Exciton states of dynamic DNA double helices: alternating dCdG sequences

The present communication deals with the excited states of the alternating DNA oligomer (dCdG)5.(dCdG)5 which correspond to the UV absorption band around 260 nm. Their properties are studied in the frame of the exciton theory, combining molecular dynamics simulations and quantum chemistry data. It is shown that the dipolar coupling undergoes important variations with the site and the helix geometry. In contrast, the energy of the monomer transitions within the double helix is not sensitive to the local environment. It is thus considered to be distributed over Gaussian curves whose maximum and width are derived from the experimental absorption spectra of nucleosides in aqueous solution. The influence of the spectral width on the excited state delocalization and the absorption spectra is much stronger than that of the oligomer plasticity. About half of the excited states are delocalized over at least two bases. Many of them result from the mixing of different monomer states and extend on both strands. The trends found in the simulated spectra, when going from non-interacting monomers to the duplex, are in agreement with experimental observations. Conformational changes enhance the diversity of the states which can be populated upon excitation at a given energy. The states with larger spatial extent are located close to the maximum of the absorption spectrum.     

Dications of bis-triarylamino-[2.2]paracyclophanes: Evaluation of excited state couplings by GMH analysis

In this paper, we present the absorption properties of a series of bis-triarylamino-[2.2]paracyclophane diradical dications. The localized pi-pi and the charge-transfer (CT) transitions of these dications are explained and analyzed by an exciton coupling model that also considers the photophysical properties of the "monomeric" triarylamine radical cations. Together with AM1-CISD-calculated transition moments, experimental transition moments and transition energies of the bis-triarylamine dications were used to calculate electronic couplings by a generalized Mulliken-Hush (GMH) approach. These couplings are a measure for interactions of the excited mixed-valence CT states. The modification of the diabatic states reveals similarities of the GMH three-level model and the exciton coupling model. Comparison of the two models shows that the transition moment between the excited mixed-valence states mu(ab) of the dimer equals the dipole moment difference Delta of the ground and the excited bridge state of the corresponding monomer.     

Excited states and electronic spectra of annulated dinuclear free-base phthalocyanines: a theoretical study on near-infrared-absorbing dyes

The electronic excited states and electronic absorption spectra of annulated dinuclear free-base phthalocyanine (C(58)H(30)N(16)) are studied through quantum chemical calculations using the symmetry-adapted cluster-configuration interaction (SAC-CI) method. Three tautomers are possible with respect to the position of the pyrrole protons; therefore, the SAC-CI calculations for these tautomers were performed. The structures of the Q-band states are discussed based on the character of their molecular orbitals. The lower energy shift of the Q-bands because of dimerization is explained by the decrease in the HOMO-LUMO gaps resulting from the bonding and antibonding interactions between the monomer units. The electronic dipole moments of the nonsymmetric tautomer were calculated, and the possibility of charge-separated excited states is discussed. The relative energies of these tautomers are examined using density functional theory (DFT) calculations for several peripheral substituents. The relative energies of these tautomers significantly depend on the substituents, and therefore, the abundance ratios of the three tautomers were affected by the substituents. The absorption spectra were simulated from the SAC-CI results weighted by the Boltzmann factors obtained from the DFT calculations. The SAC-CI spectra reproduce the experimental findings well. The thermal-averaged SAC-CI spectra could explain the observed substituent effect on the structure of the Q-bands in terms of the relative stabilities and the abundance ratios of the tautomers. The SAC-CI and time-dependent density functional theory calculations are also compared. The CAM-B3LYP results agreed with the trends of the SAC-CI results; however, the CAM-B3LYP calculation overestimated the excitation energies in comparison with the SAC-CI and experimental results.     

Photophysics and spectroscopy of the higher electronic states of zinc metalloporphyrins: a theoretical and experimental study

The photophysics of the S2 and S1 excited states of zinc porphyrin (ZnP) and five of its derivatives (ZnOEP, ZnTBP, ZnTPP, ZnTFPP, ZnTCl8PP) have been investigated by measuring their steady-state absorption and fluorescence spectra, quantum yields and excited state lifetimes at room temperature in several solvents. The radiative and radiationless decay constants of the fluorescent excited states accessible in the visible and near UV regions of the spectrum have been obtained. Despite the similarities in the Soret spectra of these compounds, their S2 excited state radiationless decay rates differ markedly. Although the S2-S1 electronic energies of a given zinc porphyrin vary linearly with the Lippert (refractive index) function of the solvent, the S2 radiationless decay rates of the set of compounds do not follow the energy gap law of radiationless transition theory. Calculations, using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT), of the energies and symmetries of the complete set of excited states accessible by 1- or 2-photon absorption in the near UV-visible have also been carried out. Substitution on the porphyrin macrocycle framework affects the ground state geometry and alters the electron density distributions, the orbital energies and the relative order of the excited electronic states accessible in the near UV-blue regions of the spectrum. The results are used to help interpret both the nature of the electronic transitions in the Soret region, and the relative magnitudes of the radiationless transition rates of the excited states involved.     

