Deactivation of Excited States

Nature abhors an electronically excited state and strives to convert this energy to other forms. This article is concerned with the various pathways involved in the degradation of electronic excitation to ordinary “thermal” forms, but will primarily discuss the quenching of excited states by other molecules. The authors include as examples only those phototransformations and interactions encountered in solution.     

Ion imaging studies of ClONO2 photodissociation: Primary branching ratios and secondary dissociation

The photodissociation dynamics of ClONO₂ at 235 nm has been reinvestigated using velocity map ion imaging. We report branching ratios for the Cl + NO₃ and ClO + NO₂ channels to be 0.49:0.51 with anisotropy parameters of β = 0.5 ± 0.1 and β = −0.1 ± 0.3 for the Cl and ClO production channels, respectively. Photodissociation at 248 nm and 262 nm results in similar branching ratios and dynamics as observed at 235 nm. Measured O(³P₂) images arising from ClONO₂ dissociation at 226 nm suggest that oxygen atoms result from the spontaneous dissociation of metastable NO₃. The quantum yield of O atoms arising from the spontaneous dissociation of NO₃ varies from 0.09 at 262 to 0.38 at 235 nm based on the derived internal energy distributions of the NO₃ fragments. We also describe a Monte-Carlo forward-convolution fitting of imaging data which permits detailed analysis of both spontaneous secondary dissociation and secondary photodissociation.     

Comments about the representation of Rydberg and ionic excited states and their photochemistry

This paper discusses the conditions for representing Rydberg and ionic excited states of molecules. It especially shows the intrinsic difficulties of MO methods to treat the weak resonances between strongly polarized situations in highly polarizable symmetric systems; such situations occur in the long distance region for Rydberg excited states of homonuclear molecules, and for the 90 ° twisted singlet excited states of polyenes. The valence/Rydberg mixing is discussed, and some principles for the understanding of Rydberg photochemistry are proprosed, based on a few examples. The present knowledge of the photochemistry of zwitterionic excited states of polyenes is summarized.     

Rate Coefficients of Roaming Reaction H+MgH Using Ring Polymer Molecular Dynamics

The ring-polymer molecular dynamics (RPMD) was used to calculate the thermal rate coefficients of the multi-channel roaming reaction H+MgH→Mg+H₂. Two reaction channels, tight and roaming, are explicitly considered. This is a pioneering attempt of exerting RPMD method to multi-channel reactions. With the help of a newly developed optimization-interpolation protocol for preparing the initial structures and adaptive protocol for choosing the force constants, we have successfully obtained the thermal rate coefficients. The results are consistent with those from other theoretical methods, such as variational transition state theory and quantum dynamics. Especially, RPMD results exhibit negative temperature dependence, which is similar to the results from variational transition state theory but different from the ones from ground state quantum dynamics calculations.     

Energy dependence of the roaming atom pathway in formaldehyde decomposition

Recently, a new mechanism of formaldehyde decomposition leading to molecular products CO and H(2) has been discovered, termed the "roaming atom" mechanism. Formaldehyde decomposition from the ground state via the roaming atom mechanism leads to rotationally cold CO and vibrationally hot H(2), whereas formaldehyde decomposition through the conventional molecular channel leads to rotationally hot CO and vibrationally cold H(2). This discovery has shown that it is possible to have multiple pathways for a reaction leading to the same products with dramatically different product state distributions. Detailed investigations of the dynamics of these two pathways have been reported recently. This paper focuses on an investigation of the energy dependence of the roaming atom mechanism up to 1500 cm(-1) above the threshold of the radical channel, H(2)CO-->H+HCO. The influence of excitation energy on the roaming atom and molecular elimination pathways is reported, and the branching fraction between the roaming atom channel and molecular channel is obtained using high-resolution dc slice imaging and photofragment excitation spectroscopy. From the branching fractions and the reaction rates of the radical channel, the overall competition between all three dissociation channels is estimated. These results are compared with recent quasiclassical trajectory calculations on a global H(2)CO potential energy surface.     

The effect of hydration on the photo-deactivation pathways of 4-aminopyrimidine

The influence of water on the photo-deactivation process of 4-aminopyrimidine has been investigated by means of microsolvation and continuum solvation models. Two- and four-water models were used for the former purpose. Vertical excitations, stationary points on the first excited singlet surface, conical intersections (minima on the crossing seam) and reaction paths have been investigated at the state-averaged complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) and multistate CAS perturbation theory to second order (MS-CASPT2) levels of theory. A destabilizing effect of 0.2–0.3 eV has been observed for nπ∗ states while the ππ∗ state is almost unaffected. The two-water model gives already a good representation of hydration effects, especially when combined with the continuum model. A small enhancement of energy barriers (∼0.1 eV) is observed leading to the conclusion that the photodynamics of 4-aminopyrimidine should be affected only little by these solvent effects.     

