Theoretical study on the mechanism of double proton transfer in porphycene by path-integral molecular dynamics simulations

Yoshikawa, Takehiro*; Sugawara, Shuichi*; Takayanagi, Toshiyuki*; Shiga, Motoyuki   ; Tachikawa, Masanori*

Full-dimensional path-integral molecular dynamics simulations were performed to determine whether the double proton transfer tautomerization of porphycene is a concerted or a stepwise process. It was found that double proton transfer occurs dominantly through the concerted pathway via the second-order saddle point structure and that contribution of the stepwise mechanism increases with a temperature increase. Nuclear quantum effects play essential roles in determining the proton transfer mechanism.