Structural changes accompanying excited-state electron transfer in meta- and para-dialkylaminopyridines

The electronic structure of the lowest excited singlet states and molecular geometries of a series of dialkylaminopyridines (DAAPs) representing electron donor–acceptor systems were studied by photostationary and time-resolved UV–vis spectroscopic methods and quantum chemical calculations. The comparative studies allow us to rationalize dual luminescence of 4-DAAPs in terms of the TICT state model—the analysis of the electronic transition dipole moments indicates a nearly orthogonal conformation of the fluorescent ICT states. Introduction of the amino group at meta position as in 3-diisopropylaminopyridine completely changes photophysics of these pyridine derivatives: (i) the Franck-Condon excited state initially reached upon excitation and the solvent equilibrated fluorescent state are most probably of the same nature (both excited states do not correspond to a full separation of charges) and (ii) the electronic structure and geometry of the fluorescent CT states of m-DIAP are solvent dependent.     

Vibrational computing: simulation of a full adder by optimal control

Within the context of vibrational molecular quantum computing, we investigate the implementation of a full addition of two binary digits and a carry that provides the sum and the carry out. Four qubits are necessary and they are encoded into four different normal vibrational modes of a molecule. We choose the bromoacetyl chloride molecule because it possesses four bright infrared active modes. The ground and first excited states of each mode form the one-qubit computational basis set. Two approaches are proposed for the realization of the full addition. In the first one, we optimize a pulse that implements directly the entire addition by a single unitary transformation. In the second one, we decompose the full addition in elementary quantum gates, following a scheme proposed by Vedral et al. [Phys. Rev. A 54, 147 (1996)]. Four elementary quantum gates are necessary, two two-qubit CNOT gates (controlled NOT) and two three-qubit TOFFOLI gates (controlled-controlled NOT). All the logic operations consist in one-qubit flip. The logic implementation is therefore quasiclassical and the readout is based on a population analysis of the vibrational modes that does not take the phases into account. The fields are optimized by the multitarget extension of the optimal control theory involving all the transformations among the 2(4) qubit states. A single cycle of addition without considering the preparation or the measure or copy of the result can be carried out in a very competitive time, on a picosecond time scale.     

Towards a DNA Nanoprocessor: Reusable Tile‐Integrated DNA Circuits

Modern electronic microprocessors use semiconductor logic gates organized on a silicon chip to enable efficient inter‐gate communication. Here, arrays of communicating DNA logic gates integrated on a single DNA tile were designed and used to process nucleic acid inputs in a reusable format. Our results lay the foundation for the development of a DNA nanoprocessor, a small and biocompatible device capable of performing complex analyses of DNA and RNA inputs.     

Ground-state and some excited states of Li2 by the half-projected Hartree–Fock method

The half-projected Hartree–Fock wave function (HPHF ) is one of simplest models for introducing some electronic correlation effects. In this model, the wave function is built up with only two Slater determinants. This simple form suggests its application for the direct determination of singlet excited states. On the other hand, because the HPHF model does not mix singlet and triplet states with M_s = 0, it can be used for determining independently singlet and triplet states without any mutual contamination. In the present work, we applied this model to determine nine electronic states of the lithium molecule; one of them exhibits even the same symmetry of the fundamental one. For this purpose, the 6-311G (d) basis was used. Potential energy curves were determined and some spectroscopic constants derived. The numerical results were compared with the available experimental data, as well as with other theoretical values. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Fluorescent Molecular Logic Gates Driven by Temperature and by Protons in Solution and on Solid

Temperature-driven fluorescent NOT logic is demonstrated by exploiting predissociation in a 1,3,5-trisubstituted Δ²-pyrazoline on its own and when grafted onto silica microparticles. Related Δ²-pyrazolines become proton-driven YES and NOT logic gates on the basis of fluorescent photoinduced electron transfer (PET) switches. Additional PASS 1 and YES+PASS 1 logic gates on silica are also demonstrated within the same family. Beside these small-molecule systems, a polymeric molecular thermometer based on a benzofurazan-derivatized N-isopropylacrylamide copolymer is attached to silica to produce temperature-driven fluorescent YES logic.     

