Excited states of nitro-polypyridine metal complexes and their ultrafast decay. Time-resolved IR Absorption, spectroelectrochemistry, and TD-DFT calculations of fac-[Re(Cl)(CO)3(5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline)

The lowest absorption band of fac-[Re(Cl)(CO)3(5-NO2-phen)] encompasses two close-lying MLCT transitions. The lower one is directed to LUMO, which is heavily localized on the NO2 group. The UV-vis absorption spectrum is well accounted for by TD-DFT (G03/PBEPBE1/CPCM), provided that the solvent, MeCN, is included in the calculations. Near-UV excitation of fac-[Re(Cl)(CO)3(5-NO2-phen)] populates a triplet metal to ligand charge-transfer excited state, 3MLCT, that was characterized by picosecond time-resolved IR spectroscopy. Large positive shifts of the nu(CO) bands upon excitation (+70 cm(-1) for the A'1 band) signify a very large charge separation between the Re(Cl)(CO)3 unit and the 5-NO2-phen ligand. Details of the excited-state character are revealed by TD-DFT calculated changes of electron density distribution. Experimental excited-state nu(CO) wavenumbers agree well with those calculated by DFT. The 3MLCT state decays with a ca. 10 ps lifetime (in MeCN) into another transient species, that was identified by TRIR and TD-DFT calculations as an intraligand 3npi excited state, whereby the electron density is excited from the NO2 oxygen lone pairs to the pi system of 5-NO2-phen. This state is short-lived, decaying to the ground state with a approximately 30 ps lifetime. The presence of an npi state seems to be the main factor responsible for the lack of emission and the very short lifetimes of 3MLCT states seen in all d6-metal complexes of nitro-polypyridyl ligands. Localization of the excited electron density in the lowest 3MLCT states parallels localization of the extra electron in the reduced state that is characterized by a very small negative shift of the nu(CO) IR bands (-6 cm(-1) for A'1) but a large downward shift of the nu(s)(NO2) IR band. The Re-Cl bond is unusually stable toward reduction, whereas the Cl ligand is readily substituted upon oxidation.     

Ultrafast photochemical dissociation of an equatorial CO ligand from trans(X,X)-[Ru(X)2(CO)2(bpy)] (X = Cl, Br, I): a picosecond time-resolved infrared spectroscopic and DFT computational study

Ultrafast photochemistry of the complexes trans(X,X)-[Ru(X)(2)(CO)(2)(bpy)] (X = Cl, Br, I) was studied in order to understand excited-state reactivity of equatorial CO ligands, coordinated trans to the 2,2'-bipyridine ligand (bpy). TD-DFT calculations have identified the lowest electronic transitions and singlet excited states as mixed X -->bpy/Ru --> bpy ligand to ligand/metal to ligand charge transfer (LLCT/MLCT). Picosecond time-resolved IR spectroscopy in the region of nu(CO) vibrations has revealed that, for X = Cl and Br, subpicosecond CO dissociation is accompanied by bending of the X-Ru-X moiety, producing a pentacoordinated intermediate trans(X,X)-[Ru(X)(2)(CO)(bpy)]. Final movement of an axial halide ligand to the vacant equatorial position and solvent (CH(3)CN) coordination follows with a time constant of 13-15 ps, forming the photoproduct cis(X,X)-[Ru(X)(2)(CO)(CH(3)CN)(bpy)]. For X = I, the optically populated (1)LLCT/MLCT excited state undergoes a simultaneous subpicosecond CO dissociation and relaxation to a triplet IRuI-localized excited state which involves population of an orbital that is sigma-antibonding with respect to the axial I-Ru-I bonds. Vibrationally relaxed photoproduct cis(I,I)-[Ru(I)(2)(CO)(CH(3)CN)(bpy)] is formed with a time constant of ca. 55 ps. The triplet excited state is unreactive, decaying to the ground state with a 155 ps lifetime. The experimentally observed photochemical intermediates and excited states were assigned by comparing calculated (DFT) and experimental IR spectra. The different behavior of the chloro and bromo complexes from that of the iodo complex is caused by different characters of the lowest triplet excited states.     

