On the TD-DFT UV/vis spectra accuracy: the azoalkanes

Using an ab intio TD-DFT approach systematically accounting for the molecular surroundings effects, we have computed the n → π* absorption wavelength of 22 azoalkane derivatives. For the complete set of molecules, we propose a theoretical procedure able to reproduce the major auxochromic effects, and to deliver a mean absolute error of 5.8 nm (0.056 eV) with maximal deviations limited to 21 nm (0.20 eV). The impact of including in the model explicit solvent molecules is discussed as well. This contribution confirms that PCM-TD-PBE0 is a first-grade method for simulating the vertical absorption spectra of organic dyes.