Short-time dynamics of 2-thiouracil in the light absorbing S2(ππ∗) state

The impact of the chalcogen-substitution element and initial spectroscopic state on excited-state relaxation pathways in nucleobase photosensitizers: a combination of static and dynamic studies

The substitution of oxygen with chalcogen in carbonyl group(s) of canonical nucleobases gives an impressive triplet generation, enabling their promising applications in medicine and other emerging techniques. The excited-state relaxation S2(ππ*) → S1(nπ*) → T1(ππ*) has been considered the preferred path for triplet generation in these nucleobase derivatives. Here, we demonstrate enhanced quantum efficiency of direct intersystem crossing from S2 to triplet manifold upon substitution with heavier chalcogen elements. The excited-state relaxation dynamics of sulfur/selenium substituted guanines in a vacuum is investigated using a combination of static quantum chemical calculations and on-the-fly excited-state molecular dynamics simulations. We find that in sulfur-substitution the S2 state predominantly decays to the S1 state, while upon selenium-substitution the S2 state deactivation leads to simultaneous population of the S1 and T2,3 states in the same time scale and multi-state quasi-degeneracy region S2/S1/T2,3. Interestingly, the ultrafast deactivation of the spectroscopic S3 state of both studied molecules to the S1 state occurs through a successive S3 → S2 → S1 path involving a multi-state quasi-degeneracy S3/S2/S1. The populated S1 and T2 states will cross the lowest triplet state, and the S1 → T intersystem crossing happens in a multi-state quasi-degeneracy region S1/T2,3/T1 and is accelerated by selenium-substitution. The present study reveals the influence of both the chalcogen substitution element and initial spectroscopic state on the excited-state relaxation mechanism of nucleobase photosensitizers and also highlights the important role of multi-state quasi-degeneracy in mediating the complex relaxation process. These theoretical results provide additional insights into the intrinsic photophysics of nucleobase-based photosensitizers and are helpful for designing novel photo-sensitizers for real applications.

Ultrafast Excited-State Decay Mechanisms of 6-Thioguanine Followed by Sub-20 fs UV Transient Absorption Spectroscopy

Understanding the primary steps following UV photoexcitation in sulphur-substituted DNA bases (thiobases) is fundamental for developing new phototherapeutic drugs. However, the investigation of the excited-state dynamics in sub-100 fs time scales has been elusive until now due to technical challenges. Here, we track the ultrafast decay mechanisms that lead to the electron trapping in the triplet manifold for 6-thioguanine in an aqueous solution, using broadband transient absorption spectroscopy with a sub-20 fs temporal resolution. We obtain experimental evidence of the fast internal conversion from the S₂(ππ*) to the S₁(nπ*) states, which takes place in about 80 fs and demonstrates that the S₁(nπ*) state acts as a doorway to the triplet population in 522 fs. Our results are supported by MS-CASPT2 calculations, predicting a planar S₂(ππ*) pseudo-minimum in agreement with the stimulated emission signal observed in the experiment.

Coherent vibrational modes promote the ultrafast internal conversion and intersystem crossing in thiobases

Thionated nucleobases are obtained by replacing oxygen with sulphur atoms in the canonical nucleobases. They absorb light efficiently in the near-ultraviolet, populating singlet states which undergo intersystem crossing to the...

Mechanistic photophysics and photochemistry of unnatural bases and sunscreen molecules: insights from electronic structure calculations

Photophysics and photochemistry are basic subjects in the study of light-matter interactions and are ubiquitous in diverse fields such as biology, energy, materials, and environment. A full understanding of mechanistic photophysics and photochemistry underpins many recent advances and applications. This contribution first provides a short discussion on the theoretical calculation methods we have used in relevant studies, then we introduce our latest progress on the mechanistic photophysics and photochemistry of two classes of molecular systems, namely unnatural bases and sunscreens. For unnatural bases, we disclose the intrinsic driving forces for the ultrafast population to reactive triplet states, impacts of the position and degree of chalcogen substitutions, and the effects of complex environments. For sunscreen molecules, we reveal the photoprotection mechanisms that dissipate excess photon energy to the surroundings by ultrafast internal conversion to the ground state. Finally, relevant theoretical challenges and outlooks are discussed.