Electronic structure and excited states of rhenium(I) amido and phosphido carbonyl-bipyridine complexes studied by picosecond time-resolved IR spectroscopy and DFT calculations

UV-vis absorption and picosecond time-resolved IR (TRIR) spectra of amido and phosphido complexes fac-[Re(ER2)(CO)3(bpy)] (ER2 = NHPh, NTol2, PPh2, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, Tol = 4-methylphenyl) were investigated in conjunction with DFT and TD-DFT calculations in order to understand their ground-state electronic structure, low-lying electronic transitions and excited-state character and dynamics. The HOMO is localized at the amido/phosphido ligand. Amide and phosphide ligands are sigma-bonded to Re, the pi interaction being negligible. Absorption spectra show a weak band at low energies (1.7-2.1 eV) that arises from essentially pure ER(2) --> bpy ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (LLCT). The lowest excited state is the corresponding triplet, (3)LLCT. Low triplet energies and large distortions diminish the excited-state lifetimes to 85 and 270 ps for NHPh and NTol(2), respectively, and to ca. 30 ps for PPh2. nu(CO) vibrations undergo only very small ( bpy MLCT character, is a unique feature of the amido/phoshido complexes, whose lowest excited state can be viewed as containing a highly unusual aminyl/phosphinyl radical-cationic ligand. For comparison, the amino and phosphino complexes fac-[Re(NHPh(2))(CO)3(bpy)]+ and fac-[Re(PPh3)(CO)3(bpy)]+ are shown to have the usual Re --> bpy (3)MLCT lowest excited states, characterized by upshifted nu(CO) bands.     

Excited-state dynamics of fac-[ReI(L)(CO)3(phen)]+ and fac-[ReI(L)(CO)3(5-NO2-phen)]+ (L = imidazole, 4-ethylpyridine; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) complexes

The nature and dynamics of the lowest excited states of fac-[Re(I)(L)(CO)(3)(phen)](+) and fac-[Re(I)(L)(CO)(3)(5-NO(2)-phen)](+) [L = Cl(-), 4-ethyl-pyridine (4-Etpy), imidazole (imH); phen = 1,10-phenanthroline] have been investigated by picosecond visible and IR transient absorption spectroscopy in aqueous (L = imH), acetonitrile (L = 4-Etpy, imH), and MeOH (L = imH) solutions. The phen complexes have long-lived Re(I) --> phen (3)MLCT excited states, characterized by CO stretching frequencies that are upshifted relative to their ground-state values and by widely split IR bands due to the out-of-phase A'(2) and A"nu(CO) vibrations. The lowest excited states of the 5-NO(2)-phen complexes also have (3)MLCT character; the larger upward nu(CO) shifts accord with much more extensive charge transfer from the Re(I)(CO)(3) unit to 5-NO(2)-phen in these states. Transient visible absorption spectra indicate that the excited electron is delocalized over the 5-NO(2)-phen ligand, which acquires radical anionic character. Similarly, involvement of the -NO(2) group in the Franck-Condon MLCT transition is manifested by the presence of an enhanced nu(NO(2)) band in the preresonance Raman spectrum of [Re(I)(4-Etpy)(CO)(3)(5-NO(2)-phen)](+). The Re(I) --> 5-NO(2)-phen (3)MLCT excited states are very short-lived: 7.6, 170, and 43 ps for L = Cl(-), 4-Etpy, and imH, respectively, in CH(3)CN solutions. The (3)MLCT excited state of [Re(I)(imH)(CO)(3)(5-NO(2)-phen)](+) is even shorter-lived in MeOH (15 ps) and H(2)O (1.3 ps). In addition to (3)MLCT, excitation of [Re(I)(imH)(CO)(3)(5-NO(2)-phen)](+) populates a (3)LLCT (imH --> 5-NO(2)-phen) excited state. Most of the (3)LLCT population decays to the ground state (time constants of 19 (H(2)O), 50 (MeOH), and 72 ps (CH(3)CN)); in a small fraction, however, deprotonation of the imH.+ ligand occurs, producing a long-lived species, [Re(I)(im.)(CO)(3)(5-NO(2)-phen).-]+.     

