TDDFT study on the excited‐state hydrogen bonding of N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐1,8‐naphthalimide and N‐(3‐hydroxyethyl)‐1,8‐naphthalimide in methanol solution

The time‐dependent density functional theory method was performed to investigate the excited‐state hydrogen‐bonding dynamics of N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐1,8‐naphthalimide (2a) and N‐(3‐hydroxyethyl)‐1,8‐naphthalimide (3a) in methanol (meoh) solution. The ground and excited‐state geometry optimizations, electronic excitation energies, and corresponding oscillation strengths of the low‐lying electronically excited states for the complexes 2a + 2meoh and 3a + 2meoh as well as their monomers 2a and 3a were calculated by density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods, respectively. We demonstrated that the three intermolecular hydrogen bonds of 2a + 2meoh and 3a + 2meoh are strengthened after excitation to the S₁ state, and thus induce electronic spectral redshift. Moreover, the electronic excitation energies of the hydrogen‐bonded complexes in S₁ state are correspondingly decreased compared with those of their corresponding monomer 2a and 3a. In addition, the intramolecular charge transfer of the S₁ state for complexes 2a + 2meoh and 3a + 2meoh were theoretically investigated by analysis of molecular orbital. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Time‐dependent density functional theory study on the excited‐state hydrogen bonding strengthening of photoexcited 4‐amino‐1,8‐naphthalimide in hydrogen‐donating solvents

The time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method was performed to investigate the excited‐state hydrogen bonding dynamics of 4‐amino‐1,8‐naphthalimide (4ANI) as hydrogen bond acceptor in hydrogen donating methanol (MeOH) solvent. The ground‐state geometry optimizations, electronic transition energies and corresponding oscillation strengths of the low‐lying electronically excited states for the isolated 4ANi and hydrogen‐bonded 4ANi‐(MeOH)_1,4 complexes were calculated by the DFT and TDDFT methods, respectively. We demonstrated that the intermolecular hydrogen bond C═O···H–O and N–H···O–H in the hydrogen‐bonded 4ANi‐(MeOH)_1,4 is strengthened in the electronically excited state, because the electronic excitation energies of the hydrogen‐bonded complex are correspondingly decreased compared with that of the isolated 4ANi. The calculated results are consistent with the mechanism of the hydrogen bond strengthening in the electronically excited state, while contrast with mechanism of hydrogen bond cleavage. Furthermore, we believe that the transient hydrogen bond strengthening behavior in electronically excited state of fluorescent dye in hydrogen‐donating solvents exists in many other systems in solution. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solvent controlling excited state proton transfer reaction in quinoline/isoquinoline‐pyrazole isomer QP‐I: A theoretical study

In this present work, we theoretically study the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism about a quinoline/isoquinoline‐pyrazole isomer QP‐I system. Compared with previous experimental results, our calculated results reappear previous data, which further confirm the theoretical level we used is reasonable. We mainly adopt 2 kinds of solvents (nonpolar cyclohexane and polar acetonitrile) to explore solvents effects on this system. Through reduced density gradient (RDG) function, the intramolecular hydrogen bond N1─H2···N3 has been confirmed existing in both S₀ and S₁ states, although the distance between H2 and N3 is not short. In addition, the strengthening N1─H2···N3 in the S₁ state provides possibility for ESIPT. Explorations about charge redistribution reveal the trend of ESIPT, and frontier orbital gap reflects the reactivity in polar and nonpolar solvents. The constructing potential energy curves reveal that potential energy barriers could be controlled and regulated by solvent polarity.     

Solvent‐dependent structural dynamics of 2(1H)‐pyridinone in light absorbing S4(ππ*) state

