Conformations of phthalan and 1,3-benzodioxole in their S0 and S1(pi,pi*) electronic states: theoretical study

Distinct anti and syn isomers of the bis(mu 2-acetophenoniminato)-bis(tricarbonyliron) obtained from iron dodecacarbonyl and 1,4-dimethyl-1,4-diphenyl-2,3-diazabuta-1,3-diene by symmetric cleavage of the azine have been compared in terms of molecular deviations from symmetry. The study was carried out by the analysis of intra- and intermolecular close contacts in crystals, quantum chemical DFT calculations for the isolated molecules and by NMR in solution. In the crystalline state the intramolecular contacts and also the symmetry perturbations were more strongly expressed in the syn form as compared with anti, and the same relation was perceived in the DFT-optimized single molecules. However, in solution only symmetric conformations were observed for both isomers anti and syn by 1H and 13C NMR at room temperature and at -70°C.