Electronically excited states of membrane fluorescent probe 4-dimethylaminochalcone. Results of quantum chemical calculations

Quantum-chemical calculations of ground and excited states for membrane fluorescent probe 4-dimethylaminochalcone (DMAC) in vacuum were performed. Optimized geometries and dipole moments for lowest-lying singlet and triplet states were obtained. The nature of these electronic transitions and the relaxation path in the excited states were determined; changes in geometry and charge distribution were assessed. It was shown that in vacuum the lowest existed level is of (n, π*) nature, and the closest to it is the level of (π, π*) nature; the energy gap between them is narrow. This led to an effective (1)(π, π*) →(1)(n, π*) relaxation. After photoexcitation the molecule undergoes significant transformations, including changes in bond orders, pyramidalization angle of the dimethylamino group, and planarity of the molecule. Its dipole moment rises from 5.5 Debye in the ground state to 17.1 Debye in the (1)(π, π*) state, and then falls to 2 Debye in the (1)(n, π*) state. The excited (1)(n, π*) state is a short living state; it has a high probability of intersystem crossing into the (3)(π, π*) triplet state. This relaxation path explains the low quantum yield of DMAC fluorescence in non-polar media. It is possible that (3)(π, π*) is responsible for observed DMAC phosphorescence.     

Ultrafast dynamics of the excited states of 1-(p-nitrophenyl)-2-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine

The dynamics of the excited states of 1-(p-nitrophenyl)-2-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidine (p-NPP) has been investigated using the subpicosecond transient absorption spectroscopic technique in different kinds of solvents. Following photoexcitation using 400 nm light, conformational relaxation via twisting of the nitro group, internal conversion (IC) and the intersystem crossing (ISC) processes have been established to be the three major relaxation pathways responsible for the ultrafast deactivation of the excited singlet (S(1)) state. Although the nitro-twisting process has been observed in all kinds of solvents, the relative probability of the occurrence of the other two processes has been found to be extremely sensitive to solvent polarity, because of alteration of the relative energies of the S(1) and the triplet (T(n)) states. In the solvents of lower polarity, the ISC is predominant over the IC process, because of near isoenergeticity of the S(1)(ππ*) and T(3)(nπ*) states. On the other hand, in the solvents of very large polarity, the energy of the S(1)(ππ*) state becomes lower than those of both the T(3)(nπ*) and T(2)(nπ*/ππ*) states, but those of the T(1)(ππ*) state and the IC process to the ground electronic (S(0)) state are predominant over the ISC, and hence the triplet yield is nearly negligible. However, in the solvents of medium polarity, the S(1) and T(2) states become isoenergetic and the deactivation of the S(1) state is directed to both the IC and ISC channels. In the solvents of low and medium polarity, following the ISC process, the excited states undergo IC, vibrational relaxation, and solvation in the triplet manifold. On the other hand, following the IC process in the Franck-Condon region of the S(0) state, the vibrationally hot molecules with the twisted nitro group subsequently undergo the reverse nitro-twisting process via dissipation of the excess vibrational energy to the solvent or vibrational cooling.     

Theoretical study on the photolysis mechanism of 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene

A CASPT2/CASSCF study has been carried out to investigate the mechanism of the photolysis of 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene (DBO) under direct and triplet-sensitized irradiation. By exploring the detailed potential energy surfaces including intermediates, transition states, conical intersections, and singlet/triplet crossing points, for the first excited singlet (S(1)) and the low-lying triplet states (T(1), T(2), and T(3)), we provide satisfactory explanations of many experimental findings associated with the photophysical and photochemical processes of DBO. A key finding of this work is the existence of a significantly twisted S(1) minimum, which can satisfactorily explain the envelope of the broad emission band of DBO. It is demonstrated that the S(1) (n-pi*) intermediate can decay to the T(1) (n-pi*) state by undergoing intersystem crossing (rather inefficient) to the T(2) (pi-pi*) state followed by internal conversion to the T(1) state. The high fluorescence yield and the extraordinarily long lifetime of the singlet excited DBO are due to the presence of relatively high barriers, both for intersystem crossing and for C-N cleavage. The short lifetime of the triplet DBO is caused by fast radiationless decay to the ground state.     

