Quantum Chemical and Spectroscopic Investigations of ( Ethyl 4 hydroxy-3-( ( E )-( pyren-1-ylimino ) methyl ) benzoate ) by DFT Method

In the present work we have reported the optimized ground state geometry, harmonic vibrational frequencies, NMR chemical shifts, NBO analysis, and molecular electrostatic potential surface map of the title compound using DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(2d, 2p) level of theory. We have compared our calculated results with the experimentally obtained values and found that both are in close agreement with each other. We have used the gauge-invariant atomic orbital (GIAO) approach to calculate the NMR (C and H) chemical shifts using Gaussian 09 package. TD-DFT (time-dependent DFT) approach has been used to simulate the electronic spectra of the title compound in order to account for excited states. Other molecular properties such as HOMO-LUMO energies, NBO analysis, and PED distribution analysis have been studied and reported using DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(2d, 2p) level of theory.


Introduction
The title compound chosen for DFT studies to extract different molecular properties has been experimentally synthesized and prepared using 1 amino pyrene and (ethyl 3-formyl-4-hydroxybenzoate) at room temperature for six hours in the presence of dry MeOH [1].The title compound shows sensing properties for selective detection of niobium ions in mixed aqueous media.In the literature survey we found that there are lot of research articles based upon fluorescent techniques for detection of various metal ions, however literature survey also reveals very few ab initio HF/MP2/DFT calculations of such type of compounds.Fluorescence is a very simple technique and acts as a convenient characterization tool for detection of very small amount (in ppm) of various metal ions in solutions [2].From application point of view niobium metal is used in various kinds of applications such as superconducting magnets [3] and biological applications [4].In interest of such applications the quantum mechanical calculations of the title compound are thoroughly investigated.The aim of this work is to predict the structural, electronic, vibrational, and spectral parameters and other molecular properties of the title compound using DFT approach [5][6][7][8][9].

Experimental Details
In this section we have reported short details about the methodology and characterization tools used for the title compound, however we advised the readers to consult [1] for more details.The chemical structure and fluorescent properties of the title compound are confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction, UV spectra, 1 H and 13 C NMR, and FTIR spectra. 1 H and 13 C NMR are recorded in chloroform using TMS as internal standard on a Varian Mercury 300 spectrometer operating at 300 MHz for 1 H and 75 MHz for 13 C. IR spectra are recorded on a Perkin-Elmer PE-983 infrared spectrometer as KBr pellets with absorption reported in cm −1 .The ultraviolet absorption spectra were recorded on Shimadzu UV-2450 spectrophotometer.Fluorescent spectra measurements were performed on Agilent Technologies Cary Eclipse fluorescence spectrometer.

Computational Details
Using DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(2d, 2p) level of theory [10] we have investigated the ground state optimized geometry of the title compound.The molecular geometry is fully optimized using tight convergence criteria along with redundant internal coordinates and Berny's optimization algorithm.The optimized parameters obtained using DFT approach have been compared with the experimental values and are in close agreement with them.Further we have used the optimized ground state geometry of the title compound to study the different properties like NMR spectra, UV-Vis spectra, MEP surface mapping, PED analysis, and NBO analysis.Using DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(2d, 2p) level of theory and GAIO (Gauge-Invariant Atomic Orbital) [11,12] approach we have reported the NMR ( 13 C and 1 H) chemical shifts of the title compound and compared them with their experimental counterparts.To study the electronic transitions and excited states we have used the TD-DFT (time-dependent) method available in Gaussian 09 package.HOMO-LUMO energies are also calculated at DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(2d, 2p) level of theory.Vibrational wavenumbers assignment is done by using VEDA 4 program.MEP surface mapping is investigated to comment upon the reactive nature of the title compound.In order to find out the various interactions between the filled and the vacant orbitals, NBO analysis [13] of the title compound has been done using NBO 3.1 program available in Gaussian 09 package at DFT/6-311++G(2d, 2p) level of theory.The unoptimized structure of our title compound is presented in Figure 1.

Results and Discussion
4.1.Molecular Geometry.We have used the DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(2d, 2p) level of theory available in Gaussian 09 program to investigate the ground state geometry of the title compound.The geometry is fully optimized with tight convergence criteria and the structure is local minima on the PES.On comparison with the experimentally obtained parameters one can conclude that our calculation is successful, as the difference between calculated and experimental bond lengths, bond angles is of few Å. Figure 2 represents the stable conformation of the title compound using DFT calculations.The selected calculated bond lengths () and angles ( Å) for the title compound along with their corresponding experimental values are listed in Table 1.
Correlation between [14] the calculated and the experimental parameters of bond lengths and bond parameters for the title compound are shown in Figure 3. Bond length and bond angles correlation  2 values are 0.9802 and 0.9921, respectively.

