SIMPLE EXPLANATION OF THE MISSES IN THE COOPERATION OF CHARGES IN PHOTOSYNTHETIC O2 EVOLUTION

Abstract —In the model of Forbush et at. (1971) the observed damping of the flash yield sequence of photosynthetic O₂ evolution was related to a certain percentage of ‘misses’ (α; i.e. centers not converted). The possibility of a miss was supposed to be equal for all states S_0.1,2,3. We propose a new model and a new recurrence law that gives better quantitative agreement with the O₂ yield oscillations observed in Chlorella during a sequence of flashes. We find a better fit with all experimental results by assuming very unequal misses; the misses occur nearly exclusively on S₂ (and also sometimes on S₃). In the simpler case of only one miss on one state, half of S₂ exists as an inactive form S₂₊^- because it is in apparent equilibrium with pool A. The active form of S₂ is converted to S₃ in a flash and the unchanged inactive form S₂₊^- explains the miss: S ₁ hv→S₂₊^-=S₂hv→S₃ (S₂₊^- is a transition state between S₁ to S₂ associated with Q^-). In the dark, the apparent equilibrium constant K_A between pool A and Q (i.e. S₀, S₁ in the dark) is very large; this explains why there is no miss on these states. In light, the experimental value of K_A between pool A and Q (i.e. S₂, S₃ in the light) is 1, and this explains why the misses are large for states S₂, S₃; i.e., S₂₊^-/S2- 1 and sometimes S₃₊^-/S₃?0–1. This new model predicts that the total number of active states ΣS_i=S₀+S₁+S₂+S₃ is an oscillating function of the flash number. This sum 2S, is also the number of trapping centers for excitons. As fluorescence is proportional to excitons that are not trapped, our model explains why the fluorescence oscillates as a function of the flash number. We find also that the initial rates of O₂ evolution after (n - 1) flashes vs the 02 yield of the n^th flash are not exactly on a straight line, which also favors our model.     

STUDIES OF SYSTEM II PHOTOCENTERS BY COMPARATIVE MEASUREMENTS OF LUMINESCENCE,FLUORESCENCE, AND OXYGEN EMISSION*

Abstract— New results are presented on the emission of oxygen by algae and chloroplasts illuminated by a sequence of short saturating flashes. These results favor the four-state hypothesis of Kok and co-workers, in which formation of oxygen requires the accumulation of four oxidants produced by four successive photoreactions. Deactivation of the more oxidized precursor states in the dark is studied under different conditions of preillumination. Our results suggest that both a one step and a two step mechanism of deactivation exist. In order to understand the biological significance of Kok's parameter α—the fraction of photochemical centers unable to react on each flash (“misses”)-we study reoxidation of acceptor Q after one flash by fluorescence techniques. It appears that a fraction of Q^- is reoxidized by a back reaction which cancels the effect of the preilluminating flash and is probably responsible for the misses. The results of some luminescence experiments are also reported. These experiments demonstrate that delayed emission of light is associated with the deactivation of states S₂ and S₃. It is possible that excitons produced by deactivation can be reabsorbed by active photochemical centers, which can modify considerably the deactivation process.     

INTERACTION OF HYDROXYLAMINE WITH THE WATER-OXIDIZING ENZYME INVESTIGATED VIA PROTON RELEASE*

Abstract— Photosynthetic water oxidation is a four-step redox process which is driven by a one-quantum-one-electron reaction center. Stepwise electron Abstract—ion from the water-oxidizing enzyme is accompanied by stepwise proton release with the following stoichiometric pattern at given half-rise times: 1 H⁺ (250 μs, S₀→ S₁):0 H⁺(S₁→ S₂): 1 H⁺ (200 μs, S₂→ S₃): 2 H⁺ (1.2 ms, S₃→ S₄→ S₀). (Förster and Junge, 1985, preceding article in this issue). Hydroxylamine at low concentrations (?100 μ M) appears to compete with water at the active site of the water- oxidizing enzyme. Its interference shifts the dark state of the water-oxidizing enzyme by two steps backwards (Bouges, 1971). We found that the hydroxylamine-induced shift was also reflected in the stoichiometric pattern and in the kinetics of proton-release. In the presence of hydroxylamine, two protons per reaction center were released with a half-rise time of ? 2 ms upon the first exciting flash given to dark adapted thylakoids. This was slower than observed for each of the protons released during unperturbed water oxidation. One proton was released upon the second flash. The half-rise time of the main component observed upon the second flash in hydroxylamine-treated samples agreed with the one observed upon the fourth flash in the absence of hydroxylamine, which had been attributed to the S₀→ S₁ transition. The two protons which were observed upon the first flash in hydroxylamine-treated thylakoids may be due to hydroxylamine oxidation or to the association of water to the catalytic manganese center after detachment of oxidized hydroxylamine from its binding site.     