Is our way of thinking about excited states correct? Time-resolved dispersive IR study on p-nitroaniline

Low-lying excited electronic states of an important class of molecules known as push-pull chromophores are central to understanding their potential nonlinear optical properties. Here we report that a combination of high-sensitivity nanosecond time-resolved dispersive IR spectroscopy and DFT calculations on p-nitroaniline (PNA), a prototypical push-pull molecule, reveals that PNA in the lowest excited triplet state has a partial quinoid structure. In this structure, the quinoid configuration is restricted to a part of the phenyl ring adjacent to the NO(2) group. The partial quinoid structure of PNA cannot be explained by a commonly used hybrid of a neutral form and a zwitterionic charge-transfer form. Our findings not only cast doubt on the general applicability of the classical way of looking at excited states, based exclusively on characteristic resonance structures, but also provide deeper insights into excited-state structure of highly polarizable molecular systems.     

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.     

Ultrafast excited-state dynamics of rhenium(I) photosensitizers [Re(Cl)(CO)3(N,N)] and [Re(imidazole)(CO)3(N,N)]+: diimine effects

Femto- to picosecond excited-state dynamics of the complexes [Re(L)(CO)(3)(N,N)](n) (N,N = bpy, phen, 4,7-dimethyl-phen (dmp); L = Cl, n = 0; L = imidazole, n = 1+) were investigated using fluorescence up-conversion, transient absorption in the 650-285 nm range (using broad-band UV probe pulses around 300 nm) and picosecond time-resolved IR (TRIR) spectroscopy in the region of CO stretching vibrations. Optically populated singlet charge-transfer (CT) state(s) undergo femtosecond intersystem crossing to at least two hot triplet states with a rate that is faster in Cl (～100 fs)(-1) than in imidazole (～150 fs)(-1) complexes but essentially independent of the N,N ligand. TRIR spectra indicate the presence of two long-lived triplet states that are populated simultaneously and equilibrate in a few picoseconds. The minor state accounts for less than 20% of the relaxed excited population. UV-vis transient spectra were assigned using open-shell time-dependent density functional theory calculations on the lowest triplet CT state. Visible excited-state absorption originates mostly from mixed L;N,N(?-) → Re(II) ligand-to-metal CT transitions. Excited bpy complexes show the characteristic sharp near-UV band (Cl, 373 nm; imH, 365 nm) due to two predominantly ππ*(bpy(?-)) transitions. For phen and dmp, the UV excited-state absorption occurs at ～305 nm, originating from a series of mixed ππ* and Re → CO;N,N(?-) MLCT transitions. UV-vis transient absorption features exhibit small intensity- and band-shape changes occurring with several lifetimes in the 1-5 ps range, while TRIR bands show small intensity changes (≤5 ps) and shifts (～1 and 6-10 ps) to higher wavenumbers. These spectral changes are attributable to convoluted electronic and vibrational relaxation steps and equilibration between the two lowest triplets. Still slower changes (≥15 ps), manifested mostly by the excited-state UV band, probably involve local-solvent restructuring. Implications of the observed excited-state behavior for the development and use of Re-based sensitizers and probes are discussed.     

The involvement of metal-to-CO charge transfer and ligand-field excited states in the spectroscopy and photochemistry of mixed-ligand metal carbonyls. A theoretical and spectroscopic study of [W(CO)(4)(1,2-ethylenediamine)] and [W(CO)(4)(N,N'-bis-alkyl-1,4-diazabutadiene)

