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General Expression for Vibronic Coupling in Proton-Coupled Energy Transfer
Kai Cui1, Sharon Hammes-Schiffer1
1Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States.
We derived an analytical expression for vibronic coupling in proton-coupled energy transfer (PCEnT). This new theory quantifies direct and indirect interactions, crucial for understanding energy transfer mechanisms in chemical reactions.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Quantum Chemistry
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Proton-coupled energy transfer (PCEnT) couples electronic excitation energy transfer with proton transfer.
- Nonadiabatic PCEnT theory describes these processes via transitions between electron-proton vibronic states.
- The rate constant in PCEnT is proportional to the square of the vibronic coupling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To derive an analytical expression for the diabatic vibronic coupling in PCEnT processes.
- To analyze the contributions of direct and indirect coupling to the total vibronic coupling.
- To provide a general method for calculating vibronic couplings in PCEnT.
Main Methods:
- Derivation of an analytical expression for diabatic vibronic coupling.
- Inclusion of both direct (Coulomb, exchange) and indirect (virtual states) interactions.
- Application to an anthracene-phenol-pyridine triad system.
Main Results:
- The derived expression encompasses direct and indirect vibronic coupling terms.
- These terms can interfere constructively or destructively, influencing PCEnT rates.
- For the model triad, indirect coupling is significant compared to direct coupling across various distances.
Conclusions:
- The developed theory provides a comprehensive description of vibronic coupling in PCEnT.
- The interplay between direct and indirect coupling dictates the dominant energy transfer mechanism (Förster, Dexter, or general).
- This work enables accurate calculation of vibronic couplings and rate constants for diverse PCEnT systems.
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