Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

6 p.

Publication Date

2016

Publisher

American Chemical Society

Source Publication

Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters

Source ISSN

1948-7185

Abstract

Koopmans’ paradigm states that electron loss occurs from HOMO, thus forming the basis for the observed linear relationships between HOMO/IP, HOMO/Eox, and IP/Eox. In cases where a molecule undergoes dramatic structural reorganization upon 1-electron oxidation, the IP/Eoxrelationship does not hold, and the origin of which is not understood. For example, X-ray crystallography of the neutral and cation radicals of bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-annulated p-hydroquinone ethers (THE and MHE) showed that they undergo electron-transfer-induced conformational reorganization and show breakdown of the IP/Eox relationship. DFT calculations revealed that Koopmans’ paradigm still holds true because the electron-transfer-induced subtle conformational reorganization, responsible for the breakdown of IP/Eox relationship, is also responsible for the reordering of HOMO and HOMO-1. Perceived failure of Koopmans’ paradigm in cases of THE and MHE assumes that both vertical and adiabatic electron detachments involve the same HOMO; however, this study demonstrates that the vertical ionization and adiabatic oxidation occur from different molecular orbitals due to reordering of HOMO/HOMO-1. The underpinnings of this finding will spur widespread interest in designing next-generation molecules beyond HQEs, whose electronic structures can be modulated by electron-transfer-induced conformation reorganization.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, Vol. 6, No. 17 (2016): 3373-3378. DOI. © 2015 American Chemical Society. Used with permission.

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