Computational Protocol for Modeling Thermochromic Molecular Crystals: Salicylidene Aniline As a Case Study

Computational Approaches to the Electronic Properties of Noble Metal Nanoclusters Protected by Organic Ligands

Organometallic nanoparticles composed by metal cores with sizes under two nanometers covered with organic capping ligands exhibit intermediate properties between those of atoms and molecules on one side, and those of larger metal nanoparticles on the other. In fact, these particles do not show a peculiar metallic behavior, characterized by plasmon resonances, but instead they have nonvanishing band-gaps, more along molecular optical properties. As a consequence, they are suitable to be described and investigated by computational approaches such as those used in quantum chemistry, for instance those based on the time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). Here, I present a short review of the research performed from 2014 onward at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy) on the TD-DFT interpretation of the electronic spectra of different organic-protected gold and/or silver nanoclusters.

Modeling UV-Vis spectra of low dimensional materials using electrostatic embedding: The case of CdSe

We present a generalization of a self-consistent electrostatic embedding approach (SC-Ewald) devised to investigate the photophysical properties of 3D periodic materials, to systems in one- or two-dimensional (2D) reduced periodicity. In this approach, calculations are carried out on a small finite molecular cluster extracted from a periodic model, while the crystalline environment is accounted for by an array of point charges which are fitted to reproduce the exact electrostatic potential (at ground or the excited state) of the infinite periodic system. Periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations are combined with time dependent DFT calculations to simulate absorption and emission properties of the extended system under investigation. We apply this method to compute the UV-Vis. spectra of bulk and quantum-confined 0D quantum dots and 2D extended nanoplatelets of CdSe, due to their relevance as sensitizers in solar cells technologies. The influence of the size and shape of the finite cluster model chosen in the excited state calculations was also investigated and revealed that, although the long-range electrostatics of the environment are important for the calculation of the UV-Vis, a subtle balance between short- and long-range effects exists. These encouraging results demonstrate that this self-consistent electrostatic embedding approach, when applied in different dimensions, can successfully model the photophysical properties of diverse material classes, making it an attractive low-cost alternative to far more computationally demanding electronic structure methods for excited state calculations.

Unraveling the internal conversion process within the Q-bands of a chlorophyll-like-system through surface-hopping molecular dynamics simulations

The non-radiative relaxation process within the Q-bands of chlorophylls represents a crucial preliminary step during the photosynthetic mechanism. Despite several experimental and theoretical efforts performed in order to clarify the complex dynamics characterizing this stage, a complete understanding of this mechanism is still far to be reached. In this study, non-adiabatic excited-state molecular dynamic simulations have been performed to model the non-radiative process within the Q-bands for a model system of chlorophylls. This system has been considered in the gas phase and then, to have a more representative picture of the environment, with implicit and mixed implicit-explicit solvation models. In the first part of this analysis, absorption spectra have been simulated for each model in order to guide the setup for the non-adiabatic excited-state molecular dynamic simulations. Then, non-adiabatic excited-state molecular dynamic simulations have been performed on a large set of independent trajectories and the population of the Q_x and Q_y states has been computed as the average of all the trajectories, estimating the rate constant for the process. Finally, with the aim of investigating the possible role played by the solvent in the Q_x-Q_y crossing mechanism, an essential dynamic analysis has been performed on the generated data, allowing one to find the most important motions during the simulated dynamics.

Unraveling the Effects of Co-Crystallization on the UV/Vis Absorption Spectra of an N-Salicylideneaniline Derivative. A Computational RI-CC2 Investigation