Triplet excited states of cyclic disulfides and related compounds: electronic structures, geometries, energies, and decay

We have performed a computational study on the properties of a series of heterocycles bearing two adjacent heteroatoms, focusing on the structures and electronic properties of their first excited triplet states. If the heteroatoms are both heavy chalcogens (S, Se, or Te) or isoelectronic species, then the lowest excited triplet state usually has (π*, σ*) character. The triplet energies are fairly low (30-50 kcal mol(-1)). The (π*, σ*) triplet states are characterized by a significantly lengthened bond between the two heteroatoms. Thus, in 1,2-dithiolane (1b), the S-S bond length is calculated to be 2.088 ? in the singlet ground state and 2.568 ? in the first triplet excited state. The spin density is predicted to be localized almost exclusively on the sulfur atoms. Replacing one heavy chalcogen atom by an oxygen atom or an NR group results in a significant destabilization of the (π*, σ*) triplet excited state, which then no longer is lower in energy than an open-chain biradical. The size of the heterocyclic ring also contributes to the stability of the (π*, σ*) triplet state, with five-membered rings being more favorable than six-membered rings. Benzoannulation, finally, usually lowers the energy of the (π*, σ*) triplet excited states. If one of the heteroatoms is an oxygen or nitrogen atom, however, the corresponding lowest triplet states are better described as σ,π-biradicals.     

Effects of chain length and Au spin-orbit coupling on 3(pi pi*) emission from bridging Cn2- units: theoretical characterization of spin-forbidden radiative transitions in metal-capped one-dimensional carbon chains [H3PAu(C[triple bond]C)nAuPH3

Density functional theory and CASSCF calculations have been used to optimize the geometries of binuclear gold(I) complexes [H(3)PAu(C[triple bond]C)(n)AuPH(3)] (n=1-6) in their ground states and selected lowest energy (3)(pi pi*) excited states. Vertical excitation energies obtained by time-dependent density functional calculations for the spin-forbidden singlet-triplet transitions have exponential-decay size dependence. The predicted singlet-triplet splitting limit of [H(3)PAu(C[triple bond]C)(proportional/variant)AuPH(3)] is about 8317 cm(-1). Calculated singlet-triplet transition energies are in reasonable agreement with available experimental observations. The effect of the heavy atom Au spin-orbit coupling on the (3)(pi pi*) emission of these metal-capped one-dimensional carbon allotropes has been investigated by MRCI calculations. The contribution of the spin- and dipole-allowed singlet excited state to the spin-orbit-coupling wave function of the (3)(pi pi*) excited state makes the low-lying acetylenic triplet excited states become sufficiently allowed so as to appear in both electronic absorption and emission.     

Ultrafast Decay of the Excited Singlet States of Thioxanthone by Internal Conversion and Intersystem Crossing

The experimental ultrafast photophysics of thioxanthone in several aprotic organic solvents at room temperature is presented, measured using femtosecond transient absorption together with high‐level ab initio CASPT2 calculations of the singlet‐ and triplet‐state manifolds in the gas phase, including computed state minima and conical intersections, transition energies, oscillator strengths, and spin–orbit coupling terms. The initially populated singlet ππ* state is shown to decay through internal conversion and intersystem crossing processes via intermediate nπ* singlet and triplet states, respectively. Two easily accessible conical intersections explain the favorable internal conversion rates and low fluorescence quantum yields in nonpolar media. The presence of a singlet–triplet crossing near the singlet ππ* minimum and the large spin–orbit coupling terms also rationalize the high intersystem crossing rates. A phenomenological kinetic scheme is proposed that accounts for the decrease in internal conversion and intersystem crossing (i.e. the very large experimental crescendo of the fluorescence quantum yield) with the increase of solvent polarity.     

