Complexes of a bio-molecule and a C60 cage

C₆₀ is the most important fullerene cage and glycine is the simplest representative of a backbone unit of a protein. In this paper, the structures and the energies of glycine–C₆₀ complexes were calculated at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level DFT. It was found that the binding of glycine to C₆₀ generated a slightly unstable complex via its amino nitrogen, a moderately unstable complex via its hydroxyl oxygen, and a very unstable complex via its carbonyl oxygen. This indicates that fullerene cages might be unable to form stable bindings to proteins via their amino nitrogen, hydroxyl oxygen and carbonyl oxygen active sites.     

Molecular structure of the azidoalane [Me2N(CH2)3]AltBu(N3). X-ray structural determination and ab initio calculations

A single crystal of the azidoalane [Me₂N(CH₂)₃]AltBu(N₃) (1a), grown in a capillary using a miniature zone melting procedure, was investigated by X-ray analysis. Compound 1a (C₉H₂₁AlN₄) is a monomeric species in the solid state, which crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁ with a=6.8560(14) Å, b=12.251(3) Å, c=7.786(2) Å, β=108.51(3)° and Z=2. The results of the X-ray structural determination are compared with the calculated structure of 1a (HF/6-31G(d) and B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory). Whereas the overall agreement between the measured and calculated structure is good, the Al–N donor-bond length differs by 11 and 12 pm at the HF and B3LYP level, respectively. To evaluate the effects of a polar environment on the molecular structure of 1a self-consistent reaction field (SCRF) calculations at the HF and B3LYP level with the 6-31G(d) basis set were performed.     

Pathways for the thermally induced dehydrogenation of C60H2

The thermolysis of C₆₀H₂ to yield C₆₀ and H₂ was studied by hybrid density functional theory (B3LYP/6-311G**//B3LYP/3-21G). The concerted loss of dihydrogen requires an activation energy of 92 kcalmol⁻¹ atT=452 K. An alternative radical mechanism, which is first order in the C₆₀H₂ concentration, has an activation energy at 452 K of only 61 kcalmol⁻¹. Monitoring of the C₆₀H₂ decomposition in 1,2-dichloro-[D₄]-benzene solution by NMR spectroscopy indicates a pseudo first-order reaction with an activation energy of 61.38±2.35 kcalmol⁻¹.     

Binary systems of C60 with positional isomers 1,2- and 1,3-C6H4Br2

Thermodynamic properties of binary systems of C₆₀ with 1,2- and 1,3-dibromobenzenes have been studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Solid solvates with the compositions C₆₀3(1,2-C₆H₄Br₂); C₆₀2(1,3-C₆H₄Br₂) and C₆₀0.6(1,3-C₆H₄Br₂) have been found. The solvates have been characterised by their enthalpies and temperatures of incongruent melting transition and in part by X-ray powder data. It has been shown that positional isomers 1,2- and 1,3- of the substituted benzenes formed two series of “typical” phase diagrams. Solubility behaviour of C₆₀ in positional isomers has been discussed.     

Theoretical investigation on the two-photon absorption of C60

We present a theoretical study on the two-photon absorption (TPA) properties of C₆₀. On the basis of the equilibrium geometry optimized by B3LYP/6-31G method, we employ the ZINDO method combined SOS formula to investigate the second hyperpolarizability and TPA cross section of C₆₀. The calculated result of the real part of the second hyperpolarizability of C₆₀ is in good agreement with the previous calculation and the experimental observation. In the 400–1000 nm range of TPA wavelength, we calculated TPA cross sections corresponding to all two photon allowed states. As a result, we find that there is only a TPA cross section maximum—995.7×10⁻⁵⁰ cm⁴ s/photon at 518 nm. Another interesting phenomenon is that C₆₀ possesses the distinct TPA process in contrast to other conjugated molecules in terms of three-state approximation. This paper provides a theoretical basis of further studying TPA properties of C₆₀.     

Gas-phase synthesis and the structural and electronic properties of C60S studied by mass spectrometry and molecular orbital calculation

C₆₀S⁺ was synthesized through the gas-phase ion-molecule reaction of C₆₀ with the plasmas of carbon disulfide under self-chemical-ionization (self-CI) conditions in the ion source of a mass spectrometer. Semi-empirical PM3-UHF and density functional B3LYP levels of theory with 6-31G(d) basis set calculations were performed on all the possible structures and electronic properties of the product. The results showed that the most stable structure among the possible isomers was the 6/6 closed derivative. The reaction energies of C₆₀+S⁺→C₆₀S⁺ and C₆₀+S→C₆₀S were also calculated to suggest the possibility of C₆₀S synthesis in condensed phase.     

