The lowest-lying excited singlet and triplet electronic states of propanal: An ab initio molecular orbital investigation of the potential energy surfaces

This study explores the potential energy surfaces of the S0, S1 and T1 states using ab initio theory to provide insight into the spectroscopy, photochemistry and reaction dynamics of propanal. Minima associated with the formyl potential energy coordinate in the S1 and T1 states are found to be ~60°...

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Main Authors: Buntine, Mark, Lee, C., Metha, G.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Royal Society of Chemistry 2004
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/3991
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author Buntine, Mark
Lee, C.
Metha, G.
author_facet Buntine, Mark
Lee, C.
Metha, G.
author_sort Buntine, Mark
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description This study explores the potential energy surfaces of the S0, S1 and T1 states using ab initio theory to provide insight into the spectroscopy, photochemistry and reaction dynamics of propanal. Minima associated with the formyl potential energy coordinate in the S1 and T1 states are found to be ~60° out-of-phase with the S0 state. Furthermore, the excited states possess a pyramidal formyl carbon atom that leads to a double minimum at ±33° and ±49° for the S1 and T1 states, respectively. An exploration of the C–C dissociation coordinate on the T1 surface, yielding the products CH3CH2 + CHO, shows that a three-fold potential due to the formyl torsion is still operational, resulting in three unique transition states that lead to dissociation. The lowest energy pathway to dissociation occurs at a barrier height of 4766 cm−1 and the energy of the products is found to be 1017 cm−1, relative to the T1 global minimum. Consequently, a reverse barrier of 3749 cm−1 is calculated. Parameters calculated for the lowest energy transition state geometry are distinctly different from structures inferred from experiment, which assumed an isotropic dissociation channel.
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publishDate 2004
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-39912017-09-13T14:32:14Z The lowest-lying excited singlet and triplet electronic states of propanal: An ab initio molecular orbital investigation of the potential energy surfaces Buntine, Mark Lee, C. Metha, G. Rydberg transition Internal-rotation Rotationally resolved spectra Acetaldehyde Barrier height 2-photon spectroscopy Carbonyl-compounds Double-bonds excitation spectrum Microwave-spectrum This study explores the potential energy surfaces of the S0, S1 and T1 states using ab initio theory to provide insight into the spectroscopy, photochemistry and reaction dynamics of propanal. Minima associated with the formyl potential energy coordinate in the S1 and T1 states are found to be ~60° out-of-phase with the S0 state. Furthermore, the excited states possess a pyramidal formyl carbon atom that leads to a double minimum at ±33° and ±49° for the S1 and T1 states, respectively. An exploration of the C–C dissociation coordinate on the T1 surface, yielding the products CH3CH2 + CHO, shows that a three-fold potential due to the formyl torsion is still operational, resulting in three unique transition states that lead to dissociation. The lowest energy pathway to dissociation occurs at a barrier height of 4766 cm−1 and the energy of the products is found to be 1017 cm−1, relative to the T1 global minimum. Consequently, a reverse barrier of 3749 cm−1 is calculated. Parameters calculated for the lowest energy transition state geometry are distinctly different from structures inferred from experiment, which assumed an isotropic dissociation channel. 2004 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/3991 10.1039/b313777e Royal Society of Chemistry restricted
spellingShingle Rydberg transition
Internal-rotation
Rotationally resolved spectra
Acetaldehyde
Barrier height
2-photon spectroscopy
Carbonyl-compounds
Double-bonds
excitation spectrum
Microwave-spectrum
Buntine, Mark
Lee, C.
Metha, G.
The lowest-lying excited singlet and triplet electronic states of propanal: An ab initio molecular orbital investigation of the potential energy surfaces
title The lowest-lying excited singlet and triplet electronic states of propanal: An ab initio molecular orbital investigation of the potential energy surfaces
title_full The lowest-lying excited singlet and triplet electronic states of propanal: An ab initio molecular orbital investigation of the potential energy surfaces
title_fullStr The lowest-lying excited singlet and triplet electronic states of propanal: An ab initio molecular orbital investigation of the potential energy surfaces
title_full_unstemmed The lowest-lying excited singlet and triplet electronic states of propanal: An ab initio molecular orbital investigation of the potential energy surfaces
title_short The lowest-lying excited singlet and triplet electronic states of propanal: An ab initio molecular orbital investigation of the potential energy surfaces
title_sort lowest-lying excited singlet and triplet electronic states of propanal: an ab initio molecular orbital investigation of the potential energy surfaces
topic Rydberg transition
Internal-rotation
Rotationally resolved spectra
Acetaldehyde
Barrier height
2-photon spectroscopy
Carbonyl-compounds
Double-bonds
excitation spectrum
Microwave-spectrum
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/3991