Vertical excitation energies for ribose and deoxyribose nucleosides

Vertical excitation energies for DNA and RNA nucleosides are determined with electron structure calculations using the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level for nucleoside structures optimized at the same level of theory. The excitation energies and state assignments are verified using B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ level calculations. The nature of the first four excited states of the nucleosides are studied and compared with those of isolated bases. The lowest npi* and pipi* transitions in the nucleoside remain localized on the aromatic rings of the base moiety. New low-energy npi* and pisigma* transitions are introduced in the nucleosides as a result of bonding to the ribose and deoxyribose molecules. The effect on the low-lying excited state transitions of the binding to phosphate groups at the 5'- and 3',5'-hydroxyl sites of the uracil ribose nucleoside are also studied. Some implications of these calculations on the de-excitation dynamics of nucleic acids are discussed.     

Combined experimental/theoretical investigation of the He+ICl interactions. I. Rovibronic spectrum of He...ICl complexes in the ICl B-X, 3-0 region

Transitions of two different stereoisomers of the He...ICl(X,v" = 0) weakly bound complex, one with a T-shaped orientation and another that is most likely linear, have been observed in laser-induced fluorescence experiments performed in the ICl B-X region. Here we present experimental and theoretical results aimed at confirming the previous assignments and at gaining additional insights into the He+ICl interactions. High resolution action spectra were recorded in the same region to identify those features that could be attributed to transitions of the He...I35Cl(X,v" = 0) isomers and not to higher-order complexes, Hen...I35Cl, where n > or = 2, or I37Cl containing species. Calculations of the rovibronic spectra of the He...I35Cl complexes in the ICl B-X, 2-0 and 3-0 regions were performed using an ab initio potential energy surface for the He+ICl(X,v" = 0) ground state and two different pairwise additive potentials for the He+ICl(B,v' = 2,3) excited states. The rotation-vibration energies and wave functions for the He cdots, three dots, centered I35Cl complexes were obtained for all bound states with total angular momentum J < 10 using both of these potentials. Electronic spectra were generated using these results, assuming that the transition moment lies along the ICl bond and is not perturbed by the presence of the helium atom. The calculations qualitatively reproduce the He cdots, three dots, centered I35Cl action spectrum and strongly support the previous assignments. The calculations also indicate that some of the spectral congestion observed near the linear band may be attributed to transitions of the linear isomer to multiple intermolecular levels in the excited state. Coriolis coupling strongly mixes He cdots, three dots, centered ICl(B,v') states with rotational excitation, making simulations and assignments of the linear band observed in the experimental spectrum difficult.     

Conformational analysis of 1-chloro-4-iodobutane and 1-chloro-5-iodopentane

Infrared spectra were obtained for Cl(CH₂)₄I and Cl(CH₂)₅I in the liquid and solid states. Zero-order normal coordinate calculations were made for the five conformers of each compound that have all the carbon atoms coplanar. Comparison of the observed and calculated wavenumbers led to the conclusion that all five conformers of Cl(CH₂)₄I are present in the liquid and solid states. For Cl(CH₂)₅I, the TT, TG and GT conformers are present in the liquid state. No evidence was obtained that indicated either the presence or absence of the GG and GG' conformers. Only the TT conformer is present in the solid. Vibrational assignments were made for both compounds.     

Triplet states of the amide group. Trapped electron spectra of formamide and related molecules

Trapped electron (TE) spectra are obtained using ion cyclotron resonance detection of scavenged electrons. The lowest singlet-triplet transitions, ³(n→π^*), in formamide (HCONH₂) and N,N-dimethyl formamide (HCONMe₂) are found at vertical energies of 5.30 and 5.00 eV, respectively. An unresolved band containing the ³(π→π^*) and ³(n→3s) states appears at higher energies, centered at 6.60 and 6.00 eV, respectively. The TE spectra of formaldehyde (HCHO), acetaldehyde (MeCHO) and acetone (Me₂CO) are obtained for comparison and are used along with results from ab initio theoretical calculations in establishing assignments. Singlet-triplet transitions dominate the spectra of all of these carbonyl containing molecules, to the exclusion of low lying singlet-singlet transitions. This is in agreement with other TE spectra and the expectation that (dσ/dE) will be higher near threshold for singlet-triplet as compared to singlet-singlet transitions.     