Electronic spectra and luminescence properties of 1,2-benzotetraphene in crystalline matrices at 77 K

Quasilinear absorption and luminescence spectra of 1,2-benzotetraphene were obtained in polycrystalline matrices at 77 K. Tne energies of successive excited singlet states as well as the energy of the lowest excited triplet state were found experimentally and compared with those calculated by the PPP CI method. The fluorescence lifetime and quantum yield were determined experimentally. Moreover, the radiationless transition probabilities, lifetime of triplet state and phosphorescence quantum yield were estimated employing the Siebrand-Williams model. The results obtained suggest that radiationless ISC processes are the main deactivation channel of the S₁ and T₁ states. The vibrational analysis of quasilinear absorption and luminescence spectra was performed and fundamental frequencies of ground and first excited singlet states were determined.     

A combined computational and experimental study of polynuclear Ru-TPPZ complexes: insight into the electronic and optical properties of coordination polymers

We report a combined experimental and computational study of polynuclear [Ru(n)(TPPZ)(n)(+1)](2)(n)(+) complexes, of interest in the field of photoactive polymers. The complexes with n = 1, 2, 3 and n > 5 have been synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. A red-shift of the visible band maximum from 2.59 to 2.03 eV is observed going from the monomer to the longer oligomeric species (n > 5). To characterize the geometries, electronic structure, and excited states of these complexes, density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations on the [Ru(n)(TPPZ)(n)(+1)](2)(n)(+) series with n = 1-4 in solution have been performed. The agreement between experimental and calculated spectra is good, both in terms of absorption maximum energies and relative intensities for different values of n. For all the investigated complexes, we assign the main band in the visible region as a metal-to-metal plus ligand charge transfer (MMLCT) transition. The resulting excited states are delocalized throughout the entire complexes, as they originate from a superposition of pi(TPPZ)-t(2g)(Ru) states. The low-energy shoulder of the main visible absorption band, present in the experimental spectra for n > 1, is proposed to arise from spin-forbidden singlet-triplet transitions of similar MMLCT character, consistent with the observed enhancement of this feature in the spectra of the corresponding Os oligomers.     

Charge resonance character in the charge transfer state of bianthryls: effect of symmetry breaking on time-resolved near-IR absorption spectra

We study the effects of symmetry breaking on the photogenerated intramolecular charge transfer (CT) state of 9,9'-bianthryl (BA) with femtosecond time-resolved near-IR spectroscopy. The time-resolved near-IR spectra are measured in acetonitrile for a symmetric substituted derivative of 10,10'-dicyano-9,9'-bianthryl (DCBA) and asymmetric substituted derivatives of 10-cyano-9,9'-bianthryl (CBA) and 9-(N-carbazolyl)anthracene (C9A), as well as nonsubstituted BA. The transient near-IR absorption spectrum of each compound at 0 ps has a locally excited (LE) absorption band, which agrees with the transient absorption band of the corresponding monomer unit. At 3 ps after the photoexcitation, the symmetric compounds show a broad charge transfer (CT) absorption band, whereas no absorption peak appears in the spectra of the asymmetric compounds. The broad CT absorption at 1250 nm only observed for the symmetric compounds can be attributed to the charge resonance transition associated with two equivalent charge separated states.     

Different approaches for the calculation of electronic excited states of nonstoichiometric alkali halide clusters: the example of Na3F

The electronic structure and excited states of the Na(3)F cluster are investigated using different approximate, but numerically efficient, computational schemes, such as a 2e hybrid quantum/classical pseudopotential model with full-configuration interaction or time-dependent density-functional theory. Various quantities such as geometries and transition energies are compared with results previously obtained by multireference configuration interaction calculations, taken as reference data. The potential energy surfaces of the lowest excited states are investigated and the finite-temperature absorption spectra are calculated. The good agreement with recent beam experiments [J.-M. L'Hermite, V. Blanchet, A. Le Padellec, B. Lamory, and P. Labastie, Eur. Phys. J. D 28, 361 (2004)] leads to the conclusion that the absorption spectrum observed experimentally corresponds to the lowest energy isomer which has a C(2v) planar rhombic geometry.     