Theoretical study of C24N4 molecule

Both ab initio 6-31G, 3-21G and STO-3G basis sets and semiempirical PM3 and AM1 molecular orbital calculations are carried out on the C₂₄N₄ molecule of the T_d symmetry group. Results on the fully optimized structure which constrained T_d symmetry, molecular orbitals and vibrational frequency were obtained by both ab initio and semiempirical methods. The binding energy and various thermodynamic properties were also calculated via the PM3 and AM1 semiempirical methods. All the evidence of this work proves that the C₂₄N₄ molecule is stable and that its four six-membered rings with a remarkable delocalized C…C bond are similar to the related rings in the C₆₀ buckminsterfullerene structure.     

Triplet-EPR spectroscopy on the Diels-Alder adduct of C60 and 4,5-dimethoxy-o-quinodimethane in frozen solution

Pulsed-EPR spectroscopy was used to study a modified C₆₀ molecule (1) in its photoexcited triplet state. The analysis of the triplet EPR lineshape shows a break of the high symmetry of the lowest populated triplet state of C₆₀ due to the modification of the C₆₀ unity. The reported temperature dependence of the spectra is influenced by relaxation effects. Lineshape simulations based on a triplet Hamiltonian including anisotropic T₁/T₂ relaxation were performed. The results are discussed in relation to the behaviour of pure ³C₆₀.     

Theoretical study of the N20 molecule

In the study of the N₂₀ molecule with an I_h symmetry group, the following methods were applied: 6-31G, 3-21G and STO-3G ab initio and PM3 semiempirical MO methods. Both geometrical optimization and frequency calculations are reported. Results of optimized bond distances (d_N---N), first ionization potential, ΔH_a, ΔG_a and bond energy, for the cases of 6-31G, 3-21G, and PM3 showed that the N₂₀ molecule is a highly stable compound with a delocalized N---N single bonded cluster structure.     

A theoretical study of the reaction of SiH2 with C2H2 and C2D2

Potential energy surfaces of the reaction of SiH₂ and C₂H₂ (and C₂D₂) have been calculated by means of ab initio molecular orbital theory at the QCISD/6-311G++(2df, 2p)//MP2/6-31G(d, p) level with corrections for the triple excitations to the QCISD energies. The barrier heights for the two reaction channels of the adduct, thus calculated, were further utilized for the dynamical calculation of the rate constants in the framework of quantum statistical Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel theory. Contributions of the rate constants of the various pathways to the total rate constant (K_T) for the disappearance of the reactants are critically examined and compared with experiment. The pressure dependence of K_T(C₂H₂) is primarily due to the formation of silirene. K_T(C₂D₂) is consistently higher than K_T(C₂H₂). The standard heat of formation of silirene is predicted to be 72.1 ± 3 kcal/mol. Rearrangement of silirene to vinylsilylene requires an activation energy smaller than that to silylacetylene.     

Global minima of (C60)nCa, (C60)nF and (C60)nI clusters

Likely candidates for the lowest potential energy minima of (C₆₀)_nCa²⁺, (C₆₀)_nF⁻ and (C₆₀)_nI⁻ clusters are located using basin-hopping global optimisation. In each case, the potential energy surface is constructed using the Girifalco form for the C₆₀ intermolecular interaction, an averaged Lennard–Jones C₆₀–ion interaction, and a polarisation potential, which depends on the first few non-vanishing C₆₀ multipole polarisabilities. We find that the ions generally occupy the interstitial sites of a (C₆₀)_n cluster, the coordination shell being tetrahedral for Ca²⁺ and F⁻. The I⁻ ion has an octahedral coordination shell in the global minimum for (C₆₀)₆I⁻, however for 12  n  8 the preferred coordination geometry is trigonal prismatic.     

Stereochemical patterns in bromofullerenes C60Br2 to C60Br12

The stabilities of different isomers of C₆₀Br_n have been calculated for n = 2 to 12. A general stereochemical pattern which emerges is the tendency to form strings created by the edge sharing of C₆Br₂ hexagonal faces. Stable structures are formed if these strings form loops, thereby eliminating string ends, which may involve the creation of C₆Br₃ hexagonal faces. A particularly stable structure is formed at C₆₀Br₆ in which the loop forms a C₁₀Br₆ fragment with a pentagonal pyramidal arrangement of six bromine atoms. Two isomers of C₆₀Br₁₂ are also particularly stable. One isomer contains two of these Br₆ pentagonal pyramids on opposite sides of the molecule, and the other isomer contains a single large loop wrapped around the middle of the molecule.     

