Excited-state absorption spectroscopy and state ordering in polyenes: 1,3,5,7-Octatetraene

The S_n ← S₁ spectrum of 1,3,5,7-octatetraene has been obtained in cyclohexane. Calculations predict different S_n ← S₁ spectra for the lowest excited ¹Ag^? or ¹B_u⁺ states. The experimental S_n ← S₁ spectrum is consistent with the 2 ¹A_g^? as the lowest excited state. Extension of this technique to smaller polyenes is discussed.     

Radiationless transitions between excited singlet states of biacetyl

Emission processes from lower excited states S₁ (fluorescence) and T₁ (phosphorescence) have been studied in the gas and liquid phases when biacetyl is excited into the second singlet state S₂. (In agreement with Kasha's rule no fluorescence is observed from the S₂ state.) In the liquid phase, when biacetyl is excited into the singlet states S₁ and S₂, no difference is observed between these emission processes. This phenomenon certainly results from an efficient nonradiative transition between the second excited singlet state S₂ and the first excited state S₁ with practically no excess vibrational energy. The quantum yield of this transition is almost unity and does not depend on the nature of the solvent. In the gas phase no emission processes are observed when biacetyl is excited into the S₂ state at low pressure (less than 10 mm Hg). High pressure of inert gas is necessary in order to observe these processes. As for excitation into the S₁ state with vibrational energy, loss of vibrational energy through collisions occurs from the S₂ state. The quantum yield of the S₂ → S₁ transition by excitation at 290 nm is estimated around 0.5–0.6 at 6 atm of inert gas (ethane, ethylene, or carbon dioxide).     

Comparative analysis of the vibrational structure of the absorption spectra of acrolein in the excited (<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis><Subscript>1</Subscript>) electronic state

The assignments of absorption bands of the vibrational structure of the UV spectrum are compared with the assignments of bands obtained by the CRDS method in a supersonic jet from the time of laser radiation damping for the trans isomer of acrolein in the excited (S ₁) electronic state. The ν_00trans = 25861 cm⁻¹ values and fundamental frequencies, including torsional vibration frequency, obtained by the two methods were found to coincide in the excited electronic state (S ₁) for this isomer. The assignments of several absorption bands of the vibrational structure of the spectrum obtained by the CRDS method were changed. Changes in the assignment of (0-v′) transition bands of the torsional vibration of the trans isomer in the Deslandres table from the ν_00trans trans origin allowed the table to be extended to high quantum numbers v′. The torsional vibration frequencies up to v′ = 5 were found to be close to the frequencies found by analyzing the vibrational structure of the UV spectrum and calculated quantum-mechanically. The coincidence of the barrier to internal rotation (the cis-trans transition) in the one-dimensional model with that calculated quantum-mechanically using the two-dimensional model corresponds to a planar structure of the acrolein molecule in the excited (S ₁) electronic state.     

Efficient Direct Reverse Intersystem Crossing between Charge Transfer-Type Singlet and Triplet States in a Purely Organic Molecule

In the field of organic light-emitting diodes, thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials have achieved great performance. The key factor for this performance is the small energy gap (ΔE_ST) between the lowest triplet (T₁) and singlet excited (S₁) states, which can be realized in a well-separated donor-acceptor system. Such systems are likely to possess similar charge transfer (CT)-type T₁ and S₁ states. Recent investigations have suggested that the intervention of other type-states, such as locally excited triplet state(s), is necessary for efficient reverse intersystem crossing (RISC). Here, we theoretically and experimentally demonstrate that our blue TADF material exhibits efficient RISC even between singlet CT and triplet CT states without any additional states. The key factor is dynamic flexibility of the torsion angle between the donor and acceptor, which enhances spin-orbit coupling even between the charge transfer-type T₁ and S₁ states, without sacrificing the small ΔE_ST. This results in excellent photoluminescence and electroluminescence performances in all the host materials we investigate, with sky-blue to deep-blue emissions. Among the hosts investigated, the deepest blue emission with CIE coordinates of (0.15, 0.16) and the highest EQE_MAX of 23.9 % are achieved simultaneously.     