Chemical Shifts.
NMR spectroscopy is considered as a valuable tool for the structural and functional characterization of molecules. 1H and 13 C NMR chemical shifts of the title compound are investigated using DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(2d, 2p) level of theory with GIAO (gauge-invariant atomic orbital) approach in DMSO.The calculated 1 H and 13     electron volts, respectively.The HOMO-LUMO for the title compound has been shown in Figure 4 and the gap is found to be 3.13 electron volts.The HOMO LUMO distribution is mostly localized on the rings which show that they are  type orbitals.HOMO (103) → LUMO (104) transition implies an ED transfer between rings ( →  * ) transition.From this value of band gap we can predict that the title compound can be used for organic solar cell applications, title compound has high kinetic susceptibility and low chemical reactivity.
Using HOMO and LUMO energies along with equations as  = ( + )/2 which is electronegativity,  = ( − )/2 as chemical hardness with  = 1/2 as chemical softness has been calculated for the title compound.The terms  and  are equivalent to  = − HOMO and  = − LUMO and are referred to as ionization potential and electron affinity, respectively.In addition to HOMO/LUMO energies the HOMO−1/LUMO+1 energies of the title compound have been calculated using B3LYP/6-311++G(2d, 2p) level of theory and are found to be −5.61eV and −2.41 eV, respectively.Electron donating and electron withdrawing ability of the title compound are expresses in terms of , , and  and come out to be 4.065, 1.565, and 0.3194 [18].

MEP Surface Mapping.
We have reported and plotted the MEP surface mapping, alpha density, and total density of the title compound using Gaussian 09 program.The molecular electrostatic potential surface along with Alpha density and total density for the title compound is represented in Figure 5. MEP surface mapping is useful in understanding hydrogen bonding interactions as well as sites for electrophilic and nucleophilic attacks [19,20].The MEP surface provides us with net electrostatic effect caused due to total charge distribution.It can be considered as a fruitful quantity to understand the various molecular properties like hydrogen bonding and reactivity.It also provides a useful tool to know the relative polarity of the molecule [21].Portion of the molecule which has -ve electrostatic potential will be susceptible to electrophilic attack.The surface is color coded as per the electrostatic potential (red is more electron rich area and blue is more electron poor area.).The total electron density plot of the title compound shows a uniform distribution.The order in the increase of the electrostatic potential as per color code will follow as red < orange < yellow < green < blue [22].At last we conclude that the   6 International Journal of Spectroscopy investigated molecule has several sites for electrophilic as well as nucleophilic attacks as shown in MEP surface mapping.

UV-Vis Studies and Electronic Properties.
To find the electronic absorption spectrum including singlet and triplet states of the title compound the calculations were performed on fully optimized ground state geometry using DFT/B3LYP/6-31++G(2d, 2p) level of theory.THF is used as a solvent to simulate the electronic absorption.Figure 6 represents the computed electronic spectra of the title compound.The electronic spectra are recorded within a range of 200 nm-800 nm.Using TDDFT theory the oscillator strength along with excitation energy for the triplet and the singlet states has also been calculated.The different values for excitation energy along with oscillator strength as well as CI expansion coefficients are listed in Table 4.For the title compound the maximum absorption value obtained using TD-DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(2d, 2p) basis set are 485 nm, 332 nm, and 285 nm, respectively, with THF as solvent in CPCM model.Corresponding experimental values as reported are 383 nm and 258 nm, respectively.The calculated band at 485 nm is intense and accounts for a  →  * type of transition. max absorption band in the calculated spectrum indicates a HOMO (103) → LUMO (104) transition and is close to experimentally calculated values.

