Ultrafast dynamics of the SO2(H2O)n cluster system

An investigation of the excited-state dynamics of SO2(H2O)n (n = 1-5) clusters following excitation by ultrafast laser pulses to 4.7 eV (coupled 1A2 and 1B1 states) and 9.3 eV (F band) is presented. The findings for the coupled 1A2 and 1B1 states are in good agreement with published computational work and indicate the division of the initial excited-state population into the double well produced by the coupled states. A photoinduced ion-pair formation process is proposed as a likely source of the observed dynamic behavior following the 9.3 eV excitation. Energetics calculations are also presented that support the ion-pair mechanism. A lack of cluster size dependence in the measured time constants indicate surface solvation of SO2 rather than a cluster structure with the SO2 molecule fully encompassed by water molecules.     

On the accuracy of computed excited-state dipole moments

The dipole moments of furan and pyrrole in many electronically excited singlet states have been determined using coupled cluster theory including large one-electron basis sets. The inclusion of connected triple excitations is shown to uniformly decrease the equation-of-motion coupled-cluster singles and doubles (EOM-CCSD) excitation energies by 0.04-0.24 eV, with an average reduction of 0.08 eV. Using a basis set larger than DZP (++)D (double-zeta plus polarization augmented with atom- and molecule-centered diffuse functions) uniformly increases the computed EOM-CCSD excitation energies by 0.03-0.29 eV, with an average increase of 0.20 eV. The corresponding shifts in excited-state dipole moments are more erratic. Including connected triple excitations changes the computed dipole moments by an rms amount of 0.17 au. More importantly, using a larger basis set shifts the dipole moments by an rms amount of 0.52 au, with an increase or a decrease being equally likely. The CC dipole moments are compared to those from time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) computed by Burcl, Amos, and Handy [ Chem. Phys. Lett. 2002, 355, 8]. For 29 excited states of furan and pyrrole, the predicted TD-DFT dipole moments differ from the CC results by rms amounts of 1.6 au (HCTH functional) and 1.5 au (B97-1 functional). Including the asymptotic correction to TD-DFT developed by Tozer and Handy [ J. Chem. Phys. 1998, 109, 10180; J. Comput. Chem. 1999, 20, 106] reduces the rms differences for both functionals to 1.2 au. If those Rydberg excited states with very large polarizabilities are excluded, the rms differences from the CC results for the remaining 17 excited states become 1.31 au (HCTH) and 0.88 au (B97-1). For asymptotically corrected functionals and this subset of states, the rms differences from the CC results are only 0.54 au (HCTHc) and 0.34 au (B97-1c). Thus, the Tozer-Handy asymptotic correction for TD-DFT significantly improves the predictions of excited-state dipole moments. For excited states without very large polarizabilities, good agreement is achieved between excited-state dipole moments computed by coupled cluster theory and by the asymptotically corrected B97-1c density functional.     

Density functional theory and multireference configuration interaction studies on low-lying excited states of TiO2

Using density functional theory at the BPW916-311+G(3df) level, optimized geometries and energies of the lowest singlet, triplet, and quintet A(1), A(2), B(1), B(2)(C(2v)) states of the TiO(2) molecule were obtained. TiO(2) has a (1)A(1) ground state in C(2v) symmetry. Adiabatic excitation energies of the low-lying singlet and triplet states range from 2.1 to 3.0 eV. The (1,3)A(2) states optimize at bond angles of about 140 degrees , lying only 0.06 eV below linear (1,3)Delta(u), whereas (1,3)B(1) and (1,3)B(2), with bond angles of 120 degrees and 96 degrees , respectively, lie 0.3-0.4 eV below the respective (1,3)Pi(u) or (1,3)Delta(u) states. Minima with short O-O distances of approximately 1.46 A, at energies of 4.2 and 4.7 eV, were found for (1)A(1) and (3)A(1). The C(2v) minima of the lowest (1)B(1) and (3)B(1) states are saddle points, suggesting lower-energy structures in C(s) symmetry. The C(2v) quintet states start at energies of 5.7 eV. Multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) methods, employing a polarized valence triple-zeta basis set, lead to similar geometries and energies. MRCI vertical excitation energies up to 4.6 eV and oscillator strengths are given. The calculated excitation energy of 2.2 eV for (1)B(2) agrees well with 2.3 eV from a fluorescence spectrum. The vertical electron detachment energy of TiO(2) (-) is 1.5 eV, in good agreement with 1.6 eV from anion photoelectron spectroscopy. An observed second photoelectron band corresponds to (1)B(2) and/or (3)B(2), but the assignment of a third band could not be verified. Vibrational frequencies, ionization energies, electron affinities, and dissociation energies are given.     

