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Quantum Monte Carlo Algebraic Diagrammatic Construction (QMCADC) has been proposed as a reformulation of the second-order ADC scheme for the polarization propagator within the projection quantum Monte Carlo formalism. Dense-sparse partitioning and importance ranking filtering strategies are now exploited to accelerate its convergence and to alleviate the sign problem inherent in such calculations. By splitting the configuration space into dense and sparse subsets, the corresponding projection operator is decomposed into four distinct blocks. Deterministic calculations handle the dense-to-dense and sparse-to-dense blocks, while the remaining blocks, dense-to-sparse and sparse-to-sparse, are stochastically evaluated. The dense set is efficiently stored in a fixed-size array, and the sparse set is represented through conventional floating random Monte Carlo walks. The stochastic projection is further refined through importance ranking criteria, enabling a reduction in the required number of walkers with a controllable bias. Our results demonstrate the integration of dense-sparse partitioning with importance ranking filtering to significantly enhance the efficiency of QMCADC, enabling large-scale molecular excited-state calculations. Furthermore, this novel approach maximizes the utilization of the sparsity of ADC(2), transforming QMCADC into a tailored framework for ADC calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present the Markovian Multiagent Monte-Carlo Second Order Self-Consistent Field Algorithm (M3-SOSCF). This algorithm provides a highly reliable methodology for converging SCF calculations in single-reference methods using a modified differential evolution approach. Additionally, M3 is embarrassingly parallel and modular in regards to Newton–Raphson subroutines. We show that M3 is able to surpass contemporary SOSCFs in reliability, which is illustrated by a benchmark employing poor initial guesses and a second benchmark with SCF calculations which face difficulties using standard SCF algorithms. Furthermore, we analyse inherent properties of M3 and show that in addition to its robustness and efficiency, it is more user-friendly than current SOSCFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intermediate state representation (ISR) formalism allows for the straightforward calculation of excited state properties and state-to-state transition moments using the algebraic-diagrammatic construction (ADC) scheme for the polarization propagator. Here, the derivation and implementation of the ISR in third-order perturbation theory for the one-particle operator are presented, enabling, for the first time, the calculation of consistent third-order ADC [ADC(3)] properties. The accuracy of ADC(3) properties is evaluated with respect to high-level reference data and compared to the previously used ADC(2) and ADC(3/2) schemes. Oscillator strengths and excited state dipole moments are computed, and typical response properties are considered: dipole polarizabilities, first-order hyperpolarizabilities, and two-photon absorption strengths. The consistent third-order treatment of the ISR leads to an accuracy similar to that of the mixed-order ADC(3/2) method; the individual performance, however, depends on the property and molecule under investigation. ADC(3) produces slightly improved results in the case of oscillator strengths and two-photon absorption strengths, while excited state dipole moments, dipole polarizabilities, and first-order hyperpolarizabilities exhibit similar accuracy at ADC(3) and ADC(3/2) levels. Taking the significant increase of central processing unit time and memory requirements of the consistent ADC(3) approach into account, the mixed-order ADC(3/2) scheme offers a better compromise between accuracy and efficiency for the properties considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their nitrogen‐substituted analogues are of great interest for various applications in organic electronics. The performance of such devices is determined not only by the properties of the single molecules, but also by the structure of their aggregates, which often form via self‐aggregation. Gaining insight into such aggregation processes is a challenging task, but crucial for a fine‐tuning of the materials properties. In this work, an efficient approach for the generation and characterisation of aggregates is described, based on matrix‐isolation experiments and quantum‐chemical calculations. This approach is exemplified for aggregation of acridine. The acridine dimer and trimer are thoroughly analysed on the basis of experimental and calculated UV and IR absorption spectra, which agree well with each other. Thereby a novel structure of the acridine dimer is found, which disagrees with a previously reported one. The calculations also show the changes from excitonic coupling towards orbital interactions between two molecules with decreasing distance to each other. In addition, a structure of the trimer is determined. Finally, an outlook is given on how even higher aggregates can be made accessible through experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an implementation for the calculation of molecular response properties using the algebraic-diagrammatic construction (ADC)/intermediate state representation approach. For the second-order ADC model [ADC(2)], a memory-efficient ansatz avoiding the storage of double excitation amplitudes is investigated. We compare the performance of different numerical algorithms for the solution of the underlying response equations for ADC(2) and show that our approach