Excited state dynamics with the direct trajectory surface hopping method: azobenzene and its derivatives as a case study

We review the recent studies of the photoisomerization dynamics of azobenzene and its derivatives by surface hopping simulations based on semiempirical potential energy surfaces. We examine the ability of semiclassical methods to predict the excited state dynamics and to reproduce transient spectroscopic signals that constitute the most direct experimental evidence in this field. We show that the available simulation methods yield a deep insight into the mechanism of photochemical reactions and excited state decay, and a fairly good quantitative agreement with experimental findings. Probably the most important technical improvements we can envisage concern the surface hopping algorithm and the usage of ab initio data in the simulation of transient spectra. Concerning azobenzene, our results show that the isomerization mechanism is torsion of the N=N double bond, both by n → π* and by π → π* excitation. The influence of the solvent and the findings of some recent femtochemistry experiments deserve further work to be fully interpreted.     

Synthesis and N.m.r. studies of bis-trisubstituted phosphine platinum(o) and palladium(o) complexes with push-pull olefins

Summary Platinum(0) and palladium(0) complexes of the type: P₂M(R₁R₂C=CR₃R₄) (P=trisubstituted phosphine; R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are different groups having electron acceptor or electron donor properties; M=Pt or Pd) with so called pushpull olefins, have been prepared and characterized. In some cases unusual patterns in the n.m.r. spectra of olefinic protons were observed. The spectra were analyzed by computer simulation and general rules for ABMX patterns for this type of complexes are given.     

Experimental and theoretical study of the interaction of CO2 with alpha-Al2O3

Density functional molecular cluster calculations are combined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), quadrupolar mass spectrometry (QMS), and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy to investigate the interaction of CO2 with alpha-Al2O3 and partially reduced alpha-Al2O3. The electronic structure of the stoichiometric and partially reduced substrate, adsorbate geometries, chemisorption enthalpies, and adsorbate vibrational parameters are computed and discussed. Theoretical results agree quite well with experimental data and previous theoretical investigations. As far as the adsorbate-substrate interaction is concerned, the results of our calculations indicate that CO2 forms bidentate-chelating carbonate species. The bonding scheme of this surface complex implies a significant substrate-->adsorbate transfer of charge (from the occupied dangling bond of a surface Lewis base site into one component of the CO2 2 pi u LUMO) assisted by a definitely weaker adsorbate-->substrate donation (from one component of the CO2 1 pi g HOMO into an empty dangling bond of a surface Lewis acid site). Our estimate of the chemisorption enthalpy (-15 kcal/mol) agrees quantitatively with calorimetric data reported for CO2 adsorbed on high surface area alpha-alumina (-16.0 kcal/mol). [Mao, C.-F.; Vannice, M. A. Appl. Catal. A 1994, 111, 151.] According to XPS and QMS outcomes, theoretical results predict that the interaction of CO2 with partially reduced alpha-Al2O3 gives rise to the reduction of the adsorbate to CO and to the concomitant substrate reoxidation.     

Selective cleavage of P-N bonds and the conversion of rhodium N-pyrrolyl phosphine complexes into diphosphoxane-bridged dimers

Rhodium(I) complexes trans-[RhCl(CO)(PR(2)[NC(4)H(3)C(O)Me-2])(2)] (R = Ph, NC(4)H(4)) react with water to give the diphosphoxane-bridged dimers [Rh(2)Cl(2)(CO)(2)(mu-PR(2)OPR(2))(2)] following cleavage of the P-N bonds to the 2-acetyl-N-pyrrolyl groups. The two dimers have been crystallographically characterized and show a number of structural differences, with the PPh(2)OPPh(2) compound possessing semibridging chloride and carbonyl ligands whereas the P(NC(4)H(4))(2)OP(NC(4)H(4))(2) compound contains only terminal chlorides and carbonyls. No evidence for cleavage of the P-N bonds involving the unfunctionalized N-pyrrolyl groups in trans-[RhCl(CO)(P[NC(4)H(4)](2)[NC(4)H(3)C(O)Me-2])(2)] was observed.     

The photoisomerization mechanism of azobenzene: a semiclassical simulation of nonadiabatic dynamics

We have simulated the photoisomerization dynamics of azobenzene, taking into account internal conversion and geometrical relaxation processes, by means of a semiclassical surface hopping approach. Both n-->pi* and pi-->pi* excitations and both cis-->trans and trans-->cis conversions have been considered. We show that in all cases the torsion around the N==N double bond is the preferred mechanism. The quantum yields measured are correctly reproduced and the observed differences are explained as a result of the competition between the inertia of the torsional motion and the premature deactivation of the excited state. Recent time-resolved spectroscopic experiments are interpreted in the light of the simulated dynamics.     