UV-vis spectra of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-benzoquinone anion radical in solution by a TD-DFT/PCM approach

Excited electronic states of the anion radical of para-benzoquinone were studied by time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) including bulk solvent effects by the polarizable continuum model (PCM). The computed vertical excitation energies for the first four low-lying doublet states are in good agreement with previous post-Hartree–Fock computations. Geometry optimization of excited states and inclusion of solvent effects lead to a remarkable agreement between computed adiabatic transition energies and experimental band maxima. Together with their specific interest, the results point out the reliability of TD-DFT/PCM approach for valence excitations and the need to take geometry relaxation and solvent effects into the proper account for a meaningful comparison between computed and experimental absorption spectra.     

芴与苯并硒化二唑共聚物的电子结构和光谱性质的理论研究

用密度泛函B3LYP方法对低聚体(DEF-BSeD)n(n=1~4)[其中9,9二乙基芴(DEF)单元与苯并硒化二唑(BSeD)单元的摩尔比分别为1∶1和2∶1]进行全优化, 计算电离能(PI)、电子亲和势(EA)和能隙(ΔH-L), 在基态结构的基础上用TD-DFT和ZINDO方法计算激发能和电子吸收光谱, 并利用外推法得到高聚物的相应性质. 从外推结果看出, 随着聚合物中BSeD比例的增大, 聚合物的最低单激发能呈减小的趋势, 最大电子吸收光谱红移. 用CIS方法优化得到单体的S1激发态结构, 计算结果表明, 激发态的结构更趋近于平面构型.     

Theoretical study of the absorption and nonradiative deactivation of 1-nitronaphthalene in the low-lying singlet and triplet excited states including methanol and ethanol solvent effects

The photophysics of the 1-nitronaphthalene molecular system, after the absorption transition to the first singlet excited state, is theoretically studied for investigating the ultrafast multiplicity change to the triplet manifold. The consecutive transient absorption spectra experimentally observed in this molecular system are also studied. To identify the electronic states involved in the nonradiative decay, the minimum energy path of the first singlet excited state is obtained using the complete active space self-consistent field∕∕configurational second-order perturbation approach. A near degeneracy region was found between the first singlet and the second triplet excited states with large spin-orbit coupling between them. The intersystem crossing rate was also evaluated. To support the proposed deactivation model the transient absorption spectra observed in the experiments were also considered. For this, computer simulations using sequential quantum mechanic-molecular mechanic methodology was used to consider the solvent effect in the ground and excited states for proper comparison with the experimental results. The absorption transitions from the second triplet excited state in the relaxed geometry permit to describe the transient absorption band experimentally observed around 200 fs after the absorption transition. This indicates that the T(2) electronic state is populated through the intersystem crossing presented here. The two transient absorption bands experimentally observed between 2 and 45 ps after the absorption transition are described here as the T(1)→T(3) and T(1)→T(5) transitions, supporting that the intermediate triplet state (T(2)) decays by internal conversion to T(1).     

Electronic transitions in [Re6S8X6](4-) (X = Cl, Br, I): results from time-dependent density functional theory and solid-state calculations

Relativistic time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations were performed on the excited states of the [Re6S8X6](4-) (X = Cl, Br, I) series. For all members of the series, the lowest excited states in the spectra do not correspond to a ligand-to-metal (or ligand-to-cluster) excitation but rather a cluster-cluster transition from the HOMO e(g) to antibonding t(1u) orbitals with only a modest admixture of Re-X sigma* character. These results lead to a re-evaluation of the role of the axial ligand in these compounds. The calculated excitation energies reproduce the experimental absorption and emission spectra. This work also confirms previous TDDFT calculations on the emission energies. Results for discrete cluster ions are compared with those obtained from calculations in the solid state in Cs4[Re6S8X6].CsX (X = Cl, Br) and Cs4[Re6S8I6].2CsI. Significant differences are seen in the relatively higher energies of the antibonding t(1u) orbital in the solid-state case, and an inversion in the orbital character of the two allowed absorptions is calculated. The e(g) (HOMO)-to-a(2g) (LUMO) orbital energy differences corresponding to the emission transition are quite comparable for the solid state and discrete cluster calculations, and both overestimate the observed emission energy by the same margin.     

硅杂环戊二烯衍生物电子结构与光谱性质的理论研究

采用密度泛函理论(DFT)B3LYP/6-31G*方法, 对2,5位取代的硅杂环戊二烯(Silole)系列衍生物进行几何结构优化, 通过计算得到电离能、电子亲和势、空穴抽取能及电子抽取能等相关能量, 并使用TD-DFT方法研究其吸收光谱, 分析相关能量及光谱的变化规律. 采用单组态相互作用(CIS/6-31G*)方法优化得到它们的最低单重激发态(S1)结构, 在此基础上, 使用TD-DFT方法计算对应的发射光谱. 分析2,5位芳基取代硅杂环戊二烯衍生物(DADPS)激发态与基态的结构差异及原因, 研究前线分子轨道的分布情况, 并讨论发光特征及载流子传输性能. 研究结果表明, 激发态结构弛豫主要发生在Silole环和直接与2,5位芳基相连的部位; 前线轨道主要分布在Silole环和2,5位芳基上; 二吡咯取代物有望成为空穴传输材料, 二噻吩取代物和二呋喃取代物有望在发光器件中表现出较高的发光效率.     