Photocatalytic Water Oxidation by a Mixed‐Valent MnIII3MnIVO3 Manganese Oxo Core that Mimics the Natural Oxygen‐Evolving Center

The functional core of oxygenic photosynthesis is in charge of catalytic water oxidation by a multi‐redox Mn^III/Mn^IV manifold that evolves through five electronic states (S_i , where i=0–4). The synthetic model system of this catalytic cycle and of its S₀→S₄ intermediates is the expected turning point for artificial photosynthesis. The tetramanganese‐substituted tungstosilicate [Mn^III₃Mn^IVO₃(CH₃COO)₃(A‐α‐SiW₉O₃₄)]^6? (Mn₄POM) offers an unprecedented mimicry of the natural system in its reduced S₀ state; it features a hybrid organic–inorganic coordination sphere and is anchored on a polyoxotungstate. Evidence for its photosynthetic properties when combined with [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and S₂O₈^2? is obtained by nanosecond laser flash photolysis; its S₀→S₁ transition within milliseconds and multiple‐hole‐accumulating properties were studied. Photocatalytic oxygen evolution is achieved in a buffered medium (pH 5) with a quantum efficiency of 1.7 %.     

Ultrafast Dynamics of the Transoid-cis Isomer Formed in Photochromic Reaction from 3H-Naphthopyran

Recent efforts in designing new 3H-naphthopyran derivatives have been focused on efficient coloration process with a short fading time of the colored transoid-cis TC isomer. It is desirable to avoid photoisomerization of TC leading to transoid-trans TT isomers in the photoreaction. Long lifetime of TT can hamper fast applications such as dynamic holographic materials and molecular actuators, the residual color is one of the serious issues for photochromic lenses. Herein we characterize the photophysical and photochemical channels of TC excited state deactivation competing with the unwanted TC → TT isomerization process. Transient absorption spectroscopy reveals a very short lifetime of the singlet excited TC (≈0.8 ps) and its deactivation channels as S₁→S₀ internal conversion (major), intersystem crossing S₁→T₁, pyran ring formation, photoenolization and TC → TT isomerization. Computations support the S₁→S₀ and T₁→S₀ channels as responsible for photostabilization of the TC form.     

Photophysical Behavior of Angelicins and Thioangelicins: Semiempirical Calculations and Experimental Study

The decay processes of the lowest excited singlet and triplet states of five methylated angelicins (4,6,4′-trimethyl-angelicin, MA, and four methylated thioangelicins, MTA; see Scheme 1) were investigated in live solvents by stationary and pulsed fluorometric and flash photolytic techniques. In particular, the solvent effects on absorption, fluorescence, quantum yields of fluorescence (φ_F) and triplet formation (φ_T), lifetimes of fluorescence (τ_F) and the triplet state (τ_T) and the quantum yields of singlet oxygen production (φ_Δ) were investigated. Semiempirical (ZINDO/S-CI) calculations were carried out to obtain information (transition probabilities and nature) on the lowest excited singlet and triplet states. The quantum mechanical calculations and the solvent effect on the photophysical properties showed that the lowest excited singlet state (S¹) is a partially allowed π,π* state, while the close-lying S₂ state is n,π* in nature. The efficiencies of fluorescence, S₁→T₁ intersystem crossing (ISC) and S₁→ S₀ internal conversion (IC) strongly depend on the energy gap between S₁, and S₂ and are explained in terms of the so-called proximity effect. In fact, for MA in cyclohexane, only the S₁→ S₀ internal conversion is operative, while in acetonitrile and ethanol, where the n.π* state is shifted to higher energy, the efficiencies of fluorescence and ISC increase significantly. The energy gap between S₁ and S₂ increases in MTA, where the furanic oxygen is replaced by a sulfur atom. Consequently, the solvent effect on the photophysical parameters of MTA is less marked than for MA; e.g. fluorescence and triplet-triplet absorption are also detectable in the nonpolar cyclohexane. The lowest excited singlet state of molecular oxygen O₂(¹D_g) was produced efficiently in polar solvents by energy transfer from the T₁ state of MA and MTA.     