The B‐band resonance Raman spectra of 2(1H)‐pyridinone (NHP) in water and acetonitrile were obtained, and their intensity patterns were found to be significantly different. To explore the underlying excited state tautomeric reaction mechanisms of NHP in water and acetonitrile, the vibrational analysis was carried out for NHP, 2(1D)‐pyridinone (NDP), NHP–(H₂O)_n (n = 1, 2) clusters, and NDP–(D₂O)_n (n = 1, 2) clusters on the basis of the FT‐Raman experiments, the B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) computations using PCM solvent model, and the normal mode analysis. Good agreements between experimental and theoretically predicted frequencies and intensities in different surrounding environments enabled reliable assignments of Raman bands in both the FT‐Raman and the resonance Raman spectra. The results indicated that most of the B‐band resonance Raman spectra in H₂O was assignable to the fundamental, overtones, and combination bands of about ten vibration modes of ring‐type NHP–(H₂O)₂ cluster, while most of the B‐band resonance Raman spectra in CH₃CN was assigned to the fundamental, overtones, and combination bands of about eight vibration modes of linear‐type NHP–CH₃CN. The solvent effect of the excited state enol‐keto tautomeric reaction mechanisms was explored on the basis of the significant difference in the short‐time structural dynamics of NHP in H₂O and CH₃CN. The inter‐molecular and intra‐molecular ESPT reaction mechanisms were proposed respectively to explain the Franck–Condon region structural dynamics of NHP in H₂O and CH₃CN.Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Elaborating the excited state behavior of 2‐(4′‐N,N‐dimethylaminophenyl)‐imidazo[4,5‐c]pyridine coupling with methanol solvent

We present a theoretical investigation about the excited state dynamical mechanism of 2‐(4′‐N,N‐dimethylaminophenyl)‐imidazo[4,5‐c]pyridine (DMAPIP‐c). Within the framework of density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods, we reasonably repeat the experimental electronic spectra, which further confirm the theoretical level used in this work is feasible. Given the best complex model, 3 methanol (MeOH) solvent molecules should be connected with DMAPIP‐c forming DMAPIP‐c‐MeOH complex in both ground state and excited state. Exploring the changes about bond lengths and bond angles involved in hydrogen bond wires, we find the O7‐H8···N9 one should be largely strengthened in the S₁ state, which plays an important role in facilitating the excited state intermolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. In addition, the analyses about infrared vibrational spectra also confirm this conclusion. The redistribution about charges distinguished via frontier molecular orbitals based on the photoexcitation, we do find tendency of ESIPT reaction due to the most charges located around N9 atom in the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital. Based on constructing the potential energy curves of both S₀ and S₁ states, we not only confirm that the ESIPT process should firstly occur along with hydrogen bond wire O7‐H8···N9, but also find a low potential energy barrier 8.898 kcal/mol supports the ESIPT reaction in the S₁ state forming DMAPIP‐c‐MeOH‐PT configuration. Subsequently, DMAPIP‐c‐MeOH‐PT could twist its dimethylamino moiety with a lower barrier 3.475 kcal/mol forming DMAPIP‐c‐MeOH‐PT‐TICT structure. Our work not only successfully explains previous experimental work but also paves the way for the further applications about DMAPIP‐c sensor in future.     

Theoretical investigation on the excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer mechanism of 2‐(2′‐benzofuryl)‐3‐hydroxychromone

Spectroscopic studies on excited‐state proton transfer of a new chromophore 2‐(2′‐benzofuryl)‐3‐hydroxychromone (BFHC) have been reported recently. In the present work, based on the time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT), the excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) of BFHC is investigated theoretically. The calculated primary bond lengths and angles involved in hydrogen bond demonstrate that the intramolecular hydrogen bond is strengthened. In addition, the phenomenon of hydrogen bond reinforce has also been testified based on infrared (IR) vibrational spectra as well as the calculated hydrogen bonding energies. Further, hydrogen bonding strengthening manifests the tendency of excited state proton transfer. Our calculated results reproduced absorbance and fluorescence emission spectra of experiment, which verifies that the TD‐DFT theory we used is reasonable and effective. The calculated Frontier Molecular Orbitals (MOs) further demonstrate that the excited state proton transfer is likely to occur. According to the calculated results of potential energy curves along O―H coordinate, the potential energy barrier of about 14.5 kcal/mol is discovered in the S₀ state. However, a lower potential energy barrier of 5.4 kcal/mol is found in the S₁ state, which demonstrates that the proton transfer process is more likely to happen in the S₁ state than the S₀ state. In other words, the proton transfer reaction can be facilitated based on the photo‐excitation effectively. Moreover, the phenomenon of fluorescence quenching could be explained based on the ESIPT mechanism. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vibrational spectroscopic studies and DFT calculations of 4‐fluoro‐N‐(2‐hydroxy‐4‐nitrophenyl)benzamide

Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) and FT‐Raman spectra of 4‐fluoro‐N‐(2‐hydroxy‐4‐nitrophenyl)benzamide were recorded and analyzed. The vibrational wavenumbers and corresponding vibrational assignments were examined theoretically using the Gaussian03 set of quantum chemistry codes. The red‐shift of the NH‐stretching wavenumber in the infrared (IR) spectrum from the computed wavenumber indicates the weakening of the NH bond resulting in proton transfer to the neighboring oxygen atom. The simultaneous IR and Raman activation of the CO‐stretching mode gives the charge transfer interaction through a π‐conjugated path. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Double proton transfer in crystals of 1,3,4,6,7,8‐hexahydro‐2H‐pyrimido[1,2‐a] pyrimidine (hppH): 13C and 15N CPMAS NMR study of (hppH)2

In this paper, we report an example of intermolecular solid‐state proton transfer in the bicyclic guanidine, hppH. A combination of X‐ray crystallography, CPMAS NMR (¹³C and ¹⁵N) and theoretical calculations allows us to determine that a double proton transfer takes place in the (hppH)₂ dimer with an activation energy of about 50 kJ mol^?1. According to the B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) calculations, the double proton transfer occurs non‐symmetrically through a zwitterion. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A detailed DFT/TDDFT study on excited‐state intramolecular hydrogen bonding dynamics and proton‐transfer mechanism of 2‐phenanthro[9,10‐d]oxazol‐2‐yl‐phenol

In this present work, using density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods, we theoretically study the excited‐state hydrogen bonding dynamics and the excited state intramolecular proton transfer mechanism of a new 2‐phenanthro[9,10‐d]oxazol‐2‐yl‐phenol (2PYP) system. Via exploring the reduced density gradient versus sign(λ₂(r))ρ(r), we affirm that the intramolecular hydrogen bond O1‐H2?N3 is formed in the ground state. Based on photoexcitation, comparing bond lengths, bond angles, and infrared vibrational spectra involved in hydrogen bond, we confirm that the hydrogen bond O1‐H2?N3 of 2PYP should be strengthened in the S₁ state. Analyses about frontier molecular orbitals prove that charge redistribution of 2PYP facilitates excited state intramolecular proton transfer process. Via constructing potential energy curves and searching transition state structure, we clarify the excited state intramolecular proton transfer mechanism of 2PYP in detail, which may make contributions for the applications of such kinds of system in future.     

Excited‐state hydrogen bonding dynamics of pyruvic acid and geminal‐diol, 2,2‐dihydroxypropanoic acid in aqueous solution: a DFT/TDDFT study

In this work, we present the optimized ground state geometrical structures, electronic excitation energies and corresponding oscillation strengths of the low‐lying electronically excited states for the isolated Tce‐CH3COCOOH and Tce‐CH3C(OH)2COOH as well as their corresponding hydrogen‐bonded dimers Tce‐CH3COCOOH‐H2O and Tce‐CH3C(OH)2COOH‐H2O through time‐dependent density functional theory method. It is found that the intermolecular hydrogen bonds C=O···H‐O are strengthened in the electronically excited states of the hydrogen‐bonded dimers Tce‐CH3COCOOH‐H2O and Tce‐CH3C(OH)2COOH‐H2O, in that the excitation energies of the related excited states for the hydrogen‐bonded dimers are decreased compared with those of the corresponding monomers. The calculated results are consistent with the rules that are first demonstrated by Zhao on the excited‐state hydrogen bonding dynamics. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Excited‐state deactivation channels via internal conversions in two position isomers of hydroxy‐methyl‐pyridine: a theoretical study

Two position isomers of hydroxy‐methyl‐pyridine (3‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐pyridine and 2‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐pyridine) were studied theoretically at the BLYP level of theory in order to find mechanisms explaining the excited‐state deactivations of isomers through ring puckering and “ethylene‐like” conical intersections. The study aims also to clarify the mechanisms of the ground‐state proton transfers. Three conical intersections S₀/S₁ for each isomer were found, which are accessible through the ¹ππ* excited states. In both isomers, there is a ¹ππ* excited‐state reaction path, which leads, in a completely barrierless manner, to the one of the conical intersections S₀/S₁. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A DFT investigation into the structure and energetics for nonadiabatic proton transfer in the benzophenone/N,N‐dimethylaniline contact radical ion pair

