Time-Resolved Spectroelectrochemical Dynamics of Carotenoid 8'-apo-ß-Carotenal.

This work examines the influence of applied external voltage in bulk electrolysis on the excited-state properties of 8'-apo-ß-carotenal in acetonitrile by steady-state and ultrafast time-resolved absorption spectroscopy. The data collected under bulk electrolysis were compared with those taken without applied voltage. The steady-state measurements showed that although intensity of the S0 -S2 absorption band varies with the applied voltage, the spectral position remain nearly constant. Comparison of transient absorption spectra shows that the magnitude of the ICT-like band decreases during the experiment under applied voltage condition, and is associated with a prolongation of the S1 /ICT-like lifetime from 8 ps to 13 ps. Furthermore, switching off the applied voltage resulted in returning to no-voltage data within about 30 min. Our results show that the amplitude of the signal associated with the ICT state can be tuned by applying an external voltage.

Non-covalent modification of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by thienothiophene derivatives.

Non-covalent functionalization of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) has been conducted using several binding agents with surface π-interaction forces in recent studies. Herein, we present the first example of non-covalent functionalization of sidewalls of SWCNTs using thienothiophene (TT) derivatives without requiring any binding agents. Synthesized TT derivatives, TT-CN-TPA, TT-CN-TPA2 and TT-COOH-TPA, were attached directly to SWCNTs through non-covalent interactions to obtain new TT-based SWCNT hybrids, HYBRID 1-3. Taking advantage of the presence of sulfur atoms in the structure of TT, HYBRID 1, as a representative, was treated with Au nanoparticles for the adsorption of Au by sulfur atoms, which generated clear TEM images of the particles. The images indicated the attachment of TTs to the surface of SWCNTs. Thus, the presence of sulfur atoms in TT units made the binding of TTs to SWCNTs observable via TEM analysis through adsorption of Au nanoparticles by the sulfur atoms. Surface interactions between TTs and SWCNTs of the new hybrids were also clarified by classical molecular dynamic simulations, a quantum mechanical study, and SEM, TEM, AFM and contact angle (CA) analyses. The minimum distance between a TT and a SWCNT reached up to 3.5 Å, identified with strong peaks on a radial distribution function (RDF), while maximum interaction energies were raised to -316.89 kcal mol-1, which were determined using density functional theory (DFT).

The novel anthracene decorated dendrimeric cyclophosphazenes for highly selective sensing of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT).

Novel fluorescent anthracene-decorated cyclotri- and cyclotetraphosphazenes (5 and 6) are designed and synthesized, and their chemosensor behaviors against nitroaromatic compounds are examined by UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopies for addressing the sensors with cyclophosphazenes for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene detection. The fluorescence intensities of (5 and 6) are found to be selectively quenched by only 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene through the non-covalent π⋯π stacking interactions between anthracene-substituted cyclophosphazenes and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene. In addition, cyclic voltammetry and theoretical calculation of novel sensor systems are studied. The proposed fluorescent sensor systems are critical in terms of practical detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene.

Azaindole-BODIPYs: Synthesis, fluorescent recognition of hydrogen sulfate anion and biological evaluation.

The synthesized and sensing capability of two novel azaindole substituted mono and distyryl BODIPY dyes against bisulfate anion were reported. Structural characterizations of the targeted compounds were conducted by using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies. Photophysical properties of the azaindole substituted BODIPY compounds were investigated employing absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies in acetonitrile solution. It was found that the final compounds 3 and 4 exhibited exclusively selective and sensitive turn-off sensor behavior on HSO4- anion. Additionally, the stoichiometry ratio of the targeted compounds to bisulfate anion was measured 0.5 by Job's method. Also, density function theory was performed to the optical response of the sensor for targeted compounds. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of Azaindole-BODIPYs was examined against living human leukemia K562 cell lines.

Nonconjugated Acyloxy Group Deactivates the Intramolecular Charge-Transfer State in the Carotenoid Fucoxanthin.