MATRIX EFFECTS ON THE RADIATIONLESS TRANSITION' S1→T1 AND T1→S0 FOR BENZENE AND N, N, N', N'-TETRAMETHYLPARAPHENYLENE-DIAMINE MOLECULES

Abstract— The present study attempts to correlate the phosphorescence life time τ_p at 77°K of a definite solute: tetramethylparaphenylenediamine (TMPD) with various solvents viscosity and polarity. A few experiments with benzene in the same solvents are also reported. The following results have been obtained:

• 1 The measured τ_p vary regularly with the sample immersion time in liquid N₂, reaching a constant value after a few hours. This effect is related to the glass matrix relaxation. The rate constant K_isc (S, ₁→T₁) is also found to vary during relaxation of the solvent.
• 2 In the expression giving the nonradiative rate constant K_nr (T₁→S₀), the bimolecular quenching term appears negligible for high viscosity matrices i.e. for η= 10⁹ poises for benzene and for TMPD. K_nr is found to vary linearly with log η, as well as the intersystem crossing S₁→T₁ rate constant K^isc.
• 3 Both K_nr (T₁→S₀) and K^isc (S₁→T₁), increase with decreasing polarity of the solvent.
• 4 From our own observations and literature data[6] for C₆H₆ it appears that solvent viscosity does not contribute appreciably to the observed temperature effect on the solute τ_p when only a monomolecular triplet deactivation is operative.

     

Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence of Crystalline Metal‐Free Organoboron Complex

The photoluminescence (PL) properties of a metal‐free organoboron complex, bis(4‐iodobenzoyl)methanatoboron difluoride ( 1BF₂ ), were elucidated. At room temperature, 1BF₂ emits blue fluorescence (FL) in nBuCl upon photoexcitation. In contrast, crystals of 1BF₂ emit green PL comprised of FL and phosphorescence (PH). The room‐temperature PH of crystalline 1BF₂ is a consequence of 1) suppression of thermal deactivation of the S₁ and T₁ excited states and 2) enhancement of intersystem crossing (ISC) from the S₁ to T₂ or T₁. The results of X‐ray crystallographic and theoretical studies supported the proposal that the former (1) is a result of intermolecular interactions caused by π‐stacking in the rigid crystal packing structure of 1BF₂ . The latter (2) is an effect of not only the heavy‐atom effect of iodine, but also the continuous π‐stacking alignment of 1BF₂ molecules in crystals, which leads to a forbidden S₁→S₀ transition and a small energy gap between the S₁ and T₂ or T₁.     

Quantum chemical studies on structures and spectra of 2,5-distyrylpyrazine (DSP) laser dye

Semiempirical (MNDO and PM3) molecular orbital calculations have been undertaken to study the structures of the ground and excited states of 2,5-distrylpyrazine dye to assess its activity as a laser dye. In the ground and first excited singlet states, the trans-trans structure of C_2h symmetry is the most stable structure in the gas phase and in DMSO, which agrees with the experimental findings. Upon excitation, the flexibility of the molecule decreases, leading to a subsequent decrease in the radiationless deactivation pathway and this increases the fluorescence efficiency of DSP. The absorption, excitation, and emission spectra have been calculated at the MNDO level using the PM3 optimized geometries in DMSO. At this level the agreement between theory and experiment is quite good. An estimated absorption band at 377 nm (expt 380 nm) is assigned to the S₀→S₁ transition. The excited state absorption band at 457 nm (expt 460 nm) is assigned to the S₁→S₁₂ transition. The emission band at 458 nm (expt 460 nm) is assigned to the S′₁→S′₀ transition. The overlap between the emission and the excited-state absorption spectra is presumably the main reason behind the reduced laser activity of the investigated dye. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 19: 585–592, 1998     

Origin of the Photoinduced Geometrical Change of Copper(I) Complexes from the Quantum Chemical Topology View

