Interpretation of unusual absorption bandwidths and resonance Raman intensities in excited state mixed valence

Excited state mixed valence (ESMV) occurs in molecules in which the ground state has a symmetrical charge distribution but the excited state possesses two or more interchangeably equivalent sites that have different formal oxidation states. Although mixed valence excited states are relatively common in both organic and inorganic molecules, their properties have only recently been explored, primarily because their spectroscopic features are usually overlapped or obscured by other transitions in the molecule. The mixed valence excited state absorption bands of 2,3-di-p-anisyl-2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane radical cation are well-separated from others in the absorption spectrum and are particularly well-suited for detailed analysis using the ESMV model. Excited state coupling splits the absorption band into two components. The lower energy component is broader and more intense than the higher energy component. The absorption bandwidths are caused by progressions in totally symmetric modes, and the difference in bandwidths is caused by the coordinate dependence of the excited state coupling. The Raman intensities obtained in resonance with the high and low energy components differ significantly from those expected based on the oscillator strengths of the bands. This unexpected observation is a result of the excited state coupling and is explained by both the averaging of the transition dipole moment orientation over all angles for the two types of spectroscopies and the coordinate-dependent coupling. The absorption spectrum is fit using a coupled two-state model in which both symmetric and asymmetric coordinates are included. The physical meaning of the observed resonance Raman intensity trends is discussed along with the origin of the coordinate-dependent coupling. The well-separated mixed valence excited state spectroscopic components enable detailed electronic and resonance Raman data to be obtained from which the model can be more fully developed and tested.     

Spectroscopic consequences of a mixed valence excited state: quantitative treatment of a dihydrazine diradical dication

A model for the quantitative treatment of molecular systems possessing mixed valence excited states is introduced and used to explain observed spectroscopic consequences. The specific example studied in this paper is 1,4-bis(2-tert-butyl-2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene-1,4-diyl dication. The lowest energy excited state of this molecule arises from a transition from the ground state where one positive charge is associated with each of the hydrazine units, to an excited state where both charges are associated with one of the hydrazine units, that is, a Hy-to-Hy charge transfer. The resulting excited state is a Class II mixed valence molecule. The electronic emission and absorption spectra, and resonance Raman spectra, of this molecule are reported. The lowest energy absorption band is asymmetric with a weak low-energy shoulder and an intense higher energy peak. Emission is observed at low temperature. The details of the absorption and emission spectra are calculated for the coupled surfaces by using the time-dependent theory of spectroscopy. The calculations are carried out in the diabatic basis, but the nuclear kinetic energy is explicitly included and the calculations are exact quantum calculations of the model Hamiltonian. Because the transition involves the transfer of an electron from the hydrazine on one side of the molecule to the hydrazine on the other side and vice versa, the two transitions are antiparallel and the transition dipole moments have opposite signs. Upon transformation to the adiabatic basis, the dipole moment for the transition to the highest energy adiabatic surface is nonzero, but that for the transition to the lowest surface changes sign at the origin. The energy separation between the two components of the absorption spectrum is twice the coupling between the diabatic basis states. The bandwidths of the electronic spectra are caused by progressions in totally symmetric modes as well as progressions in the modes along the coupled coordinate. The totally symmetric modes are modeled as displaced harmonic oscillators; the frequencies and displacements are determined from resonance Raman spectra. The absorption, emission, and Raman spectra are fit simultaneously with one parameter set. The coupling in the excited electronic state H(ab)(ex) is 2000 cm(-1). Excited-state mixed valence is expected to be an important contributor to the electronic spectra of many organic and inorganic compounds. The energy separations and relative intensities enable the excited-state properties to be calculated as shown in this paper, and the spectra provide new information for probing and understanding coupling in mixed valence systems.     

Resonance Raman spectra of β-carotene and its molecular structure in the excited electronic state

The resonance Raman spectra of β-carotene have been obtained at low temperature. The excitation profiles of ν₁ (1525 cm^?1) and 2ν₁ (3043 cm^?1) are analysed in terms of the Albrecht theory. The overlap integrals between the vibrational wavefunctions of the ground and the first excited electronic states are shown to be the most important factor in determining the resonance Raman intensities of this molecule. Information on the structure of the electronically excited state has been obtained.     

