The Jahn–Teller Effect in Binary Transition Metal Carbonyl Complexes. In: Köppel H, Yarkony DR, Barentzen H, editors. The Jahn-Teller Effect. Berlin: Springer Berlin Heidelberg; 2010. pp. 311-44. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-03432-9_11]

Mechanistic Study for the Photochemical Reactions of d6 M(CO)5(CS) (M = Cr, Mo, and W) Complexes

The mechanisms of photoextrusion reactions are determined theoretically for the model system of six-coordinated M(CO)₅(CS) (M = Cr, Mo, and W), using both CASSCF and MP2-CAS methods and the Def2-SVPD basis set. Three types of elimination reaction pathways (i.e., path I, path II, and path III for axial CO extrusion, equatorial CO extrusion, and CS ligand extrusion, respectively) are considered in this study. Theoretical findings show that the photoextrusion mechanism for Cr and Mo complexes proceeds as follows: M-S₀-Rea + hν → M-S₁-FC → M-CI → M-Pro + CO. This study shows that when the reactant, M(CO)₅(CS) (M-S₀-Rea), is photoirradiated by UV light, it is excited vertically to many low-lying singlet excited states. It then relaxes to the first singlet excited state from the Franck-Condon point (M-S₁-FC). After passing through a conical intersection point (M-CI), this species eliminates a CO group to yield a five-coordinated product, M(CO)₄(CS) (M-S₀-Pro). However, for the W analogue, the photolysis mechanism is represented as W-S₀-Rea + hν → W-T₁-Min → W-T₁-TS → W-T₁/S₀ → W-S₀-Pro + CO. That is to say, when the reactant, W(CO)₅(CS) (W-S₀-Rea), absorbs UV light, it is excited to its several low-lying excited states by a vertical excitation. This species may then return to an intermediate at the first triplet excited state (W-T₁-Min) by means of intersystem crossings or conical intersections. After passing through a triplet transition state (W-T₁-TS) and a subsequent intersystem crossing (W-T₁/S₀), this molecule finally loses a CO ligand to produce a photoproduct at the ground singlet state (W-S₀-Pro). In other words, conical intersections and intersystem crossings play a decisive role in these photoextrusion reactions for M(CO)₅(CS). Theoretical evidence from a kinetic viewpoint strongly supports the theory that the photolysis of M(CO)₅(CS) only produces CO-loss photoproducts rather than the CS-loss photoproduct. Theoretical analysis using the results of this study allows a good interpretation of the available experimental observations.

Ultrafast photo-induced ligand solvolysis of cis-[Ru(bipyridine)2(nicotinamide)2](2+): experimental and theoretical insight into its photoactivation mechanism

Mechanistic insight into the photo-induced solvent substitution reaction of cis-[Ru(bipyridine)2(nicotinamide)2](2+) (1) is presented. Complex 1 is a photoactive species, designed to display high cytotoxicity following irradiation, for potential use in photodynamic therapy (photochemotherapy). In Ru(II) complexes of this type, efficient population of a dissociative triplet metal-centred ((3)MC) state is key to generating high quantum yields of a penta-coordinate intermediate (PCI) species, which in turn may form the target species: a mono-aqua photoproduct [Ru(bipyridine)2(nicotinamide)(H2O)](2+) (2). Following irradiation of 1, a thorough kinetic picture is derived from ultrafast UV/Vis transient absorption spectroscopy measurements, using a 'target analysis' approach, and provides both timescales and quantum yields for the key processes involved. We show that photoactivation of 1 to 2 occurs with a quantum yield ≥0.36, all within a timeframe of ~400 ps. Characterization of the excited states involved, particularly the nature of the PCI and how it undergoes a geometry relaxation to accommodate the water ligand, which is a keystone in the efficiency of the photoactivation of 1, is accomplished through state-of-the-art computation including complete active space self-consistent field methods and time-dependent density functional theory. Importantly, the conclusions here provide a detailed understanding of the initial stages involved in this photoactivation and the foundation required for designing more efficacious photochemotherapy drugs of this type.