Laser excited S2 → S1 and S1 → S0 emission spectra and the S2 → Sn absorption spectrum of azulene in solution

We present the S₁ → S₀ fluorescence spectrum, between 740 and 940 nm, of azulene solutions (10^?3 M in methanol) excited with a Q-switched ruby laser. The nitrogen-laser excited S₂ → S₁ fluorescence spectrum, between 700 and 930 nm, is also reported. The transient S₁ → S_n spectrum between 500 and 650 nm was studied, using synchronous nitrogen laser and dye laser excitation. The S₅ (¹B₁(3)) state of azulene was found to be located at 45500 cm^?1 and the cross section σ₂₅ of the transient absorption S₂ → S₅ is estimated to be 3 × 10^?18 cm²/molecule.     

S1←S0 Vibronic spectrum and structure of 2,2-difluoroethanal in the S1 state

The vibronic spectrum of the 2,2-difluoroethanal vapor was recorded using a multipass optical cell with an optical length of at least 140 m. The spectrum in the region of 300—364 nm was assigned to the S₁S₀ electronic transition (from the ground S₀ to the first excited singlet S₁ electronic state); the vibrational structure of the spectrum was analyzed. The spectrum bands were assigned to two systems of vibronic transitions, namely, transitions between the levels of the cis-conformer (S₀) and of the S₁ conformers, with the origins (0₀ ⁰ transitions between the zero vibrational levels of conformers) at 29192 and 29087 cm^–1, respectively. Analysis of the spectrum showed that the S₁S₀ electronic excitation of the cis-conformer was followed by rotation of the CHF₂ top and pyramidal distortion of the carbonyl fragment. A number of fundamental frequencies were found for S₁ conformers, in particular, torsion and inversion energy levels. The experimental data are in satisfactory agreement with the results of quantum-chemical calculations for the 2,2-difluoroethanal molecule in the S₀ and S₁ states.     

Remote Effect from Boron Cluster: Tunable Photophysical Properties of o-Carborane-Based Luminogens

We proposed a new molecular design strategy that the o-carboranyl group is attached as “an innocent unit” to the remote side of luminogens to tune photophysical properties. To verify this strategy, two o-carborane-based compounds with asymmetric molecular geometry were designed and synthesized. Photophysical properties of o-carborane-based luminogens were investigated on the basis of UV-Vis spectra, photoluminescence spectra, crystal structure analysis and theoretical calculations. The results indicate that the o-carboranyl group has a slight effect on the energy gap between the ground state (S₀) and the first excited state (S₁) in the solution state but a significant effect on the energy gap between S₀ and S₁ in the solid state. Besides, the radiative and non-radiative transition processes are modulated by the o-carboranyl unit. This leads to emission quenching in the solution state but an enhanced luminous efficiency in the aggregate state with a typical aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property.     

Vibrational Spectra and Quantum Calculations of Ethylbenzene

Normal vibrations of ethylbenzene in the first excited state have been studied using resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy. The band origin of ethylbenzene of S₁←S₀ transition appeared at 37586 cm^-1. A vibrational spectrum of 2000 cm^-1 above the band origin in the first excited state has been obtained. Several chain torsions and normal vibrations are obtained in the spectrum. The energies of the first excited state are calculated by the time-dependent density function theory and configuration interaction singles (CIS) methods with various basis sets. The optimized structures and vibrational frequencies of the S₀ and S₁ states are calculated using Hartree-Fock and CIS methods with 6-311++G(2d,2p) basis set. The calculated geometric structures in the S₀ and S₁ states are gauche conformations that the symmetric plane of ethyl group is perpendicular to the ring plane. All the observed spectral bands have been successfully assigned with the help of our calculations.     

A Time‐Dependent Picture of the Ultrafast Deactivation of keto‐Cytosine Including Three‐State Conical Intersections

Using mixed quantum–classical dynamics, the lowest part of the UV absorption spectrum and the first deactivation steps of keto‐cytosine have been investigated. The spectrum shows several strong peaks, which mainly come from the S₁ and S₂ states, with minor contributions from the S₃. The semiclassical trajectories, launched from these three states, clearly indicate that at least four states are involved in the relaxation of keto‐cytosine to the ground state. Non‐adiabatic transfer between the ππ* and nπ* excited states and deactivation via three‐state conical intersections is observed in the very early stage of the dynamics. In less than 100 fs, a large amount of population is deactivated to the ground state via several mechanisms; some population remains trapped in the S₂ state. The latter two events can be connected to the fs and ps transients observed experimentally.     

Über das «pK» elektronisch angeregter Azulenium-Kationen

It is shown that azulenium cations in the first electronically excited state S₁ are stronger acids than in the ground state S₀. Their apparent pK″*, obtained from the H₀-dependence of the quenching of the azulenium cation S₁ → S₀ fluorescence does not correspond to a true acid-base equilibrium in the electronically excited state S₁. The pK″* values are kinetically controlled, the rate of reprotonation of azulene in the S₁ state being too low to compete with the internal conversion to S₀.     

