Double substitution in long polyene chains

Conditions are derived for the occurrence of local levels in doubly substituted long polyene chains with and without bond alternation. It is found that substitution on two adjacent chain atoms may give rise to only one local state in the forbidden band. Approximate expressions are derived for the energies of the local states when the perturbed atoms lie far from the end of the chain.     

Local electronic states in bounded polyene chains

The conditions for production of local electron levels in response to local perturbations are derived for bounded polyene chains with and without bond alternation in the nearest-neighbor interaction approximation. An expression is derived for the energies of the local states in an unbounded polyene chain with bond alternation.I am indebted to G. G. Dyadyusha for valuable comments on the draft.     

Trends in Conjugated Chalcogenophenes: A Theoretical Study

Heavy atom substitution in chalcogenophenes is a versatile strategy for tailoring and ultimately improving conjugated polymer properties. While thiophene monomers are commonly implemented in polymer designs, relatively little is known regarding the molecular properties of the heavier chalcogenophenes. Herein, we use density functional theory (DFT) calculations to examine how group 16 heteroatoms, including the radioactive polonium, affect polychalcogenophene properties including bond length, chain twisting, aromaticity, and optical properties. Heavier chalcogenophenes are more quinoidal in character and consequently have reduced band gaps and larger degrees of planarity. We consider both the neutral and radical cationic species. Upon p-type doping, bond length rearrangement is indicative of a more delocalized electronic structure, which combined with optical calculations is consistent with the polaron-model of charge storage on conjugated polymer chains. A better understanding of the properties of these materials at their molecular levels will inevitably be useful in material design as the polymer community continues to explore more main group containing polymers to tackle issues in electronic devices.     

The Effects of Substituents and Solvents on the Ground‐State π‐Electronic Structure and Electronic Absorption Spectra of a Series of Model Merocyanine Dyes and Their Theoretical Interpretation

Two series of new merocyanine dyes have been synthesised and the dependence of their electronic structure on substituents and solvents has been studied by NMR spectroscopy, by using both the NMR ¹³C chemical shifts between adjacent C atoms in the polymethine chain and the ³J(H,H) coupling constants for trans‐vicinal protons. The widely used valence bond (VB) model based on two contributing structures cannot account theoretically for the observed alternating π‐electron density in the polymethine chain. In addition, the prediction of zero‐π‐bond order alternation (or zero‐bond length alternation) by this model is also incorrect. However, the results are consistent with the predictions of a qualitative VB model which considers the resonance of a positive charge throughout the whole polymethine chain. Based on this model and the Franck‐Condon principle the effect of substituents and solvents on the fine structure of the electronic spectra of these dyes can be explained as vibronic transitions from the vibrational state v=0 to v′, where v is the vibrational quantum number of the totally symmetric C?C valence vibration of the polymethine chain in the electronic ground state and v′ is that in the electronic excited state. In contrast, neither the effects of substituents or solvents on the electronic structure of merocyanines and their electronic spectra can be accounted for by the simple two state VB model.     

供体-受体型共轭聚合物电子结构和导电性能的理论设计

以苯并[1,2-c:4,5-c']二[1,2,5]噻重氮和吡嗪并[2,3-g]喹喔啉为电子受体(A),噻吩、噻吩并[3,2-b]噻吩和二噻吩并[2,3-b:2',3'-d]噻吩为电子供体(D),设计了6种D-A型共轭聚合物.采用B3LYP方法,研究了这6种聚合物的几何结构和电子性质.D-A型共轭聚合物的几何结构和电子结构与电子供体和电子受体的性质,特别是与其提供电子和接受电子的能力密切相关.聚合物的能隙主要受键长交替控制,键长交替越小,能隙越窄.所设计的6种聚合物中,p-BBT-TT具有较窄的能隙(0.48 eV)、较小的载流子有效质量和相对较大的能带宽度,具备理论上的良好导电性能,可能是潜在的优良导电聚合物材料.     

The Nature of One‐Dimensional Carbon: Polyynic versus Cumulenic

A question of both fundamental as well as practical importance is the nature of one‐dimensional carbon, in particular whether a one‐dimensional carbon allotrope is polyynic or cumulenic, that is, whether bond‐length alternation occurs or not. By combining the concept of aromaticity and antiaromaticity with the rule of Peierls distortion, the occurrence and magnitude of bond‐length alternation in carbon chains with periodic boundary conditions and corresponding carbon rings as a function of the chain or ring length can be explained. The electronic properties of one‐dimensional carbon depend crucially on the bond‐length alternation. Whereas it is generally accepted that carbon chains in the limit of infinite length have a polyynic structure at the minimum of the potential energy surface with bond‐length alternation, we show here that zero‐point vibrations lead to an effective equalization of all carbon–carbon bond lengths and thus to a cumulenic structure.     