Resonance Raman studies of excited state structural displacements of conjugated polymers in donor/acceptor charge transfer complexes

Resonance Raman spectra of poly(2-methoxy-5-(3'-7'-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (MDMO-PPV) and small molecule acceptor blend charge transfer (CT) complexes reveal long and detailed progressions of overtone and combination bands. These features are sensitive to the specific MDMO-PPV/acceptor interactions and enable quantitative calculations of vibrational mode specific displacements of the polymer CT complex.     

Resonance Raman intensity analysis of the excited state proton transfer dynamics of 2-nitrophenol in the charge-transfer band absorption

Resonance Raman spectra were obtained for 2-nitrophenol in cyclohexane solution with excitation wavelengths in resonance with the charge-transfer (CT) proton transfer band absorption. These spectra indicate that the Franck-Condon region photodissociation dynamics have multidimensional character with motion along more than 15 normal modes: the nominal CCH bend+CC stretch nu(12) (1326 cm(-1)), the nominal CCC bend nu(23) (564 cm(-1)), the nominal CO stretch+NO stretch+CC stretch nu(14) (1250 cm(-1)), the nominal CCH bend+CC stretch+COH bend nu(15) (1190 cm(-1)); the nominal CCH bend+CC stretch nu(17) (1134 cm(-1)), the nominal CCC bend+CC stretch nu(22) (669 cm(-1)), the nominal CCN bend nu(27) (290 cm(-1)), the nominal NO(2) bend+CC stretch nu(21) (820 cm(-1)), the nominal CCO bend+CNO bend nu(25) (428 cm(-1)), the nominal CC stretch nu(7) (1590 cm(-1)), the nominal NO stretch nu(8) (1538 cm(-1)), the nominal CCC bend+NO(2) bend nu(20) (870 cm(-1)), the nominal CC stretch nu(6) (1617 cm(-1)), the nominal COH bend+CC stretch nu(11) (1382 cm(-1)), nominal CCH bend+CC stretch nu(9) (1472 cm(-1)). A preliminary resonance Raman intensity analysis was done and the results for 2-nitrophenol were compared to previously reported results for nitrobenzene, p-nitroaniline, and 2-hydroxyacetophenone. The authors briefly discuss the differences and similarities in the CT-band absorption excitation of 2-nitrophenol relative to those of nitrobenzene, p-nitroaniline, and 2-hydroxyacetophenone.     

Resonance fluorescence from the second excited singlet state of naphthalene

Resonance fluorescence exhibiting anomously long radiative decay times was observed from the second excited singlet state of the “isolated” naphthalene molecule, excited by the fourth harmonic of an Nd³⁺ laser.     

Regulation of mixed Ag valence state by non-thermal plasma for complete oxidation of formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is an important air pollutant and its removal is essential to protect human health and meet environmental regulations. Ag-based catalyst has a considerable potential for HCHO oxidation in low temperature range. The valence state of Ag is one of the key roles in formaldehyde catalytic oxidation.However, its effect on activity is still ambiguous. Non-thermal plasma and conventional calcination were employed to regulate Ag valence state in this study. Three Ag-Co/CeO₂ cataly...     

Raman spectroscopy from a picosecond-lived excited state of methyl orange

Vibrational Raman scattering from a picosecond-lived excited state of methyl orange in 9 N H₂SO₄ is reported. The vibrational frequencies of normal modes in ground and electronic excited states are separated by ≈ 10 cm^?1 but rather large differences exist in their intensities. In particular, the intensity of a mode at ≈ 1180 cm^?1, due to the NN stretch, is sensitive to the frequency of the nanosecond pulsed tunable laser. A bandwidth comparison between ground- and excited-state spectra reveals that the widths of bands of the latter, like that of the former are due to dephasing and other effects associated with interaction of molecules in the liquid phase.     