also strongly improves the convergence behavior for the investigated algorithms compared with the standard implementation. All routines are implemented in an open-source Python library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular photoswitches are widely used in material sciences, physics, chemistry, and biology. As needs grow more complex, materials have to react more than one‐dimensionally. The use of multiple photoswitches at once opens manifold opportunities for further improved and more complicated systems. However, this requires independent addressability, i.e., orthogonality, and reversible processes. Herein, the first study on ultrafast excited state dynamics of two orthogonal photoswitches, a push‐pull azobenzene and a donor‐acceptor Stenhouse adduct is reported. In order to gain detailed insight in their interactions and mutual influences on their photoswitching behavior, they are addressed individually and simultaneously via transient absorption spectroscopy supported by quantum chemical calculations. They show reversible photoswitchability and in addition, can be used in 4D printing to provide easy access to a plethora of functional devices. Furthermore, environmental influences on the excited state dynamics are examined using different solvents and thin films. Both compounds photoisomerize independently when addressed individually or simultaneously and only little impacts on the excited state dynamics are found. Especially the vibrational relaxation is affected by different surroundings changing the energy dissipation while hardly affecting the electronic states involved. The orthogonal and simultaneous addressability is thereby crucial for their usage in 4D printed microactuators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an implementation of the B term of Magnetic Circular Dichroism (MCD) within the Algebraic Diagrammatic Construction (ADC) scheme of the polarization propagator and its Intermediate State Representation. As illustrative results, the MCD spectra of the ADC variants ADC(2), ADC(2)-x, and ADC(3) of the molecular systems uracil, 2-thiouracil, 4-thiouracil, purine, hypoxanthine 1,4-naphthoquinone, 9,10-anthraquinone, and 1-naphthylamine are computed and compared with results obtained by using the Resolution-of-Identity Coupled-Cluster Singles and Approximate Doubles method, with literature Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory results, and with available experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compounds with multiple photoswitching units are appealing for complex photochemical control of molecular materials and nanostructures. Herein, we synthesized novel meta‐ and para‐ connected (related to the nitrogen of the indoline) azobenzene‐spiropyran dyads, in which the central benzene unit is shared by both switches. We investigated their photochemistry using static and time‐resolved transient absorption spectroscopy as well as quantum chemical calculations. In the meta‐compound, the individual components are photochemically decoupled due to the meta‐pattern. In the para‐compound the spiro‐connectivity leads to a bifunctional photoswitchable system with a red‐shifted absorption. The azobenzene and the spiropyran can thus be addressed and switched independently by light of appropriate wavelength. Through the different connectivity patterns two different orthogonally photoswitchable systems have been obtained which are promising candidates for complex applications of light control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compounds with multiple photoswitching units are appealing for complex photochemical control of molecular materials and nanostructures. Herein, we synthesized novel meta‐ and para‐ connected (related to the nitrogen of the indoline) azobenzene‐spiropyran dyads, in which the central benzene unit is shared by both switches. We investigated their photochemistry using static and time‐resolved transient absorption spectroscopy as well as quantum chemical calculations. In the meta‐compound, the individual components are photochemically decoupled due to the meta‐pattern. In the para‐compound the spiro‐connectivity leads to a bifunctional photoswitchable system with a red‐shifted absorption. The azobenzene and the spiropyran can thus be addressed and switched independently by light of appropriate wavelength. Through the different connectivity patterns two different orthogonally photoswitchable systems have been obtained which are promising candidates for complex applications of light control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light-triggered molecular switches are extensively researched for their applications in medicine, chemistry and material science and, if combined, particularly for their use in multifunctional smart materials, for which orthogonally, i.e. individually, addressable photoswitches are needed. In such a multifunctional mixture, the switching properties, efficiencies and the overall performance may be impaired by undesired mutual dependences of the photoswitches on each other. Within this study, we compare the performance of the pure photoswitches, namely an azobenzene derivative (Azo) and a donor–acceptor Stenhouse adduct (DASA), with the switching properties of their mixture using time-resolved temperature-dependent UV/VIS absorption spectroscopy, time-resolved IR absorption spectroscopy at room temperature and quantum mechanical calculations to determine effective cross sections, switching kinetics as well as activation energies of thermally induced steps. We find slightly improved effective cross sections, percentages of switched molecules