From synchronous to sequential double proton transfer: quantum dynamics simulations for the model porphine.
Quantum dynamics simulations of double proton transfer (DPT) in the model porphine, starting from a nonequilibrium initial state, demonstrate that a switch from synchronous (or concerted) to sequential (or stepwise or successive) breaking and making of two bonds is possible. For this proof of principle, we employ the simple model of Smedarchina, Z.; Siebrand, W.; Fernández-Ramos, A. J. Chem. Phys. 2007, 127, 174513, with reasonable definition for the domains D for the reactant R, the product P, the saddle point SP2 which is crossed during synchronous DPT, and two intermediates I = I(1) + I(2) for two alternative routes of sequential DPT. The wavepacket dynamics is analyzed in terms of various properties, from qualitative conclusions based on the patterns of the densities and flux densities, until quantitative results for the time evolutions of the populations or probabilities P(D)(t) of the domains D = R, P, SP2, and I, and the associated net fluxes F(D)(t) as well as the domain-to-domain (DTD) fluxes F(D1,D2) between neighboring domains D1 and D2. Accordingly, the initial synchronous mechanism of the first forward reaction is due to the directions of various momenta, which are imposed on the wavepacket by the L-shaped part of the steep repulsive wall of the potential energy surface (PES), close to the minimum for the reactant. At the same time, these momenta cause initial squeezing followed by rapid dispersion of the representative wavepacket. The switch from the synchronous to sequential mechanism is called indirect, because it is mediated by two effects: First, the wavepacket dispersion; second, relief reflections of the broadened wavepacket from wide regions of the inverse L-shaped steep repulsive wall of the PES close to the minimum for the product, preferably to the domains I = I(1) + I(2) for the sequential DPT during the first back reaction, and also during the second forward reaction, etc. Our analysis also discovers a variety of minor effects, such as direct switch of the mechanisms, as well as damped oscillations in the net fluxes and populations due to compensations of partially overlapping DTD fluxes.
Accardi
Antonio
A
Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
Barth
Ingo
I
Kühn
Oliver
O
Manz
Jörn
J
D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000737:chemistry*; D011522:Protons; D011789:Quantum Theory
D011166:Porphyrins; D011522:Protons; C107018:porphine