Theoretical investigation of ground and excited states of the methylene amidogene radical (H(2)CN)

The excited states and the absorption spectrum of the methylene amidogene radical are studied by high-level ab initio calculations. The multireference configuration interaction method was used in combination with different basis sets and basis set extrapolation to compute equilibrium geometries, harmonic frequencies, and excitation energies of the four lowest doublet electronic states of the title species. Potential curves and transition dipole moment functions were determined along the normal mode coordinates of the electronic ground state. These functions were employed to determine vibronic absorption spectra. The intensities of dipole forbidden but vibronically allowed transitions were calculated by explicitly evaluating integrals over the vibrational wave functions and the transition dipole functions of the involved electronic states. By this method the oscillator strengths of the dipole allowed (2)A(1)<--(2)B(2) and the dipole forbidden (2)B(1)<--(2)B(2) bands were computed. It turns out that the dipole forbidden transition is two orders of magnitude weaker than the dipole allowed one. The 0-0 excitation energies are found to be 30 256 cm(-1) for the (2)B(1) state and 34,646 cm(-1) for the (2)A(1) state. From the combined results of the excitation energies and oscillator strengths it is concluded that the experimentally observed peaks must be due to the (2)A(1) state, in contradiction to earlier assignments.     

Photodissociation dynamics of the NO dimer. I. Theoretical overview of the ultraviolet singlet excited states

Molecular orbital theory and calculations are used to describe the ultraviolet singlet excited states of NO dimer. Qualitatively, we derive and catalog the dimer states by correlating them with monomer states, and provide illustrative complete active space self-consistent field calculations. Quantitatively, we provide computational estimates of vertical transition energies and absorption intensities with multireference configuration interaction and equations-of-motion coupled-cluster methods, and examine an important avoided crossing between a Rydberg and a valence state along the intermonomer and intramonomer stretching coordinates. The calculations are challenging, due to the high density of electronic states of various types (valence and Rydberg, excimer and charge transfer) in the 6-8 eV region, and the multiconfigurational nature of the ground state. We have identified a bright charge-transfer (charge-resonance) state as responsible for the broadband seen in UV absorption experiments. We also use our results to facilitate the interpretation of UV photodissociation experiments, including the time-resolved 6 eV photodissociation experiments to be presented in the next two papers of this series.     

Localized emitting state and energy transfer properties of quadrupolar chromophores and (multi)branched derivatives

In order to better understand the nature of intramolecular charge and energy transfer in multibranched molecules, we have synthesized and studied the photophysical properties of a monomer quadrupolar chromophore with donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) electronic push-pull structure, together with its V-shaped dimer and star-shaped trimers. The comparison of steady-state absorption spectra and fluorescence excitation anisotropy spectra of these chromophores show evidence of weak interaction (such as charge and energy transfer) among the branches. Moreover, similar fluorescence and solvation behavior of monomer and branched chromophores (dimer and trimer) implies that the interaction among the branches is not strong enough to make a significant distinction between these molecules, due to the weak interaction and intrinsic structural disorder in branched molecules. Furthermore, the interaction between the branches can be enhanced by inserting π bridge spacers (-C═C- or -C≡C-) between the core donor and the acceptor. This improvement leads to a remarkable enhancement of two-photon cross-sections, indicating that the interbranch interaction results in the amplification of transition dipole moments between ground states and excited states. The interpretations of the observed photophysical properties are further supported by theoretical investigation, which reveal that the changes of the transition dipole moments of the branched quadrupolar chromophores play a critical role in observed the two-photon absorption (2PA) cross-section for an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state interaction in the multibranched quadrupolar chromophores.     

A transient absorption study of allophycocyanin

Transient dynamics of allophycocyanin trimers and monomers are observed by using the pump-probe, transient absorption technique. The origin of spectral components of the transient absorption spectra is discussed in terms of both kinetics and spectroscopy. We find that the energy gap between the ground and excited states of the unexcited subunit of allophycocyanin monomer decreases via an interaction with another excited subunit. For allophycocyanin trimer, we find that the fast dynamics results from the fast internal conversion and the first excited state is the only one electronic state which can trap the final population.