We used ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy to study excited-state dynamics of the keto-carotenoid fucoxanthin (Fx) and its two derivatives: 19'-butanoyloxyfucoxanthin (bFx) and 19'-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin (hFx). These derivatives occur in some light-harvesting systems of photosynthetic microorganisms, and their presence is typically related to stress conditions. Even though the hexanoyl (butanoyl) moiety is not a part of the conjugated system of hFx (bFx), their absorption spectra in polar solvents exhibit more pronounced vibrational bands of the S2 state than for Fx. The effect of the nonconjugated acyloxy moiety is further observed in transient absorption spectra, which for Fx exhibit characteristic features of an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state in all polar solvents. For bFx and hFx, however, much weaker ICT features are detected in methanol, and the spectral markers of the ICT state disappear completely in polar, but aprotic acetonitrile. The presence of the acyloxy moiety also alters the lifetimes of the S1/ICT state. For Fx, the lifetimes are 60, 30, and 20 ps in n-hexane, acetonitrile, and methanol, whereas for bFx and hFx, these lifetimes yield 60, 60, and 40 ps, respectively. Testing the S1/ICT state lifetimes of hFx in other solvents revealed that some ICT features can be induced only in polar, protic solvents (methanol, ethanol, and ethylene glycol). Thus, bFx and hFx represent a rather rare example of a system in which a nonconjugated functional group significantly alters excited-state dynamics. By comparison with other carotenoids, we show that a keto group at the acyloxy tail, even though it is not in conjugation, affects the electron distribution along the conjugated backbone, resulting in the observed decrease of the ICT character of the S1/ICT state of bFx and hFx.

Carotenoid to bacteriochlorophyll energy transfer in the RC-LH1-PufX complex from Rhodobacter sphaeroides containing the extended conjugation keto-carotenoid diketospirilloxanthin.

RC-LH1-PufX complexes from a genetically modified strain of Rhodobacter sphaeroides that accumulates carotenoids with very long conjugation were studied by ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy. The complexes predominantly bind the carotenoid diketospirilloxanthin, constituting about 75% of the total carotenoids, which has 13 conjugated C=C bonds, and the conjugation is further extended to two terminal keto groups. Excitation of diketospirilloxanthin in the RC-LH1-PufX complex demonstrates fully functional energy transfer from diketospirilloxanthin to BChl a in the LH1 antenna. As for other purple bacterial LH complexes having carotenoids with long conjugation, the main energy transfer route is via the S2-Qx pathway. However, in contrast to LH2 complexes binding diketospirilloxanthin, in RC-LH1-PufX we observe an additional, minor energy transfer pathway associated with the S1 state of diketospirilloxanthin. By comparing the spectral properties of the S1 state of diketospirilloxanthin in solution, in LH2, and in RC-LH1-PufX, we propose that the carotenoid-binding site in RC-LH1-PufX activates the ICT state of diketospirilloxanthin, resulting in the opening of a minor S1/ICT-mediated energy transfer channel.

Efficient light-harvesting using non-carbonyl carotenoids: Energy transfer dynamics in the VCP complex from Nannochloropsis oceanica.

Violaxanthin-chlorophyll a protein (VCP) from Nannochloropsis oceanica is a Chl a-only member of the LHC family of light-harvesting proteins. VCP binds carotenoids violaxanthin (Vio), vaucheriaxanthin (Vau), and vaucheriaxanthin-ester (Vau-ester). Here we report on energy transfer pathways in the VCP complex. The overall carotenoid-to-Chla energy transfer has efficiency over 90%. Based on their energy transfer properties, the carotenoids in VCP can be divided into two groups; blue carotenoids with the lowest energy absorption band around 480nm and red carotenoids with absorption extended up to 530nm. Both carotenoid groups transfer energy efficiently from their S2 states, reaching efficiencies of ~70% (blue) and ~60% (red). The S1 pathway, however, is efficient only for the red carotenoid pool for which two S1 routes characterized by 0.33 and 2.4ps time constants were identified. For the blue carotenoids the S1-mediated pathway is represented only by a minor route likely involving a hot S1 state. The relaxed S1 state of blue carotenoids decays to the ground state within 21ps. Presence of a fraction of non-transferring red carotenoids with the S1 lifetime of 13ps indicates some specific carotenoid-protein interaction that must shorten the intrinsic S1 lifetime of Vio and/or Vau whose S1 lifetimes in methanol are 26 and 29ps, respectively. The VCP complex from N. oceanica is the first example of a light-harvesting complex binding only non-carbonyl carotenoids with carotenoid-to-chlorophyll energy transfer efficiency over 90%.

Different Response of Carbonyl Carotenoids to Solvent Proticity Helps To Estimate Structure of the Unknown Carotenoid from Chromera velia.

