels of cyclobutanone have been studied at the CASSCF level with a 6‐31G* basis set. Starting from the n‐π* excited‐state (S₁) cyclobutanone, the three reactions can take place: decarbonylation (produce CO and cyclopropane or propylene), cycloelimination (produce ketene and ethylene), and ring expansion (produce oxacarbene). Our computation indicates that decarbonylation products CO and triplet trimethylene are formed on the triplet n‐π* excited state (T₁) in a stepwise way via a biradical intermediate after intersystem crossing (ISC) to T₁ from S₁. And, then, the triplet trimethylene undergoes a second ISC to the ground state (S₀) to produce the singlet trimethylene from which cyclopropane can be produced rapidly only overcoming a 1 to 2‐kcal/mol barrier while propylene can be formed as a secondary product. The cycloelimination products ketene and ethylene are formed on the S₀ in a concerted mechanism after internal conversion (IC) to S₀ from S₁ via a biradical conical intersection. The reaction channels corresponding to ring expansion on the S₀, T₁, and S₁ states have also been discussed, and the likeliest reaction path is that oxacarbene is formed on the ground state following S₁/S₀ internal conversion. The surface topology of cyclobutanone on the S₁ surface is characterized by a transition state separating the minimum from the S₁/S₀ conical intersection, which is consistent with the previous computations and can explain the wavelength dependence of the fluorescence emission yield. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004     

α‐Halogenoacetanilides as Hydrogen‐Bonding Organocatalysts that Activate Carbonyl Bonds: Fluorine versus Chlorine and Bromine

α‐Halogenoacetanilides (X=F, Cl, Br) were examined as H‐bonding organocatalysts designed for the double activation of C?O bonds through NH and CH donor groups. Depending on the halide substituents, the double H‐bond involved a nonconventional C?H???O interaction with either a H?CX_n (n=1–2, X=Cl, Br) or a H?C_Ar bond (X=F), as shown in the solid‐state crystal structures and by molecular modeling. In addition, the catalytic properties of α‐halogenoacetanilides were evaluated in the ring‐opening polymerization of lactide, in the presence of a tertiary amine as cocatalyst. The α‐dichloro‐ and α‐dibromoacetanilides containing electron‐deficient aromatic groups afforded the most attractive double H‐bonding properties towards C?O bonds, with a N?H???O???H?CX₂ interaction.     

Photophysical behaviour of azaphenanthrenes

Nitrogen position and internal heavy atom effects on the radiative and radiationless transitions from the lowest excited states of the isomeric azaphenanthrenes and some of their methyl, chlorine and bromine derivatives have been studied in E.P.A. solutions at 77 K. The nitrogen position affects the fluorescence and S₁-T₁ intersystem crossing rates more than the phosphorescence and T₁-S₀ intersystem crossing rates. Small differences in the behaviour of 9-azaphenanthrene are enhanced in non-hydroxylic solvents and at room temperature, and it is inferred that (n, π*) states play a more important role in the photophysical behaviour of this isomer. Halogen, substitution in all the isomers increases the phosphorescence rate, induces a smaller increase in the T₁-S₀ intersystem crossing rates and has a negligible effect on the fluorescence rate.     

An Unusually Small Singlet–Triplet Gap in a Quinoidal 1,6‐Methano[10]annulene Resulting from Baird’s 4n π‐Electron Triplet Stabilization

Within the continuum of π‐extended quinoidal electronic structures exist molecules that by design can support open‐shell diradical structures. The prevailing molecular design criteria for such structures involve proaromatic nature that evolves aromaticity in open‐shell diradical resonance structures. A new diradical species built upon a quinoidal methano[10]annulene unit is synthesized and spectroscopically evaluated. The requisite intersystem crossing in the open‐shell structure is accompanied by structural reorganization from a contorted Möbius aromatic‐like shape in S₀ to a more planar shape in the Hückel aromatic‐like T₁. This stability was attributed to Baird’s Rule which dictates the aromaticity of 4n π‐electron triplet excited states.     

