Properties of atoms in electronically excited molecules within the formalism of TDDFT

The topological analysis of the electron density for electronic excited states under the formalism of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) is presented. Relaxed electron densities for electronic excited states are computed by solving a Z-vector equation which is obtained by means of the Sternheimer interchange method. This is in contrast to previous work in which the electron density for excited states is obtained using DFT instead of TDDFT, that is, through the imposition of molecular occupancies in accordance with the electron configuration of the excited state under consideration. Once the electron density of the excited state is computed, its topological characterization and the properties of the atoms in molecules are obtained in the same manner that for the ground state. The analysis of the low-lying π→π* singlet and triplet vertical excitations of CO and C6H6 are used as representative examples of the application of this methodology. Altogether, it is shown how this procedure provides insights on the changes of the electron density following photoexcitation and it is our hope that it will be useful in the study of different photophysical and photochemical processes.

Quantum-chemical analyses of aromaticity, UV spectra, and NMR chemical shifts in plumbacyclopentadienylidenes stabilized by Lewis bases

We carried out a series of zeroth-order regular approximation (ZORA)-density functional theory (DFT) and ZORA-time-dependent (TD)-DFT calculations for molecular geometries, NMR chemical shifts, nucleus-independent chemical shifts (NICS), and electronic transition energies of plumbacyclopentadienylidenes stabilized by several Lewis bases, (Ph)2 ((t) BuMe2 Si)2 C4 PbL1 L2 (L1, L2 = tetrahydrofuran, Pyridine, N-heterocyclic carbene), and their model molecules. We mainly discussed the Lewis-base effect on the aromaticity of these complexes. The NICS was used to examine the aromaticity. The NICS values showed that the aromaticity of these complexes increases when the donation from the Lewis bases to Pb becomes large. This trend seems to be reasonable when the 4n-Huckel rule is applied to the fractional π-electron number. The calculated (13)C- and (207)Pb-NMR chemical shifts and the calculated UV transition energies reasonably reproduced the experimental trends. We found a specific relationship between the (13)C-NMR chemical shifts and the transition energies. As we expected, the relativistic effect was essential to reproduce a trend not only in the (207)Pb-NMR chemical shifts and J[Pb-C] but also in the (13)C-NMR chemical shifts of carbons adjacent to the lead atom.

A core-expanded subphthalocyanine analogue with a significantly distorted conjugated surface and unprecedented properties

The introduction of a seven-membered-ring unit in the place of a five-membered-ring unit in the structure of subphthalocyanine resulted in significant distortion of the bowl-shaped structure of the conjugated molecule as well as the following unprecedented properties: the preferential formation of the axially fluoro substituted species, the fluttering-dynamic-motion-induced rapid exchange of P and M enantiomers, markedly split Q-band absorption, and a clear difference in the ring-current effects arising from the convex and concave surfaces.

cine-Substitution reactions of metallabenzenes: an experimental and computational study

Alkali-resistant osmabenzene [(SCN)2(PPh3)2Os{CHC(PPh3)CHCICH}] (2) can undergo nucleophilic aromatic substitution with MeOH or EtOH to give cine-substitution products [(SCN)2(PPh3)2Os{CHC(PPh3)CHCHCR}] (R=OMe (3), OEt(4)) in the presence of strong alkali. However, the reactions of compound 2 with various amines, such as n-butylamine and aniline, afford five-membered ring species, [(SCN)2(PPh3)2Os{CH=C(PPh3)CH=C(CH=NHR')}] (R'=nBu(8), Ph(9)), in addition to the desired cine-substitution products, [(SCN)2(PPh3)2Os{CHC(PPh3)CHCHC(NHR')}] (R'=nBu(6), Ph(7)), under similar reaction conditions. The mechanisms of these reactions have been investigated in detail with the aid of isotopic labeling experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results reveal that the cine-substitution reactions occur through nucleophilic addition, dissociation of the leaving group, protonation, and deprotonation steps, which resemble the classical "addition-of-nucleophile, ring-opening, ring-closure" (ANRORC) mechanism. DFT calculations suggest that, in the reaction with MeOH, the formation of a five-membered metallacycle species is both kinetically and thermodynamically less favorable, which is consistent with the experimental results that only the cine-substitution product is observed. For the analogous reaction with n-butylamine, the pathway for the formation of the cine-substitution product is kinetically less favorable than the pathway for the formation of a five-membered ring species, but is much more thermodynamically favorable, again consistent with the experimental conversion of compound 8 into compound 6, which is observed in an in situ NMR experiment with an isolated pure sample of 8.

