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Strong, Nonresonant Radiation Enhances Cis–Trans Photoisomerization of Stilbene in Solution

Journal Article · · Journal of Physical Chemistry. A, Molecules, Spectroscopy, Kinetics, Environment, and General Theory
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [4];  [1]
  1. Stanford Univ., CA (United States)
  2. Stanford Univ., CA (United States); Massey Univ., Auckland (New Zealand)
  3. Stanford Univ., CA (United States); SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)
  4. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, United States

Previously, it has been demonstrated that external electric fields may be used to exert control over chemical reactivity. In this paper, the impact of a strong, nonresonant IR field (1064 nm) on the photoisomerization of cis-stilbene is investigated in cyclohexane solution. The design of a suitable reaction vessel for characterization of this effect is presented. The electric field supplied by the pulsed, near-IR radiation (ε1 = 4.5 × 107 V/cm) enhances the cis → trans photoisomerization yield at the red edge of the absorption spectrum (wavelengths between 337 and 340 nm). Within the microliter focal volume, up to 75% of all cis-stilbene molecules undergo isomerization to trans-stilbene in the strong electric-field environment, indicating a significant increase relative to the 35% yield of trans-stilbene under field-free conditions. This result correlates with a 1–3% enhancement in the trans-stilbene concentration throughout the bulk solution. Theoretical analysis suggests that the observed change is the result of dynamic Stark shifting of the ground and first excited states, leading to a significant redshift in cis-stilbene’s absorption spectrum. The predicted increase in the absorption cross section in this range of excitation wavelengths is qualitatively consistent with the experimental increase in trans-stilbene production.

Research Organization:
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), Menlo Park, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Chemical Sciences, Geosciences & Biosciences Division; National Science Foundation (NSF)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-76SF00515
OSTI ID:
1656755
Journal Information:
Journal of Physical Chemistry. A, Molecules, Spectroscopy, Kinetics, Environment, and General Theory, Journal Name: Journal of Physical Chemistry. A, Molecules, Spectroscopy, Kinetics, Environment, and General Theory Journal Issue: 29 Vol. 124; ISSN 1089-5639
Publisher:
American Chemical SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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