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Curchod BFE, Orr-Ewing AJ. Perspective on Theoretical and Experimental Advances in Atmospheric Photochemistry. J Phys Chem A 2024; 128:6613-6635. [PMID: 39021090 PMCID: PMC11331530 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.4c03481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Research that explores the chemistry of Earth's atmosphere is central to the current understanding of global challenges such as climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, and poor air quality in urban areas. This research is a synergistic combination of three established domains: earth observation, for example, using satellites, and in situ field measurements; computer modeling of the atmosphere and its chemistry; and laboratory measurements of the properties and reactivity of gas-phase molecules and aerosol particles. The complexity of the interconnected chemical and photochemical reactions which determine the composition of the atmosphere challenges the capacity of laboratory studies to provide the spectroscopic, photochemical, and kinetic data required for computer models. Here, we consider whether predictions from computational chemistry using modern electronic structure theory and nonadiabatic dynamics simulations are becoming sufficiently accurate to supplement quantitative laboratory data for wavelength-dependent absorption cross-sections, photochemical quantum yields, and reaction rate coefficients. Drawing on presentations and discussions from the CECAM workshop on Theoretical and Experimental Advances in Atmospheric Photochemistry held in March 2024, we describe key concepts in the theory of photochemistry, survey the state-of-the-art in computational photochemistry methods, and compare their capabilities with modern experimental laboratory techniques. From such considerations, we offer a perspective on the scope of computational (photo)chemistry methods based on rigorous electronic structure theory to become a fourth core domain of research in atmospheric chemistry.
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Shi W, Ma J, Jiang C, Taketsugu T. Advanced theoretical design of light-driven molecular rotary motors: enhancing thermal helix inversion and visible-light activation. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:15672-15680. [PMID: 38766713 DOI: 10.1039/d4cp00037d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we have advanced the field of light-driven molecular rotary motors (LDMRMs) by achieving two pivotal goals: lowering the thermal helix inversion (THI) barrier and extending the absorption wavelength into the visible spectrum. This study involves the structural reengineering of a second-generation visible LDMRM, resulting in the synthesis of a novel class, specifically, 2-((2S)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]naphthalen-1-yl)-3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-dibenzo[e,g]indole-6,9-dicarbonitrile. This redesigned motor stands out with its two photoisomerization stages and two thermal helix inversions, featuring exceptionally low THI barriers (4.00 and 2.05 kcal mol-1 at the OM2/MRCI level for the EM → EP and ZM → ZP processes, respectively). Moreover, it displays absorption wavelengths in the visible light range (482.98 and 465.76 nm for the EP and ZP isomers, respectively, at the TD-PBE0-D3/6-31G(d,p) level), surpassing its predecessors in efficiency, as indicated by the narrow HOMO-LUMO energy gap. Ultrafast photoisomerization kinetics (approximately 0.8-1.6 ps) and high quantum yields (around 0.3-0.6) were observed through trajectory surface hopping simulations. Additionally, the simulated time-resolved fluorescence emission spectrum indicates a significantly reduced "dark state" duration (0.09-0.26 ps) in these newly designed LDMRMs compared to the original ones, marking a substantial leap forward in the design and efficiency of LDMRMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiliang Shi
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Jianzheng Ma
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Quantum Information and Quantum Optoelectronic Devices, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Chenwei Jiang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Quantum Information and Quantum Optoelectronic Devices, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Tetsuya Taketsugu
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan.
- Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD), Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan
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Holland DMP, Suchan J, Janoš J, Bacellar C, Leroy L, Barillot TR, Longetti L, Coreno M, de Simone M, Grazioli C, Chergui M, Muchová E, Ingle RA. Deconvolution of the X-ray absorption spectrum of trans-1,3-butadiene with resonant Auger spectroscopy. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:15130-15142. [PMID: 38525924 DOI: 10.1039/d4cp00053f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
High-resolution carbon K-edge X-ray photoelectron, X-ray absorption, non-resonant and resonant Auger spectra are presented of gas phase trans-1,3-butadiene alongside a detailed theoretical analysis utilising nuclear ensemble approaches and vibronic models to simulate the spectroscopic observables. The resonant Auger spectra recorded across the first pre-edge band reveal a complex evolution of different electronic states which remain relatively well-localised on the edge or central carbon sites. The results demonstrate the sensitivity of the resonant Auger observables to the weighted contributions from multiple electronic states. The gradually evolving spectral features can be accurately and feasibly simulated within nuclear ensemble methods and interpreted with the population analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M P Holland
- STFC, Daresbury Laboratory, Daresbury, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 4AD, UK
| | - Jiří Suchan
- Institute for Advanced Computational Science, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-5250, USA
| | - Jiří Janoš
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Camila Bacellar
- Laboratoire de Spectroscopie Ultrarapide, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, ISIC, FSB, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ludmila Leroy
- Laboratoire de Spectroscopie Ultrarapide, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, ISIC, FSB, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thomas R Barillot
- Laboratoire de Spectroscopie Ultrarapide, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, ISIC, FSB, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Luca Longetti
- Laboratoire de Spectroscopie Ultrarapide, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, ISIC, FSB, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marcello Coreno
- ISM-CNR, Istituto di Struttura dei Materiali, LD2 Unit, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Cesare Grazioli
- IOM-CNR, Istituto Officina dei Materiali, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Majed Chergui
- Laboratoire de Spectroscopie Ultrarapide, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, ISIC, FSB, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S. 14 km 163,5 in Area Science Park, I-34012 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Eva Muchová
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Rebecca A Ingle
- Department of Chemistry, 20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK.