Role of the 3(ππ*) state in photolysis of lumisantonin: insight from ab initio studies

The CASSCF and CASPT2 methodologies have been used to explore the potential energy surfaces of lumisantonin in the ground and low-lying triplet states along the photoisomerization pathways. Calculations indicate that the (1)(nπ*) state is the accessible low-lying singlet state with a notable oscillator strength under an excitation wavelength of 320 nm and that it can effectively decay to the (3)(ππ*) state through intersystem crossing in the region of minimum surface crossings with a notable spin-orbital coupling constant. The (3)(ππ*) state, derived from the promotion of an electron from the π-type orbital mixed with the σ orbital localized on the C-C bond in the three-membered alkyl ring to the π* orbital of conjugation carbon atoms, plays a critical role in C-C bond cleavage. Based on the different C-C bond rupture patterns, the reaction pathways can be divided into paths A and B. Photolysis along path A arising from C1-C5 bond rupture is favorable because of the dynamic and thermodynamic preferences on the triplet excited-state PES. Path B is derived from the cleavage of the C5-C6 bond, leading first to a relatively stable species, compared to intermediate A-INT formed on the ground state PES. Accordingly, path B is relatively facile for the pyrolytic reaction. The present results provide a basis to interpret the experimental observations.     

Theoretical study of the absorption and nonradiative deactivation of 1-nitronaphthalene in the low-lying singlet and triplet excited states including methanol and ethanol solvent effects

The photophysics of the 1-nitronaphthalene molecular system, after the absorption transition to the first singlet excited state, is theoretically studied for investigating the ultrafast multiplicity change to the triplet manifold. The consecutive transient absorption spectra experimentally observed in this molecular system are also studied. To identify the electronic states involved in the nonradiative decay, the minimum energy path of the first singlet excited state is obtained using the complete active space self-consistent field∕∕configurational second-order perturbation approach. A near degeneracy region was found between the first singlet and the second triplet excited states with large spin-orbit coupling between them. The intersystem crossing rate was also evaluated. To support the proposed deactivation model the transient absorption spectra observed in the experiments were also considered. For this, computer simulations using sequential quantum mechanic-molecular mechanic methodology was used to consider the solvent effect in the ground and excited states for proper comparison with the experimental results. The absorption transitions from the second triplet excited state in the relaxed geometry permit to describe the transient absorption band experimentally observed around 200 fs after the absorption transition. This indicates that the T(2) electronic state is populated through the intersystem crossing presented here. The two transient absorption bands experimentally observed between 2 and 45 ps after the absorption transition are described here as the T(1)→T(3) and T(1)→T(5) transitions, supporting that the intermediate triplet state (T(2)) decays by internal conversion to T(1).     

Ab initio calculations of triplet excited states and potential-energy surfaces of vinyl chloride: insights into spectroscopy and photodissociation dynamics

The equilibrium geometries and harmonic vibrational frequencies of three low-lying triplet excited states of vinyl chloride have been calculated using the state-averaged complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) method with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set and an active space of four electrons distributed in 13 orbitals. Both adiabatic and vertical excitation energies have been obtained using the state-averaged CASSCF and the multireference configuration-interaction methods. The potential-energy surfaces of six low-lying singlet states have also been calculated. While the 3(pi, pi*) state has a nonplanar equilibrium structure, the 3(pi, 3s) and 3(pi, sigma*) states are planar. The calculated vertical excitation energy of the 3(pi, pi*) state is in agreement with the experiment. The singlet excited states are found to be multiconfigurational, in particular, the first excited state is of (pi, 3s) character at the planar equilibrium structure, of (pi, sigma*) as the C-Cl bond elongates, and of (pi, pi*) for highly twisted geometries. Avoided crossings are observed between the potential-energy surfaces of the first three singlet excited states. The absorption spectra of vinyl chloride at 5.5-6.5 eV can be unambiguously assigned to the transitions from the ground state to the first singlet excited state. The dissociation of Cl atoms following 193-nm excitation is concluded to take place via two pathways: one is through (pi, sigma*) at planar or nearly planar structures leading to fast Cl atoms and the other through (pi, pi*) at twisted geometries from which internal conversion to the ground state and subsequent dissociation produces slow Cl atoms.     

