Ab initio calculations on urea

Multiconfiguration wave functions constructed from contracted Gaussian-lobe functions have been found for the ground and valence-excited states of urea. ICSCF molecular orbitals of the excited states were used as the parent configurations for the CI calculations except for the ¹A₁(π → π*) state. The ¹A₁(π → π*) state used as its parent configuration an orthogonal linear combination of natural orbitals obtained from the second root of a three-configuration SCF calculation. The lowest excited states are predicted to be the n π → π* and π → π* triplet states. The lowest singlet state is predicted to be the n π → π* state with an energy in good agreement with the one known UV band at 7.2 eV. The π → π* singlet state is predicted to be about 1.9 eV higher, contrary to several previous assignments which assumed the lowest band was a π → π* amide resonance band. The predicted ionization energy of 9.0 eV makes this and higher states autoionizing.     

Relativistic molecular orbital theory of zero-field splittings in triplets

A method of calculating matrix elements of 1/r₁₂ in a basis of Dirac scattered-wave (DSW) orbitals is outlined. In the limit c → ∞, this method reduces to that described by Cook and Karplus for non-relativistic orbitals. For triplet states that can be described by a single configuration with two unpaired electrons, the relativistic exchange integrals give not only the singlet—triplet splittings (as in non-relativistic theory), but also the spin—orbit contributions to the triplet zero-field splittings. Results are reported for the ³ (n → π*) excited state of γ-thiopyrone (4H-pyran-4-thione), which has a very large value of D (calc. ?31 cm^?1, exp. ?24 to ?28 cm^?1).     

A molecular orbital study of lithium ion association with bases. The excited carbonyl bases R2CO

SCF CI calculations have been performed to investigate Li^XXX association with excited bases R₂CO. Although association leads to large increases in n → π¹ transition energies, the complexes R₂COLi^XXX remain bound in the n → π¹ state, but are destabilized relative to the ground state. In the Li^XXX-urea complex, the n → π¹ A₂, state lies slightly above a charge-transfer π → σ^* A₂ state.     

An AB initio SCF MO CI study of the n → π* transition of methylenimine

The electron correlation energies of both the ground and n → π* excited states of methylenimine (CH₂NH) are investigated by means of ab initio SCF MO CI calculations. Then n → π* singlet and triplet state energies of methylenimine are obtained through 3461-dimensional CI including the singly, doubly and triply excited configurations. the excitation energy from the ground state to the ¹(n → π*) state nearly coincides with that obtained in the framework of the singly excited configuration interaction (SECI) procedure. This result suggests that there is good cancellation of the correlation energy between the ground and the excited singlet sates, proving the usefulness of the SECI method for the excitation energies.     

Selective Population of the n, π* and π, π* Triplet States of 1-Indanones

The two components of the dual phosphorescence of 1-indanone ( 1 ) and six related ketones ( 2–7 ) possess different excitation spectra exhibiting the vibrational progression characteristic of the S₀ → S₁ (n, π*) transition (shorter-lived emission) and two bands of the S₀ → S_{2 and 3} (π,π*) 0–0 transitions, respectively. The most favorable intersystem crossing routes are S₁ (n, π*) → T (n, π*) and S_2,3 (π*) → T (π, π*). Internal conversion to S₁ competes more effectively with S (π, π*) → T (π, π*) intersystem crossing only from higher vibrational levels of the S₂ and S₃ states.     

Ab initio MRD–CI calculations on cubane (neutral,carbocation, carboanion) and dissociation of nitrocubanes based on localized orbitals

