Accelerating the concerted double proton transfer process of 2,2'-bipyridine-3,3'-diol-5,5'-dicarboxylate acid ethyl ester (BPDC) molecule by centrosymmetric dual intermolecular hydrogen bonds

This study has conducted a systematic investigation into the excited state double proton transfer (ESDPT) process of 2,2 & PRIME;-bipyridine-3,3 & PRIME;-diol-5,5 & PRIME;-dicarboxylate acid ethyl ester (BPDC) in cyclohexane (CYH) and water (H2O) by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) methods. The calculated geometrical parameters, reduced density gradient and infrared vibration spectra confirm that BPDC undergoes the ESDPT process in both CYH and H2O. In comparison to the CYH solvent, the intramolecular hydrogen bonds (IAHBs) are strengthened in the S0 state by the formation of centrosymmetric intermolecular hydrogen bonds (IEHBs) between H2O and the OH group of BPDC molecules. Furthermore, the constructed potential energy surfaces show that BPDC molecules undergo a concerted ESDPT process without potential barriers in both solvents. Time evolution analysis confirms that the ESDPT process of BPDC molecules in H2O solvent (19 fs) is faster than that in CYH solvent (62 fs). The results indicate that the formation of IEHBs causes zero disruption to the original I AHBs, but it can effectively promote the ESDPT process of BPDC molecules. Overall, this work serves as important theoretical guidance for the development of high-performance fluorescence materials.