Heats of formation of isomeric [C, H4, O], [C, H3, N] and [C, H5, N] radical cations

The heats of formation of six radical cations have been calculated using ab initio MO methods at the MP4/6-31 + G(2df, p) level with MP2/6-31G(d, p)-optimized geometries. The theoretical values for ΔH⁰_f,298 (kJ/mol) of the radical ions considered are (experimental values in parentheses): methanol CH₃OH^+√: 854 (845); methyleneoxonium CH₂OH^+√₂: 815 (816); methyleneimine CH₂NH^+√: 1076 (1054); aminomethylene HCNH^+√₂: 1040 (1079); methylamine CH₃NH^+√₂: 863 (843) and methyleneammonium CH₂NH^+√₃: 855 (958). The calculated results thus confirm the discrepancy between experiment and theory on the heats of formation of nitrogen-containing radical cations. In the latter, the distonic species are calculated to be more stable than their classical isomers. The higher stability of the distonic ions has also been discussed. The recommended heat of formation of the methyleneiminium cation CH₂NH⁺₂ is 754 kJ/mol.     

Molecular structure and internal rotation potential of perfluoro (2,4-dimethyl-3-oxa-2,4-diazapentane), (CF3)2N–O–N(CF3)2

Ab initio quantum chemical calculation were performed on R₂N–O–NR₂ type (R=H, F, CH₃ and CF₃) molecules, using the HF, B3LYP and MP2/6-31G* levels of theory. The equilibrium structures and the internal rotation potentials have been determined. Three stable conformers were found for R=H, F and CH₃ while only two in case of R=CF₃. The rotation potential energy curves do not change significantly upon fluorination. The calculations suggests that in the ED measurement of the title compound the NC and NO bond length might have been interchanged.     

Semiempirical molecular dynamics studies of C60/C70 fullerene oxides: C60O, C60O2 and C70O

The spectral analysis indicates that all isomers of C₆₀O, C₇₀O and C₆₀O₂ have an epoxide-like structure (an oxygen atom bridging across a C–C bond). According to the geometrical structure analysis, there are two isomers of fullerene monoxide C₆₀O (the 5,6 bond and the 6,6 bond), eight isomers of fullerene monoxide C₇₀O and eight isomers of fullerene dioxide C₆₀O₂. In order to simulate the real reaction conditions at 300 K, the calculation of the different isomers of C₆₀O, C₆₀O₂ and C₇₀O fullerene oxides was carried out using the semiempirical molecular dynamics method with two different approaches: (a) consideration of the geometries and thermodynamic stabilities, and (b) consideration of the ozonolysis mechanism. According to the semiempirical molecular dynamic calculation analysis, the probable product of this ozonolysis reaction is C₆₀O with oxygen bridging over the 6–6 bond (C_2v). The most probable product in this reaction contains oxygen bridging across in the upper part of C₇₀ (6–6 bond in C₇₀O-2 or C₇₀O-4) an epoxide-like structure. C₆₀O₂-1, C₆₀O₂-3 and C₆₀O₂-5 are the most probable products for the fullerene dioxides. All of these reaction products are consistent with the experimental results. It is confirmed that the calculation results with the semiempirical molecular dynamics method are close to the experimental work. The semiempirical molecular dynamics method can offer both the reaction temperature effect by molecular dynamics and electronic structure, dipole moment by quantum chemistry calculation.     

Reaction of NS with N3

Thionitrosyl hexafluoroarsenate, [NS][AsF₆], reacted with caesium azide, [Cs][N₃], to form S₂N₂ which polymerized to give (SN)_x. The structures of the following likely intermediate species were calculated at correlated MP2/6–31G(d,p) level of theory (relative energies in kcal mol⁻¹): thionitrosyl azide, N₃---N=S (37.8), thiazyl azide, N₃---SN (39.2) and cyclic N₄S (0.0).^‡     

