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The photoformation of a phthalide: a ketene intermediate traced by FSRS
The photo-isomerization of o-acetylbenzaldehyde (oABA) in acetonitrile was studied by femto- and nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. Spectroscopic signatures are assigned with the aid of TD-DFT, TD-CAM-DFT and DFT-MRCI computations. The isomerization yields a lactone, 3-methylphthalide (3M...
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Published in: | Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP 2015-01, Vol.17 (1), p.376-386 |
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Main Authors: | , , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | The photo-isomerization of o-acetylbenzaldehyde (oABA) in acetonitrile was studied by femto- and nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. Spectroscopic signatures are assigned with the aid of TD-DFT, TD-CAM-DFT and DFT-MRCI computations. The isomerization yields a lactone, 3-methylphthalide (3MP), with a quantum yield of 0.3 (30%). As evidenced by femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS), the isomerization proceeds via a ketene intermediate. It is formed within ∼2-3 ps after photo-excitation. Intersystem crossing (ISC) populating the triplet state of oABA seems to compete with the ketene formation. Experiments on the non-reactive meta- and para-derivatives, which undergo efficient ISC with time constants of 5 ps, support this statement. The triplet state of oABA also contributes to the ketene formation, presumably involving a biradical intermediate. The ketene exhibits a lifetime of 1.4 μs and generates an additional intermediate in the cascade towards the lactone. |
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ISSN: | 1463-9076 1463-9084 |
DOI: | 10.1039/c4cp03351e |