Interpretation of the vibrational spectra of methylglyoxal and biacetyl in their first singlet excited electronic states

Laser-induced fluorescence spectra for the first allowed electronic transition (22125 cm^?1) of methylglyoxal (CH₃COCHO) and its perdeutero analog (CD₃COCDO) in a supersonic nozzle beam are quantitatively represented assuming that the potential function governing the CH₃(CD₃) rotation is changed during the transition. In the excited state the potential function is ternary (V₁ = 95 (1 + cos 3θ)cm^?1) as in the fundamental state (V₀ = 134.5 (1 - cos 3θ)cm^?1), but the minima are shifted by an angle of π/3. The spectrum of biacetyl (CH₃COCH₃CO) can be reproduced assuming two uncoupled methyl groups undergoing similar conformational changes during the electronic transition (the estimated potential function is V₁ = 117.5 (1 + cos 3θ) cm^?1 for each methyl group), in perfect agreement with the most recent assignment of the 0-0 transition. These results are consistent with ab initio calculations for the fundamental and first excited singlet states.     

Fluorescence-dip IR spectra of jet-cooled benzoic acid dimer in its ground and first excited singlet states

The IR spectra of three isotopomers of the benzoic acid dimer have been recorded under jet-cooled conditions using the double resonance method of fluorescence-dip IR spectroscopy. In so doing, the spectra are assuredly due exclusively to dimers in the ground-state zero-point level at a rotational temperature of 3-5 K. Even under these conditions, the three isotopomers have remarkably broad spectra, extending from 2600 to almost 3150 cm-1. The spectra show extensive substructure consisting of some 15-20 transitions where only a single OH stretch fundamental should appear in the harmonic limit. The comparison of the undeuterated d0-d0 dimer with the ring-deuterated d5-d5 dimer tests the effect of mixing with the C-H stretches and overtones of the C-H bends. The mixed OH/OD ring-deuterated d6-d5 dimer shifts the frequency and changes the form of the OH stretch normal mode. The analogous OH stretch IR spectrum of the d0-d0 dimer out of the S1 excited-state zero-point level has also been recorded. In this case, much of the closely-spaced substructure is not apparent. What remains is a set of three bands separated from one another by about 180 cm-1. Preliminary results of model calculations of the anharmonic coupling, responsible for the broadening and substructure, are presented. These calculations indicate that it is OH stretch-OH bend coupling, rather than coupling with the intermolecular stretch, that is responsible for much of the observed structure and breadth.     

Conformational stability, optimized geometries, vibrational and electronic spectra of methacryloyl bromide in ground and excited electronic states

In order to understand conformational isomerism in methacryloyl bromide (MABR) in the ground (S(0)) and the first excited (S(1)) electronic states and to interpret the vibrational and electronic spectra of its conformers in the S(0) state, quantum mechanical calculations using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and RHF methods with extended basis sets 6-31G, 6-31G** and 6-311+G(d,p) have been conducted. In RHF calculations, electron correlation effects have been included at the M?ller-Plesset MP2 level. It is inferred that in both the electronic states the molecule may exist in two isomeric forms-s-trans and s-cis; the former being more stable than the later by about 1.629 kcal mol(-1) in the S(0) state and by about 2.218 kcal mol(-1) in the S(1) state. Electronic transition tends to increase the s-trans/s-cis and s-cis/s-trans, rotational barriers from 7.059 kcal mol(-1) (2468.1 cm(-1)) and 5.428 kcal mol(-1) (1897.8 cm(-1)) in S(0) state to 23.594 kcal mol(-1) (8249.4 cm(-1)) and 21.376 kcal mol(-1) (7473.9 cm(-1)) in the S(1) state. Completely optimized geometries of the two conformers in S(0) state reveal that while there is no significant difference in their bond lengths, some of the bond angles associated with COBr group are appreciably different. Electronic excitation tends to change both the bond lengths and bond angles. Based on suitably scaled DFT and RHF results obtained from the use of 6-31G** and 6-311+G(d,p) basis sets, a complete assignment is provided to the fundamental vibrational bands of both the s-trans and s-cis conformers in terms of frequency, form and intensity of vibrations and potential distribution across the symmetry coordinates in the S(0) state and a comparison has been made with experimental assignments. A theoretical prediction of the electronic transitions in the near UV-region in the two conformers and their tentative assignment has been provided on the basis of CI level calculations using 6-31G basis set.     