Mechanistic Photophysics of Tellurium-Substituted Uracils: Insights from Multistate Complete-Active-Space Second-Order Perturbation Calculations

The photophysical mechanisms of tellurium-substituted uracils were studied at the multistate complete-active-space second-order perturbation level with a particular focus on how the position and number of tellurium substitutions affect their nonadiabatic relaxation processes. Electronic structure analysis reveals that the lowest several excited states are closely concerned with the n and π orbitals at the Te₇-C₂ [Te₈-C₄] moiety of 2-tellurouracil (2TeU) [4TeU and 24TeU]. Both planar and twisted minima were optimized for 2TeU, whereas only planar ones were obtained for 4TeU and 24TeU, except for a twisted T₁ minimum of 4TeU. Based on intersection structures and linearly interpolated internal coordinate paths, we proposed several feasible excited-state deactivation paths. It is found that the relaxation channels for 2TeU are more complicated than those of 4TeU and 24TeU. The electronic population transfer to the T₁ state for 2TeU is easier than that for 4TeU and 24TeU in consideration of the barrier heights from the S₂ Franck-Condon point to the S₂/S₁ or S₂/T₂ intersections. In addition, the recovery of the ground state from the T₁ state for 2TeU will be more efficient than that for the other two systems as well.

MS-CASPT2 studies on the mechanistic photophysics of tellurium-substituted guanine and cytosine

Sulfur-substituted nucleobases are highly promising photosensitizers that are widely used in photodynamic therapy, and there are numerous studies exploring their unique photophysical behaviors. However, relevant photophysical investigations on selenium and tellurium substitutions are still rare. Herein, the high-level multistate complete-active-space second-order perturbation (MS-CASPT2) method was performed for the first time to explore the excited-state relaxation processes of tellurium-substituted guanine (TeG) and cytosine (TeC). Based on the electronic state properties in the Franck-Condon (FC) region, we found that the lowest five (S0, S1, S2, T1, and T2) and six (S0, S1, S2, T1, T2 and T3) states will participate in the nonadiabatic transition processes of TeG and TeC systems, respectively. In these electronic states, two kinds of minimum and intersection structures (i.e., planar and twisted structures) were obtained for both TeG and TeC systems. The linearly interpolated internal coordinate (LIIC) paths and spin-orbit coupling (SOC) constants revealed several possible planar and twisted excited-state decay channels, which could lead the systems to the lowest reactive triplet state of T1. Small energy barriers in the T1 state will trap the TeG and TeC systems for a while before they finally populate to the ground state. Although tellurium substitution would further redshift the absorption wavelength and enhance the intersystem crossing (ISC) rate to the T1 state compared with sulfur and selenium substitutions, the rapid ISC process of T1 → S0 may make it a less effective photosensitizer to sensitize the molecular oxygen. We believe our present work will provide important mechanistic insights into the photophysics of tellurium-substituted nucleobases.

Selenium substitution effects on excited-state properties and photophysics of uracil: a MS-CASPT2 study

