Jiadan Xue

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

Ultrahigh quantum yields of intersystem crossing to the lowest triplet state T1 are observed for 2-thiouracils (2TU), which is in contrast to the natural uracils that predominantly exhibit ultrafast internal conversion to the ground state upon excitation to the singlet excited state. The intersystem crossing mechanism of 2TU has recently been investigated using second-order perturbation methods with a high-level complete-active space self-consistent field. Three competitive nonadiabatic pathways to the lowest triplet state T1 from the initially populated singlet excited state S2 were proposed. We investigate the initial decay dynamics of 2TU from the light absorbing excited states using resonance Raman spectroscopy, time-dependent wave-packet theory in the simple model, and complete-active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) and time dependent-Beckes three-parameter exchange and correlation functional with the Lee-Yang-Parr correlation functional (TD-B3LYP) calculations. The obtained short-time structural dynamics in easy-to-visualize internal coordinates were compared with the CASSCF(16,11) predicted key nonadiabatic decay routes. Our results indicate that the predominant decay pathway initiated at the Franck-Condon region is toward the S2/S1 conical intersection point and S2T3 intersystem crossing point, but not toward the S2T2 intersystem crossing point.

Structural Dynamics of 3-Dimethylamino-2-methyl-propenal in S2(ππ*) State

The photophysics of 3-dimethylamino-2-methyl-propenal (DMAMP) after excitation to the S2(ππ*) electronic state was studied using the resonance Raman spectroscopy and complete active space self-consistent field method calculations. The transition barriers of the ground state tautomerization reactions between DMAMP and its three isomers were determined at B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. The vibrational spectra were assigned. The A-band resonance Raman spectra were obtained in acetonitrile with excitation wavelengths in resonance with the first intense absorption band to probe the structural dynamics of DMAMP. The B3LYP-TD computation was carried out to determine the relative A-band resonance Raman intensities of the fundamental modes, and the result indicated that the vibronic-coupling existed in Franck-Condon region. Complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations were carried out to determine the excitation energies of the lower-lying singlet and triplet excited states, the conical ...

Solvent-dependent dynamics of hydrogen bonding structure 5-(methylthio)-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole-2(3H)-thione as determined by Raman spectroscopy and theoretical calculation

The vibration spectra of 5-(methylthio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2(3H)-thione (MTTN) in acetonitrile (CH3CN), methanol (CH3OH) and water (H2O) solvents were collected and evaluated via deuterium isotopic substitution Raman spectroscopic experiments. These experiments were combined with the quantum chemical theoretical calculations using the PCM solvent model and normal mode analysis. The results confirmed that the MTTN in CH3CN, CH3OH and H2O have hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) MTTN(solvent)n clusters that produce significantly different Raman intensity patterns in different solvents. Combined with the normal Raman assignment, most resonance Raman spectra were assigned to the vibration modes of the H-bonding MTTN(CH3CN), MTTN(CH3OH)3 and MTTN(H2O)3 clusters in CH3CN, CH3OH and H2O. The theoretically-predicted frequencies and intensities in different surrounding environments enabled reliable assignments of Raman bands. The intermolecular>NH⋯O and >NH⋯N H-bonding interactions are key constituents of stable thione structures in MTTN. This underlines the significant structural differences of MTTN in CH3CN, CH3OH and H2O. H-bonding perturbation of MTTN reveal important insights about the intermolecular excited state proton transfer (ESPT) reaction mechanisms in the Franck-Condon region structural dynamics of the thione→thiol tautomer in CH3OH and H2O.

