Valence Bond Theory Reveals Hidden Delocalized Diradical Character of Polyenes

Highly Sensitive Switchable Sensors for Hydroxide on Glass Surfaces Based on Isoquinolinium-Quinolinium-substituted Acetylenes

Bi-substituted acetylenes with a quinolinium and an isoquinolinium substituent are described, which reversibly form intensely colored adducts with O-nucleophiles and thus enable the detection of >0,5 ppm hydroxide on the surfaces of various glasses. Acids reconstitute the colorless bi-substituted acetylenes. The quinolinium and isoquinolinium rings are bound via their 2-, 3-, 4- and 1-, 3-, 4-positions to the triple bond, respectively. The choice of substitution sites of the hetarenium rings enables the design of mixed conjugated/cross-conjugated π-electron systems. Depending on the combination of binding sites, the frontier orbital profile, the triple bond polarization, the fluorescence behaviour, and the sensitivity to hydroxide differs.

Quantification of the Ionic Character of Multiconfigurational Wave Functions: The Qat Diagnostic

The complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) method is a cornerstone in modern excited-state quantum chemistry providing the starting point for most common multireference computations. However, CASSCF, when used with a minimal active space, can produce significant errors (>2 eV) even for the excitation energies of simple hydrocarbons if the states of interest possess ionic character. After illustrating this problem in some detail, we present a diagnostic for ionic character, denoted as Q at, that is readily computed from the transition density. A set of 11 molecules is considered to study errors in vertical excitation energies. State-averaged CASSCF obtains a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.87 eV for the 34 singlet states considered. We highlight a strong correlation between the obtained errors and the Q at diagnostic, illustrating its power to predict problematic cases. Conversely, using multireference configuration interaction with single and double excitations and Pople's size extensivity correction (MR-CISD+P), excellent results are obtained with an MAE of 0.11 eV. Furthermore, correlations with the Q at diagnostic disappear. In summary, we hope that the presented diagnostic will facilitate reliable and user-friendly multireference computations on conjugated organic molecules.

Label-free detection of vitamin B by two-step enhanced Raman technique using dynamic borohydride-reduced silver nanoparticles

A creatively designed novel two-step enhancement technique is presented in which B vitamin molecules are dynamically adsorbed onto the surface of silver nanoparticles by sodium borohydride, followed by local plasmon resonance in the presence of cations (calcium ions), ultimately achieving synergistic chemical and physical enhancement on the same molecule and constructing a "surface hot spots" two-step enhancement platform for vitamin detection. The Raman signal of the promoted vitamin molecule is enhanced by nine orders of magnitude. In a subsequent study it was observed that the vitamin B2 molecules were in a near-vertical image on the surface of the silver nanoparticles, which may also contribute to the Raman signal enhancement. Combined with deep learning techniques, the method has been successfully applied to the detection of B vitamins in body fluids. As an accurate, rapid, reproducible, non-invasive, and versatile assay platform, it holds great promise for the intelligent identification of trace B molecules in food, pharmaceuticals, and the human body.

Electronic Conductance and Thermopower of Cross-Conjugated and Skipped-Conjugated Molecules in Single-Molecule Junctions

We report a combined experimental and theoretical study of a series of thiomethyl (SMe) anchored cross-conjugated molecules featuring an acyclic central bridging ketone and their analogous skipped-conjugated alcohol derivatives. Studies of these molecules in a gold|single-molecule|gold junction using scanning tunneling microscopy-break junction techniques reveal a similar conductance (G) value for both the cross-conjugated molecules and their skipped-conjugated partners. Theoretical studies based on density functional theory of the molecules in their optimum geometries in the junction reveal the reason for this similarity in conductance, as the predicted conductance for the alcohol series of compounds varies more with the tilt angle. Thermopower measurements reveal a higher Seebeck coefficient (S) for the cross-conjugated ketone molecules relative to the alcohol derivatives, with a particularly high S for the biphenyl derivative 3a (-15.6 μV/K), an increase of threefold compared to its alcohol analog. The predicted behavior of the quantum interference (QI) in this series of cross-conjugated molecules is found to be constructive, though the appearance of a destructive QI feature for 3a is due to the degeneracy of the HOMO orbital and may explain the enhancement of the value of S for this molecule.