The photophysics of selenium-substituted nucleobases has attracted recent experimental attention because they could serve as potential photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy. Herein, we present a comprehensive MS-CASPT2 study on the spectroscopic and excited-state properties, and photophysics of 2-selenouracil (2SeU), 4-selenouracil (4SeU), and 2,4-selenouracil (24SeU). Relevant minima, conical intersections, crossing points, and excited-state relaxation paths in the lowest five electronic states (i.e., S₀, S₁, S₂, T₂, and T₁) are explored. On the basis of these results, their photophysical mechanisms are proposed. Upon photoirradiation to the bright S₂ state, 2SeU quickly relaxes to its S₂ minimum and then moves in an essentially barrierless way to a nearby S₂/S₁ conical intersection near which the S₁ state is populated. Next, the S₁ system arrives at an S₁/T₂/T₁ intersection where a large S₁/T₁ spin-orbit coupling of 430.8 cm^-1 makes the T₁ state populated. In this state, a barrier of 6.8 kcal mol^-1 will trap 2SeU for a while. In parallel, for 4SeU or 24SeU, the system first relaxes to the S₂ minimum and then overcomes a small barrier to approach an S₂/S₁ conical intersection. Once hopping to the S₁ state, there exists an extended region with very close S₁, T₂, and T₁ energies. Similarly, a large S₁/T₁ spin-orbit coupling of 426.8 cm^-1 drives the S₁→ T₁ intersystem crossing process thereby making the T₁ state populated. Similarly, an energy barrier heavily suppresses electronic transition to the S₀ state. The present work manifests that different selenium substitutions on uracil can lead to a certain extent of different vertical and adiabatic excitation energies, excited-state properties, and relaxation pathways. These insights could help understand the photophysics of selenium-substituted nucleobases.

The excited-state relaxation mechanism of potential UVA-activated phototherapeutic molecules: trajectory surface hopping simulations of both 4-thiothymine and 2,4-dithiothymine

Recent experimental investigations of the photochemical properties of a series of sulfur-substituted pyrimidine derivatives provide insights into the phototherapeutic potential of these nucleobase variants. Herein we elucidate the triplet formation mechanism of two prospective UVA-activated phototherapeutic molecules, 4-thiothymine and 2,4-dithiothymine, upon photo-excitation by applying the trajectory surface hopping dynamics at the LR-TDDFT level. Our simulations reasonably reproduce the experimental time constants and demonstrate the preferred triplet formation pathway which starts from the S₁(n_Sπ*) state for both molecules. It is found that deactivation of the first bright state to the S₁(n_Sπ*) state proceeds through a mechanism involving elongation of the C5-C6 and C4-S8 bond-lengths and C2-pyramidalization in 4-thiothymine and involving elongation of the C5-C6 and C2-S7 bond-lengths in 2,4-dithiothymine. The intersystem crossing of 2,4-dithiothymine occurs either at geometries characterized by elongated C5-C6 and C2-S7 bond-lengths or at geometries showing elongated C5-C6 and C4-S8 bond-lengths as seen in 4-thiothymine. The solvents are found to affect the S₂ state decay of 4-thiothymine, leading to a competing pathway between S₂→ S₁ and S₂→ T₃. This study provides a molecular-level understanding of the underlying excited-state relaxation of the two UVA-activated thiopyrimidines, which may be linked to their potential applications in pharmacological science and also prove helpful for designing more effective phototherapeutic agents.

Theoretical studies on photo-induced cycloaddition and (6-4) reactions of the thymidine:4-thiothymidine dimer in a DNA duplex

Photo-induced cycloaddition and (6-4) reactions of the thymidine:4-thiothymidine dimer in a DNA duplex.

Photochemical and Photodynamical Properties of Sulfur-Substituted Nucleic Acid Bases

Sulfur-substituted nucleobases (a.k.a., thiobases) are among the world's leading prescriptions for chemotherapy and immunosuppression. Long-term treatment with azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine and 6-thioguanine has been correlated with the photoinduced formation of carcinomas. Establishing an in-depth understanding of the photochemical properties of these prodrugs may provide a route to overcoming these carcinogenic side effects, or, alternatively, a basis for developing effective compounds for targeted phototherapy. In this review, a broad examination is undertaken, surveying the basic photochemical properties and excited-state dynamics of sulfur-substituted analogs of the canonical DNA and RNA nucleobases. A molecular-level understanding of how sulfur substitution so remarkably perturbs the photochemical properties of the nucleobases is presented by combining experimental results with quantum-chemical calculations. Structure-property relationships demonstrate the impact of site-specific sulfur substitution on the photochemical properties, particularly on the population of the reactive triplet state. The value of fundamental photochemical investigations for driving the development of ultraviolet-A chemotherapeutics is showcased. The most promising photodynamic agents identified thus far have been investigated in various carcinoma cell lines and shown to decrease cell proliferation upon exposure to ultraviolet-A radiation. Overarching principles have been elucidated for the impact that sulfur substitution of the carbonyl oxygen has on the photochemical properties of the nucleobases.

