TY - JOUR A1 - Hänsel, Marc A1 - Barta, Christoph A1 - Rietze, Clemens A1 - Utecht, Manuel Martin A1 - Rueck-Braun, Karola A1 - Saalfrank, Peter A1 - Tegeder, Petra T1 - Two-Dimensional Nonlinear Optical Switching Materials BT - Molecular Engineering toward High Nonlinear Optical Contrasts JF - The journal of physical chemistry : C, Nanomaterials and interfaces N2 - Combining photochromism and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of molecular switches-functionalized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) represents a promising concept toward novel photonic and optoelectronic devices. Using second harmonic generation, density functional theory, and correlated wave function methods, we studied the switching abilities as well as the NLO contrasts between different molecular states of various fulgimide-containing SAMs on Si(111). Controlled variations of the linker systems as well as of the fulgimides enabled us to demonstrate very efficient reversible photoinduced ring-opening/closure reactions between the open and closed forms of the fulgimides. Thus, effective cross sections on the order of 10(-18) cm(-2) are observed. Moreover, the reversible switching is accompanied by pronounced NLO contrasts up to 32%. Further molecular engineering of the photochromic switches and the linker systems may even increase the NLO contrast upon switching. Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b08212 SN - 1932-7447 SN - 1932-7455 VL - 122 IS - 44 SP - 25555 EP - 25564 PB - American Chemical Society CY - Washington ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rietze, Clemens A1 - Titov, Evgenii A1 - Lindner, Steven A1 - Saalfrank, Peter T1 - Thermal isomerization of azobenzenes: on the performance of Eyring transition state theory JF - Journal of physics : Condensed matter N2 - The thermal Z -> E (back-) isomerization of azobenzenes is a prototypical reaction occurring in molecular switches. It has been studied for decades, yet its kinetics is not fully understood. In this paper, quantum chemical calculations are performed to model the kinetics of an experimental benchmark system, where a modified azobenzene (AzoBiPyB) is embedded in a metal-organic framework (MOF). The molecule can be switched thermally from cis to trans, under solvent-free conditions. We critically test the validity of Eyring transition state theory for this reaction. As previously found for other azobenzenes (albeit in solution), good agreement between theory and experiment emerges for activation energies and activation free energies, already at a comparatively simple level of theory, B3LYP/6-31G* including dispersion corrections. However, theoretical Arrhenius prefactors and activation entropies are in qualitiative disagreement with experiment. Several factors are discussed that may have an influence on activation entropies, among them dynamical and geometric constraints (imposed by the MOF). For a simpler model-Z -> E isomerization in azobenzene-a systematic test of quantum chemical methods from both density functional theory and wavefunction theory is carried out in the context of Eyring theory. Also, the effect of anharmonicities on activation entropies is discussed for this model system. Our work highlights capabilities and shortcomings of Eyring transition state theory and quantum chemical methods, when applied for the Z -> E (back-) isomerization of azobenzenes under solvent-free conditions. KW - thermal isomerization Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-648X/aa75bd SN - 0953-8984 SN - 1361-648X VL - 29 PB - IOP Publ. Ltd. CY - Bristol ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rietze, Clemens A1 - Titov, Evgenii A1 - Granucci, Giovanni A1 - Saalfrank, Peter T1 - Surface hopping dynamics for azobenzene photoisomerization BT - effects of packing density on surfaces, fluorination, and excitation wavelength JF - The journal of physical chemistry : C, Nanomaterials and interfaces N2 - Azobenzenes easily photoswitch in solution, while their photoisomerization at surfaces is often hindered. In recent work, it was demonstrated by nonadiabatic molecular dynamics with trajectory surface hopping [Titov et al., J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2016, 7, 3591-3596] that the experimentally observed suppression of trans -> cis isomerization yields in azobenzenes in a densely packed SAM (self-assembled monolayer) [Gahl et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 1831-1838] is dominated by steric hindrance. In the present work, we systematically study by ground-state Langevin and nonadiabatic surface hopping dynamics, the effects of decreasing packing density on (i) UV/vis absorption spectra, (ii) trans -> cis isomerization yields, and (iii) excited-state lifetimes of photoexcited azobenzene. Within the quantum mechanics/ molecular mechanics models adopted here, we find that above a packing density of similar to 3 molecules/nm(2), switching