Analysis of hot D2O emission using spectroscopically determined potentials

Fourier transform emission spectra of D2O vapor were recorded at a temperature of 1500 degrees C in the wavenumber range 380-1880 cm(-1). 15 346 lines were measured, of which the majority were identified as belonging to D2O. The spectrum was analyzed using variational nuclear motion calculations based on spectroscopically determined potential-energy surfaces. Initial assignments were made using a potential surface obtained by fitting a high accuracy ab initio potential. The new assignments were used to refine the potential surface, resulting in additional assignments. A total of 6400 D2O transitions were assigned and 2144 new D2O energy levels were obtained. Transitions involving the 4nu2 and 5nu2 bending states, with band origins of 4589.30 (+/-0.02) and 5679.6 (+/-0.1) cm(-1), respectively, were assigned for the first time.     

Infrared spectra of CO2-doped hydrogen clusters, (H2)N-CO2

Clusters of para-H(2) and/or ortho-H(2) containing a single carbon dioxide molecule are studied by high resolution infrared spectroscopy in the 2300 cm(-1) region of the CO(2) ν(3) fundamental band. The (H(2))(N)-CO(2) clusters are formed in a pulsed supersonic jet expansion from a cooled nozzle and probed using a rapid scan tunable diode laser. Simple symmetric rotor type spectra are observed with little or no resolved K-structure, and prominent Q-branch features for ortho-H(2) but not para-H(2). Observed rotational constants and vibrational shifts are reported for ortho-H(2) up to N = 7 and para-H(2) up to N = 15, with the N > 7 assignments only made possible with the help of theoretical simulations. The para-H(2) cluster with N = 12 shows clear evidence for superfluid effects, in good agreement with theory. The presence of larger clusters with N > 15 is evident in the spectra, but specific assignments are not possible. Mixed para- + ortho-H(2) cluster transitions are well predicted by linear interpolation between corresponding pure cluster line positions.     

C1s and O1s photoelectron satellite spectra of CO with symmetry-dependent vibrational excitations

The photoelectron shake-up satellite spectra that accompany the C1s and O1s main lines of carbon monoxide have been studied by a combination of high-resolution x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and accurate ab initio calculations. The symmetry-adapted cluster-expansion configuration-interaction general-R method satisfactorily reproduces the satellite spectra over a wide energy region, and the quantitative assignments are proposed for the 16 and 12 satellite bands for C1s and O1s spectra, respectively. Satellite peaks above the pi(-1)pi(*) transitions are mainly assigned to the Rydberg excitations accompanying the inner-shell ionization. Many shake-up states, which interact strongly with three-electron processes such as pi(-2)pi(*2) and n(-2)pi(*2), are calculated in the low-energy region, while the continuous Rydberg excitations are obtained with small intensities in the higher-energy region. The vibrational structures of low-lying shake-up states have been examined for both C1s and O1s ionizations. The vibrational structures appear in the low-lying C1s satellite states, and the symmetry-dependent angular distributions for the satellite emission have enabled the Sigma and Pi symmetries to be resolved. On the other hand, the potential curves of the low-lying O1s shake-up states are predicted to be weakly bound or repulsive.     

The first experimental observation of electronic transitions in C2+ and C2D+

High-resolution translational energy spectroscopy (up to 0.1 eV) has been carried out on 8 kV of C₂⁺ and C₂D⁺. The spetra obtained with C₂⁺ formed by different methods show considerable differences which are attributed to the formation of different spin states of the ion. Tentative assignments for the observed transitions have been made including one corresponding to excitation of the ⁴∑_g^? —X ⁴∑_g^? system, which may be useful as a probe of interstellar C₂⁺. Two broad transitions have been seen in the translational energy spectrum of C₂D⁺ which are in reasonable agreement with existing theoretical calculations. Tentative assignments are proposed for these transitions.     

New interpretation of spectral and photochemical properties of [Fe(CN)5NO]2−

All known assignments of electronic transitions in the [Fe(CN)₅NO]^2? ion are inconsistent with the observed characteristics of absorption bands and with the most recent data on photoactivity. Results of more advanced calculations are presented, with Scaled INDO SCF calculations repeated for all excited states separately. In contrast to the older treatments it proves possible to explain why band I is inactive, why irradiation within the band II results in a pure exchange of NO⁺ and H₂O and why irradiation within the frequency range of band IV results in a redox reaction, followed by exchange of NO and H₂O.     

Theoretical study on the vertical electronic spectrum of carbonyl fluoride,F2CO

Ab initio self-consistent-field (SCF ) and configuration interaction (CI ) calculations on the ground and excited states of carbonyl fluoride (F₂CO) were carried out at its experimental ground-state equilibrium geometry. Vertical transition energies deduced from the CI results provide assignments for the electronic systems I–IV, experimentally observed by Workman and Duncan. The singlet excited state, ¹A₁ (π→π*), is found to be a mixed valence–Rydberg state and to he 1 to 1.2 eV above the suggested experimental value, irrespective of the choice of the basis used for the CI calculations.     