The effects of substituents and solvents on the ground-state π-electronic structure and electronic absorption spectra of a series of model merocyanine dyes and their theoretical interpretation

Two series of new merocyanine dyes have been synthesised and the dependence of their electronic structure on substituents and solvents has been studied by NMR spectroscopy, by using both the NMR (13)C chemical shifts between adjacent C atoms in the polymethine chain and the (3)J(H,H) coupling constants for trans-vicinal protons. The widely used valence bond (VB) model based on two contributing structures cannot account theoretically for the observed alternating π-electron density in the polymethine chain. In addition, the prediction of zero-π-bond order alternation (or zero-bond length alternation) by this model is also incorrect. However, the results are consistent with the predictions of a qualitative VB model which considers the resonance of a positive charge throughout the whole polymethine chain. Based on this model and the Franck-Condon principle the effect of substituents and solvents on the fine structure of the electronic spectra of these dyes can be explained as vibronic transitions from the vibrational state v = 0 to v', where v is the vibrational quantum number of the totally symmetric C=C valence vibration of the polymethine chain in the electronic ground state and v' is that in the electronic excited state. In contrast, neither the effects of substituents or solvents on the electronic structure of merocyanines and their electronic spectra can be accounted for by the simple two state VB model.     

Electronic structure of tubular aromatic molecules derived from the metallic (5,5) armchair single wall carbon nanotube

All-electron static and time-dependent DFT electronic calculations, with complete geometrical optimization, are performed on tubular molecules up to C(210)H(20) that are finite sections of the (5,5) metallic single wall carbon nanotube with hydrogen termination at the open ends. We find pronounced C-C bond reconstruction at the tube ends; this initiates bond alternation that propagates into the tube centers. For the especially low band gap molecules C(120)H(20), C(150)H(20), and C(180)H(20), alternation increases, and a second nearly isoenergic structural isomer of different alternation is found. A small residual C-C bond alternation and band gap may be present in the infinite tube. The van Hove band gap forms quickly with length, while the metallic Fermi point (at the crossing of linear bands) forms very slowly with length. There are no end-localized states at energies near the Fermi energy. The HOMO-LUMO gap and the lowest singlet excited state, whose energies show a periodicity with length as previously calculated, are optically forbidden. However, each molecule shows an intense visible "charge transfer" transition, not present in the infinite tube, whose energy varies smoothly with length; this transition should be an identifying signature for these molecules. The static axial polarizability per unit length increases rapidly with N as the "charge transfer" transition moves into the infrared; this indicates increasing metallic character. However, the ionization potential, electron affinity, chemical hardness, and relative energetic stability all show the length periodicity seen in the HOMO-LUMO gap, in contrast to the optical "charge transfer" transition and the static axial polarizability. These periodicities, due to a one-dimensional quantum size effect as originally modeled by Coulson in 1938, nevertheless cancel in the calculated Fermi energy, which varies smoothly toward a predicted bulk work function near 3.9 eV. A detailed study of C(190)H(20) with up to eight extra electrons or holes shows the total energy is closely fit by a simple classical charging model, as is commonly applied to metallic clusters.     

Application of the recursion method to the study of the end effects on the bond length alternation in polyacetylene

We describe how the local equilibrium electronic structure in a large system can be determined by using the recursion method of Haydock. By applying this method to the polyacetylene molecule, the energies of each atomic site and the forces acting on each bond are estimated and the equilibrium structure near the end of polyacetylene is determined. It is found out that the degree of localization of π electrons and the bond length alternation become stronger near the end of the polyacetylene molecule.     

含空位和杂质缺陷的LiFePO4电子结构的第一性原理计算

采用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理研究了含空位和杂质缺陷的LiFePO_4电子结构,通过能带、态密度、布居分布分析,阐明缺陷及阴离子掺杂对材料电化学性能的影响,为LiFePO_4的结构设计和实验研究提供理论基础。结果表明,Li、Fe和O空位型缺陷对LiFePO_4的带型变化影响较小,禁带中无新的导带,禁带宽度有一定程度缩小,有利于电子的传导,但总能量上升,造成结构的不稳定性,在实际高温制备过程中,可能产生少量杂相,影响LiFePO_4正极材料的电化学性能;P空位缺陷对LiFePO_4的带型影响同样较小,但在禁带中产生了两条新的导带,禁带宽度明显变窄,有利于电子的传导,虽然总能量上升,造成结构的不稳定性,但在实际高温制备过程中,可能产生微量有利于电化学性能的杂相;F掺杂LiFePO_4的带型出现了明显的变化,半导体类型由p型转变为n型,极大地促进了电子的导电性,总能量下降,结构稳定,对LiFePO_4正极材料的电化学性能有正面的影响。     

Self-consistent calculations of the electronic structures of deep Sn and S vacancy levels in SnS by the method of green functions

The theory of Green functions and the basis set of localized orbitals were used to consider the electronic structure of local defect-vacancies in SnS. Electronic states in the forbidden band and resonances and antiresonances in SnS crystals with Sn and S vacancies were discussed.     