In order to estimate the possible structure of the unknown carbonyl carotenoid related to isofucoxanthin from Chromera velia denoted as isofucoxanthin-like carotenoid (Ifx-l), we employed steady-state and ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopic techniques to investigate spectroscopic properties of Ifx-l in various solvents. The results were compared with those measured for related carotenoids with known structure: fucoxanthin (Fx) and isofucoxanthin (Ifx). The experimental data were complemented by quantum chemistry calculations and molecular modeling. The data show that Ifx-l must have longer effective conjugation length than Ifx. Yet, the magnitude of polarity-dependent changes in Ifx-l is larger than for Ifx, suggesting significant differences in structure of these two carotenoids. The most interesting spectroscopic feature of Ifx-l is its response to solvent proticity. The transient absorption data show that (1) the magnitude of the ICT-like band of Ifx-l in acetonitrile is larger than in methanol and (2) the S1/ICT lifetime of Ifx-l in acetonitrile, 4 ps, is markedly shorter than in methanol (10 ps). This is opposite behavior than for Fx and Ifx whose S1/ICT lifetimes are always shorter in protic solvent methanol (20 and 13 ps) than in aprotic acetonitrile (30 and 17 ps). Comparison with other carbonyl carotenoids reported earlier showed that proticity response of Ifx-l is consistent with presence of a conjugated lactone ring. Combining the experimental data and quantum chemistry calculations, we estimated a possible structure of Ifx-l.

3-Iodobenzaldehyde: XRD, FT-IR, Raman and DFT studies.

The structure of 3-iodobenzaldehyde (3IB) was characterized by FT-IR, Raman and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The conformational isomers, optimized geometric parameters, normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of 3IB were examined using density functional theory (DFT) method, with the Becke-3-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) functional and the 6-311+G(3df,p) basis set for all atoms except for iodine. The LANL2DZ effective core basis set was used for iodine. Potential energy distribution (PED) analysis of normal modes was performed to identify characteristic frequencies. 3IB crystallizes in monoclinic space group P21/c with the O-trans form. There is a good agreement between the theoretically predicted structural parameters, and vibrational frequencies and those obtained experimentally. In order to understand halogen effect, 3-halogenobenzaldehyde [XC6H4CHO; X=F, Cl and Br] was also studied theoretically. The free energy difference between the isomers is small but the rotational barrier is about 8kcal/mol. An atypical behavior of fluorine affecting conformational preference is observed.

Tuning the spectroscopic properties of aryl carotenoids by slight changes in structure.

Two carotenoids with aryl rings were studied by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy and theoretical computational methods, and the results were compared with those obtained from their nonaryl counterpart, ß-carotene. Although isorenieratene has more conjugated C═C bonds than ß-carotene, its effective conjugation length, Neff, is shorter than of ß-carotene. This is evidenced by a longer S1 lifetime and higher S1 energy of isorenieratene compared to the values for ß-carotene. On the other hand, although isorenieratene and renierapurpurin have the same π-electron conjugated chain structure, Neff is different for these two carotenoids. The S1 lifetime of renierapurpurin is shorter than that of isorenieratene, indicating a longer Neff for renierapurpurin. This conclusion is also consistent with a lower S1 energy of renierapurpurin compared to those of the other carotenoids. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to calculate equilibrium geometries of ground and excited states of all studied carotenoids. The terminal ring torsion in the ground state of isorenieratene (41°) is very close to that of ß-carotene (45°), but equilibration of the bond lengths within the aryl rings indicates that the each aryl ring forms its own conjugated system. This results in partial detachment of the aryl rings from the overall conjugation making Neff of isorenieratene shorter than that of ß-carotene. The different position of the methyl group at the aryl ring of renierapurpurin diminishes the aryl ring torsion to ∼20°. This planarization results in a longer Neff than that of isorenieratene, rationalizing the observed differences in spectroscopic properties.

Highly efficient energy transfer from a carbonyl carotenoid to chlorophyll a in the main light harvesting complex of Chromera velia.