Lewis Structures and the Bonding Classification of End-on Bridging Dinitrogen Transition Metal Complexes

The activation of dinitrogen by coordination to transition metal ions is a widely used and promising approach to the utilization of Earth's most abundant nitrogen source for chemical synthesis. End-on bridging N₂ complexes (μ-η¹:η¹-N₂) are key species in nitrogen fixation chemistry, but a lack of consensus on the seemingly simple task of assigning a Lewis structure for such complexes has prevented application of valence electron counting and other tools for understanding and predicting reactivity trends. The Lewis structures of bridging N₂ complexes have traditionally been determined by comparing the experimentally observed NN distance to the bond lengths of free N₂, diazene, and hydrazine. We introduce an alternative approach here and argue that the Lewis structure should be assigned based on the total π-bond order in the MNNM core (number of π-bonds), which derives from the character (bonding or antibonding) and occupancy of the delocalized π-symmetry molecular orbitals (π-MOs) in MNNM. To illustrate this approach, the complexes cis,cis-[(^iPr4PONOP)MCl₂]₂(μ-N₂) (M = W, Re, and Os) are examined in detail. Each complex is shown to have a different number of nitrogen-nitrogen and metal-nitrogen π-bonds, indicated as, respectively: W≡N-N≡W, Re═N═N═Re, and Os-N≡N-Os. It follows that each of these Lewis structures represents a distinct class of complexes (diazanyl, diazenyl, and dinitrogen, respectively), in which the μ-N₂ ligand has a different electron donor number (total of 8e^-, 6e^-, or 4e^-, respectively). We show how this classification can greatly aid in understanding and predicting the properties and reactivity patterns of μ-N₂ complexes.

Spin Alternation Rule in USCF for Through-Bond Magnetic Coupling─A New Look: Why and When Does It Arise and How To See It

This work takes a new look at the spin alternation rule in unrestricted self-consistent-field (USCF) calculations in terms of structural characteristics such as periodicity, impurity location, and Coulomb exchange. For clarity, the systems considered are biradicals produced from linear conjugated hydrocarbons. Both site-parametrized Hamiltonian models for theoretical analysis and spin unrestricted density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used. Theoretical analysis leads to the following conclusions: (1) The diradical state is an excited state of a linear chain of N conjugated carbon atoms (when N is about ≤ 10). Spin alternation is a consequence of the (truncated) periodic symmetry combined with filling each closed-shell pi orbital with two electrons and each singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) with one electron. Spin polarization is evident in triplet (T) and broken symmetry (BS) solutions for an odd N and only in the T solution for an even N. Spin alternation is visible in the BS for an odd N and always remains muted in the calculated T. (2) For a doped chain with two radical centers, spin alternation is generally visible in the BS for an odd N. The sign of spin population on the radical centers in the BS indicates the stable spin. For radical centers separated by an odd (even) number of p_z electrons, spin alternation favors T (S) state with FM (AFM) interaction. Spin oscillation remains less transparent for an even N without exchange. (3) In an unrestricted treatment with exchange, spin alternation becomes observable. Without SCF iterations, the more stable state can be identified from a clear spin oscillation in the BS. An irregular oscillation indicates a possible singlet ground state. These observations are supported by density functional calculations using the B3LYP functional and the 6-311+g(d,p) basis set on linear decapentaene diradicals with nitronyl nitroxide moieties substituted on two sets of conjugated atoms, (3,9) and (3,10). Because of the SCF procedure, one finds spin alternation in the T (BS) solution and erratic oscillation in the BS (T) solution of the 3,9 (3,10) diradical in respective equilibrium geometries. The ground state is T (S). DFT adiabatic coupling constants, SOMO energies, spin population plots, and SOMO lobe diagrams compare well with molecular electronic characteristics from theoretical analysis using Hamiltonian parameters.

Revealing the biradicaloid nature inherited in the derivatives of thieno[3,4-c][1,2,5]thiadiazole: a computational study

Computational studies were performed on non-classical thieno[3,4-c][1,2,5] thiadiazole and its pi donor derivatives (TT dyes) so as to delineate the factors responsible for their near-infrared (NIR) absorption. For all dyes except the unsubstituted bare dye, adiabatic singlet-triplet energy gaps (estimated through the ΔSCF procedure using the B3LYP and M062X DFT methods and SFTDDFT with the 5050 functional) were less than 1eV. Percentage calculations of the biradicaloid character suggested a moderate biradicaloid nature in all derivatives. There was a resemblance between the frontier molecular orbital (MO) picture of the TT bicyclic ring and the degenerate non-bonding molecular orbitals of Trimethyleneethane (TME, a known biradical). Inter-fragment charge transfer analysis revealed not only a considerable donation of charge to the central ring (Acceptor, TT part) but also substantial charge redistribution within the ring itself. From these results, it was inferred that NIR absorption, in these dyes, was due to: (1) a reduced HOMO-LUMO gap (HLG) as a TME biradical substructure forms its chromophoric part; and (2) charge transfer from the donor substituents. The non-bonding nature of the S atom, in the bare dye, with its neighbouring N/C atom (of the highest occupied π-MOs), led to an examination of its electronic structure using the ab initio valence bond method. The relatively large weight and energetic stability of the biradicaloid VB structures compared to those of the ylidic structures clearly disclosed the importance of biradicaloid structures in the overall resonance of the bare dye. Their utility as singlet fission materials was screened using singlet and triplet energy-based molecular structure activity criteria. The results were encouraging, demanding experiments to reaffirm the materials' usefulness.