Boron-substituted 1,3-dihydro-1,3-azaborines: synthesis, structure, and evaluation of aromaticity

Getting the family together: A general synthetic strategy based on nucleophilic substitution provided B-substituted 1,3-dihydro-1,3-azaborines (see scheme), BN isosteres of arenes with potential for application in biomedicine and materials science. Experimental structural analysis and calculations suggest that the aromaticity of the 1,3-dihydro-1,3-azaborine heterocycle is intermediate between that of benzene and that of 1,2-dihydro-1,2-azaborine.

BN/CC isosteric compounds as enzyme inhibitors: N- and B-ethyl-1,2-azaborine inhibit ethylbenzene hydroxylation as nonconvertible substrate analogues

Good substrate gone bad! BN/CC isosterism of ethylbenzene leads to N-ethyl-1,2-azaborine and B-ethyl-1,2-azaborine. In contrast to ethylbenzene, which is the substrate for ethylbenzene dehydrogenase (EbDH), N-ethyl-1,2-azaborine (see scheme; Fc=Ferricenium tetrafluoroborate) and B-ethyl-1,2-azaborine are strong inhibitors of EbDH. Thus, the changes provided by BN/CC isosterism can lead to new biochemical reactivity.

Double σ-Aromaticity in a Surface-Deposited Cluster: Pd4 on TiO2 (110)

We report double σ-aromaticity in a surface-deposited cluster, Pd4, on the TiO2 (110) surface. In the gas phase, Pd4 adopts a tetrahedral structure. However, surface binding promotes a flat, σ-aromatic cluster. This is the first time aromaticity has been found in surface-deposited clusters. The concept of aromaticity is expected to become instrumental in predicting and interpreting properties of such systems, much like it is for isolated molecules and clusters.

Electron-topological, energetic and π-electron delocalization analysis of ketoenamine-enolimine tautomeric equilibrium

The ketoenamine-enolimine tautometic equilibrium has been studied by the analysis of aromaticity and electron-topological parameters. The influence of substituents on the energy of the transition state and of the tautomeric forms has been investigated for different positions of chelate chain. The quantum theory of atoms in molecules method (QTAIM) has been applied to study changes in the electron-topological parameters of the molecule with respect to the tautomeric equilibrium in intramolecular hydrogen bond. Dependencies of the HOMA aromaticity index and electron density at the critical points defining aromaticity and electronic state of the chelate chain on the transition state (TS), OH and HN tautomeric forms have been obtained.

Valence isomerization of cyclohepta-1,3,5-triene and its heteroelement analogues

The valence isomerization of the all-carbon and heteroelement analogues of cyclohepta-1,3,5-triene into the corresponding bicyclo[4.1.0]hepta-2,4-dienes is reviewed to show the impact of the heteroatom on the stability of both valence isomers. The focus is on the parent systems and their synthetic applications.