Internal conversion and intersystem crossing pathways in UV excited, isolated uracils and their implications in prebiotic chemistry

The photodynamic properties of molecules determine their ability to survive in harsh radiation environments. As such, the photostability of heterocyclic aromatic compounds to electromagnetic radiation is expected to have been one of the selection pressures influencing the prebiotic chemistry on early Earth. In the present study, the gas-phase photodynamics of uracil, 5-methyluracil (thymine) and 2-thiouracil-three heterocyclic compounds thought to be present during this era-are assessed in the context of their recently proposed intersystem crossing pathways that compete with internal conversion to the ground state. Specifically, time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy measurements evidence femtosecond to picosecond timescales for relaxation of the singlet (1)ππ* and (1)nπ* states as well as for intersystem crossing to the triplet manifold. Trapping in the excited triplet state and intersystem crossing back to the ground state are investigated as potential factors contributing to the susceptibility of these molecules to ultraviolet photodamage.

Mechanism of enhanced triplet decay of thionucleobase by glycosylation and rate-modulating strategies

Functionalization of the sugar group can be used to control the triplet decay rate of thionucleosides.

Evidence for a Double Well in the First Triplet Excited State of 2-Thiouracil

The computationally predicted presence of two structurally distinct minima in the first triplet excited (T₁) state of 2-thiouracil (2TU) is substantiated by sub-picosecond transient vibrational absorption spectroscopy (TVAS) in deuterated acetonitrile solution. Following 300 nm ultraviolet excitation to the second singlet excited state of 2TU, a transient infrared absorption band centered at 1643 cm^-1 is observed within our minimum time resolution of 0.3 ps. It is assigned either to 2TU molecules in the S₁ state or to vibrationally hot T₁-state molecules, with the latter assignment more consistent with recent computational and experimental studies. The 1643 cm^-1 band decays with a time constant of 7.2 ± 0.8 ps, and there is corresponding growth of several further bands centered at 1234, 1410, 1424, 1443, 1511, 1626, and 1660 cm^-1 which show no decline in intensity over the 1 ns time limit of our measurements. These spectral features are assigned to two different conformations of 2TU, corresponding to separate energy minima on the T₁-state potential energy surface, on the basis of their extended lifetimes, computed infrared frequencies, and the observed quenching of the bands by addition of styrene. Corresponding measurements for the 4-thiouracil (4TU) isomer show sub-picosecond population of the T₁ state, which vibrationally cools with a time constant of 5.2 ± 0.6 ps. However, TVAS measurements in the carbonyl stretching region do not distinguish the two computed T₁-state conformers of 4TU because of the similarity of their vibrational frequencies.

Photophysics and Photochemistry of Canonical Nucleobases’ Thioanalogs: From Quantum Mechanical Studies to Time Resolved Experiments

Interest in understanding the photophysics and photochemistry of thiated nucleobases has been awakened because of their possible involvement in primordial RNA or their potential use as photosensitizers in medicinal chemistry. The interpretation of the photodynamics of these systems, conditioned by their intricate potential energy surfaces, requires the powerful interplay between experimental measurements and state of the art molecular simulations. In this review, we provide an overview on the photophysics of natural nucleobases’ thioanalogs, which covers the last 30 years and both experimental and computational contributions. For all the canonical nucleobase’s thioanalogs, we have compiled the main steady state absorption and emission features and their interpretation in terms of theoretical calculations. Then, we revise the main topographical features, including stationary points and interstate crossings, of their potential energy surfaces based on quantum mechanical calculations and we conclude, by combining the outcome of different spectroscopic techniques and molecular dynamics simulations, with the mechanism by which these nucleobase analogs populate their triplet excited states, which are at the origin of their photosensitizing properties.

