Revisiting acene dimers: A comprehensive theoretical study of a less explored conformer

N Nikita A. Matsokin (Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology 1 , Kaiserstraße 12, 76131 Karlsruhe,) M Mikhail Kalinin A Andrea Buchwald (Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 18, Tübingen 72076, Germany) H Hans-Joachim Werner (Institut für Theoretische Chemie, Universität Stuttgart 4 , Pfaffenwaldring 55, D-70569 Stuttgart,) R Reinhold F. Fink (Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 18, Tübingen 72076, Germany) K Karin Fink (Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology 1 , Kaiserstraße 12, 76131 Karlsruhe,) D Dmitry I. Sharapa (Institute of Catalysis Research and Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology 5 , Kaiserstraße 12, 76131 Karlsruhe,)

Abstract

Dimers of the acenes naphthalene, anthracene, tetracene, and pentacene are shown to have a C2 symmetric X-shaped lowest minimum structure, while slipped-stacked and cross-shaped minima have higher energies. This is shown at the B3LYP-D3(BJ)/def2-TZVP level of theory and validated with the PNO-LCCSD(T)-F12 method. A SAPT analysis provides insight into the nature of the interaction. Finally, we performed experimental UV–Vis spectroscopy and fluorescence studies to shed light on assembling in solution. The comparison of computed UV-spectra of different dimers with experimental results helps in understanding the association process.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 164, Issue 13
Published April 07, 2026
ISSN 0021-9606
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

The Journal of Chemical Physics

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0021-9606 Physical Sciences

Authors (7)

N

Nikita A. Matsokin

Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology 1 , Kaiserstraße 12, 76131 Karlsruhe,

M

Mikhail Kalinin

A

Andrea Buchwald

Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 18, Tübingen 72076, Germany

H

Hans-Joachim Werner

Institut für Theoretische Chemie, Universität Stuttgart 4 , Pfaffenwaldring 55, D-70569 Stuttgart,

R

Reinhold F. Fink

Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 18, Tübingen 72076, Germany

K

Karin Fink

Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology 1 , Kaiserstraße 12, 76131 Karlsruhe,

D

Dmitry I. Sharapa

Institute of Catalysis Research and Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology 5 , Kaiserstraße 12, 76131 Karlsruhe,