Assignment of electronic transitions by geometry optimization

Adiabatic excitation energies, excited state geometries, excited state charges, bond orders and dipole moments have been obtained for HCN, CO₂,H₂CO, HFCO, F₂CO, ethylene, trans-butadiene, furan, pyrrole and uracil using the SINDO1 semi-empirical method with configuration interaction. Our results generally agree with those ofab initio calculations and experiment satisfactorily. Geometry optimization is found to mix configurations differing in their allowedness in vertical excitation from the ground state, which in turn helps in the assignment of spectral transitions. TheV excited singlet state of trans-butadiene and various excited states of furan, pyrrole and uracil have been found to be appreciably non-planar. The single and double CC bonds are found to exchange positions due to the lowest triplet and singlet transitions of furan and pyrrole. The first triplet and first singlet transitions of uracil have been found to be of π-π* and π-σ* types respectively in agreement with recent experimental findings. On leave of absence from the Department of Physics, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, India     

Nonradiative transitions in benzene

A symmetric Rosen-Morse potential was assumed for the potential of the out-of-plane vibrations of benzene. Matrix elements and the respectiveS ₁ ?S ₀ nonradiative rates were calculated for several values of the anharmonicity constants and compared with the results obtained with a harmonic potential. Anharmonicities of the out-of-plane modes in benzene are found to decrease the values of the matrix elements and rates, thus leaving unresolved, a discrepancy between experimental and theoreticalS ₁ ?S ₀ rates for benzene. However, in molecules with distorted acceptor modes whose frequencies are higher in the optically excited, as compared to the acceptor state, increases of several orders of magnitude of the nonradiative rate could occur on introduction of Rosen-Morse type anharmonicities.     

Nonradiative transitions in benzene

Calculations of nonradiative rates from excess energy levels of theS ₁ singlet state in benzene and deuterobenzene are presented. It is shown that calculations with a complete basis set lead to non-Condon effects which lie in the range of a factor of about 2–3 for theS ₁?S ₀ transition. Non-Condon matrix elements as well as non-Condon generating functions are developed. The results suggest that the development of more elaborate and more far-reaching concepts of the non-Condon models is necessary.     

Assignment of aluminum corroles absorption bands to electronic transitions by femtosecond polarization resolved VIS-pump IR-probe spectroscopy

We combine femtosecond polarization resolved VIS-pump IR-probe spectroscopy with DFT and TD-DFT calculations to identify and assign absorption bands to electronic transitions for corroles. These macrocycles and their corresponding metal complexes are receiving great attention because of their utility in many fields, while many of their spectroscopic features have not yet been fully described. Analysis of the perturbed free induction decay provides information about the bleaching signal at time zero and allows for determination of overlapping excited state and bleaching signal amplitudes. The S(0) → S(1) and S(0) → S(2) transitions in the Q-band of the hexacoordinated Al(tpfc)(py)(2) and Br(8)Al(tpfc)(py)(2) absorption spectra are explicitly assigned. Angles between these electronic transition dipole moments (tdms) with a single vibrational transition dipole moment of (53 ± 2)° and (34 ± 2)° when excited at 580 and 620 nm for hexacoordinated Al(tpfc)(py)(2) and (51 ± 2)° and (43 ± 2)° when excited at 590 and 640 nm for hexacoordinated Br(8)Al(tpfc)(py)(2) were determined. The relative angles between the two lowest electronic tdms are (90 ± 8)° and (94 ± 3)° for Al(tpfc)(py)(2) and Br(8)Al(tpfc)(py)(2), respectively. Angles are determined before time zero by polarization resolved perturbed free induction decay and after time zero by polarization resolved transients. Comparison of corrole's wave functions with those of porphine show that the reduced symmetry in the corrole molecules results in lifting of Q-band degeneracy and major reorientation of the electronic transition dipole moments within the molecular scaffold. This information is necessary in designing optimal corrole-based electron and energy transfer complexes.     

The electronic spectrum of benzene

Assignment of the benzene spectrum is discussed using a new approach to the semi-empirical π-electron theory. The ordering ¹B_1u <¹E_1u <¹E_2g is shown to be theoretically preferred.     

Calculated electronic transitions of the water ammonia complex

We have calculated vertical excitation energies and oscillator strengths of the low lying electronic transitions in H2O, NH3, and H2ONH3 using a hierarchy of coupled cluster response functions [coupled cluster singles (CCS), second order approximate coupled cluster singles and doubles (CC2), coupled cluster singles and doubles (CCSD), and third order approximate coupled cluster singles, doubles, and triples (CC3)] and correlation consistent basis functions (n-aug-cc-pVXZ, where n=s,d,t and X=D,T,Q). Our calculations indicate that significant changes in the absorption spectra of the photodissociative states of H2O and NH3 monomers occur upon complexation. In particular, we find that the electronic transitions originating from NH3 are blueshifted, whereas the electronic transitions originating from H2O are redshifted.     

Tuning electronic eigenvalues of benzene via doping

Using variable atomic numbers within molecular grand-canonical ensemble theory, the highest occupied Kohn-Sham eigenvalue of isoelectronic benzene derivatives is tuned. The performed transmutational changes correspond to the iterative doping with boron and nitrogen. The molecular Fukui function proves to be a reliable index in order to predict the changes in the highest occupied molecular orbital eigenvalue due to doping.     

Free-electron model for electronic spectra of benzene

Using a three dimensional free-electron model for the π-electron system the energies of the various singly and doubly excited configurations of benzene have been calculated. It has been found that the energies of the various singly excited configurations are in good agreement with the values obtained by Craig; whereas the energies of the doubly excited configurations are higher than those obtained by Craig. Therefore the configurational mixing for the doubly excited configurations is not necessary in this kind of model.     