Dissociation of the disilatricyclic diallylic dianion [(C4Ph4SiMe)2]-2 to the silole anion [MeSiC4Ph4]- by halide ion coordination or halide ion nucleophilic substitution at the silicon atom

The reductive cleavage of the Si-Si bond in 1,1-bis(1-methyl-2,3,4,5-tetraphenyl-1-silacyclopentadiene) [(C(4)Ph(4)SiMe)(2)] (1) with either Li or Na in THF gives the silole anion [MeSiC(4)Ph(4)]- (2). The head-to-tail dimerization of the silole anion 2 gives crystals of the disilatricyclic diallylic dianion [(C(4)Ph(4)SiMe)(2)]-2 (3). The derivatization of 3 (crystals) with bromoethane (gas) under reduced pressure provides [(MeSiC(4)Ph(4)Et)(2)] (4) quantitatively. The reverse addition of 3 in THF to trimethylsilyl chloride, hydrogen chloride, and bromoethane in THF gives 1-methyl-1-trimethylsilyl-1-silole [Me(3)SiMeSiC(4)Ph(4)] (6), 1-methyl-2,3,4,5-tetraphenyl-1-silacyclo-3-pentenyl-1-methyl-1-silole [C(4)Ph(4)H(2)SiMe-MeSiC(4)Ph(4)] (7), and 1-methyl-2,5-diethyl-2,3,4,5-tetraphenyl-1-silacyclo-3-pentenyl-1-methyl-1-silole [C(4)Ph(4)Et(2)SiMe-MeSiC(4)Ph(4)] (8), respectively. The reaction products unambiguously suggest that the silole anion [MeSiC(4)Ph(4)]- is generated by coordination of the chloride ion at the silicon atom in 3 or by the nucleophilic substitution of either chloride or bromide ion at one of two silicon atoms in 3. The quenching reaction of 3 dissolved in THF with water gives 1,2,3,4-tetraphenyl-2-butene, the disiloxane of 1-methyl-2,3,4,5-tetraphenyl-1-silacyclo-3-pentenyl [O(MeSiC(4)Ph(4))(2)] (10) and methyl silicate.

Stability and aromaticity of nH(2)@B(12)N(12) (n=1-12) clusters

Standard ab initio and density functional calculations are carried out to determine the structure, stability, and reactivity of B₁₂N₁₂ clusters with hydrogen doping. To lend additional support, conceptual DFT-based reactivity descriptors and the associated electronic structure principles are also used. Related cage aromaticity of this B₁₂N₁₂ and nH₂@B₁₂N₁₂ are analyzed through the nucleus independent chemical shift values.

β-Hydroxy carbocation intermediates in solvolyses of di- and tetra-hydronaphthalene substrates

Solvolysis of trichloroacetate esters of 2-methoxy-1,2-dihydro-1-naphthols shows a remarkably large difference in rates between the cis and trans isomers, k(cis)/k(trans) = 1800 in aqueous acetonitrile. This mirrors the behaviour of the acid-catalysed dehydration of cis- and trans-naphthalene-1,2-dihydrodiols to form 2-naphthol, for which k(cis)/k(trans) = 440, but contrasts with that for solvolysis of tetrahydronaphthalene substrates, 1-chloro-2-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalenes, for which k(cis)/k(trans) = 0.5. Evidence is presented showing that the trans isomer of the dihydro substrates reacts unusually slowly rather than the cis isomer unusually rapidly. Comparison of rates of solvolysis of 1-chloro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene and the corresponding (cis) substrate with a 2-hydroxy group indicates that a β-OH slows the reaction by nearly 2000-fold, which represents a typical inductive effect characteristic also of cis-dihydrodiol substrates. The slow reaction of the trans-dihydrodiol substrate is consistent with initial formation of a β-hydroxynaphthalenium carbocation with a conformation in which a C-OH occupies an axial position β to the carbocation centre preventing stabilisation of the carbocation by C-H hyperconjugation, which would occur in the conformation initially formed from the cis isomer. It is suggested that C-H hyperconjugation is particularly pronounced for a β-hydroxynaphthalenium ion intermediate because the stability of its no-bond resonance structure reflects the presence of an aromatic naphthol structure.