Triplet-state formation along the ultrafast decay of excited singlet cytosine

We address the possibility of populating the lowest triplet state of cytosine by an "intrinsic"mechanism, namely, intersystem crossing (ISC) along the ultrafast internal conversion pathway of the electronically excited singlet species. For this purpose, we present a discussion of the ISC process and triplet-state reactivity based on theoretical analysis of the spin-orbit strength and the potential energy surfaces for the relevant singlet and triplet states of cytosine. High-level ab initio computations show that ISC is possible in wide regions of the singlet manifold along the reaction coordinate that controls the ultrafast internal conversion to the ground state. Thus, the ISC mechanism documented here provides a possibility to access the triplet state, which has a key role in the photochemistry of the nucleic acid bases.     

Electronic transitions involved in the absorption spectrum and dual luminescence of tetranuclear cubane [Cu4I4(pyridine)4] cluster: a density functional theory/time-dependent density functional theory investigation

We present a combined density functional theory (DFT)/time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) study of the geometry, electronic structure, and absorption and emission properties of the tetranuclear "cubane" Cu4I4py4 (py = pyridine) system. The geometry of the singlet ground state and of the two lowest triplet states of the title complex were optimized, followed by TDDFT excited-state calculations. This procedure allowed us to characterize the nature of the excited states involved in the absorption spectrum and those responsible for the dual emission bands observed for this complex. In agreement with earlier experimental proposals, we find that while in absorption the halide-to-pyridine charge-transfer excited state (XLCT*) has a lower energy than the cluster-centered excited state (CC*), a strong geometrical relaxation on the triplet cluster-centered state surface leads to a reverse order of the excited states in emission.     

邻溴甲苯在234和267 nm的光解动力学

利用离子速度影像技术结合共振增强多光子电离(REMPI)技术, 研究了邻溴甲苯在234和267 nm激光作用下的光解机理. 平动能分布表明, 基态Br(2P3/2)和自旋轨道激发态Br*(2P1/2)产生于两个解离通道: 快通道和慢通道. 快通道的各向异性参数在234 nm分别为1.15(Br)和0.55(Br*), 在267 nm分别为0.90(Br)和0.60(Br*). 慢通道的各向异性参数在234 nm分别为0.12(Br)和0.14(Br*), 在267 nm分别为0.11(Br)和0.10(Br*). 源自于慢通道的Br和Br*碎片的各向异性弱于快通道. Br(2P3/2)的相对量子产率Φ(Br)在234 nm为0.67, 在267 nm为0.70. 邻溴甲苯在234 和267 nm光解主要产生基态产物Br(2P3/2). 快通道产生于(π, π*)束缚单重态被激发, 随后通过排斥性(n, σ*)态的预解离. 慢通道各向异性参数接近零, 由此证实慢通道来源于单重激发态内转换到高振动基态而引发的热解离.     

Photophysical Properties of Pyrazinopsoralen,A New Monofunctional Psoralen*

Abstract— Pyrazinopsoralen (PzPs), a new monofunctional psoralen, has a UV absorption spectrum similar to other psoralens except that it absorbs more strongly in the long-UVA than 8-methoxypsoralen. The solvent effects on the UV absorption and fluorescence emission spectra indicate that the lowest excited singlet state is the π,π* state like other psoralen derivatives. It shows a much lower fluorescence quantum yield (0.0008 in ethanol at room temperature) than the other psoralens as expected by the increased proximity effect (vibronic perturbation) due to close ¹(n,π*) to ¹(π,π*) states. The fluorescence lifetime was 1.05 ns in methylcyclohexane with a single exponential decay, while more than two components were observed in other solvents with the short-lived component being the major (>95%). The triplet state of PzPs could not be detected by phosphorescence, laser flash excitation (T-T absorption) and singlet oxygen formation probably due to very low φ_isc, or short lifetime of the triplet state (τ_T) caused by the fast T₁→ S₀ intersystem crossing.     