Copper(I) complexes (CICs) are of great interest due to their applications as redox mediators and molecular switches. CICs present drastic geometrical change in their excited states, which interferes with their luminescence properties. The photophysical process has been extensively studied by several time-resolved methods to gain an understanding of the dynamics and mechanism of the torsion, which has been explained in terms of a Jahn–Teller effect. Here, we propose an alternative explanation for the photoinduced structural change of CICs, based on electron density redistribution. After photoexcitation of a CIC (S₀→S₁), a metal-to-ligand charge transfer stabilizes the ligand and destabilizes the metal. A subsequent electron transfer, through an intersystem crossing process, followed by an internal conversion (S₁→T₂→T₁), intensifies the energetic differences between the metal and ligand within the complex. The energy profile of each state is the result of the balance between metal and ligand energy changes. The loss of electrons originates an increase in the attractive potential energy within the copper basin, which is not compensated by the associated reduction of the repulsive atomic potential. To counterbalance the atomic destabilization, the valence shell of the copper center is polarized (defined by ∇²ρ(r) and ∇²V_ne(r)) during the deactivation path. This polarization increases the magnitude of the intra-atomic nuclear–electron interactions within the copper atom and provokes the flattening of the structure to obtain the geometry with the maximum interaction between the charge depletions of the metal and the charge concentrations of the ligand.     

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.     

PHOTOREACTIVITY OF HYDROXYPSORALENS AND THEIR PHOTOBIOLOGICAL EFFECTS IN BACILLUS SUBTILIS*

Abstract— Although psoralen and many substituted psoralens are potent skin-photosensitizing agents, hydroxypsoralens are not. A satisfactory molecular interpretation of this structural specificity has been given in terms of dissociation of the hydroxyl group of 5- and 8-hydroxypsoralens in their excited states. The dissociation process in the S₁ state effectively competes with S₁→T₁ intersystem crossing, thus reducing the photoreactive T₁ population. The T₁ states of the anions are more delocalized than those of neutral psoralens so that they are less reactive toward photocycloaddition with pyrimidine bases of DNA. The lack of significant phosphorescence of hydroxypsoralens in ionizing solvent or in the presence of base at low temperatures (14–77 K.) indicates ineffective S₁→T₁ and/or effective T₁→S₀ intersystem crossing. These factors make hydroxypsoralens unreactive, electronically and kinetically, as skin photosensitizers, which are known to react with DNA. In correlation with the hydroxypsoralens' spectroscopic characterization, they are also found to be ineffective or less effective photosensitizers in Bacillus subtilis.     

STEREOELECTRONIC PROPERTIES OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC AND RELATED SYSTEMS — V. AB INITIO CONFIGURATION INTERACTION CALCULATIONS ON THE GROUND AND LOWER EXCITED SINGLET AND TRIPLET STATES OF ETHYL CHLOROPHYLLIDE a AND ETHYL PHEOPHORBIDE a

Abstract— Ab initio configuration interaction wavefunctions and energies are reported for the ground state and many low-lying excited singlet and triplet states of ethyl pheophorbide a (Et-Pheo a) and ethyl chlorophyllide a (Et-Chl a), and are employed in an analysis of the electronic absorption spectra of these systems. In both molecules the visible spectrum is found to consist of transitions to the two lowest-lying ¹(π, π*) states, S₁ and S₂. The configurational compositions of S₁ and S₂ in both molecules are similar, and are described qualitatively in terms of a four-orbital model. The S₁← S₀ transition in each case is predicted to be intense, and is largely in-plane y-polarized, while the S₂← S₀ transition is predicted to be extremely weak and in-plane polarized. The orientation of the S₂← S₀ transition dipole is not conclusively established in the present calculations. The Soret band in both molecules is composed of transitions to no less than ten states (S_3-S₁₂ in Et-Chl a and S₃-S₇S₉-S₁₂. and S₁₄ in Et-Pheo a), which exhibit primarily (π, π*) character. The configurational compositions of these states are generally a complex mixture of excitations from both occupied macrocyclic π molecular orbitals and occupied orbitals with electron density in the cyclopen-tanone ring and the carbomethoxy chain. No clear correspondences are evident between respective Soret states of the two systems. Transitions to these states are generally intense and display a variety of in-plane polarizations. Two additional Soret states of Et-Pheo a, S₈ and S₁₃, exhibit primarily (n. π*) character. S₈ is characterized by excitations from u and non-bonding regions of the carbomethoxy chain, while S₁₃ is described by n →π* excitations involving the nitrogen atom of ring II. No corresponding (n, π*) states were found for Et-Chl a. In both molecules the lowest two triplet states, T₁ and T₂, are found to lie lower in energy than S₁. while T, and S₁ are approximately degenerate. The configurational compositions of T₁-T₄ of both molecules are nearly identical, and may be described by a four-orbital model. However, the compositions of T₁-T₄ differ sharply from those of S₁ and S₂. A number of higher-lying ³(π, π*) states of both molecules (T₅-T₁₃ in Et-Chi a and T₈-T₉, T₁₁-T₁₃ in Et-Pheo a) are found to have energies similar to the singlet Soret states, relative to S₀. They are characterized by a complex mixture of configurations which do not include significant contributions involving the four-orbital model. In addition, two ³(n, π*) states of Et-Pheo a, T₁₀ and T₁₄, are found, which are somewhat analogous to S₈ and S₁₃. Additional data presented include the charge distributions and molecular dipole moments of the S₀. S₁, and T₁ states of both molecules, as well as energies and oscillator strengths of computed S_n←S₁ and T_n←₁ transitions.     