Electronic and geometric properties of ETS-10: QM/MM studies of cluster models

Hybrid DFT/MM methods have been used to investigate the electronic and geometric properties of the microporous titanosilicate ETS-10. A comparison of finite length and periodic models demonstrates that band gap energies for ETS-10 can be well represented with relatively small cluster models. Optimization of finite clusters leads to different local geometries for bulk and end sites, where the local bulk TiO6 geometry is in good agreement with recent experimental results. Geometry optimizations reveal that any asymmetry within the axial O-Ti-O chain is negligible. The band gap in the optimized model corresponds to a O(2p) --> Tibulk(3d) transition. The results suggest that the three Ti atom, single chain, symmetric, finite cluster is an effective model for the geometric and electronic properties of bulk and end TiO6 groups in ETS-10.     

Magnetism and bonding in graphene nanodots with H modified interior, edge, and apex

Ab initio density functional theory calculations of hexagonal shaped zigzag edged graphene nanodot molecules, modified by the addition of atomic H to interior and perimeter sites, predict significant changes to the hexagonally sectored spin distribution and chemical bonding of the originals. The redistribution of Kohn-Sham levels at the top of the valence manifold from parent to derivative hint at large changes in the electronic structure. A centrally added H atom creates an occupied level in the middle of the 0.3 eV band gap of the parent molecule and is surrounded by an island of spins. The latter is isolated enough from the perimeter to provide a calibration of the edge spins of the modified parent. Mid-edge addition of a H atom "quenches" the spin on the edge by drawing a p(z)-electron into the C-H bond without reducing the spin on the other edges. Addition of H to an apex carbon atom results in a localized spin freed from the double bond that coexists with the parent spin on the same edge. Saturating the apex double bond by adding two H atoms, returns π-levels shifted in energy and index and parent-like spin patterns on all edges, intact except for small changes on the edges joined at the apex. Taken in unison these results demonstrate how atomic hydrogen and other groups could be used to engineer the magnetism of graphene nanodots.     

Tuning of electronic properties in thienyl-phosphole pi-conjugated systems through P-functionalization monitored by Raman spectroscopy

Herein, a Raman spectroscopic study of a new family of 2,5-di(2-thienyl)phospholes and thienyl-capped 1,1'-diphospholes is presented. The Raman spectra have been carefully assigned with the help of density functional calculations. For di(2-thienyl)phospholes, two well-differentiated groups of Raman bands exist that arise either from the central phosphole ring or from the outer thiophene substituents. These data reveal a segmentation of the electronic structure. This paper reports interesting relationships between geometrical data such as the BLA (bond-length alternation) parameter and Raman band wavenumbers. These correlations are unprecedented in the chemistry of phospholes and have been used to interpret the evolution of the electronic structure (aromaticity=pi-conjugation) upon 1) substitution of the central sulfur atom of terthiophene by phosphorus and 2) P-functionalization. Increasing the coordination number of the phosphole ring results in intramolecular charge transfer. The best scenario for phosphole aromaticity is found for 1,1'-diphospholes.     

Ab initio studies of structural features not easily amenable to experiment. 22. Structural aspects of a long-chain hydrocarbon (n-nonane) and a study of the transferability of electronic effects through C?C single bonds

The molecular structure of the stretched form of n-nonane, as a typical long-chain hydrocarbon, was refined by geometrically unconstrained ab initio force relaxation on the 4-21G level. The C? C bonds and C? H bond distances in the interior of the hydrocarbon chain are found to be longer (by about 0.001 Å and 0.002 Å, respectively) than those near the end of the chain. Similarly, interior C? C? C bond angles are 0.4° larger than the terminal angles. The variation of structural parameters with distance from the molecular ends levels off after the second carbon atom, and the geometry of methylene is practically constant from C₃ on. However, if one end of the system is perturbed by moving the inplane methyl hydrogen away from equilibrium, the resulting destabilizing electronic effects are transmitted through the C? C bond distance chain in such a way that significant perturbations are still experienced at C₅. Molecular mechanics (MM 2) gives a structure in which the small changes in bond lengths and angles with chain location are well reproduced.     