Unraveling ultrafast dynamics in photoexcited aniline

A combination of ultrafast time-resolved velocity map imaging (TR-VMI) methods and complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) ab initio calculations are implemented to investigate the electronic excited-state dynamics in aniline (aminobenzene), with a perspective for modeling (1)πσ* mediated dynamics along the amino moiety in the purine derived DNA bases. This synergy between experiment and theory has enabled a comprehensive picture of the photochemical pathways/conical intersections (CIs), which govern the dynamics in aniline, to be established over a wide range of excitation wavelengths. TR-VMI studies following excitation to the lowest-lying (1)ππ* state (1(1)ππ*) with a broadband femtosecond laser pulse, centered at wavelengths longer than 250 nm (4.97 eV), do not generate any measurable signature for (1)πσ* driven N-H bond fission on the amino group. Between wavelengths of 250 and >240 nm (<5.17 eV), coupling from 1(1)ππ* onto the (1)πσ* state at a 1(1)ππ*/(1)πσ* CI facilitates ultrafast nonadiabatic N-H bond fission through a (1)πσ*/S(0) CI in <1 ps, a notion supported by CASSCF results. For excitation to the higher lying 2(1)ππ* state, calculations reveal a near barrierless pathway for CI coupling between the 2(1)ππ* and 1(1)ππ* states, enabling the excited-state population to evolve through a rapid sequential 2(1)ππ* → 1(1)ππ* → (1)πσ* → N-H fission mechanism, which we observe to take place in 155 ± 30 fs at 240 nm. We also postulate that an analogous cascade of CI couplings facilitates N-H bond scission along the (1)πσ* state in 170 ± 20 fs, following 200 nm (6.21 eV) excitation to the 3(1)ππ* surface. Particularly illuminating is the fact that a number of the CASSCF calculated CI geometries in aniline bear an exceptional resemblance with previously calculated CIs and potential energy profiles along the amino moiety in guanine, strongly suggesting that the results here may act as an excellent grounding for better understanding (1)πσ* driven dynamics in this ubiquitous genetic building block.     

Femtosecond dynamics of isolated phenylcarbenes

Understanding the primary photophysical processes in molecules is essential for interpreting their photochemistry, because molecules rarely react from the initially excited electronic state. In this study the ultrafast excited-state dynamics of chlorophenylcarbene (CPC) and trifluoromethylphenylcarbene (TFPC), two species that are considered as models for carbene dynamics, were investigated by femtosecond time-resolved pump probe spectroscopy in the gas phase. Their dynamics was followed in real time by time-resolved photoionization and photoelectron imaging. CPC was excited at 265 nm into the 3 1A' state, corresponding to excitation from a pi-orbital of the aromatic ring into the LUMO. The LUMO contains a contribution of the p-orbital at the carbene center. Three time constants are apparent in the photoelectron images: A fast decay process with tau1 approximately 40 fs, a second time constant of tau2 approximatley 350 fs, and an additional time constant of tau3 approximately 1 ps. The third time constant is only visible in the time-dependence of low kinetic energy electrons. Due to the dense manifold of excited states between 3.9 and 5 eV, known from ab initio calculations, the recorded time-resolved electron images show broad and unstructured bands. A clear population transfer between the states thus can not directly be observed. The fast deactivation process is linked to either a population transfer between the strongly coupled excited states between 3.9 and 5.0 eV or the movement of the produced wave packet out of the Franck-Condon region. Since the third long time constant is only visible for photoelectrons at low kinetic energy, evidence is given that this time constant corresponds to the lifetime of the lowest excited A 1A' state. The remaining time constant reflects a deactivation of the manifold of states in the range 3.9-5.0 eV down to the A 1A' state.     