Theoretical study on S<Subscript>1</Subscript>(<Superscript>1</Superscript>B<Subscript>3u</Subscript>) state electronic structure and absorption spectrum of pyrazine

Making use of a set of quantum chemistry methods, the harmonic potential surfaces of the ground state (S₀(¹ A _g)) and the first (S₁(¹ B _3u)) excited state of pyrazine are investigated, and the electronic structures of the two states are characterized. In the present study, the conventional quantum mechanical method, taking account of the Born-Oppenheimer adiabatic approximation, is adopted to simulate the absorption spectrum of S₁(¹ B _3u) state of pyrazine. The assignment of main vibronic transitions is made for S₁(¹ B _3u) state. It is found that the spectral profile is mainly described by the Franck-Condon progression of totally symmetric mode ν_6a. For the five totally symmetric modes, the present calculations show that the frequency differences between the ground and the S₁(¹ B _3u) state are small. Therefore the displaced harmonic oscillator approximation along with Franck-Condon transition is used to simulate S₁(¹ B _3u) absorption spectra. The distortion effect due to the so-called quadratic coupling is demonstrated to be unimportant for the absorption spectrum, except the coupling mode ν_10a. The calculated S₁(¹ B _3u) absorption spectrum is in reasonable agreement with the experimental spectra. Supported by Taiwan National Science Council (Grant Nos. NSC 96-2113-M-009-021 and NSC 96-2811-M-009-023)     

Photoisomerization of Arylazopyrazole Photoswitches: Stereospecific Excited‐State Relaxation

Electronic structure calculations and nonadiabatic dynamics simulations (more than 2000 trajectories) are used to explore the Z–E photoisomerization mechanism and excited‐state decay dynamics of two arylazopyrazole photoswitches. Two chiral S₁/S₀ conical intersections with associated enantiomeric S₁ relaxation paths that are barrierless and efficient (timescale of ca. 50 fs) were found. For the parent arylazopyrazole (Z8) both paths contribute evenly to the S₁ excited‐state decay, whereas for the dimethyl derivative (Z11) each of the two chiral cis minima decays almost exclusively through one specific enantiomeric S₁ relaxation path. To our knowledge, the Z11 arylazopyrazole is thus the first example for nearly stereospecific unidirectional excited‐state relaxation.     

Anomalous vibrational relaxation of a hot S*1 state of 3,4-benzpyrene in 2-methylpentane

Two anomalous emission bands in the fluorescence spectrum of 3,4-benzpyrene, dissolved in 2-methylpentane, have been studied as a function of temperature. These emissions originate from the second excited singlet state S₂, and from a vibrationally excited S₁ (S^*₁) respectively. From the temperature dependence of the relative yield and the decay time of the S^*₁ emission it can be concluded that the vibrational relaxation of this state is hampered. The rate constant for this relaxation process is smaller that 4 > 62;x 10⁷ sec^?1.     

Multiple-State Emissions from Neat,Single-Component Molecular Solids: Suppression of Kasha's Rule

Three rigid and structurally simple heterocyclic stilbene derivatives, (E)-3H,3′H-[1,1′-biisobenzofuranylidene]-3,3′-dione, (E)-3-(3-oxobenzo[c] thiophen-1(3H)-ylidene)isobenzofuran-1(3H)-one, and (E)-3H,3′H-[1,1′-bibenzo[c] thiophenylidene]-3,3′-dione, are found to fluoresce in their neat solid phases, from upper (S₂) and lowest (S₁) singlet excited states, even at room temperature in air. Photophysical studies, single-crystal structures, and theoretical calculations indicate that large energy gaps between S₂ and S₁ states (T₂ and T₁ states) as well as an abundance of intra and intermolecular hydrogen bonds suppress internal conversions of the upper excited states in the solids and make possible the fluorescence from S₂ excited states (phosphorescence from T₂ excited states). These results, including unprecedented fluorescence quantum yields (2.3–9.6 %) from the S₂ states in the neat solids, establish a unique molecular skeleton for achieving multi-colored emissions from upper excited states by “suppressing” Kasha's rule.     