The adjacent Fe oxidation greatly enhancing OER activity on the Ni active site: S plays the role in optimizing local coordination and electronic structure

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the bottleneck process of water splitting, and finding efficient, durable, low-cost, and earth-abundant electrocatalysts remains a major challenge. Here, FeNi₂-400-S is to be a promising OER electrocatalyst which exhibits a low overpotential of 214 mV at a current density of 10 mA/cm². X-ray analysis indicates that the introduction of S leads to a mismatch in bond distance between the metal-sulfur bond and the metal-metal bond, which can change the local electronic structure and favorably control the electronic oxidation. The active site position of FeNi₂-400-S has been further confirmed by DFT, which the 1OOH can stably adsorb on the Ni site of the oxidized Fe-Ni-S benefitting from the synergetic effect of the Ni site and the adjacent oxidized O on the Fe atom. Our findings demonstrate that the internal reconstruction of catalyst can make the optimization of local coordination and electronic structure, in which the in-situ generated vacancy can enable the outstanding OER performance.     

直线型CnP^—（n=1～11）结构的理论研究

以激光溅射方法产生了一系列含一个磷原子的碳原子簇负离子．针对其在实验中呈现的奇偶变化规律进行了量子化学从头算研究．在HF／6－311G*水平上（对单重态为RHF，多重态为ROHF）优化了直线型CnP-（n=1～11）键长和能量，计算了相邻簇离子的能量差与成簇碳原子的平均结合能及从CnP-分别解离C、C2、C3、P、CP、C2P等6种通道所需的能量．计算发现，n为奇数的CnP-单重态（1Σ）最稳定，而，n为偶数的簇离子则以三重态（3Σ）的能量较低．所计算的CnP-各结构参数均表现出奇偶交替的变化规律，n为奇数的CnP-相对稳定．     

Aromaticity: an ab initio evaluation of the properly cyclic delocalization energy and the pi-delocalization energy distortivity of benzene

A complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculation of the pi system of a conjugated molecule enables one to define optimal valence pi and pi* molecular orbitals (MOs). One may define from them a set of atom-centered orthogonal pi orbitals, one per carbon atom, and the resulting upper multiplet is used to define the pi-electron delocalization energy. This quantity is confirmed to be slightly distortive, i.e., to prefer bond-alternated geometries. One may also define strongly localized bond MOs corresponding to a Kekule structure and then perturb the associated strongly localized single determinant under the effect of the delocalization between the bonds and of the electronic correlation. The third order of perturbation introduces the contribution of the cyclic circulation of the electrons around the benzene ring, i.e. the aromatic energy contribution. Its value is about 1.5 eV. It is antidistortive, but remains important under bond alternation. The cyclic correlation effects are of minor importance.     

EFFECT OF DIELECTRIC CONSTANTS OF SOLVENTS ON THE BATHOCHROMIC SHIFTS IN RETINAL ISOMERS STUDIED THROUGH CARBON-13 NMR AND CNDO/2 METHODS

Abstract— The carbon-13 NMR and UV absorption spectra of all- trans -retinal have been obtained as a function of dielectric constant of solvent. The chemical shift data have been analyzed by the CNDO/2 MO calculation with the 'solvaton' model and Pople's theory for carbon-13 shielding constant. It has been shown that the changes in chemical shifts are correlated with the electron densities on the corresponding carbon atoms. Considering this result, the ground state properties of all- trans -retinal have been discussed. An increase in the electronic charge alternation and a decrease in the bond alternation have been found along the polyene-chain with an increase of dielectric constant. The electronic structure of 11- cis -retinal has been compared with that of all- trans -retinal in solution. It is suggested that the solvent-induced red-shift of absorption maxima is caused by the π-electron derealization in the vicinity of the terminal oxygen atom. Finally, on the basis of these results, the environmental effect on the chromophore in rhodopsin has been discussed.     

Noncovalent interactions in the gas phase: the anisole-phenol complex

The present paper reports on an integrated spectroscopic study of the anisole-phenol complex in a molecular beam environment. Combining REMPI and HR-LIF spectroscopy experimental data with density functional computations (TD-M05-2X/M05-2X//N07D) and first principle spectra simulations, it was possible to locate the band origin of the S(1) ← S(0) electronic transition and determine the equilibrium structure of the complex, both in the S(0) and S(1) electronic states. Experimental and computational evidence indicates that the observed band origin is due to an electronic transition localized on the phenol frame, while it was not possible to localize experimentally another band origin due to the electronic transition localized on the anisole molecule. The observed structure of the complex is stabilized by a hydrogen bond between the phenol, acting as a proton donor, and the anisole molecule, acting as an acceptor through the lone pairs of the oxygen atom. A secondary interaction involving the hydrogen atoms of the anisole methyl group and the π electron system of the phenol molecule stabilizes the complex in a nonplanar configuration. Additional insights about the landscapes of the potential energy surfaces governing the ground and first excited electronic states of the anisole-phenol complex, with the issuing implications on the system photodynamic, can be extracted from the combined experimental and computational studies.