Dual photochemistry of anthracene-9,10-endoperoxide studied by femtosecond spectroscopy

The dual photochemistry of anthracene-9,10-endoperoxide (APO) was investigated in a fs UV pump-supercontinuum probe experiment, along with anthracene (AC) and anthraquinone (AQ) for comparison. Excitation of APO at 282 nm leads to 100% product formation by two competing photoreaction channels. Cycloreversion generates with a ～25% quantum yield (QY) (1)O(2) and AC vibrationally excited in the singlet electronic ground state (hot AC). 1-2% of the AC is generated in the lowest triplet state, but no AC is generated in electronically excited singlet states. Generation and cooling of hot AC are modeled using solution phase and broadened gas-phase AC absorption spectra at various temperatures. Results indicate ultrafast generation of hot AC within 3 ps, much faster than reported before for derivatives of anthracene endoperoxide, and subsequent cooling with an 18 ps time constant. The homolytic O-O cleavage pathway generates a biradical, which converts into electronically excited diepoxide (DE). Our data indicate a 1.5 ps time constant that we tentatively assign to the biradical decay and DE formation. Cooling of DE in this electronically excited state takes place with a ～21 ps time constant. Excitation of AQ at 266 nm is followed by an ultrafast population of the T(1)(nπ*) triplet state of AQ with a time constant of (160 ± 60) fs.     

Mechanism of NO photodissociation in photolabile manganese-NO complexes with pentadentate N5 ligands

The Mn-nitrosyl complexes [Mn(PaPy(3))(NO)](ClO(4)) (1; PaPy(3)(-) = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-N-ethyl-2-pyridine-2-carboxamide) and [Mn(PaPy(2)Q)(NO)](ClO(4)) (2, PaPy(2)Q(-) = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-N-ethyl-2-quinoline-2-carboxamide) show a remarkable photolability of the NO ligand upon irradiation of the complexes with UV-vis-NIR light [Eroy-Reveles, A. A.; Leung, Y.; Beavers, C. M.; Olmstead, M. M.; Mascharak, P. K. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 4447]. Here we report detailed spectroscopic and theoretical studies on complexes 1 and 2 that provide key insight into the mechanism of NO photolabilization in these compounds. IR- and FT-Raman spectroscopy show N-O and Mn-NO stretching frequencies in the 1720-1750 and 630-650 cm(-1) range, respectively, for these Mn-nitrosyls. The latter value for ν(Mn-NO) is one of the highest transition-metal-NO stretching frequencies reported to this date, indicating that the Mn-NO bond is very strong in these complexes. The electronic structure of 1 and 2 is best described as Mn(I)-NO(+), where the Mn(I) center is in the diamagnetic low-spin state and the NO(+) ligand forms two very strong π backbonds with the d(xz) and d(yz) orbitals of the metal. This explains the very strong Mn-NO bonds observed in these complexes, which even supersede the strengths of the Fe- and Ru-NO bonds in analogous (isoelectronic) Fe/Ru(II)-NO(+) complexes. Using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations, we were able to assign the electronic spectra of 1 and 2, and to gain key insight into the mechanism of NO photorelease in these complexes. Upon irradiation in the UV region, NO is released because of the direct excitation of d(π)_π* → π*_d(π) charge transfer (CT) states (direct mechanism), which is similar to analogous NO adducts of Ru(III) and Fe(III) complexes. These are transitions from the Mn-NO bonding (d(π)_π*) into the Mn-NO antibonding (π*_d(π)) orbitals within the Mn-NO π backbond. Since these transitions lead to the population of Mn-NO antibonding orbitals, they promote the photorelease of NO. In the case of 1 and 2, further transitions with distinct d(π)_π* → π*_d(π) CT character are observed in the 450-500 nm spectral range, again promoting photorelease of NO. This is confirmed by resonance Raman spectroscopy, showing strong resonance enhancement of the Mn-NO stretch at 450-500 nm excitation. The extraordinary photolability of the Mn-nitrosyls upon irradiation in the vis-NIR region is due to the presence of low-lying d(xy) → π*_d(π) singlet and triplet excited states. These have zero oscillator strengths, but can be populated by initial excitation into d(xy) → L(Py/Q_π*) CT transitions between Mn and the coligand, followed by interconversion into the d(xy) → π*_d(π) singlet excited states. These show strong spin-orbit coupling with the analogous d(xy) → π*_d(π) triplet excited states, which promotes intersystem crossing. TD-DFT shows that the d(xy) → π*_d(π) triplet excited states are indeed found at very low energy. These states are strongly Mn-NO antibonding in nature, and hence, promote dissociation of the NO ligand (indirect mechanism). The Mn-nitrosyls therefore show the long sought-after potential for easy tunability of the NO photorelease properties by simple changes in the coligand.     