We report on energy transfer pathways in the main light-harvesting complex of photosynthetic relative of apicomplexan parasites, Chromera velia. This complex, denoted CLH, belongs to the family of FCP proteins and contains chlorophyll (Chl) a, violaxanthin, and the so far unidentified carbonyl carotenoid related to isofucoxanthin. The overall carotenoid-to-Chl-a energy transfer exhibits efficiency over 90% which is the largest among the FCP-like proteins studied so far. Three spectroscopically different isofucoxanthin-like molecules were identified in CLH, each having slightly different energy transfer efficiency that increases from isofucoxanthin-like molecules absorbing in the blue part of the spectrum to those absorbing in the reddest part of spectrum. Part of the energy transfer from carotenoids proceeds via the ultrafast S2 channel of both the violaxanthin and isofucoxanthin-like carotenoid, but major energy transfer pathway proceeds via the S1/ICT state of the isofucoxanthin-like carotenoid. Two S1/ICT-mediated channels characterized by time constants of ~0.5 and ~4ps were found. For the isofucoxanthin-like carotenoid excited at 480nm the slower channel dominates, while those excited at 540nm employs predominantly the fast 0.5ps channel. Comparing these data with the excited-state properties of the isofucoxanthin-like carotenoid in solution we conclude that, contrary to other members of the FCP family employing carbonyl carotenoids, CLH complex suppresses the charge transfer character of the S1/ICT state of the isofucoxanthin-like carotenoid to achieve the high carotenoid-to-Chl-a energy transfer efficiency.

A joint theoretical and experimental study of 1-acetylpiperazine: conformational stability, infrared and Raman spectra.

Infrared and Raman spectra of 1-acetylpiperazine (1-ap) have been recorded in the region of 4000-40cm(-1). The conformational isomers, optimized geometric parameters, normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of 1-ap (C6H12N2O) have been examined by density functional theory (DFT), with the Becke-3-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) functional and the 6-31++G(d,p) basis set. Reliable conformational investigation and vibrational assignments have been performed by the potential energy surface (PES) and potential energy distribution (PED) analyses, respectively. Computations are carried out in both gas phase and solution using benzene and methanol. There is a good agreement between the theoretically predicted structural parameters and vibrational frequencies and those obtained experimentally. The normal chair conformation with equatorial substituents is not preferred due to the steric interaction.

Experimental and theoretical FT-IR, Raman and XRD study of 2-acetyl-5-chlorothiophene.

The structure of 2-acetyl-5-chlorothiophene (ACT) has been characterized by FT-IR, Raman and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The isomers, optimized geometric parameters, normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of ACT (C6H5ClOS) have been examined by the density functional theory, with the Becke-3-Lee-Yang-Parr functional and the 6-311+G(3df,p) basis set. Reliable vibrational assignments have been investigated by the potential energy distribution analysis. ACT crystallizes in monoclinic space group C2/c with the O,S-cis isomer. There is a good agreement between the theoretically predicted structural parameters and vibrational frequencies and those obtained experimentally.

Infrared and Raman spectra, conformational stability and vibrational assignment of 1-formylpiperazine.

Infrared and Raman spectra of 1-formylpiperazine (1-fp) have been recorded in the region of 4000-50 cm(-1). The conformational analysis, optimized geometric parameters, normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of 1-fp (C5H10N2O) have been examined by means of Becke-3-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) density functional theory (DFT) method together with 6-31++G(d,p) basis set. Furthermore, reliable conformational investigation and vibrational assignments have been made by the potential energy surface (PES) and potential energy distribution (PED) analyses, respectively. Calculations are carried out with the possible six conformational isomers of 1-fp, both in gas phase and in solution using benzene and methanol. The experimental and theoretical results indicate that B3LYP method provides satisfactory evidence for the prediction vibrational wavenumbers, and the normal chair conformation with equatorial substituents is not preferred due to the steric interaction.

Vibrational spectroscopic investigation and conformational analysis of 1-heptylamine: a comparative density functional study.

FT-IR and Raman spectra of 1-heptylamine (1-ha) have been recorded in the region of 4000-10 cm(-1) and 4000-50 cm(-1), respectively. The conformational analysis, optimized geometric parameters, normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of 1-ha (C7H17N) have been examined by means of the Becke-3-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) density functional theory (DFT) method together with the 6-31++G(d,p) basis set. Furthermore, reliable vibrational assignments have been made on the basis of potential energy distribution (PED) and the thermodynamics functions, highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (HOMO and LUMO) of 1-ha have been predicted. Calculations have been carried out with the possible ten conformational isomers (TT, TG, GT, GT1, GG1, GG2, GG3, GG4, GG5, GG6; T and G denote trans and gauge) of 1-ha, both in gas phase and in solution. Solvent effects have theoretically been investigated using benzene and methanol. All results indicate that the B3LYP method provides satisfactory evidence for the prediction of vibrational frequencies and the TT isomer is the most stable form of 1-ha.