A new interpretation of the electronic spectroscopy, photochemistry, and photophysics of group 6 metal cis-tetracarbonyls [M(CO)(4)L(2)] is proposed, that is based on an interplay between M --> L and M --> CO MLCT excited states. TD-DFT and resonance Raman spectroscopy show that the lowest allowed electronic transition of [W(CO)(4)(en)] (en = 1,2-ethylenediamine) has a W(CO(eq))(2) --> CO(ax) charge-transfer character, whereby the electron density is transferred from the equatorial W(CO(eq))(2) moiety to pi orbitals of the axial CO ligands, with a net decrease of electron density on the W atom. The lowest, emissive excited state of [W(CO)(4)(en)] was identified as a spin-triplet W(CO(eq))(2) --> CO(ax) CT excited state both computationally and by picosecond time-resolved IR spectroscopy. This state undergoes 1.5 ps vibrational relaxation/solvation and decays to the ground state with a approximately 160 ps lifetime. The nu(CO) wavenumbers and IR intensity pattern calculated by DFT for the triplet W(CO(eq))(2) --> CO(ax) CT excited state match well the experimental time-resolved spectrum. For [W(CO)(4)(R-DAB)] (R-DAB = N,N'-bis-alkyl-1,4-diazabutadiene), the W(CO(eq))(2) --> CO(ax) CT transition follows in energy the W --> DAB MLCT transition, and the emissive W(CO(eq))(2) --> CO(ax) CT triplet state occurs just above the manifold of triplet W --> DAB MLCT states. No LF electronic transitions were calculated to occur in a relevant energetic range for either complex. Molecular orbitals of both complexes are highly delocalized. The 5d(W) character is distributed over many molecular orbitals, while neither of them contains a predominant metal-ligand sigma 5d(W) component, contrary to predictions of the traditional ligand-field approach. The important spectroscopic, photochemical, and photophysical roles of M(CO(eq))(2) --> CO(ax) CT excited states and the limited validity of ligand field arguments can be generalized to other mixed-ligand carbonyl complexes.     

Excited-state properties of heteroleptic iridium(III) complexes bearing aromatic hydrocarbons with extended cores

The synthesis, complete structural characterization, electrochemistry, and excited-state dynamics of a series of four bis-heteroleptic iridium(III) charge-transfer complexes composed of a single acac-functionalized and two ortho-metalated 2-phenylpyridine ligands. The formed iodophenyl complex (2) was used as a metallosynthon to introduce extended-core ethynyltolyl (3), ethynylpyrene (4), and ethynylperylene (5) residues into these structures projecting from the acac ancillary ligand. Static and dynamic photoluminescence along with ultrafast and conventional transient absorption measurements in conjunction with cyclic voltammetry were employed to elucidate the nature of the intramolecular energy-transfer processes occurring in the excited states of polychromophores 4 and 5 and are directly compared with those of model complexes 2 and 3. Upon charge-transfer excitation of these molecules, the long-lived triplet-state metal-to-ligand charge-transfer ((3)MLCT)-based photoluminescence readily observed in 2 and 3 (τ = 1 μs) is nearly quantitatively quenched, resulting from production of the associated triplet intraligand ((3)IL) excited states in 4 and 5 through intramolecular triplet-triplet energy transfer. The respective formation of the extended-core (3)*pyrenyl and (3)*perylenyl-localized excited states in 4 and 5 is confirmed by their ultrafast excited-state evolution, which ultimately generates features associated with these (3)IL excited states and their greatly extended excited-state lifetimes with respect to the parent complexes 2 and 3.     

Nanosecond CO photodissociation and excited-state character of [Ru(X)(X')(CO)2(N,N'-diisopropyl-1,4-diazabutadiene)] (X=X'=Cl or I; X=Me, X'=I; X=SnPh3, X'=Cl) studied by time-resolved infrared spectroscopy and DFT calculations