Quantum chemical modeling of photoadsorption properties of the nitrogen-vacancy point defect in diamond

Quantum chemical calculations of geometric and electronic structure and vertical transition energies for several low-lying excited states of the neutral and negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy point defect in diamond (NV(0) and NV(-)) have been performed employing various theoretical methods and basis sets and using finite model NC(n)H(m) clusters. Unpaired electrons in the ground doublet state of NV(0) and triplet state of NV(-) are found to be localized mainly on three carbon atoms around the vacancy and the electronic density on the nitrogen and rest of C atoms is only weakly disturbed. The lowest excited states involve different electronic distributions on molecular orbitals localized close to the vacancy and their wave functions exhibit a strong multireference character with significant contributions from diffuse functions. CASSCF calculations underestimate excitation energies for the anionic defect and overestimate those for the neutral system. The inclusion of dynamic electronic correlation at the CASPT2 level leads to a reasonable agreement (within 0.25 eV) of the calculated transition energy to the lowest excited state with experiment for both systems. Several excited states for NV(-) are found in the energy range of 2-3 eV, but only for the 1(3)E and 5(3)E states the excitation probabilities from the ground state are significant, with the first absorption band calculated at approximately 1.9 eV and the second lying 0.8-1 eV higher in energy than the first one. For NV(0), we predict the following order of electronic states: 1(2)E (0.0), 1(2)A(2) (approximately 2.4 eV), 2(2)E (2.7-2.8 eV), 1(2)A(1), 3(2)E (approximately 3.2 eV and higher).     

Photodissociation dynamics of the ethoxy radical investigated by photofragment coincidence imaging

The photodissociation dynamics of the ethoxy radical (CH3CH2O) have been studied at energies from 5.17 to 5.96 eV using photofragment coincidence imaging. The upper state of the electronic transition excited at these energies is assigned to the C2A'state on the basis of electronic structure calculations. Fragment mass distributions show two photodissociation channels, OH + C2H4 and CH3 + CH2O. The presence of an additional photodissociation channel, identified as D + C2D4O, is revealed in time-of-flight distributions from the photodissociation of CD3CD2O. The product branching ratios and fragment translational energy distributions for all of the observed mass channels are nonstatistical. Moreover, the significant yield of OH + C2H4 product suggests that the mechanism for this channel involves isomerization on the excited-state surface. Photodissociation at a much lower yield is seen following excitation at 3.91 eV, corresponding to a vibronic band of the B2A' <-- X2A' transition.     

Spectroscopic investigation of Al2N and its anion via negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy

Negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy was used to elucidate the electronic and geometric structure of the gaseous Al2N/Al2N- molecules, using photodetachment wavelengths of 416 nm (2.977 eV), 355 nm (3.493 eV), and 266 nm (4.661 eV). Three electronic bands are observed and assigned to the X2Sigma(u)+ <-- X1Sigma(g)+, A2Pi(u) <-- X1Sigma(g)+, and B2Sigma(g)+ <-- X1Sigma(g)+ electronic transitions, with the caveat that one or both excited states may be slightly bent. With the aid of density functional theory calculations and Franck-Condon spectral simulations, we determine the adiabatic electron affinity of Al2N, 2.571 +/- 0.008 eV, along with geometry changes upon photodetachment, vibrational frequencies, and excited-state term energies. Observation of excitation of the odd vibrational levels of the antisymmetric stretch (nu3) suggests a breakdown of the Franck-Condon approximation, caused by the vibronic coupling between the X2Sigma(u)+ and B2Sigma(g)+ electronic states through the nu3 mode.     

The A-Fx to F(A/B) step in synechocystis 6803 photosystem I is entropy driven

We have previously reported the enthalpy and volume changes of charge separation in photosystem I from Synechocystis 6803 using pulsed photoacoustics on the microsecond time scale, assigned to the electron-transfer reaction from excited-state P(700) to F(A/B) iron sulfur clusters. In the present work, we focus on the thermodynamics of two steps in photosystem I: (1) P(700) --> A(1)(-)F(X) (<10 ns) and (2) A(1)(-)F(X) --> F(A/B)(-) (20-200 ns). The fit by convolution of photoacoustic waves on the nanosecond and microsecond time scales resolved two kinetic components: (1) a prompt component (<10 ns) with large negative enthalpy (-0.8 +/- 0.1 eV) and large volume change (-23 +/- 2 A(3)), which are assigned to the P(700) --> A(1)(-)F(X) step, and (2) a component with approximately 200 ns lifetime, which has a positive enthalpy (+0.4 +/- 0.2 eV) and a small volume change (-3 +/- 2 A(3)) that are attributed to the A(1)(-)F(X) --> F(A/B)(-) step. For the fast reaction using the redox potentials of A(1)F(X) (-0.67 V) and P(700) (+0.45 V) and the energy of P(700) (1.77 eV), the free energy change for the P(700) --> A(1)(-)F(X) step is -0.63 eV, and thus the entropy change (TDeltaS, T = 25 degrees C) is -0.2 +/- 0.3 eV. For the slow reaction, A(1)(-)F(X) --> F(A/B)(-), taking the free energy of -0.14 eV [Santabara, S.; Heathcote, P; Evans, C. W. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 2005, 1708, 283-310], the entropy change (TDeltaS) is positive, +0.54 +/- 0.3 eV. The positive entropy contribution is larger than the positive enthalpy, which indicates that the A(-)F(X) to F(A/B)(-) step in photosystem I is entropy driven. Other possible contributions to the measured values are discussed.     