yields are strongly reduced, while at smaller packing densities, the "monomer limit" is quickly approached. The UV/vis absorption spectra, on the other hand, depend on packing density over a larger range (down to at least similar to 1 molecule/nm(2)). Trends for excited-state lifetimes are less obvious, but it is found that lifetimes of pi pi* excited states decay monotonically with decreasing coverage. Effects of fluorination of the switches are also discussed for single, free molecules. Fluorination leads to comparatively large trans -> cis yields, in combination with long pi pi* lifetimes. Furthermore, for selected systems, also the effects of n pi* excitation at longer excitation wavelengths have been studied, which is found to enhance trans -> cis yields for free molecules but can lead to an opposite behavior in densely packed SAMs. KW - Computational chemistry KW - Energy KW - Molecules KW - Monomers KW - Oligomers Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.0c08052 SN - 1932-7447 SN - 1932-7455 VL - 124 IS - 48 SP - 26287 EP - 26295 PB - American Chemical Society CY - Washington ER - TY - THES A1 - Rietze, Clemens T1 - Optimierung und Analyse von molekularen Schaltern in komplexen Umgebungen: thermische Stabilität, Auslesbarkeit und Schaltbarkeit T1 - Optimization and analysis of molecular switches in complex environments: thermal stability, selectability and switchability N2 - Seit Jahrzehnten stellen die molekularen Schalter ein wachsendes Forschungsgebiet dar. Im Rahmen dieser Dissertation stand die Verbesserung der thermischen Stabilität, der Auslesbarkeit und Schaltbarkeit dieser molekularen Schalter in komplexen Umgebungen mithilfe computergestützter Chemie im Vordergrund. Im ersten Projekt wurde die Kinetik der thermischen E → Z-Isomerisierung und die damit verbundene thermische Stabilität eines Azobenzol-Derivats untersucht. Dafür wurde Dichtefunktionaltheorie (DFT) in Verbindung mit der Eyring-Theorie des Übergangszustandes (TST) angewendet. Das Azobenzol-Derivat diente als vereinfachtes Modell für das Schalten in einer komplexen Umgebung (hier in metallorganischen Gerüsten). Es wurden thermodynamische und kinetische Größen unter verschiedenen Einflüssen berechnet, wobei gute Übereinstimmungen mit dem Experiment gefunden wurden. Die hier verwendete Methode stellte einen geeigneten Ansatz dar, um diese Größen mit angemessener Genauigkeit vorherzusagen. Im zweiten Projekt wurde die Auslesbarkeit der Schaltzustände in Form des nichtlinearen optischen (NLO) Kontrastes für die Molekülklasse der Fulgimide untersucht. Die dafür benötigten dynamischen Hyperpolarisierbarkeiten unter Berücksichtigung der Elektronenkorrelation wurden mittels einer etablierten Skalierungsmethode berechnet. Es wurden verschiedene Fulgimide analysiert, wobei viele experimentelle Befunde bestätigt werden konnten. Darüber hinaus legte die theoretische Vorhersage für ein weiteres System nahe, dass insbesondere die Erweiterung des π-Elektronensystems ein vielversprechender Ansatz zur Verbesserung von NLO-Kontrasten darstellt. Die Fulgimide verfügen somit über nützliche Eigenschaften, sodass diese in Zukunft als Bauelemente in photonischen und optoelektronischen Bereichen Anwendungen finden könnten. Im dritten Projekt wurde die E → Z-Isomerisierung auf ein quantenmechanisch (QM) behandeltes Dimer mit molekularmechanischer (MM) Umgebung und zwei Fluorazobenzol-Monomeren durch Moleküldynamik simuliert. Dadurch wurde die Schaltbarkeit in komplexer Umgebung (hier selbstorgansierte Einzelschichten = SAMs) bzw. von Azobenzolderivaten analysiert. Mit dem QM/MM Modell wurden sowohl Van-der-Waals-Interaktionen mit der Umgebung als auch elektronische Kopplung (nur zwischen QM-Molekülen) berücksichtigt. Dabei wurden systematische Untersuchungen zur Packungsdichte durchgeführt. Es zeigte sich, dass bereits bei einem Molekülabstand von 4.5 Å die Quantenausbeute (prozentuale Anzahl erfolgreicher Schaltprozesse) des Monomers erreicht wird. Die größten Quantenausbeuten wurden für die beiden untersuchten Fluorazobenzole erzielt. Es wurden die Effekte des Molekülabstandes und der Einfluss von Fluorsubstituenten auf die Dynamik eingehend untersucht, sodass der Weg für darauf aufbauende Studien geebnet ist. N2 - For decades, molecular switches have represented a growing field of research. In this dissertation, the focus was on improving the thermal stability, selectability and switchability of these molecular switches in complex environments using computer-aided chemistry. In the first project, the kinetics of thermal E → Z isomerization and the associated thermal stability of an azobenzene derivative were investigated. For this purpose, density functional theory (DFT) in combination with the Eyring theory of transition state (TST) was applied. The azobenzene derivative served as a simplified model for switching in a complex environment (here in metalorganic frameworks). Thermodynamic and kinetic quantities under different