The character and dynamics of the low-lying excited states of [Ru(X)(X')(CO)2(iPr-dab)] (X=X'=Cl or I; X=Me, X'=I; X=SnPh3, X'=Cl; iPr-dab=N, N'-diisopropyl-1,4-diazabutadiene) were studied experimentally by pico- and nanosecond time-resolved IR spectroscopy (TRIR) and (for X=X'=Cl or I) computationally using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) techniques. The lowest allowed electronic transition occurs between 390 and 460 nm and involves charge transfer from the Ru(halide)(CO) 2 unit to iPr-dab, denoted (1)MLCT/XLCT (metal-to-ligand/halide-to-ligand charge transfer). The lowest triplet state is well modeled by UKS-DFT-CPCM calculations, which quite accurately reproduce the excited-state IR spectrum in the nu(CO) region. It has a (3)MLCT/XLCT character with an intraligand (iPr-dab) (3)pipi* admixture. TRIR spectra of the lowest triplet excited state show two nu(CO) bands that are shifted to higher energies from their corresponding ground-state positions. The magnitude of this upward shift increases as a function of the ligands X and X' [(I)2 < (Sn)(Cl) < (Me)(I) < (Cl)2] and reveals increasing contribution of the Ru(CO)2-->dab MLCT character to the excited state. The lowest triplet state of [Ru(Cl)2(CO)2(iPr-dab)] undergoes a approximately 10 ps relaxation that is followed by CO dissociation, producing cis(CO,CH 3CN),trans(Cl,Cl)-[Ru(Cl)2(CH 3CN)(CO)(iPr-dab)] with a unity quantum yield and 7.2 ns lifetime and without any observable intermediate. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a "slow" CO dissociation from a thermally equilibrated triplet charge-transfer excited state.     

Time-dependent density functional theory study of Fe2(CO)9 low-lying electronic excited states

The valence electronic excited states of Fe2(CO)9 have been studied using the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). Both tribridged D3h and monobridged C2v structures have been considered, and the structure of selected low-lying singlet and triplet excited states have been optimized on the basis of the TDDFT analytical gradient. Optimized excited-state geometries are used to obtain an insight into certain aspects of the Fe2(CO)9 photochemistry. The Fe2(CO)9 (D3h) first triplet and second singlet excited states are unbound with respect to dibridged Fe2(CO)8 + CO, and the first two monobridged Fe2(CO)9 (C2v) singlet states are unbound with respect to the Fe(CO)5 + Fe(CO)4 dissociation. These results are discussed in light of the experimental data available.     

Effect of axially projected oligothiophene pendants and nitro-functionalized diimine ligands on the lowest excited state in cationic Ir(III) bis-cyclometalates

The novel terthiophene (3T) oligomer 6 and a series of cationic Ir(III) bis-cyclometalates [Ir(C^N)(2)(N^N)]PF(6) 9-12 were prepared. The synthesis, characterization, electrochemical, and photophysical properties are reported. The cyclometalating ligands (C^N) are 2-phenylpyridinato (ppy) or the 3T oligomer (3T-ppy), asymmetrically capped in the 5 and 5" positions with the ppy and mesityl groups. The diimine ligands (N^N) are 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) or 4-NO(2)-bipyridine (4-NO(2)-bpy). Hybrid metal-organic complexes 11 and 12 bear 3T-pendants ligated through the ppy cap, 10 and 12 contain NO(2) functionalized diimines, whereas 9 contains neither. Structural characterization of 10 by single crystal X-ray diffraction confirms the presence of the NO(2) substituent and pseudo-octahedral coordination geometry about the Ir(III) ion. Cyclic voltammetry highlights the large electron withdrawing effect of the NO(2) substituent, providing an 850 mV shift toward lower potentials for the first diimine centered reduction of 10 and 12. Strong overlap of the intense π → π* absorptions of the 3T-pendants with Ir(III) charge transfer bands is evident in complexes of 11 and 12, precluding the possibility for selective excitation of either chromophore. Photoexcitation (λ(ex) = 400 nm) of the series affords strong luminescence from the 3T oligomer 6 and the unsubstituted 9, with φ(em) = 0.11. In stark contrast the NO(2) and 3T functionalized complexes 10-12 display near total quenching of luminescence. Computations of the ground and excited state electronic structure using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) indicate that both the NO(2) and 3T substituents play an important role in excited state deactivation of complexes 10-12. A substantial electronic contribution of the NO(2) substituent results in stabilization of the diimine based molecular orbital (MO) and offers an efficient nonradiative decay pathway for the excited state. Spin-orbit coupling effects of the Ir(III) ion lead to efficient population of the low lying, nonluminescent, triplet states centered on the 3T-pendants.     