Electronic states of cyclophanes with small bridges

Electronic absorption and magnetic circular dichroism were recorded for five cyclophanes with ethano bridges: [2.2]paracyclophane, (1,2,4)[2.2.2]cyclophane, (1,2,4;1,2,5)[2.2.2]cyclophane, (1,2,3,4,5,6)(1,2,3,4,5,6)cyclophane, and trans-[2.2]metacyclophane. Spectral and structural analyses were based on geometry optimization and calculations of transition energies, carried out using density functional theory methods. The assignments have been proposed for several electronic transitions observed in the region below 52,000 cm(-1). The observation of transitions which should be forbidden in the high D(2h) symmetry [2.2]paracyclophane suggests a twisted ground state structure of D(2) symmetry, although the former structure with large amplitude vibrations at room temperature cannot be excluded. The PBE0 functional turned out to appropriately reproduce the inter-ring distances and electronic transition energies.     

Atomic spectral overlaps: A mathematical model and its use for studying line shape parameters

A mathematical model which describes an atomic spectral overlap is presented. The model is developed using hyperfine structure, overlap separation values, and line broadening calculations coupled with relative absorbance measurements of overlap and non-overlap situations. With good hyperfine structure data, the model can be used to determine the a-parameter values for both transitions of the overlap. Even in the absence of high quality data, the model can provide meaningful insights into line shapes, hyperfine structure, and wavelength assignments of overlapping spectral transitions.     

Molecular vibrations of [n]oligoacenes (n=2-5 and 10) and phonon dispersion relations of polyacene

As model compounds for nanosize carbon clusters, the phonon dispersion curves of polyacene are constructed based on density functional theory calculations for [n]oligoacenes (n=2-5, 10, and 15). Complete vibrational assignments are given for the observed Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectra of [n]oligoacenes (n=2-5). Raman intensity distributions by the 1064-nm excitation are well reproduced by the polarizability-approximation calculations for naphthalene and anthracene, whereas several bands of naphthacene and pentacene at 1700-1100 cm(-1) are calculated to be enhanced by the resonance Raman effect. It is found from vibronic calculations that the coupled a(g) modes between the Kekulé deformation and joint CC stretching give rise to the Raman enhancements of the Franck-Condon type, and that the b(3g) mode corresponding to the graphite G mode is enhanced by vibronic coupling between the (1)L(a)((1)B(1u)) and (1)B(b)((1)B(2u)) states. The phonon dispersion curves of polyacene provide a uniform foundation for understanding molecular vibrations of the oligoacenes in terms of the phase difference. The mode correlated with the defect-sensitive D mode of the bulk carbon networks is also found for the present one-dimensional system.     

An ab initio study on the ground and low-lying doublet electronic states of SbO2

Geometry optimization and harmonic vibrational frequency calculations have been carried out on the low-lying doublet electronic states of antimony dioxide (SbO(2)) employing a variety of ab initio methods, including the complete active space self-consistent field/multireference configuration interaction and the RCCSD(T) methods. Both large and small core relativistic effective core potentials were used for Sb in these calculations, together with valence basis sets of up to aug-cc-pV5Z quality. Contributions from outer core correlation and off-diagonal spin-orbit interaction to relative electronic energies have been calculated. The ground electronic state of SbO(2) is determined to be the X (2)A(1) state, as is the case for dioxides of other lighter group 15 p-block (or group VA) elements. However, the A (2)B(2) and B (2)A(2) states are estimated to be only 4.1 and 10.7 kcalmole above the X (2)A(1) state, respectively, at the complete basis set limit. Reliable vertical excitation energies from the X (2)A(1) state to low-lying excited states of SbO(2) have been computed with a view to assist future spectral assignments of the absorption and/or laser-induced fluorescence spectra of SbO(2), when they become available.     

Multiconfigurational perturbation theory (CASPT2) applied to the study of the low-lying singlet and triplet excited states of cyclopropene

The electronic spectrum of cyclopropene has been studied using multiconfigurational second-order perturbation theory (CASPT2) with extended ANO-type basis sets. The calculation comprises two valence states and the 3s, 3p, 3d members of the Rydberg series converging to the π and σ ionization limits. A total of twenty singlet and twenty triplet excited states have been analyzed. The results confirm the valence nature of the lowest energy singlet-singlet band and yield a conclusive assignment: the first dipole-allowed transition in cyclcopropene is due to absorption to a (σ → π*) state. The (π → π*) (V) state is interleaved among a number of Rydberg states in the most intense band of the system. The remaining spectral bands are due to Rydberg transitions of higher energy. The two lowest singlet-triplet transitions involve the same valence states. The results are in agreement with available experimental data and provide a number of new assignments of the experimental spectra.     