Vibrational spectroscopic investigation of 1-pyrrolidino-1-cyclohexene: a comparative density functional study.

Infrared and Raman spectra of 1-pyrrolidino-1-cyclohexene (1pych) have experimentally been reported in the region of 4000-100 cm(-1). The conformational analysis, optimized geometric parameters, normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of 1pych (C10H17N) have theoretically been examined by means of the Becke-3-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3-LYP) density functional theory (DFT) method together with the 6-31++G(d,p) basis set. Furthermore, reliable vibrational assignments have been made the basis of potential energy distribution (PED) and the thermodynamics functions, highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (HOMO and LUMO) of 1pych have been predicted. Angular distribution of the probability density of populations of its conformational isomers is determined by analysis of the potential energy surface (PES). Comparison between the experimental and theoretical results indicates that B3-LYP method is provides satisfactory results for the prediction vibrational wavenumbers and structural parameters and the mixture of envelope and twist conformers is supposed to be the most stable form of 1pych.

DFT, FT-IR and Raman investigations of 1-pyrrolidino-1-cyclopentene.

FT-IR and Raman spectra of 1-pyrrolidino-1-cyclopentene (1py1cp) were experimentally reported in the region of 4000-10 cm(-1) and 4000-100 cm(-1), respectively. The optimized geometric parameters, normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of 1py1cp (C9H15N) were theoretically examined by means of the B3LYP hybrid density functional theory (DFT) method together with the 6-31++G(d,p) basis set. Furthermore, reliable vibrational assignments were made on the basis of the potential energy distribution (PED) and the thermodynamics functions, the highest occupied and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (HOMO and LUMO) of 1py1cp were predicted. Calculations were carried out employed for three different conformations of 1py1cp in gas phase. Comparison between the experimental and theoretical results indicates that density functional B3LYP method is able to provide satisfactory results for predicting vibrational wavenumbers and envelope conformer is predicted to be the most stable conformer of 1py1cp.

Excited-state dynamics of monomeric and aggregated carotenoid 8'-apo-ß-carotenal.

Excited-state properties of monomeric and aggregated carbonyl carotenoid 8'-apo-ß-carotenal were studied by means of femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. For monomers, the polarity-dependent behavior characteristic of carotenoids with conjugated carbonyl group was observed. In n-hexane the S(1) lifetime is 25 ps, but it is shortened to 8 ps in methanol. This shortening is accompanied by the appearance of new spectral bands in transient absorption spectrum. On the basis of analysis of the transient absorption spectra of monomeric 8'-apo-ß-carotenal in n-hexane and methanol, we propose that the polarity-induced spectral bands are due to the S(1)(A(g)(-))-S(3)(A(g)(+)) transition, which is enhanced upon breaking the symmetry of the molecule. This symmetry breaking is caused by the conjugated carbonyl group; it is much stronger in polar solvents where the S(1) state gains significant charge-transfer character. Upon addition of water to methanol solution of 8'-apo-ß-carotenal we observed formation of aggregates characterized by either blue-shifted (H-aggregate) or red-shifted (J-aggregate) absorption spectrum. Both aggregate types exhibit excited-state dynamics significantly different from those of monomeric 8'-apo-ß-carotenal. The lifetime of the relaxed S(1) state is 20 and 40 ps for the H- and J-aggregates, respectively. In contrast to monomers, aggregation promotes formation of triplet state, most likely by homofission occurring between tightly packed molecules within the aggregate.

FT-IR and Raman spectroscopic and quantum chemical investigations of some metal halide complexes of 1-phenylpiperazine.

New metal halide complexes in the form of M(pp)(2)Cl(2) (where pp=1-phenylpiperazine and M=Pd or Hg) have been prepared for the first time and their FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra are reported in the region of 4000-10 cm(-1) and 4000-50 cm(-1), respectively. The optimized geometric parameters, normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of the present compounds are theoretically examined by means of B3LYP hybrid density functional theory (DFT) method together with Lanl2dz basis set. Furthermore, reliable vibrational assignments made on the basis of potential energy distribution (PED) were calculated and the thermodynamics functions, the highest occupied and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (HOMO and LUMO) of these compounds have been predicted. According to the results, theoretical values have been successfully compared against experimental data.