Mapping the d-d excited-state manifolds of transition metal beta-diiminato-imido complexes. Comparison of density functional theory and CASPT2 energetics

Trigonal-planar, middle transition metal diiminato-imido complexes do not exhibit high-spin states, as might be naively expected on the basis of their low coordination numbers. Instead, the known Fe(III), Co(III), and Ni(III) complexes exhibit S = 3/2, S = 0, and S = 1/2 ground states, respectively. Kohn-Sham DFT calculations have provided a basic molecular orbital picture of these compounds as well as a qualitative rationale for the observed spin states. Reported herein are ab initio multiconfiguration second-order perturbation theory (CASPT2) calculations, which provide a relatively detailed picture of the d-d excited-state manifolds of these complexes. Thus, for a C(2v) Fe(III)(diiminato)(NPh) model complex, two near-degenerate states ((4)B(2) and (4)B(1)) compete as contenders for the ground state. Moreover, the high-spin sextet, two additional quartets and even a low-spin doublet all occur at <0.5 eV, relative to the ground state. For the Co(III) system, although CASPT2 reproduces an S = 0 ground state, as observed experimentally for a related complex, the calculations also predict two exceedingly low-energy triplet states; there are, however, no other particularly low-energy d-d excited states. In contrast to the Fe(III) and Co(III) cases, the Ni(III) complex has a clearly nondegenerate (2)B(2) ground state. The CASPT2 energetics provide benchmarks against which we can evaluate the performance of several common DFT methods. Although none of the functionals examined perform entirely satisfactorily, the B3LYP hybrid functional provides the best overall spin-state energetics.     

Metal-to-metal electron-transfer emission in cyanide-bridged chromium-ruthenium complexes: effects of configurational mixing between ligand field and charge transfer excited states

Irradiations of the transition metal-to-transition metal charge transfer (MMCT) absorption bands of a series of cyanide-bridged chromium(III)-ruthenium(II) complexes at 77 K leads to near-infrared emission spectra of the corresponding chromium(II)-ruthenium(III) electron transfer excited states. The lifetimes of most of the MMCT excited states increase more than 10-fold when their am(m)ine ligands are perdueterated. These unique emissions have weak, low frequency vibronic sidebands that correspond to the small excited-state distortions in metal-ligand bonds that are characteristic of transition metal electron transfer involving only the non-bonding metal centered d-orbitals suggesting that the excited-state Cr(II) center has a triplet spin configuration. However, most of the electronically excited complexes probably have overall doublet spin multiplicity and exhibit an excitation energy dependent dual emission with the near in energy Cr(III)-centered and MMCT doublet excited states forming an unusual mixed valence pair.     

Excited-state characters and dynamics of [W(CO)(5)(4-cyanopyridine)] and [W(CO)(5)(piperidine)] studied by picosecond time-resolved IR and resonance Raman spectroscopy and DFT calculations: roles of W --> L and W --> CO MLCT and LF excited states revised