Ab initio MRD –CI calculations based on localized orbitals were carried out for cubane (neutral, carbocation, carboanion) both in our customary MODPOT basis set and in an all-electron 4–31G basis set. The calculated MRD –CI charge distributions on C1 (the skeletal atom from which the H^? or H⁺ was removed) (ab initio MODPOT neutral 4.221, carbocation 3.796, carboanion 4.282; all-electron 4–31G neutral 6.171, carbocation 5.717, carboanion 6.078) indicate that the + or - charge does not remain localized on C1 but redistributes itself. This has significant implications for preparative reactions of energetically substituted cubanes. The MRD –CI population analyses differ somewhat from the SCF population analyses, especially in the calculated total overlap populations. To investigate this effect on electrostatic molecular potential contour (EMPC ) maps generated from SCF or MRD –CI wave functions, we wrote additional routines to calculate EMPC maps from MRD –CI wave functions. The EMPC maps generated from SCF or MRD –CI wave functions are different if the molecule needs an MRD –CI multideterminant wave function to describe it adequately. The EMPC map is a one-electron property. One-electron properties are derived from the 1-matrix. The 1-matrix is different for SCF or MRD –CI wave functions. Thus, all the one-electron properties (EMPC maps, population analyses, bond deviation indices, etc.) are different when calculated from SCF or MRD –CI wave functions if MRD –CI wave functions are necessary to describe a system properly. We calculate these one-electron properties from the 1-matrix from the final natural orbitals. Our preliminary calculations for the dissociation pathway indicate it takes more energy to dissociate a bond in 1-nitrocubane than in octanitrocubane. Even in their ground electronic states at equilibrium geometry, both 1-nitrocubane and octanitrocubane require MRD –CI wave functions to describe them properly. The c² of the single determinant SCF wave function is only 0.8401 for 1-nitrocubane and 0.8300 for octanitrocubane. There are contributions from skeletal excitations as there are for cubane itself as well as excitations involving the nitrogroup. As the bond in nitrocubane is dissociated to 8.00 bohrs, the c² of the SCF contribution drops to only 0.4606 (1-nitrocubane) and 0.4445 (octanitrocubane). At this C₁? N₁ intermolecular distance, the largest excitations are in the C₁? N₁ bond: (C₁? N₁)² → (C₁? N₁*)², (C₁? N₁) → (C₁? N₁*). We also calculated the first electronically excited state for the dissociation pathway for selected points for both 1-nitrocubane and octanitrocubane.     

On the correlation between photoelectron and electronic spectra in trans- azomethane

A possibility of correlating electronic and photoelectron spectra is discussed, using trans-azomethane as an example. The Coulomb and exchange integrals required were obtained by three semi-empirical SCF-methods: MINDO/2, CNDO/2, and a modified CNDO method. The orbital energies were taken as minus the corresponding experimental ionization potentials. The sequence of the transition energies ΔE (n_s → π*) Δ E (n_a → π*) < ΔE (π → π*) is found to be different from the ionization potential sequence IP (n_s) < IP (π) < IP (n_a), in agreement with previous spectroscopic studies; the results support the latest view that the π → π* transition of the azo group occurs at around 12 eV.     

Molecular orbital theory of the hydrogen bond. 25. Water–uracil complexes in excited n → π states

Hydrogen bonding of uracil with water in excited n → π* states has been investigated by means of ab initio SCF -CI calculations on uracil and water–uracil complexes. Two low-energy excited states arise from n → π* transitions in uracil. The first is due to excitation of the C₄? O group, while the second is associated with excitation of the C₂? O group. In the first n → π* state, hydrogen bonds at O₄ are broken, so that the open water–uracil dimer at O₄ dissociates. The “wobble” dimer, in which a water molecule is essentially free to move between its position in an open structure at N₃? H and a cyclic structure at N₃? H and O₄ in the ground state, collapses to a different “wobble” dimer at N₃? H and O₂ in the excited state. The third dimer, a “wobble” dimer at N₁? H and O₂, remains intact, but is destabilized relative to the ground state. Although hydrogen bonds at O₂ are broken in the second n → π* state, the three water–uracil dimers remain bound. The “wobble” dimer at N₁? H and O₂ changes to an excited open dimer at N₁? H. The “wobble” dimer at N₃? H and O₄ remains intact, and the open dimer at O₄ is further stabilized upon excitation. Dimer blue shifts of n → π* bands are nearly additive in 2:1 and 3:1 water:uracil structures. The fates of the three 2:1 water:uracil trimers and the 3:1 water:uracil tetramer in the first and second n → π* states are determined by the fates of the corresponding excited dimers in these states.     