Time-resolved EPR and laser photolysis investigations of photoinduced ω-bond dissociation in an aromatic carbonyl compound having triplet π,π* character

Photochemical properties of photoinduced ω-bond dissociation in p-phenylbenzoylbenzyl phenyl sulfide (PPS) having the lowest triplet state (T₁) of π,π* character in solution were investigated by time-resolved EPR and laser flash photolysis techniques. PPS was found to undergo photoinduced ω-bond cleavage in the excited lowest singlet state (S₁(n,π*)) with a quantum yield (Φ_rad) of 0.15 for the radical formation, which was independent of excitation wavelengths. Based on the facts of the observation of the absorption spectrum of triplet PPS upon triplet sensitization of xanthone, and absence of CIDEP signal, ω-cleavage was shown to be absent in the T₁(π,π*) state of PPS. Considering the electronic character of the excited and dissociative states of PPS, a schematic energy diagram for the ω-bond dissociation of PPS was shown.     

Effects of localized triplet exciton on reactivity of photoinduced omega-bond dissociation in naphthyl phenyl ketones having pi,pi* lowest triplet (T1) states studied by laser flash photolysis

Photochemical properties of photoinduced omega-bond dissociation in naphthyl phenyl ketones having a phenylthiyl moiety as a leaving group, p-(alpha-naphthoyl)benzyl phenyl sulfide (NBPS) and 4-benzoyl-1-naphthylmethyl phenyl sulfide (BNMPS), in solution were investigated by laser flash photolysis techniques. Both ketones were shown to undergo photoinduced omega-bond cleavage of the C-S bond to release the phenyl thiyl radical (PTR) at room temperature. Irrespective of excitation wavelengths of NBPS, a quantum yield (Phi(rad)) of the PTR formation was obtained to be 0.1, whereas that for BNMPS was found to depend on the excitation wavelength, i.e., absorption bands from the ground state (S0) to the excited singlet states, S3, S2, and S1 of BNMPS; Phi(rad)(S3) = 0.77 and Phi(rad)(S2) = Phi(rad)(S1) = 1.0. By using triplet sensitization of p-phenylbenzophenone (PBP), efficiencies (alpha(rad)) of the radical formation in the lowest triplet state (T1(pi,pi*)) of NBPS and BNMPS were determined to be 0 and 1.0, respectively. The agreement between Phi(rad)(S1) and alpha(rad) values for BNMPS indicates that the C-S bond dissociation occurs in the T1 state via the S1 state via a fast intersystem crossing from the S1 to the T1 state. The wavelength dependence of the radical yields upon direct excitation of BNMPS was interpreted in terms of the C-S bond cleavage in the S3 state competing with internal conversion from the S3 to the S2 state. The smaller value of Phi(rad)(S3) than those of Phi(rad)(S1) and Phi(rad)(S2) was proposed to originate from the geminate recombination of singlet radical pairs produced by the bond dissociation via the S3 state. Photoinduced omega-cleavage of NBPS was concluded to take place only in the S1(n,pi*) state. Difference in reactivity of omega-cleavage between the triplet states of NBPS and BNMPS was interpreted in terms of localized triplet exciton in the naphthoyl moieties.     

Photophysical Properties of Some Methyl-Substituted Angelicins: Fluorometric and Flash Photolytic Studies

This paper describes the results of a study of the photophysical properties of various methyl-angelicins (MA) in solvents of different polarity and proticity. The behavior of their excited singlet and triplet states was investigated by fluorometry and nanosecond laser flash photolysis. On the basis of semiempirical (ZINDO/S-CI) calculations and the solvent effect on the absorption and fluorescence properties, the lowest excited singlet state (S₁) is assigned to a partially allowed π, π* state. The close lying S₂ state is n,π* in nature. The efficiency of the decay pathways of S₁ (fluorescence, intersystem crossing and internal conversion) strongly depends on the energy gap between the S₁ and S₂ states consistent with the manifestation of “proximity effect.” Thus, MA in cyclohexane decay only through S₁→ S₀ internal conversion, while in acetonitrile and ethanol, where the n, π* state is located at higher energy, their fluorescence and intersystem crossing increase significantly. The lowest excited triplet states (T₁) were characterized in terms of their absorption spectra, decay kinetics, molar absorption coefficients and formation quantum yields. The interaction of T₁ MA with molecular oxygen leads to an efficient formation of singlet oxygen, as evidenced by the appearance of characteristic IR phosphorescence centered at 1269 nm.     