Photoswitchable mixed valence

For a molecular electronics technology to be fully serviceable, switching functions will be indispensable. Specifically, it will be desirable to control the conductivity of a given molecule using an external stimulus. This tutorial review discusses photoswitchable mixed valence systems that are comprised of a reversibly photoisomerizable bridging unit connecting two redox-active moieties, and as such represent some of the most simple chemical systems in which switching of charge delocalization can be explored. As photoisomerizable units, dithienylethenes have received much attention in the context of photoswitchable mixed valence, but there are also more exotic examples such as norbornadiene- and dimethyldihydropyrene-based switchable systems. As redox-active units responsible for the mixed valence phenomenon, both metal-containing as well as purely organic moieties have been employed. Typical investigations in this area involve the comparison of cyclic voltammograms and (near-infrared) optical absorption spectra of the two isomeric forms of a given system. The magnitude of the comproportionation constant and evaluation of intervalence absorption bands using appropriate theoretical models yield information regarding the extent of charge delocalization in the two isomeric forms. In several of the compounds investigated so far, the light stimulus induces a substantial increase of charge delocalization, or in the terminology commonly used in mixed valence chemistry, a changeover from class I to class II or even class III behavior.     

Time resolved resonance Raman studies on triplet excited state of 2-methoxy-naphthalene by photo-sensitization

We report on the resonance Raman spectrum of the triplet excited state of 2-methoxy-naphthalene (3ROMe) generated by benzophenone (BP) triplet sensitization. A comparison of the time resolved resonance Raman (TR3) spectra of 3ROMe obtained by energy transfer with that of the spectrum obtained in the absence of BP reveals no change in vibrational frequencies due to weak charge transfer interaction, as expected for a triplet exciplex. It is observed from our computational studies and the experimental data that the unpaired electron in the * orbital of triplet state is more localized on the aromatic ring attached to the methoxy group.     

The resonance Raman spectrum of tetramethylbutadiene in its lowest excited triplet state

The resonance Raman spectrum of tetramethylbutadiene in its lowest excited triplet state, with a reported lifetime of 80 ns, is presented. The triplet state was produced by laser flash photolysis using acetone as sensituer in acetonitrile. Transient Raman bands were seen at 1620, 1395, 1353, 1275, 1239, 1048, and 521 cm⁻¹.     

Time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopic studies on the triplet excited state of thioxanthone

Thioxanthone has been investigated extensively owing to its unique photochemical and photophysical applications and its solvatochromic behavior. Here, we report the time-resolved resonance Raman studies on the structure of the lowest triplet excited state of thioxanthone in carbon tetrachloride. In addition, FT-IR and FT-Raman techniques have been used to study the vibrational structure in the ground state. To corroborate the experimental findings, density functional theory calculations have been carried out. Isotopic calculations and normal coordinate analysis have been used to help in assigning the observed bands to Raman vibrational modes. Structural information derived from this study is expected to help in better understanding the triplet state photochemistry of thioxanthone.     

An application of second-order n-electron valence state perturbation theory to the calculation of excited states

n–electron valence state perturbation theory (NEVPT) is a form of multireference perturbation theory where all the zero-order wave functions are of multireference nature, being generated as eigenfunctions of a two–electron model Hamiltonian. The absence of intruder states makes NEVPT an interesting choice for the calculation of electronically excited states. Test calculations have been performed on several valence and Rydberg transitions for the formaldehyde and acetone molecules; the results are in good accordance with the best calculations and with the existing experimental data.Contribution to the Jacopo Tomasi Honorary Issue     

Raman excitation profiles and excited state molecular configurations of three isomeric phenyl pyridines

Contributions of different electronic states to Raman scattering have been studied by critical analyses of Raman excitation profiles (REPs) of several normal modes of vibration of three isomeric phenyl pyridines. In this context, possible structures and other interesting properties of the three molecules in the excited electronic states have been discussed. Normal mode characteristics are also described. Most likely a singlet state, lying in the vacuum ultraviolet region with respect to the ground state, is found to be playing a very significant role in the scattering phenomena.     

Nonplanar heme deformations and excited state displacements in nickel porphyrins detected by Raman spectroscopy at soret excitation