Energy and density analysis on the H2 molecule from the united atom to dissociation: The Σ, Π, Δ, ϕ, and Γ manifolds

We present 140 accurate potential energy curves, PECs, for the Σ, Π, Δ, ?, and Γ manifolds for the H₂ molecule, mapping all the states with energy below the H ground state. The full configuration interaction, nonrelativistic Born–Oppenheimer computations are performed with large and optimized basis sets of Slater‐type and spherical Gaussian functions; these new basis sets are somewhat larger than those used in recent published studies on the 60 Σ state PECs. The full CI computations are performed twice, with Hartree–Fock and with Heitler–London‐type functions, allowing the identification of the ionic component in the total energy. The computed energies are within 10^?5 hartree from the most accurate PECs in literature. We aim (a) at the evaluation of the PECs starting at very short and unexplored internuclear distances (0.01 bohrs) and ending at full dissociation, (b) at the systematic prediction of high excited state PECs dissociating as 1s + 4l and 1s + 5l, and (c) at the characterization of the evolution of the 140 PEC electronic densities from united atom to dissociation. With this work we fill a gap in today literature, which has dealt mainly with low excited states, generally excluding short internuclear distances. The electronic configuration at the united atom persists as dominant configuration well beyond the equilibrium separation, and it switches to that at dissociation often with energy patterns seemingly irregular, in particular when the values of the principal quantum number at dissociation and at the united atom differ by one or more unit. The Hund's singlet‐triplet splitting, which propagates from the united atom to the molecule, is discussed. The singlet and triplet states are rather close in energy in the Π manifolds, and approach degeneracy in the Δ and ? manifolds, to become fully degenerate in the Γ manifolds. Discussions on the correlation energy correction, adiabatic correction, spectroscopic constants and on general features of the H₂ excited states are presented. The H₂ molecule is a system, which—to be understood—needs consideration of both the very short internuclear distances in approaching the united atom and of the very high excited states below H. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Change of molecular structure in the excited states: A (CNDO/2) hole-potential study on phosphine

Molecular structure of phosphine in a number of excited electronic states is studied using the method of hole-potential within the basic framework of CNDO/2 theory. Effects of including 3d-functions of phosphorus in the basis set on computed molecular geometries, transition energies and inversion barriers in the excited states have been investigated. An attempt is made to rationalise qualitatively the structural changes in the excitedstate in terms of Walsh-type correlation diagram constructed with the eigenvalues of the Fock operator in theV _N-1 potential model. A simple orbital model for predicting the nature of structural changes in the excited states is proposed.     

DNA computation: a photochemically controlled AND gate

DNA computation is an emerging field that enables the assembly of complex circuits based on defined DNA logic gates. DNA-based logic gates have previously been operated through purely chemical means, controlling logic operations through DNA strands or other biomolecules. Although gates can operate through this manner, it limits temporal and spatial control of DNA-based logic operations. A photochemically controlled AND gate was developed through the incorporation of caged thymidine nucleotides into a DNA-based logic gate. By using light as the logic inputs, both spatial control and temporal control were achieved. In addition, design rules for light-regulated DNA logic gates were derived. A step-response, which can be found in a controller, was demonstrated. Photochemical inputs close the gap between DNA computation and silicon-based electrical circuitry, since light waves can be directly converted into electrical output signals and vice versa. This connection is important for the further development of an interface between DNA logic gates and electronic devices, enabling the connection of biological systems with electrical circuits.     

Theoretical study of low‐lying electronic states of the LiRb+ molecular ion: Structure,spectroscopy and transition dipole moments

