Detection of Structural Changes upon One-Electron Oxidation and Reduction of Stilbene Derivatives by Time-Resolved Resonance Raman Spectroscopy during Pulse Radiolysis and Theoretical Calculations

Abstract

Stilbene (St) derivatives have been investigated for many years because of their interesting photochemical reactions such as cis-trans isomerization in the excited states and charged states and their relation to poly(p-phenylenevinylene)s. To clarify their charged state properties, structural information is indispensable. In the present study, radical cations and radical anions of St derivatives were investigated by radiation chemical methods. Absorption spectra of radical ion states were obtained by transient absorption measurements during pulse radiolysis; theoretical calculations that included the solvent effect afforded reasonable assignments. The variation in the peak position was explained by using HOMO and LUMO energy levels. Structural changes upon one-electron oxidation and reduction were detected by time-resolved resonance Raman measurements during pulse radiolysis. Significant downshifts were observed with the CC stretching mode of the ethylenic groups, indicative of the decrease in the bonding order. It was confirmed that the downshifts observed with reduction were larger than those with oxidation. On the other hand, the downshift caused by oxidation depends significantly on the electron-donating or electron-withdrawing nature of the substituents.