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Janoš J, Figueira Nunes JP, Hollas D, Slavíček P, Curchod BFE. Predicting the photodynamics of cyclobutanone triggered by a laser pulse at 200 nm and its MeV-UED signals-A trajectory surface hopping and XMS-CASPT2 perspective. J Chem Phys 2024; 160:144305. [PMID: 38591685 DOI: 10.1063/5.0203105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
This work is part of a prediction challenge that invited theoretical/computational chemists to predict the photochemistry of cyclobutanone in the gas phase, excited at 200 nm by a laser pulse, and the expected signal that will be recorded during a time-resolved megaelectronvolt ultrafast electron diffraction (MeV-UED). We present here our theoretical predictions based on a combination of trajectory surface hopping with XMS-CASPT2 (for the nonadiabatic molecular dynamics) and Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics with MP2 (for the athermal ground-state dynamics following internal conversion), coined (NA+BO)MD. The initial conditions were sampled from Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics coupled to a quantum thermostat. Our simulations indicate that the main photoproducts after 2 ps of dynamics are CO + cyclopropane (50%), CO + propene (10%), and ethene and ketene (34%). The photoexcited cyclobutanone in its second excited electronic state S2 can follow two pathways for its nonradiative decay: (i) a ring-opening in S2 and a subsequent rapid decay to the ground electronic state, where the photoproducts are formed, or (ii) a transfer through a closed-ring conical intersection to S1, where cyclobutanone ring opens and then funnels to the ground state. Lifetimes for the photoproduct and electronic populations were determined. We calculated a stationary MeV-UED signal [difference pair distribution function-ΔPDF(r)] for each (interpolated) pathway as well as a time-resolved signal [ΔPDF(r,t) and ΔI/I(s,t)] for the full swarm of (NA+BO)MD trajectories. Furthermore, our analysis provides time-independent basis functions that can be used to fit the time-dependent experimental UED signals [both ΔPDF(r,t) and ΔI/I(s,t)] and potentially recover the population of photoproducts. We also offer a detailed analysis of the limitations of our model and their potential impact on the predicted experimental signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiří Janoš
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic
- Centre for Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | | | - Daniel Hollas
- Centre for Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Petr Slavíček
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - Basile F E Curchod
- Centre for Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
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Marsili E, Curchod BFE. A Theoretical Perspective on the Photochemistry of Boron-Nitrogen Lewis Adducts. J Phys Chem A 2024; 128:996-1008. [PMID: 38236050 PMCID: PMC10875676 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.3c07016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Boron-Nitrogen (B-N) Lewis adducts form a versatile family of compounds with numerous applications in functional molecules. Despite the growing interest in this family of compounds for optoelectronic applications, little is currently known about their photophysics and photochemistry. Even the electronic absorption spectrum of ammonia borane, the textbook example of a B-N Lewis adduct, is unavailable. Given the versatility of the light-induced processes exhibited by these molecules, we propose in this work a detailed theoretical study of the photochemistry and photophysics of simple B-N Lewis adducts. We used advanced techniques in computational photochemistry to identify and characterize the possible photochemical pathways followed by ammonia borane and extended this knowledge to the substituted B-N Lewis adducts pyridine-borane and pyridine-boric acid. The photochemistry observed for this series of molecules allows us to extract qualitative rules to rationalize the light-induced behavior of more complex B-N-containing molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Marsili
- Centre for Computational Chemistry,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K.
| | - Basile F. E. Curchod
- Centre for Computational Chemistry,
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K.
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