The Photoisomerization of cis-Stilbene Does Not Follow the Minimum Energy Path

Thermal activation is not required for barrier crossing reactions in the photoisomerization of cis-stilbene, as demonstrated by computer simulations. The activation is achieved by using the excess energy from the photoexcitation. Moreover, the reaction proceeds with large energy transfers but small conformational changes. The reaction pathway is influenced by these effects and also by the solvent.     

Theoretical Investigations on Photodissociation Dynamics of Deuterated Alkyl Halides CD3CH2F

The product branching ratio between different products in multichannel reactions is as important as the overall rate of reaction, both in terms of practical applications (\emph{e.g}. models of combustion or atmosphere chemistry) in understanding the fundamental mechanisms of such chemical reactions. A global ground state potential energy surface for the dissociation reaction of deuterated alkyl halide CD\begin{document}$ _3 $\end{document}CH\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document}F was computed at the CCSD(T)/CBS//B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ level of theory for all species. The decomposition of CD\begin{document}$ _3 $\end{document}CH\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document}F is controversial concerning C\begin{document}$ - $\end{document}F bond dissociation reaction and molecular (HF, DF, H\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document}, D\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document}, HD) elimination reaction. Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) calculations were applied to compute the rate constants for individual reaction steps and the relative product branching ratios for the dissociation products were calculated using the steady-state approach. At the different energies studied, the RRKM method predicts that the main channel for DF or HF elimination from 1, 2-elimination of CD\begin{document}$ _3 $\end{document}CH\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document}F is through a four-center transition state, whereas D\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document} or H\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document} elimination from 1, 1-elimination of CD\begin{document}$ _3 $\end{document}CH\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document}F occurs through a direct three-center elimination. At 266, 248, and 193 nm photodissociation, the main product CD\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document}CH\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document}+DF branching ratios are computed to be 96.57%, 91.47%, and 48.52%, respectively; however, at 157 nm photodissociation, the product branching ratio is computed to be 16.11%. Based on these transition state structures and energies, the following photodissociation mechanisms are suggested: at 266, 248, 193 nm, CD\begin{document}$ _3 $\end{document}CH\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document}F\begin{document}$ \rightarrow $\end{document}absorption of a photon\begin{document}$ \rightarrow $\end{document}TS5\begin{document}$ \rightarrow $\end{document}the formation of the major product CD\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document}CH\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document}+DF; at 157 nm, CD\begin{document}$ _3 $\end{document}CH\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document}F\begin{document}$ \rightarrow $\end{document}absorption of a photon\begin{document}$ \rightarrow $\end{document}D/F interchange of TS1\begin{document}$ \rightarrow $\end{document}CDH\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document}CDF\begin{document}$ \rightarrow $\end{document}H/F interchange of TS2\begin{document}$ \rightarrow $\end{document}CHD\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document}CHDF\begin{document}$ \rightarrow $\end{document}the formation of the major product CHD\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document}+CHDF.     

Visible Light-Mediated Cyclisation Reaction for the Synthesis of Highly-Substituted Tetrahydroquinolines and Quinolines

Condensation of 2-vinylanilines and conjugated aldehydes followed by an efficient light-mediated cyclisation selectively yields either substituted tetrahydroquinolines with typically high dr, or in the presence of an iridium photocatalyst the synthesis of quinoline derivatives is demonstrated. These atom economical processes require mild conditions, with the substrate scope demonstrating excellent site selectivity and functional group tolerance, including azaarene-bearing substrates. A thorough experimental mechanistic investigation explores multiple pathways and the key role that imine and iminium intermediates play in the absorption of visible light to generate reactive excited states. The synthetic utility of the reactions is demonstrated on gram scale quantities in both batch and flow, alongside further manipulation of the medicinally relevant products.     

Density-functional investigation of the excited state properties and the Jahn-Teller effect in [CrX6]3− (X=Cl−, Br−)

Summary The luminescence of [CrX₆]^3– X=Br^–, Cl^– has been studied through density functional theory (DFT) using both deMon and ADF codes. Multiplet energies⁴A₂,²E,⁴T₂, and⁴T₁ have been expressed as energies of non-redundant single determinants and calculated as in Ref. [1]. The influence of the metal ligand distance on the multiplet energies has been investigated. Of particular interest to this work is the Jahn-Teller effect distortion. We found that the system moves to a more stable geometry when the axial bond length is compressed and the equatorial one elongated in agreement with the experimental value.     

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.     

值得引入物理化学教材的重要内容:势能面交叉

势能面交叉既是内转换和系间窜越的实际通道,也是联系光化学和热化学的重要桥梁。势能面交叉引起的非绝热过程广泛存在于各种生物、化学和材料的体系当中。笔者建议将势能面交叉的相关内容引入物理化学课程的教材中,因为这不但会使教材内容更加丰富和成体系,而且有利于学生了解科技发展前沿,激发他们探索未知的兴趣。     

NH_2基态和激发态的SAC－CI和量子拓扑方法研究

ＮＨ_２基态和激发态的ＳＡＣ－ＣＩ和量子拓扑方法研究郑世钧，蔡新华，宋天乐，孟令鹏，中迁博，波田雅彦（河北师范学院化学系，石家庄，０５００９１）（京都大学工程学院京都，日本）关键词ＳＡＣ－ＣＩ方法，激发态，电子密度，拓扑分析用量子拓扑学方法研究激发态...     