The electronic structure and the spectroscopic properties for low‐lying electronic states of the LiRb⁺ molecular ion, dissociating into Li (2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 3d, 4s, and 4p) + Rb⁺ and Li⁺ + Rb (5s, 5p, 4d, 6s, 6p, 5d, and 7s), have been investigated using an ab initio approach based on non‐empirical pseudo potentials for the Li and Rb cores and parametrized l‐dependent polarization potential. We have determined the adiabatic potential energy curves and their spectroscopic constants for many electronic states of ²Σ⁺, ²Π, and ²Δ symmetries. A satisfying agreement, for the spectroscopic constants, has been obtained for the ground and the first excited states with the available theoretical works. Potential energy curves were presented, for the first time, for the higher excited states. In addition, we have localised and analysed the avoided crossings between electronic states of ²Σ⁺ and ²Π symmetries. Their existences can be related to the interaction between the potential energy curves and to the charge transfer process between the two ionic systems Li⁺Rb and LiRb⁺. Moreover, we have determined the transition dipole moments from X²Σ⁺ and 2²Σ⁺ states to higher excited states of ²Σ⁺ and ²Π symmetries. For our best knowledge, no experimental data on the LiRb⁺ molecular ion is available. These theoretical data can help experimentalists to optimize photoassociative formation of ultracold LiRb⁺ molecular ion and their longevity in a trap or in an optical lattice. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012     

On the Electronic Structure of NiII Complexes That Feature Chelating Bisguanidine Ligands

In this work we report on the syntheses and properties of several new Ni complexes featuring the chelating bisguanidines bis(tetramethylguanidino)benzene (btmgb), bis(tetramethylguanidino)naphthalene (btmgn), and bis(tetramethylguanidino)biphenyl (btmgbp) as ligands. All complexes were structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and quantum chemical calculations. A detailed inspection of the magnetic susceptibility of [(btmgb)NiX₂] and [(btmgbp)NiX₂] (X=Cl, Br) revealed a linear temperature dependence of χ^?1(T) above 50 K, which was in agreement with a Curie–Weiss‐type behavior and a triplet ground state. Below approximately 25 K, however, magnetic susceptibility studies of the paramagnetic d⁸ Ni complexes revealed the presence of a significant zero‐field splitting (ZFS) that results from spin–orbit mixing of excited states into the triplet ground state. The electronic consequences that might arise from the mixing of states as well as from a possible non‐innocent behavior of the ligand have been explored by an experimental charge density study of [(btmgb)NiCl₂] at low temperatures (7 K). Here, the presence of ZFS was identified as one potential reason for the flat ?Cl‐Ni‐Cl deformation potential and the distinct differences between the ?X‐Ni‐X valence angles observed by experiment and predicted by DFT. An analysis of the topology of the experimentally and theoretically derived electron‐density distributions of [(btmgb)NiCl₂] confirmed the strong donor character of the bisguanidine ligand but clearly ruled out any significant non‐innocent ligand (NIL) behavior. Hence, [(btmgb)NiCl₂] provides an experimental reference system to study the mixing of certain excited states into the ground state unbiased from any competing NIL behavior.     

Deprotonation‐Induced Aromaticity Enhancement and New Conjugated Networks in meso‐Hexakis(pentafluorophenyl)[26]hexaphyrin

meso‐Hexakis(pentafluorophenyl)‐substituted neutral hexaphyrin with a 26π‐electronic circuit can be regarded as a real homolog of porphyrin with an 18π‐electronic circuit with respect to a quite flat molecular structure and strong aromaticity. We have investigated additional aromaticity enhancement of meso‐hexakis(pentafluorophenyl)[26]hexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1) by deprotonation of the inner N? H groups in the macrocyclic molecular cavity to try to induce further structural planarization. Deprotonated mono‐ and dianions of [26]hexaphyrin display sharp B‐like bands, remarkably strong fluorescence, and long‐lived singlet and triplet excited‐states, which indicate enhanced aromaticity. Structural, spectroscopic, and computational studies have revealed that deprotonation induces structural deformations, which lead to a change in the main conjugated π‐electronic circuit and cause enhanced aromaticity.     

DNA Computing Systems Activated by Electrochemically‐triggered DNA Release from a Polymer‐brush‐modified Electrode Array

An array of four independently wired indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes was used for electrochemically stimulated DNA release and activation of DNA‐based Identity, AND and XOR logic gates. Single‐stranded DNA molecules were loaded on the mixed poly(N ,N ‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA)/poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) brush covalently attached to the ITO electrodes. The DNA deposition was performed at pH 5.0 when the polymer brush is positively charged due to protonation of tertiary amino groups in PDMAEMA, thus resulting in electrostatic attraction of the negatively charged DNA. By applying electrolysis at −1.0 V(vs. Ag/AgCl reference) electrochemical oxygen reduction resulted in the consumption of hydrogen ions and local pH increase near the electrode surface. The process resulted in recharging the polymer brush to the negative state due to dissociation of carboxylic groups of PMAA, thus repulsing the negatively charged DNA and releasing it from the electrode surface. The DNA release was performed in various combinations from different electrodes in the array assembly. The released DNA operated as input signals for activation of the Boolean logic gates. The developed system represents a step forward in DNA computing, combining for the first time DNA chemical processes with electronic input signals.     