Theoretical study of the singlet electronically excited states of N4

Vertical excitation energies for the lowest eleven singlet states of T_d N₄ were calculated using the TD-DFT method with the B3LYP functional, and at the EOM-CCSD level of theory. The vertical excitation energies for the five lowest-lying excited states were also obtained using the state-averaged CASSCF, CASPT2, CASPT3, and MRCI + Q methods. Our results show that the five lowest-lying states are of valence character. EOM-CCSD/d-aug-cc-pVTZ calculations predict that there are two weakly allowed optical transitions of T₂ symmetry at 10.44 and 10.82 eV. The transition to the third T₂ state, which is predicted to be at 10.89 eV, has an oscillator strength about one order of magnitude higher.     

Experimental and theoretical study of the OH vibrational spectra and overtone chemistry of gas-phase vinylacetic acid

In this study we present the gas-phase vibrational spectrum of vinylacetic acid with a focus on the nu = 1-5 vibrational states of the OH stretching transitions. Cross sections for nu = 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the OH stretching vibrational transitions are derived on the basis of the vapor pressure data obtained for vinylacetic acid. Ab initio calculations are used to assist in the band assignments of the experimental spectra, and to determine the threshold for the decarboxylation of vinylacetic acid. When compared to the theoretical energy barrier to decarboxylation, it is found that the nu OH = 4 transition with thermal excitation of low frequency modes or rotational motion and nu OH = 5 transitions have sufficient energy for the reaction to proceed following overtone excitation.     

STEREOELECTRONIC PROPERTIES OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC AND RELATED SYSTEMS. XI. AB INITIO QUANTUM MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE AND SPECTRA OF THE CHLOROPHYLLIDE a AND PHEOPHORBIDE a ANION RADICALS

Ab initio configuration interaction wavefunctions and energies are reported for the ground and low-lying excited doublet states of the anion radicals of ethyl chlorophyllide a (Et-Chl a ^-) and ethyl pheophorbide a (Et-Pheo a ^-), and are employed in a comparative analysis of their respective electronic absorption spectra.
Strong similarities exist between the first five computed excited states of both molecules, providing no distinguishing features in the electronic absorption spectra below 20000 cm^-. Their ground state charge and spin density distributions are also very similar, and there is negligible spin density predicted on the magnesium atom in Et-Chl a^- .
The Soret bands of both molecules are predicted to arise from intense transitions to several closely-spaced higher excited states, and the calculations indicate that there are significant differences in the number and composition of these states in the two molecules. It is suggested that these differences may provide a means of distinguishing between the two molecules using resonance Raman spectroscopy.     

Theoretical Assignments of the Optical Conductivity and Energy-loss Function Spectra of EuB6

On the basis of the calculated band structure of EuB6, with a higher accuracy, the optical conductivity and energy-loss function spectra were calculated, and the results were in good agreement with the experiments. All possible interband electronic transitions, the points in the first Brillouin zone where the transitions took place, and the transition probability were figured out through specific calculations. The wave functions of the initial and final states related to individual transitions were obtained as well. The calculated results were used to analyze, in detail, the correlation between the spectral peaks and the interband electronic transitions. On the basis of this, the experimental spectra were assigned, confirming the reasonable part of the empirical assignments given by Kimura et al. and pointing out the inaccurate part, and also supplying some electronic transitions, which made an important contribution to the spectral peaks, but had not been considered by Kimura et al.     

High-resolution electron momentum spectroscopy of valence satellites of carbon disulfide

The binding energy spectrum of carbon disulphide (CS(2)) in the energy range of 9-23 eV has been measured by a high-resolution (e,2e) spectrometer employing asymmetric noncoplanar kinematics at an impact energy of 2500 eV plus the binding energy. Taking the advantage of the high energy resolution of 0.54 eV, four main peaks and five satellites in the outer-valence region are resolved. The assignments and pole strengths for these satellite states are achieved by comparing the experimental electron momentum profiles with the corresponding theoretical ones calculated using Hartree-Fock and density functional theory methods. The results are also compared in detail with the recent SAC-CI general-R calculations. General agreement is satisfactory, while the present experiment suggests cooperative contributions from (2)Π(u), (2)Σ(g)(+) states to satellite 2 and (2)Σ(g)(+), (2)Π(g) states to satellite 3. Besides, relatively low pole strength for X (2)Π(g) state is obtained which contradicts all the theoretical calculations [2ph-TDA, ADC(3), SAC-CI general-R, ADC(4)] so far.