The characters, dynamics, and relaxation pathways of low-lying excited states of the complexes [W(CO)(5)L] [L = 4-cyanopyridine (pyCN) and piperidine (pip)] were investigated using theoretical and spectroscopic methods. DFT calculations revealed the delocalized character of chemically and spectroscopicaly relevant molecular orbitals and the presence of a low-lying manifold of CO pi-based unoccupied molecular orbitals. Traditional ligand-field arguments are not applicable. The lowest excited states of [W(CO)(5)(pyCN)] are W --> pyCN MLCT in character. They are closely followed in energy by W --> CO MLCT states. Excitation at 400 or 500 nm populates the (3)MLCT(pyCN) excited state, which was characterized by picosecond time-resolved IR and resonance Raman spectroscopy. Excited-state vibrations were assigned using DFT calculations. The (3)MLCT(pyCN) excited state is initially formed highly excited in low-frequency vibrations which cool with time constants between 1 and 20 ps, depending on the excitation wavelength, solvent, and particular high-frequency nu(CO) or nu(CN) mode. The lowest excited states of [W(CO)(5)(pip)] are W --> CO MLCT, as revealed by TD-DFT interpretation of a nanosecond time-resolved IR spectrum that was measured earlier in a low-temperature glass (Johnson, F. P. A.; George, M. W.; Morrison, S. L.; Turner, J. J. J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun. 1995, 391-393). MLCT(CO) excitation involves transfer of electron density from the W atom and, to a lesser extent, the trans CO to the pi orbitals of the four cis CO ligands. Optical excitation into MLCT(CO) transition of either complex in fluid solution triggers femtosecond dissociation of a W-N bond, producing [W(CO)(5)(solvent)]. It is initially vibrationally excited both in nu(CO) and anharmonicaly coupled low-frequency modes. Vibrational cooling occurs with time constants of 16-22 ps while the intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution from the v = 1 nu(CO) modes is much slower, 160-220 ps. No LF excited states have been found for the complexes studied in a spectroscopically relevant range up to 6-7 eV. It follows that spectroscopy, photophysics, and photochemistry of [W(CO)(5)L] and related complexes are well described by an interplay of close-lying MLCT(L) and MLCT(CO) excited states. The high-lying LF states play only an indirect photochemical role by modifying potential energy curves of MLCT(CO) states, making them dissociative.     

Bond shortening (1.4 Å) in the singlet and triplet excited states of [Ir2(dimen)4]2+ in solution determined by time-resolved X-ray scattering

Ground- and excited-state structures of the bimetallic, ligand-bridged compound Ir2(dimen)4(2+) are investigated in acetonitrile by means of time-resolved X-ray scattering. Following excitation by 2 ps laser pulses at 390 nm, analysis of difference scattering patterns obtained at eight different time delays from 250 ps to 300 ns yields a triplet excited-state distance between the two Ir atoms of 2.90(2) ? and a triplet excited-state lifetime of 410(70) ns. A model incorporating the presence of two ground-state structures differing in Ir–Ir separation is demonstrated to fit the obtained data very well, in agreement with previous spectroscopic investigations. Two ground-state isomers with Ir–Ir separations of 3.60(9) and 4.3(1) ? are found to contribute equally to the difference scattering signal at short time delays. Further studies demonstrate the feasibility of increasing the effective time resolution from the 100 ps probe width down to the 10 ps regime by positioning the laser pump pulse at selected points in the X-ray probe pulse. This approach is used to investigate the structures of both the singlet and the triplet excited states of Ir2(dimen)4(2+).     

NO双分子在Cu2O(111)面吸附与解离的理论研究

采用广义梯度密度泛函理论结合周期平板模型方法, 在DNP基组下, 研究了NO双分子在三重态和单重态两种电子组态下在Cu2O(111)完整表面的吸附情况. 考虑了Cu+(NO)(NO)、Cu+(NO)(ON)及Cu+(ON)(ON)这三种构型, 计算了它们的吸附能和Mulliken电荷, 分析并预测了吸附后可能产生的物种. 结果表明, 当两个NO分子都以O端吸附在Cu2O(111)表面时即Cu+(ON)(ON)构型, N—N键长很短, 只有124.4 pm, 吸附的两个NO分子形成了二聚体形式, 这种吸附构型有利于进一步离解产生N2或N2O并形成Cu-O表面物种.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of group 6 transition metal complexes with terminal fluoromethylidyne (CF) ligands; a DFT/NBO/NRT comparison of bonding characteristics of terminal NO, CF and CH ligands

A family of group 6 transition metal complexes M(C(5)R(5))(CO)(2)(CF) [M = Cr, Mo, W; R = H, Me] with terminal fluoromethylidyne ligands have been synthesized through the reduction of the corresponding trifluoromethyl precursors with potassium graphite or magnesium graphite. They have been characterized spectroscopically and in some cases crystallographically, although the structures show disorder between the CO and CF ligands. The M[triple bond]CF subunit reacts as a triple bond to form cluster complexes containing μ(3)-CF ligands on reaction with Co(2)(CO)(8). Computational (DFT/NBO/NRT) studies on M(C(5)H(5))(CO)(2)(CF) [M = Cr, Mo, W] and the corresponding cationic fragments M(CO)(2)(XY)(+) illustrate significant differences in the metal-ligand bonding between CF and its isoelectronic analogue NO, as well as with its hydrocarbon analogue CH.     