Blue luminescence of Au nanoclusters embedded in silica matrix

Photoluminescence study using the 325 nm He-Cd excitation is reported for the Au nanoclusters embedded in SiO(2) matrix. Au clusters are grown by ion beam mixing with 100 KeV Ar(+) irradiation on Au [40 nm]/SiO(2) at various fluences and subsequent annealing at high temperature. The blue bands above approximately 3 eV match closely with reported values for colloidal Au nanoclusters and supported Au nanoislands. Radiative recombination of sp electrons above Fermi level to occupied d-band holes are assigned for observed luminescence peaks. Peaks at 3.1 and 3.4 eV are correlated to energy gaps at the X- and L-symmetry points, respectively, with possible involvement of relaxation mechanism. The blueshift of peak positions at 3.4 eV with decreasing cluster size is reported to be due to the compressive strain in small clusters. A first principle calculation based on density functional theory using the full potential linear augmented plane wave plus local orbitals formalism with generalized gradient approximation for the exchange correlation energy is used to estimate the band gaps at the X- and L-symmetry points by calculating the band structures and joint density of states for different strain values in order to explain the blueshift of approximately 0.1 eV with decreasing cluster size around L-symmetry point.     

Mechanism of ligand photodissociation in photoactivable [Ru(bpy)2L2]2+ complexes: a density functional theory study

A series of four photodissociable Ru polypyridyl complexes of general formula [Ru(bpy)2L2](2+), where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine and L = 4-aminopyridine (1), pyridine (2), butylamine (3), and gamma-aminobutyric acid (4), was studied by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). DFT calculations (B3LYP/LanL2DZ) were able to predict and elucidate singlet and triplet excited-state properties of 1-4 and describe the photodissociation mechanism of one monodentate ligand. All derivatives display a Ru --> bpy metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption band in the visible spectrum and a corresponding emitting triplet (3)MLCT state (Ru --> bpy). 1-4 have three singlet metal-centered (MC) states 0.4 eV above the major (1)MLCT states. The energy gap between the MC states and lower-energy MLCT states is significantly diminished by intersystem crossing and consequent triplet formation. Relaxed potential energy surface scans along the Ru-L stretching coordinate were performed on singlet and triplet excited states for all derivatives employing DFT and TDDFT. Excited-state evolution along the reaction coordinate allowed identification and characterization of the triplet state responsible for the photodissociation process in 1-4; moreover, calculation showed that no singlet state is able to cause dissociation of monodentate ligands. Two antibonding MC orbitals contribute to the (3)MC state responsible for the release of one of the two monodentate ligands in each complex. Comparison of theoretical triplet excited-state energy diagrams from TDDFT and unrestricted Kohn-Sham data reveals the experimental photodissociation yields as well as other structural and spectroscopic features.     

On the photodissociation of ozone in the range of 5–9 eV

The photoabsorption spectrum of ozone in the UV range (5–9 eV) is calculated from a short-time wave packet propagation using six potential energy surfaces obtained from ab initio electronic structure calculations. It is shown that the (unnamed) band around 7 eV, which is immediately adjacent to the intense Hartley band, is primarily due to excitation of three electronic states: 5 ¹A′ (3 ¹A₁), 6 ¹A′ (4 ¹A₁), and 4 ¹A″ (2 ¹B₁). Excitation of the state 8 ¹A′ (¹B₂) leads to a broad and intense band starting around 8 eV with a maximum near 9.1 eV. In full accord with the recent experimental study of Brouard et al. [M. Brouard, R. Cireasa, A.P. Clark, G.C. Groenenboom, G. Hancock, S.J. Horrocks, F. Quadrini, G.A.D. Ritchie, C. Vallance, J. Chem. Phys. 125 (2006) 133308], the excitation at 193 nm (6.42 eV) involves at least two states (5 ¹A′ and 4 ¹A″) different from the state excited in the Hartley band (3 ¹A′). The dynamics along the dissociation path is discussed in terms of one-dimensional potential curves. Several avoided crossings among the excited ¹A′ as well as the ¹A″ states point to a complicated fragmentation process. Although a quantitative analysis of branching ratios is not possible on the basis of the present calculations, we surmise, that in addition to and O(¹D) + O₂(¹Δ_g), the next higher spin-allowed channel, , also is likely to be a major product channel, in agreement with experimental observations.     

