Triplet excited states of nitronaphthalenes. II. b-Nitronaphthalene

Nanosecond flash photolysis of b-nitronaphthalene (b-NO₂C₁₀H₇) in nonpolar and polar solvents shows a transient species with maximum absorption and lifetime dependent on solvent polarity. In deaerated n-hexane the absorption maximum and lifetime (1/k) are 425 nm and 530 nsec, while in deaerated ethanol the corresponding values are 470 nm and 1.7 ·sec. This transient absorption is attributed to the triplet excited state of b-NO₂C₁₀H₇, and the observed red shift as well as its longer lifetime in polar solvents are indicative of the intramolecular charge transfer character of this state. The change of dipole moment accompanying the transition T₁ → T_n, as well as rate constants for electron and proton transfer reactions involving the T₁ state of b-NO₂C₁₀H₇, were determined. The spectroscopic and kinetic data obtained in this work indicate that the triplet state of b-NO₂C₁₀H₇ behaves like a n-π* state in nonpolar media, while in polar solvents the n-π* character of the state is reduced with a simultaneous increase in the charge transfer character.     

Triplet excited states of nitronaphthalenes. IV. 1,2- and 1,8-dinitronaphthalenes

Nanosecond flash photolysis of 1,2- and 1,8-dinitronaphthalenes (1,2-DNO₂N; 1,8-DNO₂N) in nonpolar and polar solvents shows transient species with absorption maxima and lifetimes dependent on solvent polarity. In deaerated n-hexane the absorption maxima and lifetimes (1/K) are 490 nm and 1.0 μsec for 1,2-DNO₂N and 550 nm and 2.5 μsec for 1,8-DNO₂N. In deaerated ethanol the corresponding values are 550 nm and 4.3 μsec for 1,2-DNO₂N and 590 nm and 5.3 μsec for 1,8-DNO₂N. The transient absorptions are attributed to the lowest triplet excited states T₁ of the 1,2- and 1,8-DNO₂N. The observed red shifts in the absorption maxima of the T₁ states are indicative of the extent to which electronic charge is transferred intramolecularly during the T₁ → T_n transitions. Furthermore, the increased lifetime of the T₁ states with increasing solvent polarity indicates the intramolecular charge transfer character of the T₁ states. Changes of dipole moments accompanying the T₁ → T_n transitions as well as rate constants for electron or proton transfer and hydrogen abstraction reactions involving the T₁ states of 1,2- and 1,8-DNO₂N and tributyl tin hydride (Bu₃SnH) as the hydrogen donor were determined together with the activation energy of the hydrogen abstraction reaction for the case of 1,2-DNO₂N. The spectroscopic and kinetic data obtained in this work demonstrate that the triplet states of 1,2- and 1,8-DNO₂N behave like n → π* states in nonpolar media while in polar solvents the n → π* character of these states is reduced with a simultaneous increase in their intramolecular charge transfer character.     

On the luminescence of 1,4-dinitronaphthalene

1,4-dinitronaphthalene in hydrocarbon media is non-fluorescent and shows a weak phosphorescence. In protic solvents a weak fluorescence, with intensification of phosphorescence, has been observed at 77 K. In hydrocarbon media, another energy-transfer route has been observed which quenches fluorescence and results in excimer emission.     

Perturbation theory for excited states of molecules. III

The configuration interaction perturbation theory and the single configuration perturbation theory developed in Paper I is applied to the problem of chemical reactivity for conjugated hydrocarbon molecules. Various related hetromolecules are also considered. It is found that the pattern of reactivity for excited states is much the same as for the ground state.I wish to express my appreciation to Dr. A. T. Amos for constant encouragement during the preparation of this paper and to the S.R.C. for the provision of a maintenance grant.     

Triplet excited states and radical intermediates formed in electron pulse radiolysis of amino-substituted fluorenones

Electron pulse radiolysis of four differently substituted amino derivatives of fluorenone, namely, 1-amino-, 2-amino- 3-amino-, and 4-aminofluorenone, has been carried out to study the effect of structure on the spectroscopic and kinetic characteristics of the triplet excited states as well as the transient free radical intermediates formed under reducing and oxidizing conditions. The triplet states of these compounds have been generated in benzene by pulse radiolysis and in other solvents by flash photolysis technique and their spectral and kinetic properties have been investigated. Hydrated electron (e_aq⁻) has been found to react with these fluorenone derivatives to form the anion radical species with a diffusion-controlled rate constant. The spectral and kinetic properties of the transient ketyl and anion radicals have been studied by generating them in aqueous solutions of suitable pH. The pK_a values of ketylanion radical equilibria are in the range of 6.8–7.7 for these derivatives. The oxidized species have been generated by reaction with the azide radical. Hydrogen atom adducts as well as the cation radicals of these derivatives have also been generated by pulse radiolysis and characterized.     