Environment influences on the aromatic character of nucleobases and amino acids

Geometric (HOMA) and magnetic (NICS) indices of aromaticity were estimated for aromatic rings of amino acids and nucleobases. Cartesian coordinates were taken directly either from PDB files deposited in public databases at the finest resolution available (≤ 1.5 Å), or from structures resulting from full gradient geometry optimization in a hybrid QM/MM approach. Significant environmental effects imposing alterations of HOMA values were noted for all aromatic rings analysed. Furthermore, even extra fine resolution (≤ 1.0 Å) is not sufficient for direct estimation of HOMA values based on Cartesian coordinates provided by PDB files. The values of mean bond errors seem to be much higher than the 0.05 Å often reported for PDB files. The use of quantum chemistry geometry optimization is strongly advised; even a simple QM/MM model comprising only the aromatic substructure within the QM region and the rest of biomolecule treated classically within the MM framework proved to be a promising means of describing aromaticity inside native environments. According to the results presented, three consequences of the interaction with the environment can be observed that induce changes in structural and magnetic indices of aromaticity. First, broad ranges of HOMA or NICS values are usually obtained for different conformations of nearest neighborhood. Next, these values and their means can differ significantly from those characterising isolated monomers. The most significant increase in aromaticities is expected for the six-membered rings of guanine, thymine and cytosine. The same trend was also noticed for all amino acids inside proteins but this effect was much smaller, reaching the highest value for the five-membered ring of tryptophan. Explicit water solutions impose similar changes on HOMA and NICS distributions. Thus, environment effects of protein, DNA and even explicit water molecules are non-negligible sources of aromaticity changes appearing in the rings of nucleobases and aromatic amino acids residues.

Stable four-pi-electron, four-membered heterocyclic cations and carbenes

Replacement of halide from N-(haloboryl)formamidines for the weakly coordinating anion [B(C(6)F(5))(4)](-), using [Et(3)Si(toluene)](+)[B(C(6)F(5))(4)](-), induces a ring closure leading to the cationic four-pi-electron four-membered heterocycles [HC(N-2,6-diisopropylphenyl)(2)BR](+) [R = N(i-Pr)(2), Ph]. Subsequent deprotonation of the B-amino derivative affords the corresponding N-heterocyclic carbene, which has been isolated as yellow crystals. According to single-crystal x-ray diffraction studies, both the carbene and its conjugate acid precursor have a planar structure, with no pyramidalization of the ring atoms. The structural parameters indicate that the four pi electrons are mostly distributed over the N-C-N fragment with little involvement of the boron center, and therefore both types of heterocycles escape from antiaromaticity. However, considering the ring strain and the presence of the Lewis acid center, the thermal stability of the carbene (mp 98 degrees C without decomposition) is rather surprising. These results clearly suggest that the backbone of N-heterocyclic carbenes can be modified at will, without preventing their isolation.

The Remarkable Stable Emerald Green C60 F15 [CBr(CO2 Et)2 ]3 : The First [60]Fullerene That Is also the First [18]Trannulene

It is both an [18]trannulene and a [60]fullerene. It is aromatic and a hexa-substituted benzene. It is formed by the first proven example of an SN 2' reaction in a fullerene. It is intensely colored and stable. It is C60 F15 [CBr(CO2 Et)2 ]3 , the first example of a new class of fullerene derivatives (see Schlegel diagram).

[2.2]paracyclophane/dehydrobenzoannulene hybrids: transannular delocalization in open-circuited conjugated macrocycles

Enhanced global delocalization throughout the "stepped" π-electron systems of the [2.2]paracyclophane/dehydrobenzoannulene (PC/DBA) hybrids 1 and 2 is strongly suggested by a comparison of their electronic absorption spectra with those of model compounds with complete and interrupted classical aromatic delocalization. A distinct bathochromic shift (for 1) and greater absorption intensity at higher wavelengths (for 1 and 2) is observed versus the corresponding model hydrocarbons.