On the lower excited electronic states of glyoxal

The polarization of both nπ* absorption bands of glyoxal has been measured in a glass matrix of 2-methyltetrahydrofuran by the photoselection method. The second absorption band in the 30 000 cm^?1 region has been assigned to a ¹A_g → ¹B_g nπ* transition. Its intensity is mainly induced by interaction with the solvent. An absorption band at about 43 000 cm^?1 has been ascribed to a charge transfer transition in complexes of glyoxal and 2-MTHF.     

Characterization of singlet ground and low-lying electronic excited states of phosphaethyne and isophosphaethyne

The singlet ground ((approximate)X(1)Sigma1+) and excited (1Sigma-,1Delta) states of HCP and HPC have been systematically investigated using ab initio molecular electronic structure theory. For the ground state, geometries of the two linear stationary points have been optimized and physical properties have been predicted utilizing restricted self-consistent field theory, coupled cluster theory with single and double excitations (CCSD), CCSD with perturbative triple corrections [CCSD(T)], and CCSD with partial iterative triple excitations (CCSDT-3 and CC3). Physical properties computed for the global minimum ((approximate)X(1)Sigma+HCP) include harmonic vibrational frequencies with the cc-pV5Z CCSD(T) method of omega1=3344 cm(-1), omega2=689 cm(-1), and omega3=1298 cm(-1). Linear HPC, a stationary point of Hessian index 2, is predicted to lie 75.2 kcal mol(-1) above the global minimum HCP. The dissociation energy D0[HCP((approximate)X(1)Sigma+)-->H(2S)+CP(X2Sigma+)] of HCP is predicted to be 119.0 kcal mol(-1), which is very close to the experimental lower limit of 119.1 kcal mol(-1). Eight singlet excited states were examined and their physical properties were determined employing three equation-of-motion coupled cluster methods (EOM-CCSD, EOM-CCSDT-3, and EOM-CC3). Four stationary points were located on the lowest-lying excited state potential energy surface, 1Sigma- -->1A", with excitation energies Te of 101.4 kcal mol(-1) (1A"HCP), 104.6 kcal mol(-1)(1Sigma-HCP), 122.3 kcal mol(-1)(1A" HPC), and 171.6 kcal mol(-1)(1Sigma-HPC) at the cc-pVQZ EOM-CCSDT-3 level of theory. The physical properties of the 1A" state with a predicted bond angle of 129.5 degrees compare well with the experimentally reported first singlet state ((approximate)A1A"). The excitation energy predicted for this excitation is T0=99.4 kcal mol(-1) (34 800 cm(-1),4.31 eV), in essentially perfect agreement with the experimental value of T0=99.3 kcal mol(-1)(34 746 cm(-1),4.308 eV). For the second lowest-lying excited singlet surface, 1Delta-->1A', four stationary points were found with Te values of 111.2 kcal mol(-1) (2(1)A' HCP), 112.4 kcal mol(-1) (1Delta HPC), 125.6 kcal mol(-1)(2(1)A' HCP), and 177.8 kcal mol(-1)(1Delta HPC). The predicted CP bond length and frequencies of the 2(1)A' state with a bond angle of 89.8 degrees (1.707 A, 666 and 979 cm(-1)) compare reasonably well with those for the experimentally reported (approximate)C(1)A' state (1.69 A, 615 and 969 cm(-1)). However, the excitation energy and bond angle do not agree well: theoretical values of 108.7 kcal mol(-1) and 89.8 degrees versus experimental values of 115.1 kcal mol(-1) and 113 degrees. of 115.1 kcal mol(-1) and 113 degrees.     