Molecular Mechanism of Diaminomaleonitrile to Diaminofumaronitrile Photoisomerization: An Intermediate Step in the Prebiotic Formation of Purine Nucleobases

The photoinduced isomerization of diaminomaleonitrile (DAMN) to diaminofumaronitrile (DAFN) was suggested to play a key role in the prebiotically plausible formation of purine nucleobases and nucleotides. In this work we analyze two competitive photoisomerization mechanisms on the basis of state‐of‐the‐art quantum‐chemical calculations. Even though it was suggested that this process might occur on the triplet potential‐energy surface, our results indicate that the singlet reaction channel should not be disregarded either. In fact, the peaked topography of the S₁/S₀ conical intersection suggests that the deexcitation should most likely occur on a sub‐picosecond timescale and the singlet photoisomerization mechanism might effectively compete even with a very efficient intersystem crossing. Such a scenario is further supported by the relatively small spin–orbit coupling of the S₁ and T₂ states in the Franck–Condon region, which does not indicate a very effective triplet bypass for this photoreaction. Therefore, we conclude that the triplet reaction channel in DAMN might not be as prominent as was previously thought.     

A CASSCF and CASPT2 study on the excited states of s-trans-formaldazine

The low-lying excited states of s-trans-formaldazine (H2CN-NCH2) have been investigated using the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) and the multiconfigurational second-order perturbation (CASPT2) methods. The vertical excitation energies have been calculated at the state-average CASSCF and multistate CASPT2 levels employing the cc-pVTZ basis set. The photodissociation mechanisms starting from the S1 state have been determined. The lowest energy points along the seams of surface intersections have been located in both the Franck-Condon region and the N-N dissociation pathway in the S1 state. Once the system populates the S1 state, in the viewpoint of energy, the radiationless decay via S1/S0(3) conical intersection followed by the N-N bond fission in the ground-state is more favorable in comparison with the N-N dissociation process in the S1 state. A three-surface crossing region (S1/T1/T2), where the S1, T1, and T2 states intersect, was also found. However, the intersystem crossing process via S1/T1/T2 is not energetically competitive with the internal conversion via S1/S0(3).     

Photoactivation mechanism of orthovanadate-like (V=O)O3 species

The photoluminescence spectrum and action spectrum for the photooxidation of orthovanadate-like (V=O)O₃ species exhibiting photoluminescence at 520 nm indicate that the triplet excited state T₁ of the orthovanadate-like species, which is formed from the singlet excited states S₁ and S₂ by intersystem crossing, is directly involved in the photooxidation of cyclohexane into cyclohexanone in the presence of molecular oxygen.     

9,9-二己基芴基四乙炔基聚炔铂的合成及发光性质

Soluble platinum(Ⅱ)polyyne polymers trans-{Pt-[P(C_4H_8N)_3]_2(C≡C)_2R(C≡C)_(2-)}_n and trans-{Pt-[P(C_4-H_3O)_3]_2(C≡C)_2R(C≡C)_(2-)}_n(R=9,9-dihexylfluorene-2,7-diyl)have been prepared in good yields by CuI-catalyzedpolymerization involving the dehydrohalogenating coupling of trans-{PtCl_2[P(C_4H_8N)_3]_2} and trans-{PtCl_2[P-(C_4H_3O)_3]_2} with H(C≡C)_2R(C≡C)_2H,respectively.We report the optical spectroscopy of these polyplatinaynes.The influence of the heavy metal atom in these metal alkynyl systems on the intersystem crossing rate and the spa-tial extent of lowest singlet and triplet excitons was systematically characterized.Our investigations indicate that theorganic triplet emissions can be harvested by the heavy-atom effect which enables efficient intersystem crossingfrom the S_1 singlet excited state to the T_1 triplet excited state.