Spezifisch π→π*-induzierte Reaktionen von γ-Dimethoxymethylcyclohexen-2-onen: 1,3-Umlagerung und Wasserstoffabstraktion durch das α-Kohlenstoffatom

When α,β-unsaturated γ-dimethoxymethyl cyclohexenones are excited to the S₂(π,π*) state, certain unimolecular reactions can be observed to compete with S₂ → S₁ internal conversion. These reactions do not occur from the S₁(n,π*) or the lowest T(π,π* and n,π*) states. They comprise the radical elimination of the formylacetal substituent (cf. 8 , 9 → 32 + 33 ), γ → α formylacetal migration (cf. 6 → 27 , 8 → 30 , 9 → 34 , 12 → 37 ), and a cyclization process involving the transfer of a methoxyl hydrogen to the α carbon and ring closure at the β position (cf. 6 → 28 , 8 → 31 , 12 → 38 , 20 → 40 + 41 ). The quantum yield of the ring closure 20a → 40a + 41a is 0.016 at ≤ 0.05M concentration. It is independent of the excitation wavelength within the π→π* absorption band (238–254 nm), but Φ ( 40a + 41a ) decreases at higher concentrations. According to the experimental data the reactive species of these specifically π→π*-induced transformations is placed energetically higher than the S₁(n,π*) state, and it is either identical with the thermally equilibrated S₂(n,π*) state, or reached via this latter state. The linear dienone 14 undergoes a similar π→π*-induced cyclization (→ 42 ) whereas the benzohomologue 26 proved unreactive, and the dienone 22 at both n → π and π→π* excitation only gives rise to rearrangements generally characteristic of cross-conjugated cyclohexadienones.     

Application of the MC SCF method to the π → π* excitation energies of ethylene

The MC SCF method is employed to calculate the N → T and N → V π → π^* vertical excitation energies of ethylene. To obtain accurate excitation energies it is found to be necessary to utilize an expanded valence space containing two π and two π^* orbitals. Relatively small MC SCF calculations, allowing at most one-electron excitations from the sigma space, are found to yield excitation energies and spatial extents of the excited states in excellent agreement with the predictions of large multi-reference or iterative-natural-orbital CI calculations. These results show that within an MC SCF framework σ-σ correlation is unimportant for describing the π → π^* processes. We also conclude that the neglect of the effects of unlinked cluster terms in some of the CI calculations may have introduced small, but important, errors in the excitation energies and predictions of the spatial extent of the V state.     

STEREOELECTRONIC PROPERTIES OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC AND RELATED SYSTEMS—VI. AB INITIO CONFIGURATION INTERACTION CALCULATIONS ON THE GROUND AND LOWER EXCITED SINGLET AND TRIPLET STATES OF ETHYL BACTERIOCHLOROPHYLLIDE-a AND ETHYL BACTERIOPHEOPHORBIDE-a‡

Abstract— Ab initio quantum mechanical calculations on ethyl bacteriochlorophyllide-a (Et-BChl-a) and ethyl bacteriopheophorbide-a (Et-BPheo-a) are presented, including self-consistent-field (SCF) molecular orbital studies on the ground states using the molecular fragment procedure, and configuration interaction (CI) calculations on the low-lying singlet and triplet states and absorption spectra. A characterization and comparison of many of the higher-lying molecular orbitals obtained from the SCF studies is presented. The estimated first ionization potentials are 5.66 and 5.97 eV for Et-BChl-a and Et-BPheo-a, respectively. Excited state calculations show that the visible spectrum of both molecules consists of an intense, y-polarized S₁← S₀ transition and a weakly-allowed, x-polarized S₂← S₀ transition. Both S₁ and S₂ states are ¹(π, π*) in character, and are described by a four-orbital model. Transitions to the remaining calculated states, S₃-S₁₂, appear in the Soret region of the spectrum of both molecules. However, only transitions to S₉(‘x’), S₁₀(‘x’) and S₁₁(‘y’) of Et-BChl-a, and S₇(‘x’) and S₁₀(‘y’) of Et-BPheo-a are of high intensity. The composition of the high intensity Soret states is ¹(π, π*) and strongly “four-orbital” in nature. The lowest triplet state, T₁, is predicted to lie 9752 cm^-1 and 7880 cm^-1 above S₀ for Et-BPheo-a and Et-BChl-a, respectively. In each molecule T₂ and S₁ are nearly degenerate, suggesting a favorable pathway for intersystem crossing. Calculated T_n← T₁ transitions indicate that the y-polarized T₁₂← T₁ transition in Et-BChl-a corresponds to the observed intense 24,400 cm^-1 absorption in the triplet-triplet spectrum of BChl-a. A similar type spectrum is also predicted for BPheo-a.     