For the past 60 years, the standard model for the interpretation of the mechanism for proton transfer has been based upon transition‐state theory, which posits that the transition state is found in the proton transfer coordinate involving the breaking and making of bonds. However, the observed dynamics of proton transfer within the triplet contact radical ion pair, derived from a variety of substituted benzophenones complexed with N,N‐dimethylaniline, cannot be accounted for within the standard model for proton transfer. Instead, the kinetic behavior is in accord with nonadiabatic proton transfer theory that has the transition state in the solvent coordinate. Evidence for the importance of the solvent coordinate comes from the existence of an inverted region; as the driving force for reaction increases, the rate of proton transfer decreases. This kinetic behavior is not found in the standard model. The present paper employs density function theory to examine the question as to whether the inverted region can be attributed to the transition state being in the solvent coordinate or whether the inverted region is an artifact produced by changes in the structure of the triplet contact radical ion pair with the placement of substituents upon the p,p′ positions of benzophenone. It is concluded that the inverted region is not an artifact of substituent effects upon structure. These results support the conclusion that the transition state for proton transfer resides in the solvent coordinate and challenges the validity of the standard model for interpreting the mechanism of proton transfer. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Acid assisted proton transfer in 4‐[(4‐R‐phenylimino)methyl]pyridin‐3‐ols: NMR spectroscopy in solution and solid state,X‐ray and UV studies and DFT calculations

The behaviour of Schiff bases of 3‐hydroxy‐4‐pyridincarboxaldehyde and 4‐R‐anilines (R?H, CH₃, OCH₃, Br, Cl, NO₂) in acid media has been described. ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N‐NMR chemical shifts allow to establish the protonation site and its influence on the hydroxyimino/oxoenamino tautomerism. DFT calculations, electronic spectra and X‐ray diffraction are in agreement with the NMR conclusions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrogen bonding and excited state properties of the photoexcited hydrogen‐bonded (E)‐S‐(2‐aminopropyl) 3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐enethioate complexes

The time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method has been performed to investigate the excited state and hydrogen bonding dynamics of a series of photoinduced hydrogen‐bonded complexes formed by (E)‐S‐(2‐aminopropyl) 3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐enethioate with water molecules in vacuum. The ground state geometric optimizations and electronic transition energies as well as corresponding oscillator strengths of the low‐lying electronic excited states of the (E)‐S‐(2‐aminopropyl) 3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐enethioate monomer and its hydrogen‐bonded complexes O₁‐H₂O, O₂‐H₂O, and O₁O₂‐(H₂O)₂ were calculated by the density functional theory and TDDFT methods, respectively. It is found that in the excited states S₁ and S₂, the intermolecular hydrogen bond formed with carbonyl oxygen is strengthened and induces an excitation energy redshift, whereas the hydrogen bond formed with phenolate oxygen is weakened and results in an excitation energy blueshift. This can be confirmed based on the excited state geometric optimizations by the TDDFT method. Furthermore, the frontier molecular orbital analysis reveals that the states with the maximum oscillator strength are mainly contributed by the orbital transition from the highest occupied molecular orbital to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital. These states are of locally excited character, and they correspond to single‐bond isomerization while the double bond remains unchanged in vacuum.     

Excited‐state hydrogen bond strengthening of coumarin 153 in ethanol solvent: a TDDFT study

So far, coumarin dyes have been extensively studied with various means to understand their photophysical behaviors and photochemical properties. Here, our performing time‐dependent density functional theory calculation is aimed at exploring the excited‐state hydrogen bonding dynamics of coumarin 153 (C153) in protic ethanol (EtOH) solvent. The calculated results suggest that the excited‐state hydrogen bond C?O?H?O between C?O group and O?H group in the C153‐EtOH complex is strengthened, and the S₀ → S₁ transition of the complex corresponds to the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) hopping to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO). The excited‐state hydrogen bond strengthening has been further confirmed by its larger binding energy in the S₁ state than in the S₀ state. In addition, because of the formation of the hydrogen bond C?O?H?O, a red shift of about 7 nm occurs in the electronic spectra of the C153‐EtOH complex, which is in good accordance with the experiment result. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Density functional theory calculation and vibrational spectral analysis of 4‐hydroxy‐3‐(3‐oxo‐1‐phenylbutyl)‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2‐one

The Fourier transform infrared (4000–400 cm⁻¹) and Fourier transform Raman (3500–500 cm⁻¹) spectra of 4‐hydroxy‐3‐(3‐oxo‐1‐phenylbutyl)‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2‐one (Warfarin) have been measured and calculated. The structure optimization has been made using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Complete vibrational assignments of the observed spectra have been compared with theoretical wavenumbers. The wavenumber increasing in the methyl group shows the electronic hyperconjugation effect. The natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis reveals the hyperconjugation interaction and the intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The first‐order hyperpolarizability has been calculated. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spectroscopic,structural and theoretical studies of 2‐methyl‐4‐nitroaniline (MNA) crystal. Electronic transitions in IR