Reductive Coupling of Diynes at Rhodium Gives Fluorescent Rhodacyclopentadienes or Phosphorescent Rhodium 2,2’‐Biphenyl Complexes

Reactions of [Rh(κ²‐O,O‐acac)(PMe₃)₂] (acac=acetylacetonato) and α,ω‐bis(arylbutadiynyl)alkanes afford two isomeric types of MC₄ metallacycles with very different photophysical properties. As a result of a [2+2] reductive coupling at Rh, 2,5‐bis(arylethynyl)rhodacyclopentadienes ( A ) are formed, which display intense fluorescence (Φ=0.07–0.54, τ=0.2–2.5 ns) despite the presence of the heavy metal atom. Rhodium biphenyl complexes ( B ), which show exceptionally long‐lived (hundreds of μs) phosphorescence (Φ=0.01–0.33) at room temperature in solution, have been isolated as a second isomer originating from an unusual [4+2] cycloaddition reaction and a subsequent β‐H‐shift. We attribute the different photophysical properties of isomers A and B to a higher excited state density and a less stabilized T₁ state in the biphenyl complexes B , allowing for more efficient intersystem crossing S₁→T_n and T₁→S₀. Control of the isomer distribution is achieved by modification of the bis‐ (diyne) linker length, providing a fundamentally new route to access photoactive metal biphenyl compounds.     

Decay rates of select magnetic quadrupole transitions in helium

Using a set of explicitly correlated trial wavefunctions that describe the three lowest singlet and triplet states of the helium atom with symmetry S, P, and D, we calculate the decay rates for all possible magnetic quadrupole (M2) transitions: m³P₂→n¹S₀, m¹P₁→n³S₁, m³D₃→n¹P₁, and m¹D₂→n³P₂. Our values are in excellent agreement with the best results in the literature. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Constructing novel red-emitting Ba2Y0.8Eu0.2NbO6:Mn4+ phosphors for multi-type luminescent thermometers and high-security anti-counterfeiting films

To date, luminescent materials have been preferably used for non-contact optical thermometers. In this manner, novel red-emitting Ba₂Y_0.8Eu_0.2NbO₆:Mn⁴⁺ (BYEN:Mn⁴⁺) phosphors were designed for multi-type non-contact luminescent thermometers based on the dual-emission states and temperature-dependent lifetime (TDL) models. In the temperature range of 303–483 K, the sensing sensitivities based on the dual-emission states of (⁵D₀→⁷F₂, ²E_g→⁴A_2g) and (⁵D₀→⁷F₁, ²E_g→⁴A_2g) were estimated. Especially, the maximum absolute sensing sensitivity (S_a) was found to be about 0.1558 K^-1 for the BYEN:0.007Mn⁴⁺ phosphor based on the ⁵D₀→⁷F₁ and ²E_g→⁴A_2g positions. This phosphor also exhibited good relative sensing sensitivity (S_r) (0.0186 K^-1) based on the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ and ²E_g→⁴A_2g states. Besides, the relative sensing sensitivities (S_R) at ⁵D₀→⁷F₁ and ²E_g→⁴A_2g transitions were estimated to be 0.0034 and 0.0194 K^-1, respectively with the help of the TDL technique. In the light of these results, novel red-emitting Ba₂Y_0.8Eu_0.2NbO₆:Mn⁴⁺ phosphors are expected to be a potentially attractive candidate for applications in multi-type luminescent thermometers. Finally, a novel unique polydimethylsiloxane film exhibiting tricolor-luminescent emissions was introduced and further suggested for high-security anti-counterfeiting.     

Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence of a Dinuclear Platinum(II) Compound: Mechanism and Roles of an Upper Triplet State

A dinuclear Pt(II) compound was reported to exhibit thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF); however, the luminescence mechanism remains elusive. To reveal relevant excited-state properties and luminescence mechanism of this Pt(II) compound, both density function theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations were carried out in this work. In terms of the results, the S₁ and T₂ states show mixed intraligand charge transfer (ILCT)/metal-to-ligand CT (MLCT) characters while the T₁ state exhibits mixed ILCT/ligand-to-metal CT (LMCT) characters. Mechanistically, a four-state (S₀, S₁, T₁, and T₂) model is proposed to rationalize the TADF behavior. The reverse intersystem crossing (rISC) process from the initial T₁ to final S₁ states involves two up-conversion channels (direct T₁→S₁ and T₂-mediated T₁→T₂→S₁ pathways) and both play crucial roles in TADF. At 300 K, these two channels are much faster than the T₁ phosphorescence emission enabling TADF. However, at 80 K, these rISC rates are reduced by several orders of magnitude and become very small, which blocks the TADF emission; instead, only the phosphorescence is observed. These findings rationalize the experimental observation and could provide useful guidance to rational design of organometallic materials with superior TADF performances.     

硫代樟脑光化学反应的理论研究

运用量子化学方法优化了硫代樟脑的最低5个电子态(S₀, T₁, S₁, T₂和S₂)的结构, 并计算了它们的相对能量. 计算结果表明: S₁, T₁和T₂态的能量非常接近, 而S₂的能量远远高于T₂态, 这与之前对几种小的硫代羰基化合物的研究结论一致. 确定了硫代樟脑分子在T₁态发生β-插入反应和类Norrish II型反应的机理, 计算的势垒相对于S₀的振动零点分别为314.1和332.6 kJ/mol. 在400 nm波长的光的照射下, 分子被激发到S₁态, 此时分子没有足够的能量发生反应, 只能通过内转换回到基态. 当激发光波长在254 nm时, 硫代樟脑分子被激发到S₂态, 这时候体系有了足够的内部能量使反应发生. 实验上已经观察到此激发光波长下, 气态硫代樟脑可以发生β-插入反应和类Norrish II型反应.     

Energy transfer between photosynthetic units analyzed by flash oxygen yield vs. flash intensity

Abstract— Relative yield of O₂ (Y) was measured in Chlorella pyrenoidosa in response to varied intensity (l) of single 10μsec flashes on a constant low background of 710 nm light. Analysis is based on the proposition that the photochemical event leading to O₂ evolution occurs at a reaction center or trap which requires a time much longer than the flash for regeneration by dark reactions. Hence O₂, flash yield measures the number of traps ‘killed’ and allows treatment in terms of target theory. Data for Y vs. l were analyzed by computer fitting to four models. The first three models supposed that each unit (aggregate of light-harvesting pigment molecules) contains one, two, and three traps, respectively, and allows no transfer of excitation energy out of the unit. The last model supposed only one trap per unit and a probability of transfer out of a unit with closed trap. Among the first three models, the data best fit the one with two traps per unit. A slightly better fit for two traps per unit was obtained by introducing a trapping efficiency less than unity. An equally good fit was also obtained with the model of the Joliots with a probability of 0.3 that excitation energy in a unit with closed trap is transferred to another unit. Uncertainties in analysis arose from the necessity of treating maximum flash yield as an estimated parameter and by the possible inhomogeneity in units and traps.     

Singlet and Triplet Excited States and Intersystem Crossing in Free‐Base Porphyrin: TDDFT and DFT/MRCI Study

Extensive time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) and DFT/multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) calculations are performed on the singlet and triplet excited states of free-base porphyrin, with emphasis on intersystem crossing processes. The equilibrium geometries, as well as the vertical and adiabatic excitation energies of the lowest singlet and triplet excited states are determined. Single and double proton-transfer reactions in the first excited singlet state are explored. Harmonic vibrational frequencies are calculated at the equilibrium geometries of the ground state and of the lowest singlet and triplet excited states. Furthermore, spin–orbit coupling matrix elements of the lowest singlet and triplet states and their numerical derivatives with respect to nuclear displacements are computed. It is shown that opening of an unprotonated pyrrole ring as well as excited-state single and double proton transfer inside the porphyrin cavity lead to crossings of the potential energy curves of the lowest singlet and triplet excited states. It is also found that displacements along out-of-plane normal modes of the first excited singlet state cause a significant increase of the 2|H_so|S₁>, 1|H_so|S₁>, and 1|H_so|S₀> spin–orbit coupling matrix elements. These phenomena lead to efficient radiationless deactivation of the lowest excited states of free-base porphyrin via intercombination conversion. In particular, the S₁→T₁ population transfer is found to proceed at a rate of ≈10⁷ s⁻¹ in the isolated molecule.