The electronic rearrangement featuring the photochemically-induced 1,3-cis-butadiene is discussed within a bonding evolution theory (BET) perspective based on the topological analysis of the electron localization function and Thom's catastrophe theory. The process involves the vertical singlet-singlet excitation S0 →S2 , and the subsequent deactivation implying the S2 /S1 and S1 /S0 conical intersection regions. BET results reveal that the new CC bond is finally formed on the S0 surface, as also recently found in the photochemical addition of two ethylenes [Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 23, 20598, (2021)].
Keywords: 1,3-cis butadiene; Lewis-like representation.; bonding evolution theory; electron localization function; photoinduced ring-closure.
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