Triplet excited states of nitronaphthalenes. III. 1,4-dinitronaphthalene

Nanosecond flash photolysis of 1,4-dinitronaphthalene (1,4-DNO₂N) in aerated and deaerated solvents shows a transient species with absorption maximum at 545 nm. The maximum of the transient absorption is independent of solvent polarity and its lifetime seems to be a function of the hydrogen donor efficiency of the solvent. The transient absorption is attributed to the lowest excited triplet state of 1,4-DNO₂N. The reactivity of this state for hydrogen abstraction from tributyl tin hydride (Bu₃SnH), K_q = 3.8 × 10⁸M^?1 sec, is almost equal to that of nitrobezene triplet state which has been characterized as an n → π* state. Based on spectroscopic and kinetic evidence obtained in the present work, the triplet state of 1,4-DNO₂N behaves as an n → π* state in nonpolar solvents, while in polar solvents the state is predominantly n → π* with a small amount of intramolecular charge transfer character.     

Characterization of the excited states of ethylene by MRCI

The excited states of ethylene are systematically analyzed and characterized according to the natural orbitals (NOs) resulting from multireference configuration interaction singles and doubles (MRCISD) calculations. By comparing the shapes and nodal structures of the NOs with those of hydrogen atomic orbitals, the Rydberg series can be classified. Two or three different types of Rydberg series appear within five excited states for each symmetry of D_2h. For example, in the ¹A_g symmetry there are three series having np and two nf hydrogen‐like atomic orbitals. Electronic correlation effects for the (π→π*) V state are also discussed on the basis of a complete active space self‐consistent field (CASSCF) calculation, showing that electron correlation effects merely within the valence space cannot explain contraction of the V state. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

AB initio SCF study of the electronic structure and spectrum of CuF2

MC SCF and contracted CI calculations have been performed for the three ligand-field states of CuF₂ and also for two charge-transfer states. With the most extensive basis set the calculated d-d transition energies, including a Davidson correctior for cluster effects, are 4150 cm^?1 (²11g) and 10560 cm^?1 (²Δg). These calculations were made with 98 basis functions, including of orbitals on Cu and d orbitals on F. To check the charge distribution in the molecule, calculations of the ESR g factors were also made at the SCF and CI levels of approximation. Resulting CI values are g_| = 1.93 (1.91) and g₁ = 2.76 (2.60). with corresponding experimental numbers in parentheses.     

Experimental and theoretical studies of the valence-shell dipole excitation spectrum and absolute photoabsorption cross section of hydrogen fluoride

Absolute cross sectional measurements are reported of the valence-shell dipole excitation spectrum of HF obtained from suitably calibrated high impact energy, small momentum transfer, electron energy-loss scattering intensities. Detailed assignments are provided of all prominent features observed on the basis of concomitant single- and coupled-channel RPAE calculations. The measured spectrum, obtained at an energy resolution of = 0.06 eV (fwhm) in the = 9 to 21 eV interval, includes a dissociative feature centered at = 10.35 eV assigned as X¹Σ⁺ → (1π^?14σ)A¹Π, as well as numerous strong, sharp bands in the = 13 to 16 eV excitation energy region. These bands are attributed on basis of the present calculations to Rydberg (1π^?1npπ)-valence (3σ^?14σ) mixing in X¹Σ⁺ → ¹Σ⁺ excitation symmetry, which gives rise to a long conventional progression, and to strong 1π → nsσ, moderate 1π → ndσ, and weak 1π → npσ Rydberg series in X¹Σ⁺ → ¹Π excitation symmetry. A weaker 1π → ndπ Rydberg series also contributes to the spectrum in X¹Σ⁺ → ¹Σ⁺ symmetry. The calculated and measured excitation energies and f numbers, particularly for the X¹Σ → (1π^?14σ)A¹Π, → (1π^?13pπ)B¹Σ⁺, → (1π^?13sσ)C¹Π, and → (3σ^?14σ)D¹Σ⁺ transitions, are in good quantitative accord, suggesting that the overall nature of the HF spectrum is generally clarified on basis of the present studies. Finally, tentative assignments are provided of weak features observed above the 1π^?1 ionization threshold. As in previously reported joint experimental and theoretical studies of the valence-shell spectrum of F₂, high-resolution optical VUV measurements and calculated potential energy curves aid in the assignment and clarification of the HF spectrum.     

