Excited-state properties from ground-state DFT descriptors: A QSPR approach for dyes.

This work presents a quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR)-based approach allowing an accurate prediction of the excited-state properties of organic dyes (anthraquinones and azobenzenes) from ground-state molecular descriptors, obtained within the (conceptual) density functional theory (DFT) framework. The ab initio computation of the descriptors was achieved at several levels of theory, so that the influence of the basis set size as well as of the modeling of environmental effects could be statistically quantified. It turns out that, for the entire data set, a statistically-robust four-variable multiple linear regression based on PCM-PBE0/6-31G calculations delivers a R(adj)(2) of 0.

Spectral properties of spirooxazine photochromes: TD-DFT insights.

A large series of photochromes of the spirooxazine family has been investigated using density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory, aiming at designing molecules with an open-ring merocyanine form absorbing at the longest possible wavelength. A complete methodological assessment (basis set, solvent effects, functionals) has been performed, allowing the design of efficient multilinear regressions for two solvents (cyclohexane and toluene). These regressions allow the estimate of the absorption wavelength of open spirooxazine with an error limited to about 5 nm.

Extensive TD-DFT Benchmark: Singlet-Excited States of Organic Molecules.

Extensive Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) calculations have been carried out in order to obtain a statistically meaningful analysis of the merits of a large number of functionals. To reach this goal, a very extended set of molecules (∼500 compounds, >700 excited states) covering a broad range of (bio)organic molecules and dyes have been investigated. Likewise, 29 functionals including LDA, GGA, meta-GGA, global hybrids, and long-range-corrected hybrids have been considered.

Ab initio studies of the lambda(max) of naphthoquinones dyes.

Using a state-of-the-art time-dependent density functional (TD-DFT) approach that includes the explicit consideration of bulk medium effects on both the ground-state geometry and the electronic spectrum, we have determined the lambda(max) of 86 naphthoquinones (NQ) dyes in various solvents for a total of 151 cases. In most cases, TD-DFT provides the correct ordering of transitions for substituted NQ dyes. Comparisons with experimental values lead to a mean signed error of -7.

Ab initio tools for the accurate prediction of the visible spectra of anthraquinones.

The UV/vis absorption spectra of 101 anthraquinones solvated in two protic solvents (methanol and ethanol) has been theoretically predicted using the time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) for the excited state calculations and the polarizable continuum model (PCM) for evaluating bulk solvent effects. Two functionals (B3LYP and PBE0) have been used and they provide similar mean absolute deviations (approximately 0.09 eV) but mean signed errors presenting opposite signs.

Ab initio investigation of the n --> pi* transitions in thiocarbonyl dyes.

The n --> pi* transitions in more than 100 thiocarbonyl dyes have been calculated with an ab initio procedure relying on the combination of time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) for evaluating excited states and the polarizable continuum model (PCM) for modeling the bulk solvent effects on both the geometrical and electronic structures. Two hybrid functionals (B3LYP and PBE0) and several basis sets, some including f polarization functions, have been used. B3LYP provides the most accurate raw estimates, but once simple linear regression is performed, both functionals give similar results with a small advantage for PBE0.

TD-DFT investigation of the UV spectra of pyranone derivatives.

The UV absorption spectra of more than 80 substituted coumarins and chromones have been investigated with the PCM-TD-DFT theoretical scheme using three hybrid functionals (O3LYP, B3LYP, and PBE0) and taking into account methanol or ethanol solvation effects. For most of the studied derivatives, there are at least two allowed excited states presenting a strong oscillator strength in the UV region. The first allowed excitation is associated to a HOMO-LUMO transition whereas the second corresponds to a transition from the HOMO-1 to the LUMO.

Toward a Theoretical Quantitative Estimation of the λmax of Anthraquinones-Based Dyes.

We have computed the absorption spectra of a large series of anthraquinone dyes by using the time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) for the excited-state calculations and the polarizable continuum model (PCM) for evaluating bulk solvent effects. On one hand, we compare the results obtained with the B3LYP and the PBE0 hybrid functionals, combined with different atomic basis sets. On the other hand, using multiple linear regression, we take advantage of the λmax predicted by these two functionals in order to reach the best agreement between theoretical estimates and experimental measurements.

Substitution and chemical environment effects on the absorption spectrum of indigo.

The UV/visible spectra of a series of indigo derivatives have been evaluated by using ab initio methods. The combination of the Polarizable continuum model for estimating bulk solvent effects with the TD-B3LYP6-311 + G(2d,p)B3LYP6-311G(d,p) level of approximation, leads to an accurate description of the wavelength of maximum absorption of indigoids compounds. Using this procedure, we have assessed the effects of both the surroundings (solvent and solid state) and the substitution pattern.

Thioindigo dyes: highly accurate visible spectra with TD-DFT.

The structure and visible spectra of a large panel of thioindigo dyes and derivatives have been evaluated using a TD-PBE0/6-311+G(2d,p)//PBE0/6-311G(d,p) approach explicitly taking bulk solvent effects into account by means of the polarizable continuum model. The influence of the solvent characteristics, the trans-cis isomerization, and the chemical substitution on the benzene rings have been investigated. In addition, hemi-thioindigo dyes, thiazine-indigo, chromophore-like molecules, and selenoindigo have been considered.

Theoretical investigation of substituted anthraquinone dyes.

We have investigated with computational chemistry techniques the visible spectra of substituted anthraquinones. A wide panel of theoretical methods has been used, with various basis sets and density functional theory (DFT) functionals, in order to assess a level of theory that would lead to converged excitation energies. It turns out that the hybrid Becke-Lee-Yang-Parr and Perdew-Burke-Erzenrhof functionals with the 6-31G (d,p) atomic basis set provide reliable lambda(max) when the solvent effects are included in the model.