Photoinduced omega-bond dissociation in the higher excited singlet (S2) and lowest triplet (T1) states of a benzophenone derivative in solution

Photochemical properties of photoinduced omega-bond dissociation in p-benzoylbenzyl phenyl sulfide (BBPS) in solution were investigated by time-resolved EPR and laser flash photolysis techniques. BBPS was shown to undergo photoinduced omega-bond cleavage to yield the p-benzoylbenzyl radical (BBR) and phenyl thiyl radical (PTR) at room temperature. The quantum yield (phi(rad)) for the radical formation was found to depend on the excitation wavelength, i.e., on the excitation to the excited singlet states, S2 and S1 of BBPS; phi(rad)(S2) = 0.65 and phi(rad)(S1) = 1.0. Based on the CIDEP data, these radicals were found to be produced via the triplet state independent of excitation wavelength. By using triplet sensitization of xanthone, the efficiency (alpha(rad)) of the C-S bond fission in the lowest triplet state (T1) of BBPS was determined to be unity. The agreement between phi(rad)(S1) and alpha(rad) values indicates that the C-S bond dissociation occurs in the T1 state via the S1 state due to a fast intersystem crossing from the S1 to the T1 state. In contrast, the wavelength dependence of the radical yields was interpreted in terms of the C-S bond cleavage in the S2 state competing with internal conversion from the S2 to the S1 state. The smaller value of phi(rad)(S2) than that of phi(rad)(S1) was proposed to originate from the geminate recombination of singlet radical pairs produced by the bond dissociation via the S2 state. Considering the electronic character of the excited and dissociative states in BBPS showed a schematic energy diagram for the omega-bond dissociation of BBPS.     

Enhanced intersystem crossing via a high energy charge transfer state in a perylenediimide-perylenemonoimide dyad

The electronic relaxation processes of a photoexcited linear perylenediimide-perylenemonoimide (PDI-PMI) acceptor-donor dyad were studied. PDI-PMI serves as a model compound for donor-acceptor systems in photovoltaic devices and has been designed to have a high-energy PDI (-*)-PMI (+*) charge transfer (CT) state. Our study focuses on the minimal Gibbs free energy (Delta G ET) required to achieve quantitative CT and on establishing the role of charge recombination to a triplet state. We used time-resolved photoluminescence and picosecond photoinduced absorption (PIA) to investigate excited singlet (S 1) and CT states and complemented these experiments with singlet oxygen ( (1)Delta g) luminescence and PIA measurements on longer timescales to study the population of triplet excited states (T 1). In an apolar solvent like cyclohexene (CHX), photoinduced electron transfer does not occur, but in more polar solvents such as toluene (TOL) and chlorobenzene (CB), photoexcitation is followed by a fast electron transfer, populating the PDI (-*)-PMI (+*) CT state. We extract rate constants for electron transfer (ET; S 1-->CT), back electron transfer (BET; S 1<--CT), and charge recombination (CR) to lower-energy states (CT-->S 0 and CT-->T 1). Temperature-dependent measurements yield the barriers for the transfer reactions. For ET and BET, these correspond to predictions from Marcus-Jortner theory and show that efficient, near quantitative electron transfer ( k ET/ k BET >or= 100) can be obtained when Delta G ET approximately -120 meV. With respect to triplet state formation, we find a relatively low triplet quantum yield (Phi T < 25%) in CHX but much higher values (Phi T = 30-98%) in TOL and CB. We identify the PDI (-*)-PMI (+*) state as a precursor to the T 1 state. Recombination to T 1, rather than to the ground-state S 0, is required to rationalize the experimental barrier for CR. Finally, we discuss the relevance of these results for electron donor-acceptor films in photovoltaic devices.