Une fonction d'onde autocohérente (self-consistent) sans restriction de symétrie pour 1′état X3Π de la molécule BN

We give the self-consistent wave functions for the BN molecule in the …(5 σ) (1 π⁺)² (1 π^?), X³ Π state. These wave functions are obtained as linear combinations of SLATER orbitals of the atoms. In this openshell case the π⁺ and π^? orbitals belonging to the same symmetry species but to different subspecies are allowed to vary independently. Their coefficients are found rather different from one another; this seems to mean that the effect of the usual symmetry restriction could be relatively important in such cases.     

The Photorearrangements of a Naphthobarrelene-like System. Dependence on excited-state spin multiplicity and electronic configuration,and evidence for biradical intermediates. Preliminary communication

8-Benzoyl-9-deuterio-naphtho [de-2.3.4]bicyclo [3.2.2]nona-2,6,8-triene ( 1 ) rearranged quantitatively in a photochemical di-π-methane-type process to 2-, 6-, and 9-deuteriated 1-benzoyl-naphtho [de-2.3.4]tricyclo [4.3.0.0^2,9]nona-2, 6-diene ( 8a–c ). The phenylhydroxymethyl analogue 2 underwent a similar regioselective rearrangement to 9a–c . The rearrangement 1 → 8a–c is proposed to proceed along three reaction paths evolving from two primary photochemical processes of naphthylvinyl and vinyl-vinyl bonding ( 1 → 3 + 6 ). Evidence for a competition between several paths and involvement of biradical intermediates derives from changes in the isotopomeric composition with temperature, and from laser flash detection (λ_exc 353 nm) of a transient. The dependence of the quantum yield for product formation from 1 on excitation wavelength and sensitizer triplet energy leads to the conclusion that reaction to the primary biradicals occurs directly from the S₁ (n, π*) and T₂ (n, π* ) states, and that reaction from T₁ (π, π*) and from S₂ (π, π*) proceed either directly or via T₂.     

Nitric oxide—heme binding model for nitrosylhemoglobin from its magnetic properties

A simple orbital model of the binding of NO to the heme iron in nitrosylhemoglobin is presented that fits the experimentally measured g factors and spin distribution. The NO π^☆ orbitals are split by approximately 4000 cm^?1 X hc such that the lower singly occupied member lies 8000 cm^?1 X hc above the filled Fe d orbitals. Binding of Fe to the N of NO is primarily of two comparable in-plane (xz) types, dσ—pσ with 23% d_z² character and dπ—pπ with 25% d_xz character. There is relatively less of the out-of-plane dπ—pπ and it involves almost no d_yz character.     

Comparative study of unconventional 1s basis functions for the 1Σ ground state of H2 and He

We investigated various nonstandard 1s basis functions (generalized Slater-Gaussian, ellipsoidal Gaussian, floating spherical and ellipsoidal Gaussian, rational function, Hulthén approximation, two-Slater-type orbital, generalized Guillemin–Zener function, and various noninteger-n elliptical orbitals) for approximating the ¹Σ ground state of H₂ and He₂⁺⁺. A CI trial wave-function including Σ_g-type MO's is adopted and molecular integrals are evaluated numerically. The energy improvement on the 1s STO is small except for noninteger-n orbitals which closely approach the “SCF limit”.