and no increased activation barriers of the equimolar mixture compared to the single compounds. Thus, the studied mixture Azo + DASA is very promising for future applications in multifunctional smart materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A π‐expanded X‐type double [5]helicene comprising dihydropyracylene moieties was synthesized from commercially available acenaphthene. X‐ray crystallographic analysis revealed the unique highly twisted structure of the compound resulting in the occurrence of two enantiomers which were separated by chiral HPLC, owing to their high conformational stability. The compound shows strongly bathochromically shifted UV/vis absorption and emission bands with small Stokes shift and considerable photoluminescence quantum yield and circular polarized luminescence response. The electrochemical studies revealed five facilitated reversible redox events, including three reductions and two oxidations, thus qualifying the compound as chiral multistage redox amphoter. The experimental findings are in line with the computational studies based on density functional theory pointing towards increased spatial extension of the frontier molecular orbitals over the polycyclic framework and a considerably narrowed HOMO–LUMO gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different approaches to mixed-order algebraic-diagrammatic construction (ADC) schemes are investigated. The performance of two different strategies for scaling third-order contributions to the ADC secular matrix is evaluated. Both considered schemes employ a single tuning parameter and conserve general properties inherent to all ADC methods, such as hermiticity and size-consistency. The first approach, scaled-matrix ADC[(2) + x(3)], scales all contributions first occurring in ADC(3) equally and leads to an improvement of the accuracy of excitation energies compared to ADC(3) for x = 0.4–0.5. However, with respect to excited state dipole moments, this method provides lower accuracy than ADC(3). The second scaling approach, MP[(1) + x(2)] − ISR(3), scales the second order contributions of the ground-state wavefunction and derives a rigorous ADC scheme via the intermediate state representation formalism. Although the error in excitation energies is not improved, this method provides insight into the relevance of the individual terms of the ADC(3) matrix and indicates that the MP(2) wavefunction is, indeed, the optimal reference wavefunction for deriving a third-order single-reference ADC scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes a novel approach for the calculation of ionization potentials (IPs), or, more generally, electron-detachment energies, based on a unitary coupled-cluster (UCC) parameterization of the ground-state wave function. Explicit working equations for a scheme referred to as IP-UCC3 are given, providing electron-detachment energies and spectroscopic amplitudes of electron-detached states dominated by one-hole excitations correct through third order. In the derivation, an expansion of the UCC transformed Hamiltonian involving Bernoulli numbers as expansion coefficients is employed. Both the secular matrix and the effective transition moments are shown to be essentially equivalent to the strict third-order algebraic-diagrammatic construction scheme for the electron propagator (IP-ADC). Interestingly, due to the Bernoulli expansion, neglecting triple substitutions in the UCC expansion manifold does not affect the third-order consistency of the IP-UCC effective transition moments. Finally, the equivalence between ADC and UCC excited-state schemes is shown to not hold in fourth or higher order due to a different treatment of the correlated excited-state basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of several methods for the calculation of vertical ionization potentials (IPs) or, more generally, electron-detachment energies based on unitary coupled-cluster (UCC) theory and the algebraic-diagrammatic construction (ADC) scheme is evaluated with respect to benchmark data computed at the level of equation-of-motion coupled-cluster theory, including single, double, and triple excitations (IP-EOM-CCSDT). Based on a statistical evaluation of about 200 electron-detached states of 41 molecules, the second-order methods IP-ADC(2) and IP-UCC2 show modest accuracies with IP-EOM-CCSDT as reference, exposing a mean signed error and a standard deviation of the error of −0.54 ± 0.50 and −0.49 ± 0.54 eV, respectively, accompanied by a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.61 and 0.58 eV, respectively. The strict third-order IP-ADC method demonstrates an accuracy of 0.26 ± 0.35 eV (MAE = 0.35 eV), while the IP-UCC3 method is slightly more accurate with 0.24 ± 0.26 eV (MAE = 0.29 eV). Employing the static self-energy computed using the Dyson expansion method (DEM) improves the IP-ADC(3) performance to 0.27 ± 0.28 eV, with the mean absolute error of this method being 0.32 eV. However, employing the simpler improved fourth-order scheme Σ(4+) for the static self-energy provides almost identical results as the DEM. Based on the quality of the present benchmark results, it therefore appears not necessary to use the computationally more demanding DEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) algebraic diagrammatic construction (ADC) method is introduced, which solves the eigenvalue problem of the second-order ADC scheme for the polarization propagator stochastically within the framework of QMC methodology allowing for massively parallel computations. As common virtue of the Monte Carlo integration techniques, quantum Monte Carlo algebraic