This work aims at unraveling the effects of co-crystallization on the optical properties of an N-salicylideneaniline-derived molecular switch transforming between an enol and a keto form. This is achieved by way of a two-step multi-scale method where (i) the molecular geometry and unit cell parameters are optimized using a periodic boundary conditions density functional theory method and (ii) the optical properties are computed for a selection of clusters embedded in an array of point-charges that reproduce the crystal field electronic potential. The optical properties (vertical excitation energies and oscillator strengths) are obtained at the RI-CC2/def2-TZVPD level of approximation. This method allows us to decompose the effects of co-crystallization into (i) indirect effects, the geometry changes of the chromophore due to crystal packing with the coformer, and (ii) direct ones, the polarization due to the interacting coformer and to the crystal field. For the former effects, variations of a crucial torsion angle lead to modification of the π-conjugation and therefore to the decrease or increase of the excitation energies. About the latter, they are antagonistic: (i) the coformer is not directly involved in the excitations but its polarization decreases the excitation energies while (ii) the crystal field has the opposite effect. For the co-crystals with succinic and fumaric acids, combining these direct and indirect effects leads to a hypsochromic shift of the first absorption band with respect to the reference crystal, in agreement with experimental data.

fromage: A library for the study of molecular crystal excited states at the aggregate scale

The study of photoexcitations in molecular aggregates faces the twofold problem of the increased computational cost associated with excited states and the complexity of the interactions among the constituent monomers. A mechanistic investigation of these processes requires the analysis of the intermolecular interactions, the effect of the environment, and 3D arrangements or crystal packing on the excited states. A considerable number of techniques have been tailored to navigate these obstacles; however, they are usually restricted to in‐house codes and thus require a disproportionate effort to adopt by researchers approaching the field. Herein, we present the FRamewOrk for Molecular AGgregate Excitations (fromage), which implements a collection of such techniques in a Python library complemented with ready‐to‐use scripts. The program structure is presented and the principal features available to the user are described: geometrical analysis, exciton characterization, and a variety of ONIOM schemes. Each is illustrated by examples of diverse organic molecules in condensed phase settings. The program is available at https://github.com/Crespo-Otero-group/fromage.

Dual fluorescence in strap ESIPT systems: a theoretical study

Alkylamine-strapped chromophores based on a dithienylpyrrole core, and in which the Excited State Intramolecular Proton Transfer (ESIPT) process yields a zwitterionic structure rather than a keto tautomer have been reported recently (Suzuki et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2014, 53, 8231), and are known to exhibit large Stokes shifts. Using Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) we investigate the ESIPT mechanism in this family of chromophores considering various substituents and two solvents (cyclohexane and acetone). In order to model the solvent effects, three polarisation models have been applied: the linear response (LR), the corrected linear-response (cLR), and the combination of these two formalisms (LR + cLR). The selected protocol is shown to be effective for a series of compounds with known experimental behaviors, and is then applied to novel derivatives with various donor and acceptor groups and heteroatoms. We determine the absorption and emission wavelengths as well as the energies of the different states that play a role in the ESIPT process. We show that the introduction of electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups plays an important role in achieving redshifted emission from the ESIPT state.

Role of specific solute–solvent interactions on the photophysical properties of distyryl substituted BODIPY derivatives

The role played by specific solute–solvent interactions on the spectroscopic properties of experimentally available BODIPY derivatives has been investigated.

Aggregation Effects on Pigment Coatings: Pigment Red 179 as a Case Study

Here, we have studied, with a combined experimental and computational approach, the effect of the crystal environment and aggregation on the electronic properties of Pigment Red 179, which affect both its color and optical energy gap. Spectra acquired in the near-infrared and visible range of energies suggest that this molecule is indeed a "cool" dye, which can be employed as a red pigment that provides effective color coverage to different substrates without contributing to their heating during light irradiation. Spectra acquired on different polymer mixtures at different pigment concentrations (i.e., 2.5-10 wt %) suggest that absorption features depend on chromophoric arrangements promoted by the strong intermolecular π-π interactions. Calculations, performed at the time-dependent density functional theory level, allowed to both attribute the nature of the electronic transitions causing the observed spectra involved and understand the effect of the environment. Indeed, the visible spectra of the pigment is dominated by two localized transitions, with negligible charge transfer for both a dye monomer and dimer either in vacuum or acetonitrile solution. Instead, models including the crystal environment of the pigment show the presence of a high-wavelength S1 ← S0 charge transfer transition between two adjacent molecules, in quantitative agreement with the experimental absorption energy of the crystal pigment.

