Binary complexes
of anisole have long been considered paradigm
systems for studying microsolvation in both the ground and electronically
excited states. We report a symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT)
analysis of intermolecular interactions in anisole–water and
anisole–ammonia complexes within the framework of the multireference
SAPT(CAS) method. Upon the S1 ← S0 electronic
transition, the hydrogen bond in the anisole–water dimer is
weakened, which SAPT(CAS) shows to be determined by changes in the
electrostatic energy. As a result, the water complex becomes less
stable in the relaxed S1 state despite decreased Pauli
repulsion. Stronger binding of the anisole–ammonia complex
following electronic excitation is more nuanced and results from counteracting
shifts in the repulsive (exchange) and attractive (electrostatic,
induction and dispersion) forces. In particular, we show that the
formation of additional binding N–H···π
contacts in the relaxed S1 geometry is possible due to
reduced Pauli repulsion in the excited state. The SAPT(CAS) interaction
energies have been validated against the coupled cluster (CC) results
and experimentally determined shifts of the S1 ←
S0 anisole band. While for the hydrogen-bonded anisole–water
dimer SAPT(CAS) and CC shifts are in excellent agreement, for ammonia
SAPT(CAS) is only qualitatively correct.