Disentangling intrinsic ultrafast excited-state dynamics of cytosine tautomers

Gas-phase ultrafast excited-state dynamics of cytosine, 1-methylcytosine, and 5-fluorocytosine were investigated in molecular beams using femtosecond pump-probe photoionization spectroscopy to identify the intrinsic dynamics of the major cytosine tautomers. The results indicate that, upon photoexcitation in the first absorption band, the cytosine enol tautomer exhibits a significantly longer excited-state lifetime than its keto and imino counterparts. The initially excited states of the cytosine keto and imino tautomers decay with sub-picosecond dynamics for excitation wavelengths shorter than 300 nm, whereas that of the cytosine enol tautomer decays with time constants ranging from 3 to 45 ps for excitation between 260 and 285 nm.     

Photodissociation of (SO2)m(H2O)n clusters employing femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy

A femtosecond pump-probe technique was employed to study the photodissociation dynamics of (SO2)m(H2O)n clusters in real time for clusters, where m=1, 2 and n as large as 11. The pump (excitation) step occurs through a multiphoton process which populates the dissociative E state as well as a lower-lying bound state of the sulfur dioxide (SO2) chromophore. Dissociation of the SO2 monomer occurs through the E state and the decay is fit to a lifetime of 230 fs. The present study is in agreement with our previous investigations of homogeneous (SO2)m clusters that have shown that cluster formation inhibits the dissociation process owing to a steric effect induced by the cluster environment [K. L. Knappenberger, Jr. and A. W. Castleman, Jr., J. Chem. Phys. 121, 3540 (2004)]. The E state lifetime increases sequentially as a function of cluster size to as much as 668 fs when 11 water molecules solvate the chromophore. We have employed a method to compare the ratio of amplitude coefficients, which reflect a respective component of the mathematical fit, to determine the nature of the wave packet evolution in binary clusters. An increase of this ratio by as much as 440% was observed for large cluster sizes. A preferential ion state charge transfer, rather than dissociation, was observed in binary clusters. The significance of cluster size on evaporation processes has been investigated.     

Dissociation of sulfur dioxide by ultraviolet multiphoton absorption between 224 and 232 nm

Multiphoton excitation and dissociation of SO(2) have been investigated in the wavelength range from 224 to 232 nm. Strong evidence is found for two-photon excitation to the H Rydberg state, followed by dissociation to SO + O and ionization of the SO product by absorption of a third photon. The two-photon excitation is resonantly enhanced via the C (1)B(2) intermediate state, and the two-photon yield spectrum thus bears a strong resemblance to the spectrum of this intermediate. Imaging of the O((3)P(2)), S((1)D(2)), and SO products suggests that, following dissociation of SO(2) from the H state, SO is produced in the A and B electronic states. S((1)D(2)) is produced both from two-photon dissociation of SO(2) to give S((1)D(2)) + O(2) and by single-photon dissociation of SO(+). In the former process, the O(2) is likely formed in all of its lowest three electronic states.     

Electronic states of F2CO as studied by electron energy-loss spectroscopy and ab initio calculations

This paper reports on the first measurements of the electron impact electronic excitation cross-sections for carbonyl fluoride, F(2)CO, measured at 30 eV, 10° and 100 eV, 5° scattering angle, while sweeping the energy loss over the range 5.0-18.0 eV. The electronic-state spectroscopy has been investigated and the assignments are supported by quantum chemical calculations. The energy bands above 9.0 eV and the vibrational progressions superimposed upon it have been observed for the first time. Vibronic coupling has been shown to play an important role dictating the nature of the observed excited states, especially for the low-lying energy region (6.0-8.0 eV). New experimental evidence for the 6(1)B(2) state proposed to have its maximum at 12.75 eV according to the vibrational excitation reported in this energy region (11.6-14.0 eV). The n = 3 members of the Rydberg series have been assigned converging to the lowest ionization energy limits, 13.02 eV ((2)B(2)), 14.09 eV ((2)B(1)), 16.10 ((2)B(2)), and 19.15 eV ((2)A(1)) reported for the first time and classified according to the magnitude of the quantum defects (δ).     