O3势能面和振动激发态的理论研究

由于O3在大气化学中的重要作用，近年来针对它的实验和理论研究皆较活跃．尽管对O3的高振动激发态已进行过广泛的研究［“］，得到过多种由实验光谱定出的势能面［‘，’］或由从头算得到的势能函数【‘］，但由于近年来又增加了一些新的高精度的振转光谱实验数据k，’」，而以     

Mechanistic Insights into the Photophysics of Ortho-hydroxyl GFP Core Chromophores

Herein we have employed the MS-CASPT2//CASSCF method to study the S₁ excited-state intramolecular proton transfers (ESIPTs) of recently synthesized ortho-hydroxyl GFP core chromophores, i.e. OHIM, CHBDI, and MHBID, and their excited-state relaxation pathways. We have found that in OHIM and CHBDI, the ESIPT process is associated with small barriers of 3.4 and 4.2 kcal/mol; while, in MHBDI, it becomes essentially barrierless. Moreover, we have found two main S₁ excited-state radiationless channels. In the first one, the enol S₁ species decays to the S₀ state via the enol S₁/S₀ conical intersection after overcoming considerable barriers of 7.0 and 7.7 kcal/mol in OHIM and CHBDI (however, in MHBDI, it is nearly barrierless). In the second one, the keto S₁ species is first generated through the ESIPT event; then, it is de-excited into the S₀ state in the vicinity of the keto S₁/S₀ conical intersection. These energetically allowed excited-state decay channels rationalize experimentally observed ultralow fluorescence quantum yields. The insights gained from the present work may help to guide the design of new ortho-hydroxyl GFP core chromophores with improved fluorescence emission and brightness.     

染料型有机分子二阶非线性光学性质的分子设计研究

在AM1和INDO/CI方法的基础上,按完全态求和公式编制了计算二阶非线性光学系数β_((?))的程序,并进行了有关分子设计的研究,即在的基础上,考察在苯环和醌环上分别引入不同取代基对二阶非线性光学性质的影响。结论是在苯环上引入推电子基团对增大β有利,引入受电子基团对增大β不利;而在醌环上的结果则相反。对上述结果所反映的规律性在微观上进行了解释。最后设计出两个二阶非线性光学系数较大的分子。     

H_3~+体系基态和电子激发态的价键方法研究

本文应用价键理论的键表酉群方法,讨论H_3~+体系的基态及其几个低激发态,研究了该体系处于激发态时价键结构的变化,得到H_3~+体系的基态为等边三角形,第一激发态为直线型,第二、三激发态为等腰三角形,且基本简并.     

关于二阶非线性光学性质的分子设计研究

在INDO/CI基础上,用完全态求和公式自编程序计算二阶非线性光学系数β_ijk,考察了分子骨架、受电子基团或给电子基团变化对β_x的影响,并设计了最大β_x的化合物、计算结果均与实验值相符。     

Theoretical study on the reaction mechanism of bis-addition of methyl azide to C60

The selectivity of attacking sites and the reaction mechanisms of the bis-addition of methyl azide with its corresponding azafulleroid (C₆₀NCH₃) have been investigated using AM1 semi-empirical and density functional methods. The whole reaction processes can be divided into two stages. The first stage is the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (1,3-DC) reaction of methyl azide with C₆₀NCH₃ giving rise to a triazoline intermediate and the second is the N₂ elimination. Based on the charge distributions, four patterns of the addition sites have been discussed. In view of the energy barriers, two kinds of 6–6 double bonds, which are in the most and the second vicinities of the –NCH₃ addend group of the C₆₀NCH₃, are the two most possible attack sites in the reaction of 1,3-DC. The analyses of the π-orbital axis vector (POAV) and the deformation and interaction energies indicate that it is the favorable interaction energy rather than the strain release that dominates the two preferential attacking patterns. The subsequent thermal elimination of N₂ takes place via two steps in which the breaking of N–N single bond precedes the cleavage of the C–N bonds of the unsubstituted N atom. The N₂ elimination occurs simultaneously with the formation of the new C–N bonds (corresponding to the substituted N atom), giving rise to two isomers of the bisadducts. One is a double azafulleroid with two N atoms bonding to two consecutive 5-6 junctions of the same pentagon, and the other with two N atoms bonding to two alternate 5-6 junctions of the same pentagon. The analysis of the energy results shows that although the former reaction is preferred to some extent, both of the two reactions can take place and both of the two bisadducts are in principle obtainable.