On the simulation of vibrationally resolved electronic spectra of medium-size molecules: the case of styryl substituted BODIPYs

BODIPY dyes are used in a variety of applications because of their peculiar spectroscopic and photo-physical properties that vary depending on the stereochemistry of the functional groups attached to the boron-dipyrromethene core structure. In this work, we have applied several computational methods, adapted for semi-rigid molecules based on the Franck-Condon principle, for the study of the optical properties of BODIPY systems and for the understanding of the influence of functional groups on their spectroscopic features. We have analyzed the electronic spectra of two styryl substituted BODIPY molecules of technological interest, properly taking into account the vibronic contribution. For comparison with recently recorded experimental data in methanol, the vibrationally resolved electronic spectra of these systems were computed using both Time-Independent (TI) and Time-Dependent (TD) formalisms. The first step toward the analysis of optical properties of the styryl modified BODIPYs was a benchmark of several density functionals, to select the most appropriate one. We have found that all benchmarked functionals provide good results in terms of band shape but some of them show strong discrepancies in terms of band position. Beyond the issue of the electronic structure calculation method, different levels of sophistication can be adopted for the calculation of vibronic transitions. In this study, the effect of mode couplings and the influence of the Herzberg-Teller terms on the theoretical spectra has been investigated. It has been found that all levels of theory considered give reproducible results for the investigated systems: band positions and shapes are similar at all levels and little improvements have been found in terms of band shape with the inclusion of Herzberg-Teller effect. Inclusion of temperature effects proved to be challenging due to the important impact of large amplitude motions. Better agreement can be achieved by adopting a suitable set of coordinates coupled with a reduced-dimensionality scheme.

A theoretical elucidation of the mechanism of tuneable fluorescence in a full-colour emissive ESIPT dye

We reinvestigate with ab initio tools the origin of the diverse colours in a complex multi-ESIPT dye, and we propose a new assignment for the blue fluorescence.

Aggregation-caused quenching versus crystallization induced emission in thiazolo[5,4-b]thieno[3,2-e]pyridine (TTP) derivatives: theoretical insights

We report a QM (TD-DFT) and QM/QM' (ONIOM) study of the modulation of emission in a series of thiazolo[5,4,b]thieno[3,2-e]pyridine (TTP) derivatives [Huang et al., J. Mater. Chem. C, 2017, 14, 3456]. By computing the excitation energy transfer couplings and the Huang-Rhys (HR) factors, we rationalize the aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) observed for the parent molecule and the crystallization-induced emission (CIE) observed for the derivatives presenting intra-molecular H-bonding. We also show that the CIE strategy relying on the rigidification of the arch-bridge-like stator should be considered with caution since it can promote the energy dissipation through vibrational motions.

The Bethe–Salpeter equation in chemistry: relations with TD-DFT, applications and challenges

We review the Bethe–Salpeter formalism and analyze its performances for the calculation of the excited state properties of molecular systems.

QM and ONIOM studies on thermally activated delayed fluorescence of copper(i) complexes in gas phase, solution, and crystal

QM and ONIOM studies reveal the thermally activated delayed fluorescence mechanism of two Cu(i) complexes.

Understanding the polymorphism-dependent emission properties of molecular crystals using a refined QM/MM approach

A refined QM/MM approach demonstrated that a monomer model is suitable for describing the emission spectra of crystals without the ππ stacking interaction. Whereas for the crystals with notable intermolecular ππ stacking interaction, the most stable trimer model (or at least a dimer model) should be used for accurately describing the corresponding emission spectra. This approach is applied to understand the emission properties of two kinds of organic polymorphs.

A Modular Implementation for the Simulation of 1D and 2D Solid-State NMR Spectra of Quadrupolar Nuclei in the Virtual Multifrequency Spectrometer-Draw Graphical Interface