diagrammatic construction (QMCADC) enables exploitation of the sparsity of the effective ADC matrix, and it reduces the memory requirements by storing only a portion of configurations at each iteration. Furthermore, distributing memory and processing loads to different computing nodes enables the use of fast developing parallel computing resources. Here, the theory and implementation of QMCADC is reported and its viability is demonstrated by the first proof-of-principle calculations. The focus lies on the first excited state and the reproduction of the corresponding lowest vertical excitation energy of various molecular systems. QMCADC is shown to be a genuine stochastic solution of the ADC eigenvalue problem, and exact ADC values can be obtained with a marginal controllable error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, matrix‐isolation spectroscopy and quantum‐chemical calculations are used together to analyse the structure and properties of weakly bound dimers of the two isomers benzo[a]acridine and benzo[c]acridine. Our measured experimental electronic absorbance spectra agree with simulated spectra calculated for the equilibrium structures of the dimers in gas‐phase, but in contrast, disagree with the simulated spectra calculated for the structures obtained by optimising the experimental solid‐state structures. This highlights the sensitivity of the electronic excitations with respect to the dimer structures. The comparison between the solid‐state and gas‐phase dimers shows how far the intermolecular interactions could change the geometric and electronic structure in a disordered bulk material or at device interfaces, imposing consequences for exciton and charge mobility and other material properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four substituted nonacenes were prepared and characterized by UV‐vis and EPR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. The compounds are the most stable and soluble nonacenes to date – due to six strategically placed triisopropylsilyl(TIPS)‐ethynyl groups. They are stable for several weeks in the solid state. In dilute solution their half‐life is 5–9 h. Crystal structure analyses of two nonacenes prove their structures. A nonacene derivative was tested in a solution‐processed transistor and exhibits ambipolar charge transport (μe=0.007 cm2/Vs; μh=0.023 cm2/Vs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two series of regioisomeric dicyanomethylene substituted dithienodiazatetracenes with formal para‐ or ortho‐quinodimethane subunits were synthesized and characterized. Whereas the para‐isomers (p‐n, diradical index y0=0.01) are stable and isolable, the ortho‐isomer (y0=0.98) dimerizes into a covalent azaacene cage. Four elongated σ‐CC bonds are formed and the former triisopropylsilyl(TIPS) ‐ethynylene groups transformed into cumulene units. The azaacene cage dimer (o‐1)2 was characterized by X‐ray single crystal structure analysis and temperature‐dependent infrared (IR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR, solid‐state), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ultraviolet‐visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopies (solution) indicating reformation of o‐1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Angewandte Chemie is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

N-Heteropolycycles (NHPCs) represent a promising substance class for applications in functional organic materials, since their electronic structure and the resulting individual molecular properties are efficiently tuneable by number and position of nitrogen atoms in the aromatic structural backbone. The isosteric replacement of a C–H unit by N leaves the geometric structure unchanged, while ionization potential, electron affinity and absorption spectra are altered. In this prespective, we present the potent combination of two-photon photoelectron spectroscopy (2PPE) and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) with quantum chemical calculations for the investigation of the electronic structure of NHCPs. In contrast to conventional optical spectroscopies, 2PPE provides insight into electron-detached and attached electronic states of NHCPs, while HREELS delivers the energetic position of the lowest triplet states. Based on our comprehensive investigations, an extension of Platt's famous nomenclature of the low-lying excited ππ* states could be suggested for NHPCs based on the physical properties of the corresponding excitons. Also, the influence of N-introduction onto the occurrence of the so-called α-band in NHPCs compared to the parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons could be explained in detail. While N-substitution of C–H in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is often seen as a simple isosteric replacement, it has a strong influence on the electronic structure and the resulting properties. Therefore rules derived for PAHs can often only be transferred to a limited extent or not at all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incorporation of heteroatoms into hydrocarbon compounds greatly expands the chemical space of molecular materials. In this context, B−N doping takes a center stage due to its isosterism with a C=C‐bond. Herein, we present a new and modular synthetic concept to access novel diazadiborabenzo[b]triphenylenes 7 a–h using the B−N doped biradical 16 as intermediate. Characterization of the photophysical properties revealed the emission spectra of the diazadibora benzo[b]triphenylenes 7 a–h can conveniently be tuned by small changes of the substitution on the boron‐atom. All of the diazadibora