influences were calculated, and good agreement with the experiment was found. The method used here represented a suitable approach to predict these quantities with reasonable accuracy. In the second project, the selectability of the switching states in the form of nonlinear optical (NLO) contrast for the molecular class of fulgimides was investigated. The dynamic hyperpolarizabilities required for this, taking into account electron correlation, were calculated using an established scaling method. Different fulgimides were analyzed and many experimental findings were confirmed. Furthermore, the theoretical prediction for another system suggested that especially the extension of the π-electron system is a promising approach to improve NLO contrasts. The fulgimides thus possess useful properties, so that they could find future applications as devices in photonic and optoelectronic fields. In the third project, the E → Z-isomerization on a quantum mechanical (QM) treated dimer with molecular mechanical (MM) environment and two fluorazobenzene monomers was simulated by molecular dynamics. Thereby the switchability in complex environment (here self-assembled monolayers = SAMs) respectively of azobenzene derivatives was analyzed. With the QM/MM model both Van-der-Waals-interactions with the environment and electronic coupling (only between QM molecules) were considered. Systematic investigations on packing density were performed. It was shown that already at a molecule distance of 4.5 Å the quantum yield (percentage number of successful switching processes) of the monomer is reached. The highest quantum yields were achieved for the two fluorazobenzenes investigated. The effects of molecule distance and the influence of fluorine substituents on the dynamics were investigated in detail, so that the path for studies is leveled. KW - elektronische Schalter KW - electrical switches KW - Azobenzol KW - Azobenzene KW - Fulgimide KW - self-assembled monolayer KW - selbstorganisierte Einzelschichten KW - metalorganic frameworks KW - theoretische Chemie KW - Eyring KW - Arrhenius KW - transition state KW - Übergangszustand KW - nichtadibatische Dynamik KW - non-adiabatic dynamic KW - Tully-Algorithmus KW - nichtadiabatische Kopplung KW - non-adiabatic coupling KW - freie Aktivierungsenthalpie KW - nicht-lineare Optik KW - non-linear optics KW - Hyperpolarisierbarkeit KW - hyperpolarizability KW - Moleküle in äußeren Feldern KW - Skalierungsmethode von Champagne KW - Sprungwahrscheinlichkeit KW - trajectory surface hopping KW - Anregungsspektren KW - Populationsanalyse KW - Quantenausbeute KW - quantum yield KW - E-Z Isomerisierung KW - trans-cis Isomerisierung KW - cis-trans Isomerisierung KW - Z-E Isomerisierung KW - Dichtefunktionaltheorie KW - DFT KW - Hartree Fock KW - SAM KW - MP2 KW - QM/MM KW - Pachkungsdichte KW - molekularer Abstand KW - D3 KW - Dispersionskorrektur KW - Kohn Sham KW - B3LYP KW - TDDFT KW - Berny-Algorithmus KW - Normalmodenanalyse KW - nichtlineare Optik KW - second harmonic generation KW - Frequenzverdopplung KW - SHG KW - SFG KW - statische Hyperpolarisierbarkeit KW - dynamische Hyperpolarisierbarkeit KW - static hyperpolarizability KW - dynamic hyperpolarizability KW - Tensor KW - Trajektorien KW - trajectory KW - AM1 KW - AM1/FOMO-CI KW - AM1/FOMO KW - Geometrieoptimierung KW - Elektronenstrukturrechnung KW - GAUSSIAN Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-459594 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Goulet-Hanssens, Alexis A1 - Rietze, Clemens A1 - Titov, Evgenii A1 - Abdullahu, Leonora A1 - Grubert, Lutz A1 - Saalfrank, Peter A1 - Hecht, Stefan T1 - Hole Catalysis as a General Mechanism for Efficient and Wavelength-Independent Z -> E Azobenzene Isomerization JF - CHEM N2 - Whereas the reversible reduction of azobenzenes has been known for decades, their oxidation is destructive and as a result has been notoriously overlooked. Here, we show that a chain reaction leading to quantitative Z -> E isomerization can be initiated before reaching the destructive anodic peak potential. This hole-catalyzed pathway is accessible to all azobenzenes, without exception, and offers tremendous advantages over the recently reported reductive, radical-anionic pathway because it allows for convenient chemical initiation without the need for electrochemical setups and in the presence of air. In addition, catalytic amounts of metal-free sensitizers, such as methylene blue, can be used as excited-state electron acceptors, enabling a shift of the excitation wavelength to the far red of the azobenzene absorption (up to 660 nm) and providing quantum yields exceeding unity (up to 200%). Our approach will boost the efficiency and sensitivity of optically dense liquid-crystalline and solid photo-switchable materials. Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chempr.2018.06.002 SN - 2451-9294 VL - 4 IS - 7 SP - 1740 EP - 1755 PB - Cell Press CY - Cambridge ER -