We present the implementation of the solid state (SoS)NMR module for the simulation of several 1D and 2D NMR spectra of all the elements in the periodic table in the virtual multifrequency spectrometer (VMS). This module is fully integrated with the graphical user interface of VMS (VMS-Draw) [Licari et al., J. Comput. Chem. 36, 2015, 321-334], a freeware tool which allows a user-friendly handling of structures and analyses of advanced spectroscopical properties of chemical compounds-from model systems to real-world applications. Besides the numerous modules already available in VMS for the study of electronic, optical, vibrational, vibronic, and EPR properties, here the simulation of NMR spectra is presented with a particular emphasis on those techniques usually employed to investigate solid state systems. The SoSNMR module benefits from its ability to work under both periodic and nonperiodic conditions, such that small molecules/molecular clusters can be treated, as well as extended three-dimensional systems enforcing (or not) translational periodicity. These features allow VMS to simulate spectra resulting from NMR calculations by some popular quantum chemistry codes, namely Gaussian09/16, Castep, and Quantum Espresso. The effectiveness of the SoSNMR module of VMS is examined throughout the manuscript, and applied to simulate 1D static, MAS, and VAS NMR spectra as well as 2D correlation (90°, MAS) and MQMAS spectra of active NMR nuclei embedded in different amorphous and crystalline systems of actual interest in chemistry and material science. Finally, the program is able to simulate the spectra of both the total ensemble of spin-active nuclei present in the system and of subensembles differentiated depending on the chemical environment of the first and second coordination sphere in a very general way applicable to any kind of systems.

Excited-State Intramolecular Proton-Transfer Properties of Three Tris(N-Salicylideneaniline)-Based Chromophores with Extended Conjugation

The synthesis and photophysical properties of three tris(N-salicylideneaniline) (TSA) compounds containing 1,3,5-triarylbenzene, -tristyrylbenzene, and -tris(arylethynyl)benzene core units are reported. The TSA compounds underwent efficient excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) in solution and in solid state due to the preformed C=N⋅⋅⋅H-O hydrogen-bonded motifs of the structures. Steady-state fluorescence emission spectra of the TSA molecules revealed dual bands only in DMSO, and large Stokes shifts in other polar aprotic and protic solvents. Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopic measurements in THF revealed lifetime values in the range of 14-16 ps for the excited-state keto-tautomer. The TSA compounds are also responsive to metal ions (Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ) in DMSO, exhibit enhanced aggregate-induced emission (AIE) properties in DMSO/water mixtures, and are highly luminescent in the solid state.

Tuning excited-state-intramolecular-proton-transfer (ESIPT) process and emission by cocrystal formation: a combined experimental and theoretical study

The formation of two-component molecular cocrystals can lead to the tunable excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process and emission, as first confirmed by both experimental and computational studies.

Tuning ESIPT fluorophores into dual emitters

Using first-principle approaches, we show how ESIPT can be controlled by fine-tuning of substituents, hence leading to new dual emitters.

Dyes undergoing excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) are known to present large Stokes shifts as a result of the important geometrical reorganisation following photon absorption. When the ESIPT process is not quantitative, one can obtain dual emitters characterised by two distinct fluorescence bands, observed due to emissions from both the canonical and ESIPT isomers. However, dual emission generally requires to maintain a very specific balance, as the relative excited-state free energies of the two tautomers have to be within a narrow window to observe the phenomenon. Consequently, simple chemical intuition is insufficient to optimise dual emission. In the present contribution, we investigate, with the help of quantum-mechanical tools and more precisely, time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) and algebraic diagrammatic construction (ADC), a wide panel of possible ESIPT/dual emitters with various substituents. The selected protocol is first shown to be very robust on a series of structures with known experimental behaviour, and next is applied to novel derivatives with various substituents located at different positions. This work encompasses the largest chemical library of potential ESIPT compounds studied to date. We pinpoint the most promising combinations for building dual emitters, highlight unexpected combination effects and rationalise the impact of the different auxochromes.

Insights into structural and dynamical features of water at halloysite interfaces probed by DFT and classical molecular dynamics simulations

Density functional theory calculations and classical molecular dynamics simulations have been used to investigate the structure and dynamics of water molecules on kaolinite surfaces and confined in the interlayer of a halloysite model of nanometric dimension.

Modelling photophysical properties of metal–organic frameworks: a density functional theory based approach

Photoluminescence of zinc and cadmium-based metal–organic frameworks has been characterized using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT.

Flavonol–carbon nanostructure hybrid systems: a DFT study on the interaction mechanism and UV/Vis features

The properties of flavonol–carbon nanosystem hybrid materials are analyzed using computational chemistry.