Spectroscopic investigation on structure and pH dependent Cocrystal formation between gamma-aminobutyric acid and benzoic acid

Vibrational spectroscopic methods, including terahertz absorption and Raman scattering spectroscopy, were utilized for the characterization and analysis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), benzoic acid (BA), and the corresponding GABA-BA cocrystal formation under various pH values of aqueous solution. Vibrational spectroscopic results demonstrated that the solvent GABA-BA cocrystal, similar as grinding counterpart, possessed unique characteristic features compared with that of starting parent compounds. The change of vibrational modes for GABA-BA cocrystal comparing with starting components indicates there is strong inter-molecular interaction between GABA and BA molecules during its cocrystallization process. Formation of GABA-BA cocrystal under slow solvent evaporation is impacted by the pH value of aqueous solution. Vibrational spectra indicate that the GABA-BA cocrystal could be stably formed with the solvent condition of 2.00≤pH≤7.00. In contrast, such cocrystallization did not occur and the cocrystal would dissociate into its parent components when the pH value of solvent is lower than 2.00. This study provides experimental benchmark to discriminate and identify the structure of cocrystal and also pH-dependent cocrystallization effect with vibrational spectroscopic techniques in solid-state pharmaceutical fields.

Investigation into tautomeric polymorphism of 2-thiobarbituric acid using experimental vibrational spectroscopy combined with DFT theoretical simulation

Vibrational modes of 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) tautomeric polymorphs (form I, II and IV) were characterized by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) and Raman spectral techniques. The experimental results indicate that both vibrational spectroscopy techniques could be used to recognize the above TBA three tautomeric forms clearly. Experimental THz spectral results show that each of TBA tautomeric polymorphs has distinctive fingerprint peaks in the terahertz region. Raman spectra also show similar results about differences of TBA tautomeric polymorphs, but not significant as that of terahertz spectra since Raman-active vibrational modes are mostly from intra-molecular interaction of various functional groups within the specific molecule while that of terahertz region is more sensitive to inter-molecular interaction within crystalline unit cells. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) was used to simulate the optimized structures and vibrational modes of these three TBA tautomeric forms above. The characteristic vibrational modes of TBA polymorphs are assigned comparing the simulated DFT results with experimental vibrational spectra. The results provide fundamental benchmark for the study of pharmaceutical polymorphism based on both Raman and terahertz vibrational spectroscopic techniques combined with theoretical simulations.

Investigation into structure and dehydration dynamic of gallic acid monohydrate: A Raman spectroscopic study

The dehydration process of gallic acid monohydrate was carried out by heating method and characterized using Raman spectroscopic technique. Density functional theory calculation with B3LYP function is applied to simulate optimized structures and vibrational frequencies of anhydrous gallic acid and its corresponding monohydrated form. Different vibrational modes are assigned by comparison between experimental and theoretical Raman spectra of above two polymorphs. Raman spectra show that vibrational modes of the monohydrate are distinctively different from those of anhydrous one. Meanwhile, the dynamic information about dehydration process of gallic acid monohydrate could also be observed and monitored directly with the help of Raman spectral analysis. The decay rate of the characteristic band from gallic acid monohydrate and the growth rate of anhydrous one are pretty consistent with each other. It indicates that there is no intermediate present during the dehydration process of gallic acid monohydrate. The results could offer us benchmark works for identifying both anhydrous and hydrated pharmaceutical compounds, characterizing their corresponding molecular conformation within various crystalline forms, and also providing useful information about the process of dehydration dynamic at the microscopic molecular level.

Environment-dependent conformation investigation of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3-AT): Raman Spectroscopy and density functional theory

In the paper, diverse tautomers of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3AT) in solid and polar solvent have been explored by FT-IR, FT-Raman and 488nm Raman experiments combing with quantum chemical theoretical calculation using PCM solvent model and normal mode analysis. The vibrational spectra prefer the 3-amino-1,2,4-2H-triazole (2H-3AT) dimer in solid, while in a polar solvent 3AT is apt to the 3-amino-1,2,4-2H-triazole (2H-3AT) monomer. The significant wavenumber difference and Raman intensity patterns in solid and different solvents are induced by hydrogen bond perturbation along >NH⋯N≤ hydrogen bonds on five-membered N-heterocyclic ring. The ground state proton transfer reaction mechanism along the five-membered N-heterocyclic ring is supported by intermolecular hydrogen bonding between 3AT and protonic solvent molecules.