Excited state tracking during the relaxation of coordination compounds

The ability to locate minima on electronic excited states (ESs) potential energy surfaces both in the case of bright and dark states is crucial for a full understanding of photochemical reactions. This task has become a standard practice for small- to medium-sized organic chromophores thanks to the constant developments in the field of computational photochemistry. However, this remains a very challenging effort when it comes to the optimization of ESs of transition metal complexes (TMCs), not only due to the presence of several electronic ESs close in energy, but also due to the complex nature of the ESs involved. In this article, we present a simple yet powerful method to follow an ES of interest during a structural optimization in the case of TMCs, based on the use of a compact hole-particle representation of the electronic transition, namely the natural transition orbitals (NTOs). State tracking using NTOs is unambiguously accomplished by computing the mono-electronic wave function overlap between consecutive steps of the optimization. Here, we demonstrate that this simple but robust procedure works not only in the case of the cytosine but also in the case of the ES optimization of a ruthenium nitrosyl complex which is very problematic with standard approaches. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Computational Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

One‐electron pseudopotential study of the alkali hydride cation NaH+: Structure,spectroscopy, transition dipole moments,and radiative lifetimes

The structure and spectroscopic properties of the ground and the lowest excited electronic states of the alkali hydride cation NaH⁺ have been investigated using an ab initio approach. In this approach, a nonempirical pseudopotential for the Na⁺ core has been used and a core–core and a core‐valence correlation corrections have been added. The adiabatic potential energy curves and the molecular spectroscopic constants for numerous electronic states of ²Σ⁺, ²Π, and ²Δ symmetries, dissociating up to Na (4d) + H⁺ and Na⁺ + H (3d), have been calculated. As no experimental data are available, we discuss our results by comparing with the available theoretical calculations. A satisfying agreement has been found for the ground state with previous works. However, a clear disagreement between this study and the model potential work of Magnier (Magnier, J. Phys. Chem. A 2005, 109, 5411) has been observed for several excited states. Numerous avoided crossings between electronic states of ²Σ⁺ and ²Π symmetries have been found and analysed. They are related to the interaction between the potential energy curves and to the charge transfer process between the two ionic systems Na⁺H and NaH⁺. Furthermore, we provide an extensive set of data concerning the transition dipole moments from X²Σ⁺ and the 2²Σ⁺ states to higher excited states of ²Σ⁺ and ²Π symmetries. Finally, the adiabatic potential energy curves of the ground (X²Σ⁺) and the first (2²Σ⁺) excited states and the transition dipole moments between these states are used to evaluate the radiative lifetimes for the vibrational levels of the 2²∑⁺ state for the first time. In addition to the bound–bound contribution, the bound‐free term has been evaluated and added to the total radiative lifetime. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Spin—orbit and vibronic perturbations on the chiroptical spectra of dissymmetric pseudo-tetragonal metal complexes