Theoretical study on geometry and spectroscopic properties of 1,1′-binaphthyl in the electronic ground and first excited singlet states

Equilibrium geometries for the electronic ground and first excited singlet states of 1,1'-binaphthyl have been calculated by minimization of the total energy with respect to all internal coordinates. Using these results, an interpretation of the fluorescence S₁→ S₀ and absorption spectra S_m ← S₀ and S_n ← S₁ in rigid and fluid solutions is given.For the first time the equilibrium geometry of the first excited singlet state of 1, 1′-binaphthyl has been calculated. On excitation to the S₁ state the dihedral angle θ between the two naphthalene moieties is de- creased from 61 ° to 41 °. A detailed survey of CH bond lengths in the S₀ and S₁ states has been given. This result should be of particular importance for the theoretical treatment of radiationless transitions.Using equilibrium geometries for the S₀ and S₁ states a satisfactory interpretation of the S_m ← S₀ and S_n ← S₁ absorption spectra as well as of the fluorescence spectra in fluid and rigid solutions can be given. Concerning the S_n ← S₁ absorption spectrum in fluid solution, the calculations predict a strong absorption (A ← B transition) in the still uninvestigated region of energies lower than 11000 cm^?1.From the results of this paper and of other calculations it can be concluded that the Warshel-Karplus method yields reliable equilibrium geometries for electronic ground and excited states of unsaturated hydrocarbons [22,23].     

Electric π dipole polarizabilities in the ground and first excited singlet states of N-retinylidene derivatives

Ground and first excited singlet state electric π dipole polarizabilities for a set of 23 N-retinylidene derivatives are reported. The calculations are made by means of second order perturbation theory with Hückel state functions as a basis.     

Microwave spectra of the ground and excited vibrational states of isotopic species of nitroethylene

Rotational spectra of nitroethylene, four deuterium and six ¹³C species have been measured and analysed in the frequency range from 8 to 26 GHz. Rotational transitions in the ground state, in progressions of excited states of the NO₂ torsional mode ν₁₈, in the in-plane skeletal bending mode ν₁₃, and in doubly excited states σ₁₃+ν₁₃+ν₁₈ν₁₈ could be assigned for nitroethylene and its deuterated species. The spectra of the ¹³C isotopic species were observed in natural abundance and their assignments have partly been checked by microwave — microwave (mw — mw) double resonance. All the spectra in each of the different vibrationally excited states were found to acceptably obey a rigid rotor pattern with centrifugal distortion, corresponding to a high barrier for the NO₂ internal rotation. Rotational constants and inertia defects all show the same qualitative dependence on the internal state. The ground state rotational constants of all isotopic species have been used to determine a refined molecular structure.     

Spectroscopy of highly excited vibrational states of HCN in its ground electronic state

An experimental technique based on a scheme of vibrationally mediated photodissociation has been developed and applied to the spectroscopic study of highly excited vibrational states in HCN, with energies between 29,000 and 30,000 cm(-1). The technique consists of four sequential steps: in the first one, a high power laser is used to vibrationally excite the sample to an intermediate state, typically (0,0,4), the nu3 mode being approximately equivalent to the C-H stretching vibration. Then a second laser is used to search for transitions between this intermediate state and highly vibrationally excited states. When one of these transitions is found, HCN molecules are transferred to a highly excited vibrational state. Third, a ultraviolet laser photodissociates the highly excited molecules to produce H and CN radicals in its A 2Pi electronic state. Finally, a fourth laser (probe) detects the presence of the CN(A) photofragments by means of an A-->B-->X laser induced fluorescence scheme. The spectra obtained with this technique, consisting of several rotationally resolved vibrational bands, have been analyzed. The positions and rotational parameters of the states observed are presented and compared with the results of a state-of-the-art variational calculation.     

Two-photon study on the electronic interactions between the first excited singlet states in carotenoid-tetrapyrrole dyads

