Quantum Control of Coherent π-Electron Dynamics in Aromatic Ring Molecules

Herein we review a theoretical study of unidirectional π-electron rotation in aromatic ring molecules, which originates from two quasi-degenerate electronic excited states created coherently by a linearly polarized ultraviolet/visible laser with a properly designed photon polarization direction. Analytical expressions for coherent π-electron angular momentum, ring current and ring current-induced magnetic field are derived in the quantum chemical molecular orbital (MO) theory. The time evolution of the angular momentum and the ring current are expressed using the density matrix method under Markov approximation or by solving the time-dependent Schrödinger equation. In this review we present the results of the following quantum control scenarios after a fundamental theoretical description of coherent angular momentum, ring current and magnetic field: first, two-dimensional coherent π-electron dynamics in a non-planar (P)-2,2’-biphenol molecule; second, localization of the coherent π-electron ring current to a designated benzene ring in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; third, unidirectional π-electron rotations in low-symmetry aromatic ring molecules based on the dynamic Stark shift of two relevant excited states that form a degenerate state using the non-resonant ultraviolet lasers. The magnetic fields induced by the coherent π-electron ring currents are also estimated, and the position dependence of the magnetic fluxes is demonstrated.

Unexpected reversal of stability in strained systems containing one-electron bonds

One-electron ring stabilization energy (1e-RSE) drives reversal of stability in strained systems containing one-electron bonds.

Some Observations on Triplet Ground-States in the Context of ‘Topological’ (HLPM) Ring-Currents in Conjugated Systems

When the quasi graph-theoretical Hückel–London–Pople–McWeeny (HLPM) approach is used to calculate ‘topological’ π-electron ring-currents and bond-currents in conjugated hydrocarbons, a problem is identified that occurs whenever application of the Aufbau process gives rise to a π-electronic ground-state configuration that is a triplet. This circumstance seems to occur only occasionally and, even when it does, the generally somewhat outré molecular graphs in question appear unlikely to represent extant or viable conjugated systems. The molecular graphs of four examples are used to illustrate this ‘triplet ground-state problem’, only one of which represents a hydrocarbon that has actually been synthesised. It is pointed out that the ‘triplet ground-state problem’ does constitute an intrinsic limitation of the HLPM approach. It is, though, a limitation that is also necessarily inherent in other equivalent (though ostensibly different) methods of calculating magnetic properties due to π-electron ring-currents — methods that are likewise founded on the Hückel molecular-orbital conventions. When a triplet ground-state arises, topological ring-currents and bond-currents cannot be calculated by the HLPM method and its equivalents. Infinite paramagnetism is formally to be predicted in such situations.