UV–Vis, Fluorescence, and Resonance Raman Spectroscopic and Density Functional Theoretical Studies on 3-Amino-1,2,4-triazole: Microsolvation and Solvent-Dependent Nonadiabatic Excited State Decay in Solution

The microsolvation and photophysics of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3AT) after excitation to the light-absorbing S2(nπ*) state were studied by using resonance Raman spectroscopy and single component artificial force-induced reaction (SC-AFIR) in a global reaction route mapping (GRRM) strategy. The vibrational spectra were assigned on the basis of experimental data and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The resonance Raman spectra of 3AT were measured to probe the excited state structural dynamics in the Franck-Condon region. The conformations of 3AT(CH3CN)1, 3AT(CH3OH)2, and 3AT(H2O)2 clusters were determined by combining vibrational spectrum experiments and B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) computations. DFT calculations were carried out to obtain the minimal excitation energies of the lower-lying singlet excited states, and the curve-crossing points. It was revealed that the short-time structural dynamics of 3AT were dominated by the N-N stretching coordinates. An excited state decay mechanism is proposed: 3AT is initially excited to the S2(nπ*) state, then the conical intersection (CI) of the S2(nπ*)/S1(ππ*) potential energy surfaces is crossed, and 3AT then decays to the lower solvent-dependent excited state S1(ππ*). It subsequently returns to the S0 state, accompanied by a large Stokes fluorescence shift, which was interpreted as the stabilized S1(ππ*) excited state bonding to several water molecules via intermolecular hydrogen bonding.

Intermolecular Hydrogen Abstraction from Hydroxy Group and Alkyl by T1(ππ*) of 1-Chloro-4-nitronaphthalene

Nanosecond transient absorption and theoretical calculations have been used to investigate the intermolecular hydrogen abstractions from alcohols and 1-naphthol by the lowest excited triplet (T1) of 1-chloro-4-nitronaphthalene upon excitation of the compound in organic solvents. The hydrogen abstraction of T1 from hydroxy group of 1-naphthol takes place through an electron transfer followed by a proton transfer through hydrogen bonding interaction with rate constants of ∼109 M-1 s-1. Hydrogen-bonding is crucial in this process, indicated by the observation of a half reduction for T1 yield when increasing the concentration of 1-naphthol. The hydrogen abstraction in this way can be decelerated by increasing solvent polarity and hydrogen-bonding donor ability. The T1 of 1-chloro-4-nitronaphthalene can undergo one-step H atom abstraction from alkyl hydrogen in alcoholic solvents, with rate constants of ∼104 M-1 s-1, and produce radical intermediates with the absorption maximum at 368 nm. DFT calculation results indicate both oxygens of the nitro group are active sites for hydrogen abstraction, and the difference of activation barriers for formation of two radical isomers is only 1.0 kcal/mol.

Ab Initio Study of Decay Dynamics of 1-Nitronaphthalene Initiated from the S2(ππ* + nNOπ*) State

Irradiation of nitro-PAHs in solution at ambient conditions leads to formation of its lowest excited triplet, dissociation intermediates nitrogen oxide (NO•) and aryloxy radical (Ar-O•). Experimental and theoretical studies demonstrated that Franck-Condon excited singlet state SFC(ππ*) to a receiver, higher-energy triplet state Tn(nπ*) controlled the ultrafast population of the triplet state and, hence, the slight fluorescence yield of nitronaphthalenes. However, the detailed information about the curve-crossings of potential energy surfaces and the major channels for forming T1 species and Ar-O• radical were unclear. Here, by using the CASSCF//CASPT2 method, an efficient decay channel is revealed: S2-FC-1NN → S2-MIN-1NN or S2T3-MIN-1NN → T3-MIN-1NN or T3T2-MIN-1NN→ T2-MIN-1NN or T2T1-MIN-1NN → T1-MIN-1NN. This explains the high yield of T1-1NN species and minor yield of Ar-O• and NO• radicals. The calculation results suggest the bifurcation processes take place predominantly after the internal conversion to the T1-1NN state via T2T1-MIN-1NN, one leads to T1-MIN-1NN, while the other to T1-MIN-ISO to produce Ar-O• and NO• radicals.