Electronic interactions between the first excited states (S(1)) of carotenoids (Car) of different conjugation lengths (8-11 double bonds) and phthalocyanines (Pc) in different Car-Pc dyad molecules were investigated by two-photon spectroscopy and compared with Car S(1)-chlorophyll (Chl) interactions in photosynthetic light harvesting complexes (LHCs). The observation of Chl/Pc fluorescence after selective two-photon excitation of the Car S(1) state allowed sensitive monitoring of the flow of energy between Car S(1) and Pc or Chl. It is found that two-photon excitation excites to about 80% to 100% exclusively the carotenoid state Car S(1) and that only a small fraction of direct tetrapyrrole two-photon excitation occurs. Amide-linked Car-Pc dyads in tetrahydrofuran demonstrate a molecular gear shift mechanism in that effective Car S(1) → Pc energy transfer is observed in a dyad with 9 double bonds in the carotenoid, whereas in similar dyads with 11 double bonds in the carotenoid, the Pc fluorescence is strongly quenched by Pc → Car S(1) energy transfer. In phenylamino-linked Car-Pc dyads in toluene extremely large electronic interactions between the Car S(1) state and Pc were observed, particularly in the case of a dyad in which the carotenoid contained 10 double bonds. This observation together with previous findings in the same system provides strong evidence for excitonic Car S(1)-Pc Q(y) interactions. Very similar results were observed with photosynthetic LHC II complexes in the past, supporting an important role of such interactions in photosynthetic down-regulation.     

The ground and two lowest-lying singlet excited electronic states of copper hydroxide (CuOH)

Various ab initio methods, including self-consistent field (SCF), configuration interaction, coupled cluster (CC), and complete-active-space SCF (CASSCF), have been employed to study the electronic structure of copper hydroxide (CuOH). Geometries, total energies, dipole moments, harmonic vibrational frequencies, and zero-point vibrational energies are reported for the linear 1Sigma+ and 1Pi stationary points, and for the bent ground-state X 1A', and excited-states 2 1A' and 1 1A". Six different basis sets have been used in the study, Wachters/DZP being the smallest and QZVPP being the largest. The ground- and excited-state bending modes present imaginary frequencies for the linear stationary points, indicating that bent structures are more favorable. The effects of relativity for CuOH are important and have been considered using the Douglas-Kroll approach with cc-pVTZ/cc-pVTZ_DK and cc-pVQZ/cc-pVQZ_DK basis sets. The bent ground and two lowest-lying singlet excited states of the CuOH molecule are indeed energetically more stable than the corresponding linear structures. The optimized geometrical parameters for the X 1A' and 1 1A" states agree fairly well with available experimental values. However, the 2 1A' structure and rotational constants are in poor agreement with experiment, and we suggest that the latter are in error. The predicted adiabatic excitation energies are also inconsistent with the experimental values of 45.5 kcal mol(-1) for the 2 1A' state and 52.6 kcal mol(-1) for the 1 1A" state. The theoretical CC and CASSCF methods show lower adiabatic excitation energies for the 1 1A" state (53.1 kcal mol(-1)) than those for the corresponding 2 1A' state (57.6 kcal mol(-1)), suggesting that the 1 1A" state might be the first singlet excited state while the 2 1A' state might be the second singlet excited state.     

Singly and doubly excited states of butadiene, acrolein, and glyoxal: Geometries and electronic spectra

Excited-state geometries and electronic spectra of butadiene, acrolein, and glyoxal have been investigated by the symmetry adapted cluster configuration interaction (SAC-CI) method in their s-trans conformation. Valence and Rydberg states below the ionization threshold have been precisely calculated with sufficiently flexible basis sets. Vertical and adiabatic excitation energies were well reproduced and the detailed assignments were given taking account of the second moments. The deviations of the vertical excitation energies from the experiment were less than 0.3 eV for all cases. The SAC-CI geometry optimization has been applied to some valence and Rydberg excited states of these molecules in the planar structure. The optimized ground- and excited-state geometries agree well with the available experimental values; deviations lie within 0.03 A and 0.7 degrees for the bond lengths and angles, respectively. The force acting on the nuclei caused by the excitations has been discussed in detail by calculating the SAC-CI electron density difference between the ground and excited states; the geometry relaxation was well interpreted with the electrostatic force theory. In Rydberg excitations, geometry changes were also noticed. Doubly excited states (so-called 2 (1)A(g) states) were investigated by the SAC-CI general-R method considering up to quadruple excitations. The characteristic geometrical changes and large energetic relaxations were predicted for these states.     

Bending potentials for H2O in the ground and the first six singlet excited states

MRD CI calculations are presented for the bending potentials of H₂O in the ground and first six singlet excited states. The results are discussed with reference to the H(²S) + OH(A ²Σ⁺) dissociation path of H₂O.     

