Singlet–triplet excitation energies of naphthyl cations: High level composite method calculations suggest a singlet ground state

Solvation environment effects on the photoisomerization equilibrium of the model tannins catechin and epicatechin as natural sunscreens in aquatic systems

The photoisomerization equilibrium between the model tannins (-)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin in aqueous solution was investigated at the density functional level of theory to gain insights into the action of these compounds as natural sunscreens in aquatic systems. Increasing water temperature, as might be expected on seasonal and diurnal bases, is predicted to shift the equilibrium further in favor of catechin. The isomerization energy between catechin and epicatechin was also considered in a range of polar protic, polar aprotic, apolar protic, and apolar aprotic solvents using the solvation model based on density (SMD) and integral equation formalism polarizable continuum model (IEFPCM). The IEFPCM yielded a modest range in isomerization energies depending on solvent polarity or proticity, whereas a substantial variation was observed with the SMD. The SMD results suggest that the solvation environment around catechin and epicatechin will play a major role on the photoisomerization equilibrium between these two compounds. As the freely dissolved monomer in aquatic systems, the catechin–epicatechin photoisomerization equilibrium will be in the range of 11:1 to 14:1. In the less polar environments of associations with dissolved organic matter or within a larger tannin structural framework, the theoretical modeling efforts indicate that the catechin–epicatechin photoisomerization equilibrium could be as low as 3:1.

Ground state of naphthyl cation: singlet or triplet?

We present a benchmark theoretical investigation on the electronic structure and singlet-triplet(S-T) gap of 1- and 2-naphthyl cations using the CCSD(T) method. Our calculations reveal that the ground states of both the naphthyl cations are singlet, contrary to the results obtained by DFT/B3LYP calculations reported in previous theoretical studies. However, the triplet states obtained in the two structural isomers of naphthyl cation are completely different. The triplet state in 1-naphthyl cation is (π,σ) type, whereas in 2-naphthyl cation it is (σ,σ') type. The S-T gaps in naphthyl cations and the relative stability ordering of the singlet and the triplet states are highly sensitive to the basis-set quality as well as level of correlation, and demand for inclusion of perturbative triples in the coupled-cluster ansatz.

Thermodynamic properties of chloramine formation and related reactions during water treatment: a G4MP2, G4, and W1BD theoretical study

A high-level gas and aqueous phase theoretical thermodynamic study was conducted on the primary and related chemical reactions which occur during chloramination for water treatment using the G4MP2, G4, and W1BD composite methods with the SMD, PCM, and CPCM solvation models. The standard state (298.15 K, 1 atm or 1M) formation of mono-, di-, and tri-chloramines from their precursors via hypochlorous acid chlorination is substantially exothermic and exergonic in both the gas and aqueous phases. The excellent agreement between experimental and theoretical values for a range of structural and thermodynamic calculations on a suite of calibration compounds suggests that the G4MP2, G4, and W1BD calculations meet or exceed criteria for thermochemical accuracy. The temperature influence on the thermodynamics of chloramine formation is projected to be negligible regardless of phase between 0 and 100°C. Additional thermodynamic calculations were undertaken on associated chloramination reactions involving the disproportionation of monochloramine, the decomposition of di- and tri-chloramine, and the reactions of trichloramine with ammonia and dichloramine. The results from these investigations not only provide a better understanding of the reaction thermodynamics, they also allow for a more rigorous interpretation of proposed chloramination mechanisms.