compounds show a short life‐time phosphorescence. Additionally, we were able to rationalize the excited‐state relaxation of the diazadiboraacene 7 a via intersystem crossing by quantum chemical calculations. The new synthetic strategy provides an elegant route to various novel B−N doped acenes with great potential for applications in molecular materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incorporation of heteroatoms into hydrocarbon compounds greatly expands the chemical space of molecular materials. In this context, B−N doping takes a center stage due to its isosterism with a C=C‐bond. Herein, we present a new and modular synthetic concept to access novel diazadiborabenzo[b]triphenylenes 7 a–h using the B−N doped biradical 16 as intermediate. Characterization of the photophysical properties revealed the emission spectra of the diazadibora benzo[b]triphenylenes 7 a–h can conveniently be tuned by small changes of the substitution on the boron‐atom. All of the diazadibora compounds show a short life‐time phosphorescence. Additionally, we were able to rationalize the excited‐state relaxation of the diazadiboraacene 7 a via intersystem crossing by quantum chemical calculations. The new synthetic strategy provides an elegant route to various novel B−N doped acenes with great potential for applications in molecular materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetraiodotetraazapentacene I4TAP, the last missing derivative in the series of halogenated silylated tetraazapentacenes, was synthesized via condensation chemistry from a TIPS‐ethynylated diaminobenzothiadiazol in three steps. Single and double reduction furnished its air‐stable monoanion and relatively air‐stable dianion, both of which were characterized by crystallography. All three species are structurally and spectroscopically compared to non‐halogenated TAP and Br4TAP. I4TAP is an n‐channel material in thin‐film transistors with average electron mobilities exceeding 1 cm2 (Vs)−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular solar thermal (MOST) systems combine solar energy conversion, storage, and release in simple one‐photon one‐molecule processes. Here, we address the electrochemically triggered energy release from an azothiophene‐based MOST system by photoelectrochemical infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PEC‐IRRAS) and density functional theory (DFT). Specifically, the electrochemically triggered back‐reaction from the energy rich (Z)‐3‐cyanophenylazothiophene to its energy lean (E)‐isomer using highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) as the working electrode was studied. Theory predicts that two reaction channels are accessible, an oxidative one (hole‐catalyzed) and a reductive one (electron‐catalyzed). Experimentally it was found that the photo‐isomer decomposes during hole‐catalyzed energy release. Electrochemically triggered back‐conversion was possible, however, through the electron‐catalyzed reaction channel. The reaction rate could be tuned by the electrode potential within two orders of magnitude. It was shown that the MOST system withstands 100 conversion cycles without detectable decomposition of the photoswitch. After 100 cycles, the photochemical conversion was still quantitative and the electrochemically triggered back‐reaction reached 94 % of the original conversion level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prepared and studied six atropisomers with different chiroptical properties emerging from a single, robust, broadly‐absorbing fulgide photoswitch. After separation of the different atropisomers via HPLC on a chiral column, their isomerization processes at room temperature and the energy barriers of the different species were investigated in detail using spectroscopic and theoretical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buchwald‐Hartwig coupling of a triisopropylsilyl (TIPS)‐ethynylated dibromo‐N,N'‐dihydrotetraazapentacene with 1,4‐bis(TIPS‐ethynyl)‐2,3‐diaminonaphthalene furnishes a dihydrohexaazaoctacene. Its oxidation with MnO2 results in a 7,7'‐bi(hexaazaoctacenyl). In addition to eight TIPS‐ethynyl groups, the bioctacene motif protects the azaoctacene subunits. The biazaoctacenyl displays a τ1/2 of > 5 d in dilute solution under ambient conditions. In the crystalline state it is persistent for > 10 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We disclose a successive π‐expansion of pyracylene towards boat‐shaped polycyclic scaffolds. The unique structural features of the resulting compounds were revealed by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. Depending on the extent of π‐expansion the compounds display intense bathochromically shifted absorption bands in their UV/Vis spectra and are prone to several redox events as documented by cyclic voltammetry. The experimental observations are in line with the computational studies based on density functional theory, suggesting progressive narrowing of the HOMO–LUMO gap and distinct evolution of the electronic structure and aromaticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report a series of azobenzene‐substituted triptycenes. In their design, these switching units were placed in close proximity, but electronically separated by a sp3 center. The azobenzene switches were prepared by Baeyer–Mills coupling as key step. The isomerization behavior was investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and HPLC. It was shown that all azobenzene moieties are efficiently switchable. Despite the geometric decoupling of the chromophores, computational studies revealed excitonic coupling effects between the individual