Abstract
Azobenzene (di-phenyl-diazene) is well-known as a photoisomerisable molecule and has been widely studied as a molecular photoswitcher. Molecular rods, where di-phenyl arms are bound to the diazene moiety, have been also synthesized. In this article we explore by first principle density functional theory calculations the chiroptical properties (electronic circular dichroism spectra, ECD) of azobenzene and its homologues with polyphenyl arms. In particular, we demonstrate that for molecules in the cis configuration the intrinsic chirality of the distorted cis diazene group dominates the ECD response, while for trans species the non-planarity of the polyphenyl arms induces peaks in the ECD spectrum. Finally, the possibility of obtaining a light-controlled chiral switch by proper functionalization is also speculated.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 124307 |
| Journal | Journal of Chemical Physics |
| Volume | 137 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 28 Sep 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
Cite this
First principle evaluation of the chiroptical activity of the di-phenyl-diazene derivatives. / Benassi, Enrico; Corni, Stefano.
In: Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol. 137, No. 12, 124307, 28.09.2012.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - First principle evaluation of the chiroptical activity of the di-phenyl-diazene derivatives
AU - Benassi, Enrico
AU - Corni, Stefano
PY - 2012/9/28
Y1 - 2012/9/28
N2 - Azobenzene (di-phenyl-diazene) is well-known as a photoisomerisable molecule and has been widely studied as a molecular photoswitcher. Molecular rods, where di-phenyl arms are bound to the diazene moiety, have been also synthesized. In this article we explore by first principle density functional theory calculations the chiroptical properties (electronic circular dichroism spectra, ECD) of azobenzene and its homologues with polyphenyl arms. In particular, we demonstrate that for molecules in the cis configuration the intrinsic chirality of the distorted cis diazene group dominates the ECD response, while for trans species the non-planarity of the polyphenyl arms induces peaks in the ECD spectrum. Finally, the possibility of obtaining a light-controlled chiral switch by proper functionalization is also speculated.
AB - Azobenzene (di-phenyl-diazene) is well-known as a photoisomerisable molecule and has been widely studied as a molecular photoswitcher. Molecular rods, where di-phenyl arms are bound to the diazene moiety, have been also synthesized. In this article we explore by first principle density functional theory calculations the chiroptical properties (electronic circular dichroism spectra, ECD) of azobenzene and its homologues with polyphenyl arms. In particular, we demonstrate that for molecules in the cis configuration the intrinsic chirality of the distorted cis diazene group dominates the ECD response, while for trans species the non-planarity of the polyphenyl arms induces peaks in the ECD spectrum. Finally, the possibility of obtaining a light-controlled chiral switch by proper functionalization is also speculated.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84867028100&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84867028100&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1063/1.4753810
DO - 10.1063/1.4753810
M3 - Article
VL - 137
JO - Journal of Chemical Physics
JF - Journal of Chemical Physics
SN - 0021-9606
IS - 12
M1 - 124307
ER -