Ab initio configuration interaction study on electronically excited 4-dimethylamino-4′-cyanostilbene

Ab initio configuration interaction calculations have been performed to examine the electronic structures of both trans-4-dimethylamino-4′-cyanostilbene (DCS) and four types of perpendicularly twisted DCSs, trans-DCS is predominantly excited into the S₁ state out of low-lying excited states. The S₁ state is an intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) state in which the dipole moment is about twice as large as that in S₀. The excited DCS at the 4-dimethylanilino twisted conformation, which becomes S₁ in polar solvents, has a very much larger dipole moment than that in S₁ to trans-DCS. This means that the geometrical structure of the twisted ICT (TICT) is the 4-dimethylanilino twisted form, not the dimethylamino twisted one which is well know from the TICT structure of 4-dimethylaminobenzonitrile. Received: 16 December 1998 / Accepted: 19 March 1999 / Published online: 9 September 1999     

Multiple‐State Emissions from Neat,Single‐Component Molecular Solids: Suppression of Kasha's Rule

Three rigid and structurally simple heterocyclic stilbene derivatives, (E)‐3H,3′H‐[1,1′‐biisobenzofuranylidene]‐3,3′‐dione, (E)‐3‐(3‐oxobenzo[c] thiophen‐1(3H)‐ylidene)isobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one, and (E)‐3H,3′H‐[1,1′‐bibenzo[c] thiophenylidene]‐3,3′‐dione, are found to fluoresce in their neat solid phases, from upper (S₂) and lowest (S₁) singlet excited states, even at room temperature in air. Photophysical studies, single‐crystal structures, and theoretical calculations indicate that large energy gaps between S₂ and S₁ states (T₂ and T₁ states) as well as an abundance of intra and intermolecular hydrogen bonds suppress internal conversions of the upper excited states in the solids and make possible the fluorescence from S₂ excited states (phosphorescence from T₂ excited states). These results, including unprecedented fluorescence quantum yields (2.3–9.6 %) from the S₂ states in the neat solids, establish a unique molecular skeleton for achieving multi‐colored emissions from upper excited states by “suppressing” Kasha's rule.     

Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence of Crystalline Metal‐Free Organoboron Complex

The photoluminescence (PL) properties of a metal‐free organoboron complex, bis(4‐iodobenzoyl)methanatoboron difluoride ( 1BF₂ ), were elucidated. At room temperature, 1BF₂ emits blue fluorescence (FL) in nBuCl upon photoexcitation. In contrast, crystals of 1BF₂ emit green PL comprised of FL and phosphorescence (PH). The room‐temperature PH of crystalline 1BF₂ is a consequence of 1) suppression of thermal deactivation of the S₁ and T₁ excited states and 2) enhancement of intersystem crossing (ISC) from the S₁ to T₂ or T₁. The results of X‐ray crystallographic and theoretical studies supported the proposal that the former (1) is a result of intermolecular interactions caused by π‐stacking in the rigid crystal packing structure of 1BF₂ . The latter (2) is an effect of not only the heavy‐atom effect of iodine, but also the continuous π‐stacking alignment of 1BF₂ molecules in crystals, which leads to a forbidden S₁→S₀ transition and a small energy gap between the S₁ and T₂ or T₁.     

The Fock space coupled cluster method: theory and application

Summary The Fock space coupled cluster method and its application to atomic and molecular systems are described. The importance of conserving size extensivity is demonstrated by the electron affinities of the alkali atoms. Two types of intruder states are discussed, one attributable to the orbital energy spectrum and the other caused by two-electron interactions. They are illustrated by the excited states of Li₂ and by¹ S states of Be, respectively. It is shown how both problems may be solved using incomplete model spaces. The selection of the model space in a moderately dense spectrum is discussed in connection with N₂ excited states.Supported in part by the U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation     

Molecular Structure, Vibrational Spectrum and Ionization Energy of m-Dimethoxybenzene

The optimized molecular geometries of the three rotamers of m-dimethoxybenzene in the ground So and electronically excited Sl states were predicted by ab initio and density functional theory （DFF） calculations. Their vibrational spectra in the St state were studied by one color resonant two photon ionization （1C-R2PI） method, and their ionization energies were measured by two color resonant two photon ionization （2C-R2PI） experiment. The optimized molecular geometries showed that the total energy of conformer a was the lowest in the So state. Most of the active vibrations assigned from the 1C-R2PI spectrum were found to be of the in-plane ring modes. The ionization energies （IE） of conformers a, b and c were determined to be 63521, 64487 and 63755 cm^-1, respectively.