Ab initio study of some peroxides. HOOH, CH3OOH and, CH3OOCH3

The geometries of HOOH, CH₃OOH, and CH₃OOCH₃, were optimized with different basis sets (3-21G, 6-31G^*(*) and D95^**) at different levels of theory (HF, MP2, MP4, and CI). HF/3-21G optimizations result in planar trans conformations for all three peroxides. HF/6-31G^** calculations predict skew conformations for HOOH and CH₃OOH, but a planar trans struture for CH₃OOCH₃. For the larger basis set the calculated bond lengths, especially the O-O bonds, are too short. Optimizations for HOOH including electron correlation at the MP2, MP3, MP4, CI, and CCD level improve the agreement for bond lengths and the OOH angle, but result in dihedral angles Which are too large by 3– 8°. In the case of CH₃OOCH₃, similar calculations at the MP2 and CI level predict planar trans structures instead of the experimentally observed skew conformation. On the other hand, MP4 single point calculations at MP2 optimized parameters result in a correct skew structure. For all three peroxides a computationally “economic” method, i.e., single point calculations at MP2 or MP4 level with HF/3-21G optimized parameters, result in close agreement between calculated and experimental structures.     

PREPARATION AND PHOTOPHYSICAL STUDIES OF PORPHYRIN-C60 DYADS

Abstract Porphyrin-C₆₀ dyads in which the two chromophores are linked by a bicyclic bridge have been synthesized using the Diels-Alder reaction. The porphyin singlet lifetimes of both the zinc (Pz_n-C₆₀) and free base (P-C₆₀) dyads, determined by time-resolved fluorescence measurements, are ≦17 ps in toluene. This substantial quenching is due to singlet-singlet energy transfer to C₆₀ The lifetime of Pzn-¹C₆₀ is -5 ps in toluene, whereas the singlet lifetime of an appropriate C₆₀ model compound is 1.2 ns. This quenching is attributed to electron transfer to yield P_zn^bull;+-C₆₀^bull;-. In toluene, P-¹C₆₀ is unquenched; the lack of electron transfer is due to unfavorable thermodynamics. In this solvent, a transient state with an absorption maximum at 700 ran and a lifetime of-10 μs was detected using transient absorption methods. This state was quenched by oxygen, and is assigned to the C₆₀ triplet. In the more polar benzonitrile, P-¹C₆₀ underoes photoinduced electron transfer to give P^•+-C₆₀^bull;-. The electron transfer rate constant is −2 × 10¹¹ s⁻¹.     

Thermochemistry of the higher chlorine oxides ClOx (x=3, 4) and Cl2Ox (x=3–7)†

Heats of formation for ClO₃, ClO₄, Cl₂O₃, Cl₂O₄, Cl₂O₅, Cl₂O₆ and Cl₂O₇ molecules are determined at the B3LYP, B3PW91, mPW1PW91 and B1LYP levels of the density functional theory employing a series of extended basis sets, and using Gaussian-3 model chemistries. Modified Gaussian-3 calculations, which employ accurate B3LYP/6-311+G(3d2f) molecular geometries and vibrational frequencies, were also performed. Heats of formation were calculated from both total atomization energies and isodesmic reaction schemes. The latter method in conjunction with Gaussian-3 models leads to the most reliable results. The best values at 298 K for ClO₃, ClO₄, Cl₂O₃ and Cl₂O₄ as derived from an average of G3//B3LYP and G3//B3LYP/6-311+G(3d2f) calculations are 43.1, 54.8, 31.7 and 37.4 kcal mol⁻¹. From calculations carried out at the G3(MP2)//B3LYP and G3(MP2)//B3LYP/6-311+G(3d2f) levels, heats of formation for Cl₂O₅, Cl₂O₆ and Cl₂O₇ are predicted to be 53.2, 52.2 and 61.5 kcal mol⁻¹. All best values are reproduced within 1 kcal mol⁻¹ by using mPW1PW91/6-311+G(3d2f) isodesmic energies. Enthalpy changes for relevant Cl–O bond fission reactions are reported. Comparisons with previous thermodynamics data are made.     

Ab initio and density function theory studies on NLi6 molecule: compared with CLi6 and OLi6 species

A wide variety of geometrical structures of NLi₆ molecule were studied using HF ab initio and BLYP-DFT techniques. Three stationary configurations which take D_4h, D_3d and D_2d configurations were obtained. Their equilibrium geometries and fundamental frequencies were calculated at HF and BLYP-DFT levels. Among the three stable states, the global minimum prefers D_3d configuration, which is different from those of CLi₆ and OLi₆. The D_3d isomer of NLi₆ is 3.43 and 28.45 kcal/mol lower in energy than the D_4h and D_2d ones in the DFT calculation, respectively. All calculations were performed with 6-31G* polarized split-valence basis set.