azobenzene units depending on the connectivity pattern due to the different transition dipole moments of the π→π* excitations. Transition probabilities for those excitations are slightly altered, which is also revealed in their absorption spectra. These insights provide new design parameters for combining multiple photoswitches in one molecule, which have high potential as energy or information storage systems, or, among others, in molecular machines and supramolecular chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An open‐source software library for wavefunction analysis, libwfa, provides a comprehensive and flexible toolbox for post‐processing excited‐state calculations, featuring a hierarchy of interconnected visual and quantitative analysis methods. These tools afford compact graphical representations of various excited‐state processes, provide detailed insight into electronic structure, and are suitable for automated processing of large data sets. The analysis is based on reduced quantities, such as state and transition density matrices (DMs), and allows one to distill simple molecular orbital pictures of physical phenomena from intricate correlated wavefunctions. The implemented descriptors provide a rigorous link between many‐body wavefunctions and intuitive physical and chemical models, for example, exciton binding, double excitations, orbital relaxation, and polyradical character. A broad range of quantum‐chemical methods is interfaced with libwfa via a uniform interface layer in the form of DMs. This contribution reviews the structure of libwfa and highlights its capabilities by several representative use cases. This article is categorized under:Software > Quantum ChemistryTheoretical and Physical Chemistry > Spectroscopy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixfold TIPS‐ethynylation combined with fourfold bromination of the armchair edges furnishes a long‐lived, soluble heptacene; π‐extension via Stille coupling accesses a persistent tetrabenzononacene. Both types of acenes were stabilized best by double TIPS‐ethynylation on every other benzene ring. Tetrabromoheptacene is an ambipolar transistor material (up to 0.036 cm2 V−1 s−1 n‐channel), which was corroborated by generation of its monoanion and monocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Angewandte Chemie is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A family of fully bridged triphenylamines with embedded 5‐ and 7‐membered rings is presented. The compounds are potent electron donors capable to undergo donor/acceptor interactions with strong cyano‐based acceptors both in the solid state and solution. These interactions were evaluated by IR and UV/vis spectroscopy as well as X‐ray crystallography. The vinylene‐bridged compound was oxidized to the corresponding 1,2‐diketone which readily underwent acid‐catalyzed condensation with selected 1,2‐phenylenediamines. The resulting π‐extended quinoxaline derivatives represent valuable building blocks for the development of functional chromophores upon appropriate functionalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the calculation of core-ionization energies (IEs), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and X-ray emission spectra (XES), a commonly applied approach is to use non-Aufbau reference states with a core-hole as either final (IE and XPS) or initial (XES) state. However, such reference states can introduce numerical instabilities in post-HF methods, relating to the denominator of the energy corrections involved. This may become arbitrarily close to zero if a negative virtual orbital is present, e.g. a core-hole, leading to near-singularities. The resulting instabilities lead to severe convergence issues of the calculation schemes and, in addition, can strongly affect both energies and intensities, with oscillator strengths seen to reach values up to 4 × 107. For the K-edge we propose freezing the highest-energy virtual orbitals which contribute to any denominator below a threshold of 0.1 Hartree. Stable and reliable spectra are then produced, with minimal influence due to freezing energetically high-lying virtual orbitals (typically removing <5% of the total number of MOs). The developed protocol is here tested for Møller–Plesset perturbation theory and for the algebraic diagrammatic construction scheme for the polarization propagator, and it is also relevant for coupled cluster theory and other related methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photochemistry of fluorenols has been of special interest for many years. This is because both the fluorenol and the fluorenyl cation are antiaromatic in the ground state due to their 4n π-electrons according to the Hückel rule. The photolysis reaction of various fluorene derivatives takes place via a cation intermediate and is preferred due to its excited state aromaticity. Here we present an extremely long-lived fluorenyl cation and its effects on the uncaging of various leaving groups. We analyze the relationship between uncaging quantum yields of fluorene-based cages and the longevity of their fluorenyl cations with different spectroscopic methods in the steady state and on an ultrafast time scale and find that the uncaging quantum yield rises with the stability of the cation. In contrast to previous reports, the cation can be observed on a time scale of minutes, even in moderately protic solvents as methanol and ethanol. The stability of this cation depends on the dimethylamino-substituents on the fluorene scaffold and the properties of the solvent. In addition, with bis-dimethylamino fluorenol, a photobase is introduced that expands the