Spin-forbidden electronic transitions in non-planar aromatic amines

Evidence is presented which indicates that the direct spin—orbit coupling between low-lying ππ^* states is largely responsible for the efficient S₁ → T₁ intersystem crossing and T₁ → S₀ radiative transition in non-planar aromatic amines.     

Vibrational structure of electronic transitions in conjugated molecules

A general approach is presented for calculating the vibronic structure (Frank-Condon factors) of electronic transitions in conjugated molecules. Application to the lowest allowed ΠΠ^* transition of ethylene, 1,3-cyclohexadiene, 1,3,5-hexatriene, and β-ionone are given.     

First-principles study of the rotational transitions of H2 physisorbed over benzene

In the ongoing search for promising compounds for hydrogen storage, novel porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been discovered recently [M. Eddadoudi, J. Kim, N. L. Rosi, D. Vodak, J. Wachter, M. O'Keeffe, and O. M. Yaghi, Science 295, 469 (2002); N. L. Rosi, J. Eckert, M. Eddadoudi, D. Vodak, J. Kim, M. O'Keeffe, and O. M. Yaghi, Science 300, 1127 (2003)]. Binding sites in these MOFs were deduced from inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectroscopy of the rotational transitions of the adsorbed molecular hydrogen. In light of this discovery, it is important to have a fundamental understanding of hydrogen adsorption at different sites in this class of MOF materials. As a first step, here we study the case of H(2) adsorbed on benzene as a model of the organic linkers in the microporous crystal. We access the density functional theory results by comparing with correlated ab initio methods, e.g., second-order M?ller-Plesset and coupled cluster with noniterative triple excitations. Different approximations for the exchange-correlation potentials were accessed for a set of relevant properties (binding energy, energetically favored configuration, and distance between the adsorbents and adsorbates). In particular, theoretical rotational spectra of the adsorbed H(2) were obtained that could be compared to the experimental INS spectra.     

Two new electronic transitions of Bi2

The absorption spectra of Bi₂ molecule has been obtained in the region 3166–3380 Å in the second order of a 3.4 m Ebert Spectrograph with a reciprocal dispersion of 2.6 Å/mm. The bands obtained are found to belong to two new systems named G-X and J-X. Vibrational analysis is performed and computer methods have been used to determine the molecular constants.     

The nature of the electronic transitions of the vanadate group

The luminescence of a number of vanadates is reported. The emission is assigned to the ³T₁(t₁⁵2e)→ ¹A₁(t₁⁶) and ³T₂(t₁⁵2e)→¹A₁ transitions. The ³T₁(t₁⁵2e) level appears to be the lowest exicted state of the vanadate group. The excitation is assigned to the ¹A₁(t₁⁶)→¹T₁(t₁⁵2e) (the “Teltow” band) and ¹A₁(t₁⁶)→¹T₂(t₁⁵2e) transitions. The position of the excitation bands is only slightly influenced by the host. The host-lattice dependence of the quenching temperature of the emission is discussed in terms of a configurational-coordinate model.     

The electronic origin of the dual fluorescence in donor-acceptor substituted benzene derivatives

The origin of the dual fluorescence of DMABN (dimethylaminobenzonitrile) and other benzene derivatives is explained by a charge transfer model based on the properties of the benzene anion radical. It is shown that, in general, three low-lying electronically excited states are expected for these molecules, two of which are of charge transfer (CT) character, whereas the third is a locally excited (LE) state. Dual fluorescence may arise from any two of these states, as each has a different geometry at which it attains a minimum. The Jahn-Teller induced distortion of the benzene anion radical ground state helps to classify the CT states as having quinoid (Q) and antiquinoid (AQ) forms. The intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state is formed by the transfer of an electron from a covalently linked donor group to an anti-bonding orbital of the pi-electron system of benzene. The change in charge distribution of the molecule in the CT states leads to the most significant geometry change undergone by the molecule which is the distortion of the benzene ring to a Q or AQ structure. As the dipole moment is larger in the perpendicular geometry than in the planar one, this geometry is preferred in polar solvents, supporting the twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) model. However, in many cases the planar conformation of CT excited states is lower in energy than that of the LE state, and dual fluorescence can be observed also from planar structures.     

Note on the role of vibrational modes in molecular electronic transitions

A simple application of a readily available quantum chemistry program (AMPAC) permits an illuminating presentation of the role of vibrational modes in electronic transitions. A direct comparison of modal surfaces for different electronic states of the same molecule can be made by using a perspective plot of the Duschinsky matrix for the transition with mode indices or eigenvalue sequence, as the planar axes. The sum of squares of the off-diagonal elements of the Duschinsky matrix can be used to give a measure of the difference between vibrational modes of the initial and final states. Calculations indicate that, in biacetyl, the triplet state is closer vibrationally to the anion ground state than either the singlet or the neutral ground state, while in glyoxal the ground state neutral has greater vibrational similarity to the anion ground state. The measure also indicates little change in vibrational modes upon intersystem crossing in formaldehyde.     

Rate of radiationless electronic transitions for molecules in the condensed phase

Rate constants of radiationless electronic transitions in a diatomic molecule in a crystal at non-zero temperature are calculated. The electronic terms of the molecule are simulated by the Morse potential. The crystal vibrations are assumed to be harmonic. The calculations are done under the assumption that perturbation theory is applicable to the operator inducing the electronic transitions. The vibrational interaction of the molecule with the medium is not supposed to be small. The results explain certain experimental data on the radiationless electronic transitions in aromatic hydrocarbons.