We have correlated the Raman intensities of out-of-plane modes of nickel porphyrins with the nonplanar deformations of specific symmetries, i.e., static normal coordinate deformations (SNCDs) expressed in terms of irreducible representations of the unperturbed D(4h) point group. The model porphyrins Ni(II) octaethyltetraphenylporphyrin (NiOETPP), Ni(II) tetra(isopropyl)porphyrin (NiT((i)Pr)P), Ni(II) tetra(tert-butyl)porphyrin (NiT((t)Bu)P), and Ni(II) meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (NiTPP) were chosen because they exhibit significant out-of-plane deformations of different symmetries. At B-band excitation, the Raman scattering of out-of-plane modes becomes activated mostly via the Franck-Condon mechanism. Some characteristic bands from out-of-plane modes in the spectra were identified as reliable predictors of the type and magnitude of out-of-plane deformation. The gamma(10)-gamma(13) bands are indicators of ruffling (B(1u)) deformations for porphyrins, as confirmed by data for NiTPP, NiT((i)Pr)P, and NiT((t)Bu)P, where the Raman intensity increases with the magnitude of the ruffling deformation. The gamma(15)-gamma(17) bands are indicators of saddling (B(2u)) deformations, as shown by data for NiOETPP, which is highly saddled. By comparing the relative intensities of these prominent Raman bands we estimated the vibronic coupling parameters using a self-consistent analysis, and showed that they reproduce the respective B-band absorption profiles. We also identified the deformations along the lowest wavenumber normal coordinates as the predominant reason for the Raman activity of out-of-plane modes. Our results suggest that some of the normal coordinates (gamma(10) and gamma(13)) may be used as tools to quantitatively probe the nonplanar deformations of metalloporphyrins with alkyl substituents at the meso-positions. Out-of-plane deformations also increase the vibronic coupling strength of some low frequency in-plane Raman modes, namely, nu(7) and nu(8). Generally, the Raman data suggest that the excited B-state is substantially more nonplanar than the ground state. The overall larger vibronic coupling of ruffled porphyrins yields substantially larger dipole strengths for the vibronic sidebands associated with the B-state transition, so that the relative absorptivity of the B(v) band can be used as a convenient tool to probe the nonplanarity of the porphyrin macrocycle.     

Plutonium valence state distributions

A method for ascertaining equilibrium valence state distributions of plutonium in acid solutions as a function of the plutonium oxidation number and the solution acidity is illustrated with an example. The method may be more practical for manual use than methods based upon polynomial equations. Mound Laboratory is operated by Monsanto Research Corporation for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission under Contract No. AT-33-1-GEN-53.     

Resonance Raman and density functional study of the excited state structural dynamics of 3-amino-2-cyclohexen-1-one in water and acetonitrile solvents

FT-Raman and/or FT-IR spectra of 3-amino-2-cyclohexen-1-one (ACyO) in solid state and/or in solvents of water and acetonitrile were obtained. Density functional theory calculations were done to help elucidate the vibrational band assignments. The A-band resonance Raman spectra of ACyO were acquired in water and acetonitrile solvents to examine the excited state structural dynamics and the state-mixing or curve-crossing tuned by solvents. A preliminary resonance Raman intensity analysis using the time-dependent wave-packet theory and simple model was done for ACyO in acetonitrile solvent. Resonance Raman spectroscopic probing of the excited state curve-crossing or state-mixing was proposed.     

Pulse radiolytic study of the triplet excited state of naphthalene in mixed solvents

The triplet excited state of naphthalene (³N^*) has been produced by irradiating solutions of naphthalene in mixtures of isopropanol-formamide, acetonitrile-formamide and N,N-dimethylformamide — formamide mixtures with 2 microsecond electron pulses. The yield and decay kinetics of the triplet have been studied over a wide range of compositions of the mixtures. An attempt has been made to explain the variation in the yields and decay rate constants on the basis of the micro properties of the solvent mixtures.     

On the valence excited states of conjugated dienes

Electron impact spectroscopic results are reported for the lowest-energy A_g and B_u valence excited states of several conjugated dienes. In all cases, the B_u state was found to lie below the A_g state. The B_u state of the s-cis compounds was found to be ≈ 0.5 eV lower in energy than that of the s-trans compounds. Correlations of these results with those obtained for several s-trans and s-cis polyenes leads to a new possible interpretation of the state observed below the B_u state in intermediate length polynes.     

Resonance Raman and resonance hyper-Raman intensities: structure and dynamics of molecular excited states in solution

Resonance Raman scattering is discussed as a vibronic spectroscopy that can provide detailed information about the structure and dynamics of excited electronic states of molecules. The emphasis is on molecules in liquid solution. The theory of resonance Raman intensities and experimental and interpretive methods are discussed both in a historical context and in their present and future implementations. The related but much less developed technique of two-photon-resonant hyper-Raman scattering is also discussed in a similar context.