small group of known photoinduced hydroxide emitters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition‐metal‐catalyzed cyclization of bissilylethynylated N,N'‐dihydrotetraazapentacene (TIPS‐TAP‐H2) into bissilylated cyclopenta[fg,qr]pentacenes is reported. Depending on the catalyst either none, one or two silyl groups migrate and change their positions in the formed five‐membered rings. The optoelectronic properties are quite similar, whereas the packing motifs differ dramatically. Control experiments and quantum chemical calculations were performed to investigate the mechanism of the reaction and the selectivity of the silyl shift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N-Heteropolycyclic aromatic compounds are promising organic semiconductors for applications in field effect transistors and solar cells. Thereby the electronic structure of organic/metal interfaces and thin films is essential for the performance of organic-molecule-based devices. Here, we studied the structural and the electronic properties of 6,7,12,13-tetraazapentacene (TAP) adsorbed on Au(111) using vibrational and electronic high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy in combination with state-of-the-art quantum chemical calculations. In the mono- and multilayer TAP adsorbs in a planar adsorption geometry with the molecular backbone oriented parallel to the gold substrate. The energies of the lowest excited electronic singlet states (S) as well as the triplet state (T) are assigned. The optical gap (S0 → S1 transition) is found to be 1.6 eV and the T1 energy 1.2 eV. In addition, thorough comparison to previously studied pentacene (PEN) and 6,13-diazapentacene (6,13-DAP) is made explaining in detail the influence of nitrogen substitution on the electronic structure and in particular on the intensity of the α-band in the UV/vis absorption spectrum. In the series PEN, 6,13-DAP, and TAP, the α-band (S0 → S2 transition) gains significantly in intensity due to individual effects of the introduced nitrogen atoms on the orbital energies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We herein report an unprecedented reactivity of mononuclear gold catalysts acting as classical catalysts and at the same time as active partners in a radical chain mechanism, whereby gold is the only catalyst. The mechanism of the photo‐induced photosensitizer‐free "gold only"‐catalyzed cross coupling was studied in detail – experimentally and theoretically – based on the reaction between arylboronic acids and aryldiazonium salts. With a systematic set of stoichiometric experiments under various conditions and analytic methods, we could show that this mechanism is initiated by an aryl radical formed in the presence of blue LEDs and MeOH. This aryl radical enters the catalytic cycle to oxidize gold(I) to gold(II). Single electron transfer from gold(II) to the aryldiazonium salt then gives the cationic gold(III) complex by formation of a chain‐supporting aryl radical which then is enabled to start a new cycle by oxidation of gold(I) without the need for irradiation. At least every 432 cycles of the radical chain, a new chain‐initiating radical has to restart the radical chain. Eventually, the boronic acid is activated by the BF4− anion to transmetalate to gold(III), and reductive elimination delivers the desired product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triarylboranes containing linear or angular benzodithiophene moieties and bearing one or two dimesitylboron units were synthesized. The electrochemical and optical features of these compounds were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy while DFT calculations were run to analyze the energetic landscape of these systems. For both linear and angular benzodithiophenes, symmetrical disubstitution leads to the highest photoluminescence yields. The linear benzodithiophene disubstituted with two dimesitylboron units proved to be the most interesting and promising molecule as an electron‐transport material for organic electronics owing to its LUMO energy level of −2.84 eV which is close to those of commonly used electron transport materials like bathocuproine or bathophenantroline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correlation of mechanical properties of polymer materials with those of their molecular constituents is the foundation for their holistic comprehension and eventually for improved material designs and syntheses. Over the last decade, optical force probes (OFPs) were developed, shedding light on various unique mechanical behaviors of materials. The properties of polymers are diverse, ranging from soft hydrogels to ultra‐tough composites, from purely elastic rubbers to viscous colloidal solutions, and from transparent glasses to super black dyed coatings. Only very recently, researchers started to develop tailored OFP solutions that account for such material requirements in energy (both light and force), in time, and in their spatially detectable resolution. We here highlight notable recent examples and identify future challenges in this emergent field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gator program has been developed for computational spectroscopy and calculations of molecular properties using real and complex propagators at the correlated level of wave function theory. Currently, the focus lies on methods based on the algebraic diagrammatic construction (ADC) scheme up to the third order of perturbation theory. An auxiliary Fock matrix‐driven implementation of the second‐order ADC method for excitation energies has been realized with an underlying hybrid MPI/OpenMP parallelization