1,2-Oxopalladation versus pi-allyl palladium route. A regioconvergent approach to a key intermediate for cyclopentanoids synthesis. New insights into the Pd(II)-catalyzed lactonization reaction

Regioconvergent synthesis of the key lactone 1 from an equimolar mixture of the two olefins 4 and 5 was achieved by unique Pd(II) chemistry. The synthetic versatility of lactone 1 has been demonstrated in the synthesis of iridoids and of the endo-Corey lactone 2, which is a key intermediate for the F(2)-isoprostane synthesis. Upon exposure of the sodium salts of 4 and 5 to a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)(2) under oxygen, in the presence of AcOH, an isomeric lactone 12 was obtained in addition to the title compound 1. The Pd(II) lactonization was optimized by fine-tuning all the factors participating in the catalytic cycle: solvent, oxidant, co-oxidant, and Pd(II) source. The Hosokawa's heterobimetallic couple emerged as the catalyst of choice. With a Cu(II)-Pd(II) couple, the redox process was transferred to copper, and the formal oxidation state of palladium remained constant during the reaction. By virtue of this new methodology, lactone 1 was obtained in a rewarding 60% yield, along with isomeric lactone 12 in 30% yield. A detailed mechanistic study was carried out in order to elucidate the formation of lactones 1 and 12. Lactone 1 was formed from either olefin 8 or olefin 10; on the other hand, lactone 12 was formed exclusively from olefin 10. An intramolecular 1,2-acyloxypalladiation was invoked for the transformation of 8 into 1, whereas the pi-allyl complexes 13 and 11 were involved in the transformation of olefin 10 into 12 and 1, respectively.     

Preparation and crystal structure of a copper(II) uranyl(VI) binuclear chelate

Summary The structure of the heterobinuclear complex of Cu²⁺ and [UO₂]²⁺ with the tetraanionic ligand derived from the condensation of 1,2-diaminoethane witho-acetoacetylphenol has been determined from diffractometer data and refined to R = 5.2%. The crystals are monoclinic,P2₁/a, witha = 26.22(2),b = 14.79(2),c = 8.10(1) Å and = 104.65(5)°; Z = 4. The ligand employed has two different coordination sets of atoms, N₂O₂ and O₂O₂, two oxygen atoms being common to both donor sets. In the complex the copper atom, which is retained in the inner N₂O₂ chamber, is five coordinate being axially bonded to a solvent molecule, whilst the uranyl ion is incorporated in the outer O₂O₂ chamber. Another molecule of solvent is retained to preserve the preferred seven coordination of uranium.     

4,5-Dihydroisoxazole and 4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives from cycloaddition reactions of nitrile oxides to alkyl N-(diphenylmethylene)-α,β-dehydroamino acids

The alkyl N-(diphenylmethylene)-α,β-dehydroamino acids 1 have been submitted to 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with nitrile oxides. The reactivity of these compounds depends on the type and on the stereochemistry of the β-substituents. With the unsubstituted terms 1a,b the reaction occurs on the C,C double bond, providing a good method for the synthesis of the 4,5-dihydroisoxazole derivatives 3a,b,c and for the gem-functionalized 4,5-dihydroisoxazoles amino carboxylic ester 5. The β-substituted compounds 1c,d,e , inert to 1,1-dimethylethylnitrile oxide, undergo the reaction to the N,C double bond, thus giving with 2a,b the 4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives 4. All the reactions occur with high site- and regioselectivity.     

UV photoelectron spectra of 5- and 6-azauracil

The He(I) photoelectron spectra of 5-azauracil (1,3,5-triazine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione) and 6-azauracil (1,2,4-triazine-3, 5(2H,4H)-dione) are presented. The spectra are assigned by using INDO/S calculations and comparison arguments with uracil. The first ionization energy in the title compounds is higher than in the usual nucleic acid bases.     

Relaxation processes of the liquid crystal ME6N in the isotropic phase studied by Raman scattering experiments

We have investigated the Raman profiles of the nu(C[Triple Bond]N) and nu(C=O) vibrational modes of the nematic liquid crystal ME6N (4-cyanophenyl-4(')-hexylbenzoate) in the isotropic phase at different temperatures and used them as probes of the dynamics and structural organization of this liquid. The vibrational time correlation functions of the nu(C[Triple Bond]N) mode, rather adequately interpreted within the assumption of exponential modulation function (the Kubo-Rothschild theory), indicate that the system experiences an intermediate dynamical regime that gets only slightly faster with increasing temperature. However, this theory fails in predicting the non-exponential behavior that the time correlation functions manifest in the long time range (t>3 ps). For this reason we have additionally approached the interpretation of vibrational correlation functions in terms of the theory formulated by Rothschild and co-workers for locally structured liquids. The application of this theory reveals that the molecular dynamics in this liquid crystal in the isotropic phase is that deriving from a distribution of differently sized clusters, which narrows as the temperature increases. Even at the highest temperature reached in this study (87 degrees C above the nematic-isotropic transition), the liquid has not yet achieved the structure of the simple liquid and the dynamics has not reached the limit of the single channel process. The vibrational and orientational relaxations occur in very different time scales. The temperature independence of the orientational dynamics in the whole range from 55 degrees C to 135 degrees C has been referred to the nonhydrodynamic behavior of the system, arising when local pseudonematic structures persist for times longer than the orientational relaxation. The occurrence of the process of resonant vibrational energy transfer between the C=O groups of adjacent molecules has been revealed in the isotropic phase by a slightly positive Raman noncoincidence effect in the band associated with the nu(C=O) mode. A qualitative interpretation is tentatively given in terms of partial cancellation of contributions deriving from structures having opposite orientations of their C=O groups.