A comparative analysis of the UV/Vis absorption spectra of nitrobenzaldehydes

In a joint experimental and theoretical study, the UV/Vis absorption spectra of the three isomers (ortho, meta, para) of nitrobenzaldehyde (NBA) were analyzed. Absorption spectra are reported for NBA vapors, cyclohexane and acetonitrile solutions. All spectra are poor in vibronic structure and hardly affected in shape by the surroundings (vapor or solution). Moderate solvatochromic shifts of ～ -0.2 eV are measured. For all isomers vertical transition energies, oscillator strengths, and excited state dipole moments were computed using the MS-CASPT2/CASSCF and CC2 methods. Based on these calculations the experimental transitions were assigned. The spectra of all isomers are characterized by weak (ε(max) ≈ 100 M(-1) cm(-1)) transitions around 350 nm (3.6 eV), arising from nπ* absorptions starting from the lone pairs of the nitro and aldehyde moieties. The next band of intermediate intensity peaking around 300 nm (4.2 eV, ε(max) ≈ 1000 M(-1) cm(-1)) is dominated by ππ* excitations within the arene function. Finally, strong absorptions (ε(max) ≈ 10,000 M(-1) cm(-1)) were observed around 250 nm (5.0 eV) which we ascribe to ππ* excitations involving the nitro and benzene groups.