The lowest singlet states of octatetraene revisited

The two lowest excited singlet states of all-trans-1,3,5,7-octatetraene, 2?(1)A(-)(g) and 1?(1)B(+)(u), are studied by means of high level ab initio methods computing the vertical and adiabatic excitation energies for both states and the vertical emission energy for the 1 (1)A(g)(-)←2?(1)A(-)(g) transition. The results confirm the known assignment of two energies, the 2?(1)A(-)(g) adiabatic excitation energy and the 2?(1)A(-)(g) vertical emission energy, for which well defined experimental values are available, with an excellent agreement between theory and experiment. In the experimental absorption spectrum, the maximum of the band describing the 1?(1)B(+)(u)←1?(1)A(g)(-) excitation is the first peak and it has been assigned to the (0-0) vibrational transition, but in literature it is normally compared with the theoretical vertical excitation energy. This comparison has been questioned in the past, but a conclusive demonstration of its lack of foundation has not been given. The analysis reported here, while confirming the assignment of the highest peak in the experimental spectrum to the (0-0) adiabatic transition, indicates that it cannot be used as a reference for the vertical excitation energy. The theoretical vertical excitation energies for the 2?(1)A(-)(g) and 1?(1)B(+)(u) states are found to be almost degenerate, with a value, ? 4.8 eV, higher than that normally accepted in the literature, 4.4 eV. The motivations which have induced in the past other authors to consider this a correct value are discussed and the origin of their feebleness are analyzed.     

Direct observation of competitive ultrafast CO dissociation and relaxation of an MLCT excited state: picosecond time-resolved infrared spectroscopic study of [Cr(CO)(4)(2,2'-bipyridine)

Early excited-state dynamics of [Cr(CO)(4)(bpy)] were studied in a CH(2)Cl(2) solution by picosecond time-resolved IR spectroscopy, which made it possible to characterize structurally the individual species involved and to follow separately the temporal evolution of the IR bands due to the bleached ground-state absorption, the fac-[Cr(CO)(3)(Sol)(bpy)] photoproduct, and two (3)MLCT states. It was found that the fac-[Cr(CO)(3)(Sol)(bpy)] photoproduct is formed alongside population of two (3)MLCT states during the first picosecond after excitation at 400 or 500 nm by a branched evolution of the optically populated excited state. Vibrationally relaxed (3)MLCT excited states are unreactive, decaying directly to the ground state on a picosecond time scale. The photoproduct is long-lived, persistent into the nanosecond time domain. Changing the excitation wavelength from 400 to 500 nm strongly increases the extent of the bleach recovery and decreases the yield of the photoproduct formation relative to the initial yield of the population of the unreactive (3)MLCT states. The photochemical quantum yield of CO dissociation also decreases with increasing excitation wavelength (Víchová, J.; Hartl, F.; Vlcek, A., Jr. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1992, 114, 10903). These observations demonstrate the relationship between the early dynamics of optically populated excited states and the overall outcome of a photochemical reaction and identify the limiting role of the branching of the initial excited-state evolution between reactive and relaxation pathways as a more general principle of organometallic photochemistry.     

Relevance of pi sigma* states in the photoinduced processes of adenine, adenine dimer, and adenine-water complexes

Ab initio calculations and time-resolved photoionization spectroscopy were carried out to characterize the role of the lowest two pi sigma* excited states for the photoinduced processes in the adenine monomer, adenine dimer, and adenine-water clusters. The calculations show--with respect to the monomer--a stabilization of 0.11-0.14 eV for the pi sigma* states in different isomers of adenine dimer and an even bigger stabilization of 0.14-0.36 eV for isomers of adenine-(H2O)1 and adenine-(H2O)3. Hence, the stabilized pi sigma* states should play an important role in the excited-state relaxation of partially or fully solvated adenine. This conclusion is supported by experimental results: In the adenine monomer, strong n pi* state signals are observed. Those signals are reduced in adenine dimer and vanish in water clusters due to the competing relaxation via the pi sigma* states.