Polarized FT‐IR, Raman, neutron scattering (IINS), and UV‐Vis‐NIR spectra of 2‐methyl‐4‐nitroaniline (MNA) crystal plates, powder, and solutions were measured in the 10–50 000 cm⁻¹ range. The FT‐IR spectrum of deuterated MNA (DMNA) in KBr pellet, the Raman spectrum of the DMNA powder as well as the EPR spectrum of the MNA powder were also recorded. Complete assignments of bands to normal vibrations have been proposed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of wavenumbers and potential energy distribution (PED) have been performed to strengthen the assignments. The analysis of vibrational and electronic spectra has revealed vibronic couplings in MNA molecules in solutions and in crystals. In the polarized FT‐IR spectra of the crystal five unusually large bands are observed in MIR and NIR regions. Their origin is discussed in terms of N H···O, C H···O, C H···H N hydrogen bonds, intermolecular charge transfers, electrostatic interactions, and ion radicals formation in the crystal. The role of a methyl group introduction to 4‐nitroaniline is analyzed. The crystal structure of MNA at the room temperature was re‐investigated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural dynamics of 4‐pyrimidone in lower‐lying excited States

The structural dynamics of 4‐pyrimidone (4PMO) in the A‐ and B‐band absorptions was studied by using the resonance Raman spectroscopy combined with quantum chemical calculations to better understand whether the excited state intramolecular proton‐transfer (ESIPT) reaction occurs in Franck–Condon regions or not. The transition barrier for the ground state proton‐transfer tautomerization reaction between 3(H) (I) and hydroxy (II) was determined to be 165 kJ·mol⁻¹ in vacuum on the basis of the B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,2p) level of theory calculations. Two ultraviolet absorption bands of 4PMO were, respectively, assigned as π_H→π*_L and π_H→π*_L+1 transitions. The vibrational assignments were done on the basis of the Fourier transform (FT)‐Raman and FT‐infrared (IR) measurements, the density‐functional theory computations and the normal mode analysis. The A‐ and B‐band resonance Raman spectra of 4PMO were measured in water, methanol and acetonitrile. The structural dynamics of 4PMO was obtained through the analysis of the resonance Raman intensity pattern. We discuss the similarities in the structural dynamics of 4PMO and 2‐thiopyrimidone (2TPM), and the results were used to correlate to the intramolecular hydrogen‐atom‐transfer process as observed by matrix‐isolation IR experiments for 4PMO. A variety of NH/CH bend modes + C = O stretch mode mark the hydrogen‐detachment‐attachment or ESIPT reaction initiated in Franck–Condon region for 4PMO and 2TPM. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

FT‐IR,FT‐Raman and DFT calculations of 3‐{[(4‐fluorophenyl)methylene]amino}‐2‐phenylquinazolin‐4(3H)‐one

Fourier transform (FT)‐Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectra of 3‐{[(4‐fluorophenyl)methylene]amino}‐2‐phenylquinazolin‐4(3H)‐one were recorded and analyzed. The vibrational wavenumbers of the title compound were computed using the B3LYP/6‐31G* basis and compared with the experimental data. The prepared compound was identified by NMR and mass spectra. The simultaneous IR and Raman activation of the CO stretching mode shows a charge transfer interaction through a π‐conjugated path. The first hyperpolarizability and infrared intensities are reported. The assignments of the normal modes are done by potential energy distribution (PED) calculations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vibrational dynamics and structural investigation of 4‐benzoylpyridine

The polarized Raman spectra in different environments along with the IR counterpart of 4‐benzoylpyridine (4‐BOP) were critically analyzed to assign all of its normal modes of vibration. The knowledge of the positions of different excited electronic states (EESs)was obtained from the study of electronic absorption spectra. Measurement of Raman excitation profiles (REPs)of several normal modes was carried out to get insight into structural and symmetry properties of the molecule. All the experimental observations were substantiated and corroborated theoretically by quantum chemical calculations (QCCs). The possibility of exciton splitting of the ¹L_a band has been explored both from theoretical and experimental points of view. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.