A theoretical study of the light-induced cross-linking reaction of 5-fluoro-4-thiouridine with thymine

In contrast to photophysics of thio-substituted nucleobases, their photoinduced cross-linking reactions with canonical nucleobases remain scarcely investigated computationally. In this work, we have adopted combined CASPT2/PCM//CASSCF and B3LYP-D3/PCM electronic structure methods to study this kind of photochemical reaction of 5-fluoro-4-thiouridine (truncated 5-fluoro-1-methyl-4-thiouracil used in calculations) and 1-methylthymine (referred to as thymine for clarity hereinafter). On the basis of CASPT2/PCM computed results, we have proposed two efficient excited-state relaxation pathways to populate the lowest T₁ state of the complex of 5-fluoro-1-methyl-4-thiouracil and thymine from its initially populated S₂(¹ππ*) state. In the first one, the S₂ system first hops to the S₁ state via an S₂/S₁ conical intersection, followed by a direct S₁ → T₁ intersystem crossing process enhanced by large S₁/T₁ spin-orbit coupling. In the second path, the resultant S₁ system first jumps to the T₂ state, from which an efficient T₂ → T₁ internal conversion occurs. The T₁ cross-linking reaction is overall divided into two phases. The first phase is a stepwise and nonadiabatic photocyclization reaction, which starts from the T₁ complex and ends up with an S₀ thietane intermediate. The second phase is a thermal reaction. The system first rearranges its four- and six-membered rings to form three new rings; then, an S₀ fluorine atom transfer occurs, followed by the formation of photoproducts. Finally, the present work paves the way for studying light-induced cross-linking reactions of thionucleobases with canonical bases in DNA and RNA.

Short-time dynamics and decay mechanism of 2(1H)-pyridinone upon excitation to the light-absorbing S4(21𝝅𝝅*) state

The excited-state structural dynamics and the decay mechanism of 2(1H)-pyridinone (NHP) after excitation to the S₄(2¹ππ^*) light-absorbing state were studied using resonance Raman spectroscopy and complete-active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations. The B-band absorption cross-section and the corresponding absolute resonance Raman cross-sections were simulated using a simple model based on time-dependent wave-packet theory. The geometric structures of the singlet electronic excited states and their curve-crossing points were optimized at the CASSCF level of theory. The obtained short-time structural dynamics in easy-to-visualize internal coordinates were then compared with the CASSCF-predicted structural-parameter changes of S₄(2¹ππ^*)/S₃(2¹nπ^*)-MIN, S₄(2¹ππ^*)/S₁(1¹nπ^*)-MIN, and S₄(2¹ππ^*)-MIN. Our results indicate that the initial population of NHP in the S₄ state bifurcates in or near the Franck-Condon region, leading to two predominant (S₄S₃-MIN and S₄S₁-MIN) internal conversion pathways. The lowest-lying S₂(1¹ππ^*) excited state is finally formed via subsequent internal conversions S₃(2¹nπ^*)/S₂(1¹ππ^*)-MIN and S₁(1¹nπ^*)/S₂(1¹ππ^*)-MIN. The enol-keto tautomeric mechanism does not seem to play a role. The decay mechanism in the singlet realm is proposed.

On the decay of the triplet state of thionucleobases

The double-well triplet state of thionucleobases allows for a two-step mechanistic control of their triplet decay lifetime.

Optical absorption and magnetic circular dichroism spectra of thiouracils: a quantum mechanical study in solution

The excited electronic states of thiouracils, the analogues of uracil where the carbonyl oxygens are substituted by sulphur atoms, have been investigated by computing the magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and one-photon absorption (OPA) spectra at the TD-DFT level of theory.

Electronic relaxation pathways of the biologically relevant pterin chromophore

Femtosecond-to-microsecond transient absorption spectroscopy is used to report the ultrafast relaxation mechanism of 2-amino-1H-pteridin-4-one (pterin) for the first time.

The excited-state decay mechanism of 2,4-dithiothymine in the gas phase, microsolvated surroundings, and aqueous solution

We have employed computational methods to systematically explore the excited-state decay mechanism of 2,4-dithiothymine.