The effect of halogen substitution on the structure and electronic spectra of fluorone dyes

By means of the B3LYP density functional method with the use of the polarized continuum model PCM, we have performed quantum-chemical computations of the electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra of fluorone dianions: fluorescein, dibromofluorescein, eosin, erythrosine, and Rose Bengal in vacuum and methanol. We have revealed conformational features of the structure of fluorone dianions (charge redistribution, changes in the bond lengths and angles between bonds) second by the halogen substitution, the transition from the ground state to an excited state, and the change of the solvent (vacuum-methanol). Absorption and fluorescence wavelengths, constant dipole moments, transition dipole moments, and oscillator strengths have been calculated. We have showed that, upon halogenation of fluorones, the absorption spectra are redshifted and the Stokes shift decreases, which is qualitatively consistent with experimental results.