Triplet states in 1,3-butadiene

The electron impact excitation spectrum 0f 1,3-butadiene has been studied at 20, 35 and 55 eV impact energies and scattering angles of 10° to 80°. Two low lying states are observed with maxima at 3.2 and 4.9 eV, and are identified as the ³B_u state and ³A_g state respectively     

Iodinated aluminum(III) corroles with long-lived triplet excited states

The first reported iodination of a corrole leads to selective functionalization of the four C-H bonds on one pole of the macrocycle. An aluminum(III) complex of the tetraiodinated corrole, which exhibits red fluorescence, possesses a long-lived triplet excited state.     

Perturbation theory for excited states. IV

Two of the perturbation methods developed in Paper I (CIPT and SCPT) are extended for use with uncoupled Hartree-Fock perturbation theory. Corrections to the uncoupled results are discussed and it is found that it is possible to correct using functions which when applied to ground state calculations are equivalent to the geometric approximation. It is also shown that CIPT and SCPT can be applied to ground state calculations and that when coupled perturbed orbitals are used CIPT and SCPT are equivalent to the usual coupled perturbation theory.     

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.     

Photofunctional triplet excited states of cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes: beyond electroluminescence

The development of cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes has enabled important breakthroughs in electroluminescence because such complexes permit the efficient population of triplet excited states that give rise to luminescent transitions. The triplet states of Ir(III) complexes are advantageous over those of other transition metal complexes in that their electronic transitions and charge-transfer characteristics are tunable over wide ranges. These favorable properties suggest that Ir(III) complexes have significant potential in a variety of photofunctions other than electroluminescence. In this critical review, we describe recent photonic applications of novel Ir(III) complexes. Ir(III) complexes have been shown to affect the exciton statistics in the active layers of organic photovoltaic cells, thereby improving the photon-to-current conversion efficiencies. Nonlinear optical applications that take advantage of the strong charge-transfer properties of triplet transitions are also discussed. The tunability of the electrochemical potentials facilitates the development of efficient photocatalysis in the context of water photolysis or organic syntheses. The photoredox reactivities of Ir(III) complexes have been employed in studies of charge migration along DNA chains. The photoinduced cytotoxicity of Ir(III) complexes on live cells suggests that the complexes may be useful in photodynamic therapy. Potential biological applications of the complexes include phosphorescence labeling and sensing. Intriguing platforms based on cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes potentially provide novel protein tagging and ratiometric detection. We envision that future research into the photofunctionality of Ir(III) complexes will provide important breakthroughs in a variety of photonic applications.     

The excited states of allene

Excited states of allene are calculated using virtual orbitals from a Gaussian SCF calculation on the ground state. The ground state ionization potential is predicted to be 10.14 eV. Although the calculated transition energies are too high, the spectrum is predicted to consist of 3 weak transitions followed by a strong transition at shorter wavelength, in good qualitative agreement with experiment. States of the flattened (D _2h) molecule were also studied. The rotation barrier of the ground state is predicted to be 3.12 eV. The lowest triplet state is predicted to be planar.

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Zusammenfassung Aus einer SCF Rechnung mit Gauß-Funktionen für den Grundzustand des Allens werden die virtuellen Orbitale für die Berechnung angeregter Zustände übernommen. Das Ionisationspotential des Grundzustands ergibt sich dabei zu 10,14 eV. Die Rechnungen zeigen, daß das Spektrum aus drei schwachen Übergängen und einem starken Übergang kürzerer Wellenlänge besteht. Dies steht in guter Übereinstimmung mit dem experimentellen Befund, obwohl die Übergangsenergien zu hoch berechnet werden. Die Zustände des Moleküls mit der Symmetrie D _2h werden studiert. Die Energieschranke für die Rotation wird zu 3,12 eV berechnet und der tiefste Triplett-Zustand als eben vorausgesagt.