Resonance CARS spectra of the lowest excited singlet states of rhodamines

The resonance CARS spectra of the S₁ states of rhodamine 6G, rhodamine B and sulforhodamine were obtained by choosing ω₁ resonant with the S₁ ← S₀ and S₃ ← S₁ transitions simultaneously and by varying the laser beam power density of ω₁ or ω₂. The vibrational frequencies for the S₀ and S₁ states are similar, implying that the structure of the S₁ state is not distorted significantly.     

Quantum-chemical study of the structure of the acetyl fluoride molecule in the ground and lowest excited singlet and triplet electronic states

The structure of the conformationally flexible acetyl fluoride molecule (CH3CFO and CD3CFO) in the ground (S0) and lowest excited triplet (T1) and singlet (S1) electronic states was calculated by different quantum-chemical methods (RHF, UHF, MP2, CASSCF). The equilibrium geometric parameters and harmonic vibrational frequencies of the molecules in these electronic states were estimated. The calculations demonstrated that the electronic excitation causes considerable conformational changes involving the rotation of the CH3(CD3) top and a substantial deviation of the CCFO carbonyl fragment from planarity. For large-amplitude vibrations, namely, for the torsional vibration in the S0 state and the torsional and inversion (nonplanar carbonyl fragment) vibrations in the T1 and S1 states, the quantum-mechanical problems were solved in one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) approximations. The results of calculations are in good agreement with experimental data.     

Ab initio potential energy surface and excited vibrational states for the electronic ground state of Li2H

A 285-point multi-reference configuration-interaction involving single and double excitations (MRS-DCI) potential energy surface for the electronic ground state of Li₂H is determined by using 6-311G (2df, 2pd) basis set. A Simons-Parr-Finlan polynomial expansion is used to fit the discrete surface with a X² of 4.64 × 10^-6. The equilibrium geometry occurs at R_e =0.172 nm and <LiHLi =94.10. The dissociation energy for reaction Li₂H(²A)⇑ Li₂(¹⌆_g)+H(²S) is 243.910 kJ/mol. and that for reaction Li₂H(²A)⇑HLi(¹be)+Li(²S) is 106.445 kJ/mol. The inversion barrier height is 50.388 kJ/mol. The vibrational energy levels are calculated using the discrete variable representation (DVR) method. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant No. 29673029) and by the Special Doctoral Research Foundation of the State Education Commission of China.     

Ab initio potential energy surface and excited vibrational states for the electronic ground state of Li_2H

A 285-pomt multi-reference configuration-interaction involving single and double excitations ( MRS DCI) potential energy surface for the electronic ground state of L12H is determined by using 6-311G (2df,2pd)basis set.A Simons-Parr-Finlan polynomial expansion is used to fit the discrete surface with a x2 of 4.64×106 The equn librium geometry occurs at Rc=0.172 nm and,LiHL1=94.10°.The dissociation energy for reaction I2H(2A)→L12(1∑g)+H(2S) is 243.910 kJ/mol,and that for reaction L12H(2A')→HL1(1∑) + L1(2S) is 106.445 kl/mol The inversion barrier height is 50.388 kj/mol.The vibrational energy levels are calculated using the discrete variable representation (DVR) method.     

A theoretical study about the structural, electronic and spectroscopic properties of the ground and singlet excited states of curcuminoidic core

Curcumin, a well-known Indian spice, holds a variety of properties in many different fields from medicinal chemistry to dye industry. The peculiar electronic structure makes curcumin a valuable metal chelator. The principal aim of this work is a computational study of the structural and electronic properties of the ground and the first singlet excited states of the curcuminoidic core. Concerning the ground state, tautomeric equilibrium, vibrational and thermochemical analysis and electronic absorption spectra (with ab initio and semi-empirical methodologies) have been studied. A full geometry optimization of the first singlet excited states was obtained, with different computational methodologies. Solvent effects are also implicitly considered. An accurate comparison of the results is presented. Interesting aspects emerge, which suggest successive investigation about the nature of the excited states. The obtained results may be of large applicative interest. If curcuminoids are considered as potential ligands for complexes formation with metallic ions of pharmaceutical, medical–physical and technological interest, exciting the system with photons of appropriate frequencies, a photomodulated release of the metallic ion in the environment might be guessed, because of an important photoinduced geometrical modification.