Femtosecond excited-state dynamics of 4-nitrophenyl pyrrolidinemethanol: evidence of twisted intramolecular charge transfer and intersystem crossing involving the nitro group

Ultrafast excited-state relaxation dynamics of a nonlinear optical (NLO) dye, (S)-(-)-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-pyrrolidinemethanol (NPP), was carried out under the regime of femtosecond fluorescence up-conversion measurements in augmentation with quantum chemical calculations. The primary concern was to trace the relaxation pathways which guide the depletion of the first singlet excited state upon photoexcitation, in such a way that it is virtually nonfluorescent. Ground- and excited-state (singlet and triplet) potential energy surfaces were calculated as a function of the -NO(2) torsional coordinate, which revealed the perpendicular orientation of -NO(2) in the excited state relative to the planar ground-state conformation. The fluorescence transients in the femtosecond regime show biexponential decay behavior. The first time component of a few hundred femtoseconds was ascribed to the ultrafast twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT). The occurrence of charge transfer (CT) is substantiated by the large dipole moment change during excitation. The construction of intensity- and area-normalized time-resolved emission spectra (TRES and TRANES) of NPP in acetonitrile exhibited a two-state emission on behalf of decay of the locally excited (LE) state and rise of the CT state with a Stokes shift of 2000 cm(-1) over a time scale of 1 ps. The second time component of a few picoseconds is attributed to the intersystem crossing (isc). In highly polar solvents both the processes occur on a much faster time scale compared to that in nonpolar solvents, credited to the differential stability of energy states in different polarity solvents. The shape of frontier molecular orbitals in the excited state dictates the shift of electron density from the phenyl ring to the -NO(2) group and is attributed to the charge-transfer process taking place in the molecule. The viscosity dependence of relaxation dynamics augments the proposition of considering the -NO(2) group torsional motion as the main excited-state relaxation coordinate.     

Theoretical studies of ground and excited electronic States in a series of rhenium(i) bipyridine complexes containing diarylethynyl-based structure

The photophysical properties, which vary as X is varied, of Re(I)-halide complexes (X2-bpy)ReICl(CO)3 (where X=ph, DAE, DNE, and DPE; ph = phenyl (1); DAE = di(amineoethynylbenzene) (2); DPE = di(phenylethynylbenzene) (3); DNE = di(nitroethynylbenzene) (4); bpy=2,2'bipyridine), are investigated using density functional theory (DFT). The electronic properties of the neutral molecules, in addition to the positive and negative ions, are studied using B3LYP functional. Excited singlet and triplet states are examined using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). The low-lying excited-state geometries are optimized at the ab initio configuration interaction singlets level. As shown, the diarylethynyl-based structure is an integral component of the bpy pi-conjugated network, which results in a good planar structure. The occupied orbitals involved in the transitions have a significant mixture of metal Re and group Cl, and the lowest unoccupied orbital is a pi orbital, which extends from ligand bpy to diarylethynyl-based substituents. The luminescence for each complex originates from the lowest triplet excited states and is assigned to the mixing of MLCT and LLCT characters. Significant insights on the effects of these diarylethynyl conjugated structure and ending substituents (NH2, ph, and NO2) on absorption and emission spectra are observed by analysis of the results of the TDDFT method. The diarylethynyl-based pi-conjugated network makes both the absorption and emission spectra red-shifted compared with simple complex (bpy)ReICl(CO)3. Furthermore, an electron-releasing group (NH2) makes absorption and emission spectra blue-shift and an electron-withdrawing group (NO2) makes them red-shift.