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Résumé Calcul des états excités de l'aliène à l'aide des orbitales virtuelles fournies par un calcul SCF en gaussiennes sur l'état fondamental. Le calcul prédit un potentiel d'ionisation de 10.14 eV. Les énergies de transition caculées sont trop hautes mais le spectre calculé consiste en 3 transitions peu intenses suivies par une transition intense à plus courte longuer d'onde, ce qui est en bon accord qualitatif avec l'expérience. On a aussi étudié les états de la molécule «aplatie» (D _2h). La barrière de rotation est de 3.12 eV dans l'état fondamental. L'état triplet le plus bas devrait être plan.

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Work supported by the U.S. Army Research Office —Durham.     

Perturbation theory for excited states of molecules. I

The problem of perturbations of excited states is discussed and three methods are developed. The first of these uses a zero order wave-function made up of a linear sum of singly excited SCF configurations, whereas the second uses just one of these configurations. The third method is restricted to small -systems, the zero order wave-function being a linear sum of all possible determinants formed from the basis set used. The perturbations considered here are one-electron operators. Example calculations are performed on the butadiene molecule within the context of the -electron approximation.

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Zusammenfassung Für das Problem einer Störung von Einelektronen-Operatoren für angeregte Zustände werden drei Verfahren vorgeschlagen: Erstens die Verwendung einer Zustandsfunktion nullter Ordnung, die eine Linearkombination einfach angeregter SCF-Konfigurationen ist, zweitens die entsprechende Verwendung nur einer ausgewählten Konfiguration. Drittens läßt sich, wenn auch nur bei kleinen -Elektronensystemen, als nullte Näherung eine Linearkombination von allen möglichen angeregten Konfigurationen verwenden. Als Beispiel wird das -Elektronensystem des Butadiens gewählt.

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Résumé Discussion du problème de perturbation pour les états excités et développement de trois méthodes. La première utilise une fonction d'ordre zéro combinaison linéaire de configurations SCF monoexcitées, alors que la seconde utilise seulement une de ces configurations. La troisième méthode est restreinte à de petits systèmes , la fonction d'onde d'ordre zéro étant une combinaison linéaire de tous les déterminants construits dans la base utilisée. Les perturbations envisagées ici sont constituées par des opérateurs monoélectroniques. La molécule de butadiène sert d'exemple dans le cadre de l'approximation à électrons .

     

Triplet states of ketene by trapped electron spectroscopy

The threshold electron impact excitation spectrum of ketene is reported. The spectrum is interpreted in comparison with results of an ab initio frozen core calculation. Triplet states (³A₂, ³A₁, ³B₁) are observed at 3.8, 5.0 and 5.8 eV excitation energy.     

On the low-lying excited states of sym-triazine-based herbicides.

We report a joint computational and luminescence study on the low-lying excited states of sym-triazines, namely, 1,3,5-triazine (1) and the ubiquitous herbicides atrazine [6-chloro-N2-ethyl-N4-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine (2)] and ametryn [6-methylthio-N2-ethyl-N4-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine (3)]. Geometrical structures, energetics, and transition and state properties of I and 2 were computed at the TD-DFT, CASSCF, and CASPT2 levels of theory. The fluorescence and phosphorescence emission spectra, lifetimes, and fluorescence quantum yields were measured for the three compounds, and from these, the energies of the lowest excited states and their corresponding radiative rates were determined. The predictions from CASPT2 calculations are in good agreement with the experimental results obtained from the luminescence studies and allow the interpretation of different absorption and emission features.     

Intramolecular interactions and nature of the lowest electronically excited states in compounds modeling lignin. III. Quinones and quinone methides

An investigation has been made by the CNDO/S method with allowance for configurational interaction (the lowest six vacant and the highest eight occupied MMOs) of the electronic structure of a number of quinones and quinone methides forming component parts of the structural unit of lignin. The energies of the first singlet-singlet and singlet-triplet transitions and the redistribution of charges on excitation have been obtained, and the dependence of the energy of the transitions on the chromophores present in the molecule has been discussed. The change in the donor-acceptor properties of the fragments in excited states, leading to a change in the pathways in nucleophilic and electrophilic reactions has been shown.