scheme suitable for execution in high‐performance computing cluster environments. With a modular and object‐oriented program structure written in a Python/C++ layered fashion, Gator additionally enables time‐efficient prototyping of novel scientific approaches, as well as interactive notebook‐driven training of students in quantum chemistry. This article is categorized under:Computer and Information Science > Computer Algorithms and ProgrammingElectronic Structure Theory > Ab Initio Electronic Structure MethodsSoftware > Quantum Chemistry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we describe a gold‐catalyzed cascade cyclization of Boc‐protected benzylamines bearing two tethered alkyne moieties in a domino reaction initiated by a 6‐endo‐dig cyclization. The reaction was screened intensively, and the scope was explored, resulting in nine new Boc‐protected dihydrobenzo[c]phenanthridines with yields of up to 98 %; even a π‐extension and two bidirectional approaches were successful. Furthermore, thermal cleavage of the Boc group and subsequent oxidation gave substituted benzo[c]phenanthridines in up to quantitative yields. Two bidirectional approaches under the optimized conditions were successful, and the resulting π‐extended molecules were tested as organic semiconductors in organic thin‐film transistors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoactivatable compounds for example photoswitches or photolabile protecting groups (PPGs, photocages) for spatiotemporal light control, play a crucial role in different areas of research. For each application, parameters such as the absorption spectrum, solubility in the respective media and/or photochemical quantum yields for several competing processes need to be optimized. The design of new photochemical tools therefore remains an important task. In this study, we exploited the concept of excited‐state‐aromaticity, first described by N. Colin Baird in 1971, to investigate a new class of photocages, based on cyclic, ground‐state‐antiaromatic systems. Several thio‐ and nitrogen‐functionalized compounds were synthesized, photochemically characterized and further optimized, supported by quantum chemical calculations. After choosing the optimal scaffold, which shows an excellent uncaging quantum yield of 28 %, we achieved a bathochromic shift of over 100 nm, resulting in a robust, well accessible, visible light absorbing, compact new photocage with a clean photoreaction and a high quantum product (ϵ⋅Φ) of 893 M−1 cm−1 at 405 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photochemistry. In their Research Article (e202314112), Andreas Dreuw, Josef Wachtveitl, Hermann A. Wegner et al. report two novel photoswitch azobenzene‐spiropyran dyads. The study provides the basis for the development of new multichromic switches for information and energy storage or other applications...By Torben Saßmannshausen; Anne Kunz; Nils Oberhof; Friederike Schneider; Chavdar Slavov; Andreas Dreuw; Josef Wachtveitl and Hermann A. WegnerReported by Author; Author; Author; Author; Author; Author; Author; Author [Extracted from the article]

Photochemistry. In their Research Article (e202314112), Andreas Dreuw, Josef Wachtveitl, Hermann A. Wegner et al. report two novel photoswitch azobenzene‐spiropyran dyads. The study provides the basis for the development of new multichromic switches for information and energy storage or other applications...By Torben Saßmannshausen; Anne Kunz; Nils Oberhof; Friederike Schneider; Chavdar Slavov; Andreas Dreuw; Josef Wachtveitl and Hermann A. WegnerReported by Author; Author; Author; Author; Author; Author; Author; Author [Extracted from the article]

Invited for the cover of this issue are Robert Göstl and co‐workers at DWI–Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, RWTH Aachen University and Heidelberg University. The image depicts the tailoring of optical force probes for analyzing polymer materials. Read the full text of the article at10.1002/chem.202102938. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Azo compounds, computational chemistry, excitonic coupling, isomerization, photochemistry Keywords: azo compounds; computational chemistry; excitonic coupling; isomerization; photochemistry EN azo compounds computational chemistry excitonic coupling isomerization photochemistry 1 1 1 07/08/22 20220706 NES 220706 B You can't separate this couple b : One of the azo-substituted tripycenes synthesized in this work is highlighted in front of its UV-Vis absorption spectrum. Cover Feature: Azobenzene-Substituted Triptycenes: Understanding the Exciton Coupling of Molecular Switches in Close Proximity (Chem. Eur. J. 38/2022). [Extracted from the article]

Chemiluminescence, fluorescence, mechanochemistry, polymers, sensors Keywords: chemiluminescence; fluorescence; mechanochemistry; polymers; sensors EN chemiluminescence fluorescence mechanochemistry polymers sensors 1 1 1 11/19/21 20211117 NES 211117 B Optical force probes (OFPs) b shine light on various unique mechanical behaviors of materials and allow the correlation of macroscopic mechanical properties with those of their molecular constituents. [Extracted from the article]

Chemiluminescence, fluorescence, mechanochemistry, polymers, sensors Keywords: chemiluminescence; fluorescence; mechanochemistry; polymers; sensors EN chemiluminescence fluorescence mechanochemistry polymers sensors 15823 15823 1 11/19/21 20211117 NES 211117 B As potential analytical tools b for collecting and mapping mechanical information in polymer materials, optical force probes (OFPs) have been developed over the last decade. [Extracted from the article]