How Do Local Reactivity Descriptors Shape the Potential Energy Surface Associated with Chemical Reactions? The Valence Bond Delocalization Perspective

How do local reactivity descriptors, such as the Fukui function and the local spin density distribution, shape the potential energy surface (PES) associated with chemical reactions and thus govern reactivity trends and regioselective preferences? This is the question that is addressed here through a qualitative valence bond (VB) analysis. We demonstrate that common density functional theory (DFT)-based local reactivity descriptors can essentially be regarded-in one way or another-as indirect measures of delocalization, i.e., resonance stabilization, of the reactants within VB theory. The inherent connection between (spatial) delocalization and (energetic) resonance stabilization embedded in VB theory provides a natural and elegant framework for analyzing and comprehending the impact of individual local reactivity descriptors on the global PES. Our analysis provides new insights into the role played by local reactivity descriptors and illustrates under which conditions they can sometimes fail to predict reactivity trends and regioselective preferences, e.g., in the case of ambident reactivity. This treatment constitutes a first step toward a unification of VB theory and conceptual DFT.

Toward an understanding of electronic excitation energies beyond the molecular orbital picture

Can we gain an intuitive understanding of excitation energies beyond the molecular picture?

The Low Lying Double-Exciton State of Conjugated Diradicals: Assessment of TDUDFT and Spin-Flip TDDFT Predictions

Conjugated singlet ground state diradicals have received remarkable attention owing to their potential applications in optoelectronic devices. A distinctive character of these systems is the location of the double-exciton state, a low lying excited state dominated by the doubly excited HOMO,HOMOLUMO,LUMO configuration, (where HOMO=highest occupied molecular orbital, LUMO=lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) which may influence optical and other photophysical properties. In this contribution we investigate this specific excited state, for a series of recently synthesized conjugated diradicals, employing time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) based on the unrestricted parallel spin reference configuration in the spin-flip formulation (SF-TDDFT) and standard TD calculations based on the unrestricted antiparallel spin reference configuration (TDUDFT). The quality of computed results is assessed considering diradical and multiradical descriptors, and the excited state wavefunction composition.

Captodative Substitution Enhances the Diradical Character of Compounds, Reduces Aromaticity, and Controls Single-Molecule Conductivity Patterns: A Valence Bond Study

The present contribution uses a valence bond (VB) perspective to consider the captodative substitution strategy, a method to enhance the diradical character of (potentially aromatic) compounds. We confirm the qualitative reasoning that has generally been used to rationalize the diradical-character-enhancing effect of captodative substitution: this type of substitution scheme disproportionally stabilizes specific Dewar/diradical(oid) VB structures, thus increasing their weight in the full ground-state wave function. Furthermore, we assess the effect of captodative substitution on the aromaticity of the considered compound. We observe a clear trade-off between diradical character and aromaticity for our model systems: as one of these properties increases, the other decreases. This finding is especially significant within the field of single-molecule electronics because it enables unification of the previously observed inverse proportionality between the aromaticity of a compound and the magnitude of conductance through that molecule, with the observed proportionality between diradical character and the magnitude of conductance associated with a compound. To some extent, both properties, i.e., aromaticity and diradical character, appear to be the flip-sides of the same coin.

Insights into the Trends in the Acidity Strength of Organic and Inorganic Compounds: A Valence-Bond Perspective

Few concepts are more familiar to chemists than the concept of acidity strength. In almost any undergraduate chemistry textbook, one can find lists of factors affecting the acidities of organic and inorganic molecules. The factors, invoked to explain trends in the acidity strength through series of compounds, rely on concepts such as hybridization, delocalization, inductive effects, and electronegativity. Some of these concepts could be considered somewhat fuzzy, whereas others have a rigorous physical definition, yet together they shape the traditional framework used by chemists for the qualitative assessment of acidity strengths. At the same time, a thermodynamic cycle reveals that the acidity of a H-A bond is dependent on only three unequivocally definable quantities: the bond dissociation energy, the electron affinity of A, and the solvent effects. Here we attempt to answer the following questions: "How are the qualitative factors, found in textbooks, related to these quantities?" and "How can we connect this plethora of factors to the nature of the acidic H-A bond being cleaved heterolytically in an acidic dissociation process?" To do so, we turn to valence bond theory and model a generic acidic dissociation process. Within this model, the quantities, determining the acidity strength of an H-A compound (as revealed through the thermodynamic cycling process), arise naturally and lucidly, thus enabling the evaluation of the effects of the different qualitative factors found in the literature on the bonding situation. Our analysis projects surprising and thought-provoking anomalies, which challenge common chemical knowledge.