The influence of spin—orbit and vibronic interactions upon the chiroptical properties of nearly degenerate dd transitions in metal complexes of pseudo-tetragonal symmetry is investigated. A model system is considered in which three nearly degenerate dd excited states are coupled via both spinorbit and vibronic interactions. Vibronic interactions among the three nearly degenerate dd electronic states are assumed to arise from a pseudo-Jahn—Teller (PJT) mechanism involving three different vibrational modes (each nontotally symmetric in the point group of the undistorted model system).A vibronic hamiltonian is constructed (for the excited states of the model system) which includes linear coupling terms in each of the three PJT-active vibrational modes as well as a linear coupling term in one totally symmetric mode of the system and a spin—orbit interaction term. Wavefunctions and eigenvalues for the spin—orbit/vibronic perturbed excited states. of the model system are obtained by diagonalizing this hamiltonian in a basis constructed of uncoupled vibrational and electronic (orbital and spin) wavefunctions.Rotatory strengths associated with transitions to vibronic levels of the perturbed system are calculated and “rotatory strength spectra” are computed assuming gaussian shaped vibronic spectral components. Calculations are carried out for a number of vibronic and spin—orbit coupling parameters and for various splitting energies between the interacting electronic states. The calculated results suggest that chiroptical spectra associated with transitions to a set of nearly degenerate dd excited states of a chiral transition metal complex cannot be interpreted directly without some consideration of the effects introduced by spin—orbit and vibronic perturbations. These perturbations can lead to substantial alterations in the sign patterns and intensity distributions of rotatory strength among vibronic levels derived from the interacting electronic states and it is generally not valid to assign specific features in the observed circular dichroism spectra to transitions between states with well-defined electronic (orbital and spin) identities.Our theoretical model is conservative with respect to the total (or net) rotatory strength associated with transitions to levels derived from the three interacting electronic states; the vibronic and spin—orbit coupling operators are operative only within this set of states. That is, the total (or net) rotatory strength associated with these transitions remains invariant to the vibronic and spin—orbit coupling parameters of the model.     

Enzyme-free and DNA-based universal platform for the construction of various logic devices based on graphene oxide and G-quadruplex

In the fields of biocomputing and biomolecular, DNA molecules are applicable to be regarded as data of logical computing platform that uses elaborate logic gates to perform a variety of tasks. Graphene oxide (GO) is a type of novel nanomaterial, which brings new research focus to materials science and biosensors due to its special selectivity and excellent quenching ability. G-quadruplex as a unique DNA structure stimulates the intelligent application of DNA assembly on the strength of its exceptional binding activity. In this paper, we report a universal logic device assisted with GO and G-quadruplex under an enzyme-free condition. Integrated with the quenching ability of GO to the TAMRA (fluorophore, Carboxytetramethylrhodamine) and the enhancement of fluorescence intensity produced by the peculiar binding of G-quadruplex to the NMM (N-methylmesoporphyrin IX), a series of basic binary logic gates (AND. OR. INHIBIT. XOR) have been designed and verified through biological experiments. Given the modularity and programmability of this strategy, two advanced logic gates (half adder and half subtractor) were realized on the basis of the same work platform. The fluorescence signals generated from different input combinations possessed satisfactory results, which provided proof of feasibility. We believe that the proposed universal logical platform that operates at the nanoscale is expected to be utilized for future applications in molecular computing as well as disease diagnosis.     

Modular multi-level circuits from immobilized DNA-based logic gates

One of the fundamental goals of molecular computing is to reproduce the tenets of digital logic, such as component modularity and hierarchical circuit design. An important step toward this goal is the creation of molecular logic gates that can be rationally wired into multi-level circuits. Here we report the design and functional characterization of a complete set of modular DNA-based Boolean logic gates (AND, OR, and AND-NOT) and further demonstrate their wiring into a three-level circuit that exhibits Boolean XOR (exclusive OR) function. The approach is based on solid-supported DNA logic gates that are designed to operate with single-stranded DNA inputs and outputs. Since the solution-phase serves as the communication medium between gates, circuit wiring can be achieved by designating the DNA output of one gate as the input to another. Solid-supported logic gates provide enhanced gate modularity versus solution-phase systems by significantly simplifying the task of choosing appropriate DNA input and output sequences used in the construction of multi-level circuits. The molecular logic gates and circuits reported here were characterized by coupling DNA outputs to a single-input REPORT gate and monitoring the resulting fluorescent output signals.     

Theoretically calculated rovibronic transition spectra of KRb

Spectroscopic properties of all the electronic states of KRb dissociating into 4s(K) + 5s(Rb), 4s(K) + 5p(Rb), 4p(K) + 5s(Rb), and 4s(K) + 4d(Rb) and some higher-lying excited states are studied with ab initio calculations. Spectroscopic constants, dipole moments, and the nature of the electronic wave functions for these states are reported. Intensities for the singlet-singlet and triplet-triplet transitions are theoretically calculated from the potential energy curves and the transition dipole moments. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.