Vibrational Spectra.
In the present study we have reported the molecular vibrations of the title compound by means of FTIR spectroscopy.Our title compound is asymmetric top with C1-symmetry and is characterized by 141 normal modes of vibration.We have used DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(2d, 2p) [23] method to investigate the normal modes of vibration of our title compound.The main reason for selecting this computational scheme is that it reproduces experimental frequencies with high accuracy and the same can be predicted from the comparison of the calculated values with the experimental ones.The calculated and experimental FTIR spectra of the title compound are shown in Figure 6.On comparison we found that the calculated values using the above method are found to be in close agreement with the experimental values.Calculated C-H stretching vibrations of aromatic rings appeared in the wavenumber range 2800-3200 cm −1 .The same has been confirmed with the experimental IR where the wavenumber range for aromatic rings ranges from 3000 to 3200 cm −1 .The bands observed in the wavenumber range from 3250 to 2850 cm −1 in the calculated IR spectra of the title compound are assigned to the alkyl C-H stretching vibrations and the same is confirmed with the experimental values.C=O (ester) stretching vibrations are predicted at 1649 cm −1 while for the same functional group experimental values are at 1711 cm −1 .C=N (Schiff base) stretching vibrations are predicted at 1611 cm −1 , while experimental values are at 1610 cm −1 .We have also analyzed and reported our modes of vibrations in terms of PED.PED analysis is done by using VEDA 4 program [24].This program generally uses the Gaussian output file in formatted checkpoint form as its input files for PED analysis.These input files contain information about orientation of coordinates, force constants (F-matrix), and frequencies with atom displacement matrix.The information on F-matrix must start form the line "Force Constants in Cartesian coordinates" (Figure 7).
We have repeated our PED analysis few hundred times to achieve maximum value of PED contributions.In PED interpretation each fundamental normal mode coordinate is expressed in terms of internal mode coordinates which is a combination of stretchings, bendings, or torsions.This transformation basically results in the nondiagonality of the force constant matrix, which means that PED contributions of different modes are mutually related to each other by nondiagonal terms.Further we explain how this procedure works as a normal mode coordinate is replaced by an internal set of coordinates and PEDs are calculated.A parameter EPm is used to express the maximum PEDs and is basically considered as optimization of the PED analysis.If our title compound consists of a large number of modes, then it will result in an increase of optimization time.Theoretically calculated and experimental wavenumbers (available) are summarized in Table 5. Detailed vibrational assignments, IR intensities, and computed wavenumbers along with the percentage of PED are given in Table 5.The spectra were analyzed in terms of the PED contributions by using the VEDA program.4.6.1.Ring, C=O and C=N Vibrations.The C-H stretching vibrations in the range 2800-3200 cm −1 are for aromatic compounds.From the PED analysis we found that C-H stretching vibrations for ring 1 are assigned at 3183 cm −1 .This mode is very pure mode as its PED analysis is about 99%.The values observed in the range (3158-3224) cm −1 are assigned to the stretching vibrations of methyl hydrogen's while their experimentally obtained counterparts are at 3200 cm −1 and 3118 cm −1 , respectively.The percentage of PED calculated for these modes by VEDA 4 program varies from 92 to 99% indicating that they are pure modes.C-N modes of vibrations are assigned on the basis of PED calculations.In the PED analysis we found that C-N modes of vibrations are at 1407 and 1387 cm −1 respectively, however these modes are not pure modes and are mixed with C-C stretching modes, while experimentally observed value is at 1611 cm −1 .On the basis of PED analysis the wavenumbers at 1648, 1643, 1675, 1554, and 1526 cm −1 are assigned to C=O stretching modes, however again these modes are not pure modes and are mixed with other modes of vibrations.Experimentally obtained values for C=O stretching modes is at 1649 cm −1 .The PED analysis for various modes of the title compound along with their percentage values are summarized in Table 5.

NBO Analysis.
In order to understand the hyper conjugation as well as delocalization of the title compound we have investigated the natural bond orbital analysis of the title compound using NBO 3.1 program implemented in Gaussian 09 package [25].We have used DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(2d, 2p) level of theory in order to understand different kind of interactions between the filled and the vacant orbitals.We can investigate both intra-and intermolecular interactions using NBO analysis.In addition to this NBO analysis is also useful for understanding charge transfer conjugative interactions in different compounds.Using DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(2d, 2p) level of theory the second-order perturbation theory analysis of Fock matrix in NBO basis [26] for title compound is listed in Table 6.For each donor () and acceptor () the stabilization energy (2) associated with the delocalization  →  is determined as Large ( 2) value shows the intensive interaction between electron-donors and electron-acceptors groups and greater extent of conjugation of the whole system.The possible intensive interactions are also listed in Table 6.The secondorder perturbation theory analysis of Fock matrix in NBO   basis shows strong intramolecular hyper conjugative interactions of  electrons.From Table 6 we can see that the intramolecular hyper conjugative interactions are formed by the orbital overlap between oxygen, nitrogen, and carboncarbon bond orbitals.This orbital overlapping is responsible for ICT causing stabilization of the system under study.
From the analysis of Table 6 we found that the strong intramolecular hyper conjugative interaction is of C7-O9 from n2(O8) →  * (C7-O9)which increases ED (0.10070 e) that weakens the respective bonds leading to stabilization of 32.78 kcal mol

Conclusions
Using DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(2d, 2p) level of theory a detailed study of molecular structure, NMR chemical shifts, electronic properties, MEP surface mapping, NBO analysis, and vibrational and PED analysis of the title compound has been investigated and reported.On comparison with experimentally obtained parameters by one of coauthors of this paper we found that both of them are in agreement with each other.HOMO-LUMO analysis of the title compound shows that the electron charge distribution is mainly concentrated over the rings and there may be a charge transfer through  system which accounts for bioactivity of the molecule.The title compound has also large band gap as reported in HOMO-LUMO analysis which accounts for its future applications as a useful material in solar cell devices.Molecular electrostatic surface maps give an idea about the chemical reactivity of the title compound.Our overall simulated results for different molecular properties of the title compound are obtained for the first time and we hope that they are helpful in the synthesis and design of new applications.

Figure 2 :
Figure 2: Stable structure of new Schiff base using DFT approach with energy = −1282.65751536au.

Figure 3 :
Figure 3: Correlation between the calculated and the experimental values of the (a) bond angles and (b) bond length for the stable conformation of the title compound.

Table 1 :
The selected calculated and experimental values[1]* for the stable conformation of the title compound.
A N) + COCC, (C A O)

Table 6 :
Second-order perturbation theory analysis of Fock matrix in NBO basis.
a (2) means stabilization energy.b Energy difference between the donor and acceptor NBO orbitals.c (, ) is the Fock matrix element between  and  NBO orbitals.