The infrared-driven cis–trans isomerization of nitrous acid HONO III: A mixed quantum–classical simulation

A mixed quantum–classical simulation of the IR-driven cis–trans isomerization of HONO in a Kr matrix at 30 K is presented, treating the hydrogen atom as quantum particle and the Kr matrix as well as intermolecular degrees of freedom of the ONO-body as classical. A new method is presented to time-propagate the coupled set of equations in a DVR basis in internal spherical coordinates, rather than in laboratory frame fixed cartesian coordinates. In spherical coordinates, a much more precise computation of the weak vibrational couplings is possible using a still manageable basis size. Good qualitative agreement between simulation and experiment is obtained, underestimating relaxation and isomerization rates by a modest factor ≈5. Upon matrix fluctuations, frequent curve crossings occur between the initially excited OH-stretch vibration and a closely lying combination mode of torsional and bending coordinate that lead to a transfer of population. The subsequent pathway of energy flow is deduced and discussed within a tier model, where trans-states, that belong to the second tier, are populated through a first tier of states that is composed of combinations of bending and torsional excitations. No specific energy pathway is revealed that would funnel the hydrogen atom directly towards the trans-side, hence the experimentally observed high cis → trans quantum yield of close to one probably has to be explained in a statistical scenario on a timescale much longer than that of the present simulation.     

A density functional theory study of the Au7Hn (n = 1–10) clusters

The geometries, electronic, and magnetic properties of the Au₇H_n (n = 1–10) clusters have been systematically investigated by using relativistic all-electron density functional theory with generalized gradient approximation. It is found that the Au₇ on the whole retains its triangle structure after hydrogen atoms adsorption and adsorbing hydrogen atoms can stabilize the Au₇ structure. The Au₇H₇ cluster is much higher stability than the neighboring clusters. The pronounced even–odd alternation of the magnetic moments is observed in the Au₇H_n systems indicating Au₇H_n clusters possess tunable magnetic properties by adding even or odd number of H atoms.     

Density functional study of hydrogen adsorption and dissociation on small Pdn (n = 1–7) clusters

Density functional theory has been performed to investigate the interaction of H₂ and Pd_n clusters (n = 1–7). The local minima configurations for different H₂ molecule approach modes towards Pd_n clusters are presented. Our results show that in some cases H₂ is physically adsorbed around Pd atom, and in other cases H₂ is dissociated to be H atoms. Except for PdH2, Pd_n clusters with H atoms dissociatively adsorbed are most stable. For these most stable PdnH2 clusters (n  2), the binding energy of hydrogen atom decreases as the number of Pd atom increases until n = 4, and when n  4, the binding energy almost keeps constant with the H atoms bound sites changing from Pd–Pd bonds to Pd triangle planes. Besides, the adsorption of H₂ on other low-lying isomers of Pd_n clusters is also discussed.     

Towards the understanding of the spectroscopic behaviour of the C–H oscillator in C–HO hydrogen bonds: the effect of solvent polarity

The effect of solvent polarity versus specific C–HO contacts on the vibrational νC–H mode is studied using CHCl₃ as a model system. Ab initio SCI–PCM calculations show that the overall shift of the νC–H band, sometimes ascribed to the C–HO hydrogen bonding, can in fact be explained by the electrostatic interaction with a dielectric environment. The presence of a new νC–H band – assigned to the C–HO bonded forms – remains as the most reliable evidence of C–HO hydrogen bonding.     

Large optical Kerr effect in bulk GeSe2–In2Se3–CsI chalcohalide glasses

Third-order nonlinear optical properties of GeSe₂–In₂Se₃–CsI chalcogenide bulk glasses are studied by Standard pico-second (ps) time-resolved optical Kerr effect (OKE) technique. The obtained χ⁽³⁾ and n₂ at 1064 nm of the glass 72.25GeSe₂–23.75In₂Se₃–5CsI are as large as 10.07 × 10⁻¹² esu and 6.5 × 10⁻¹⁸ m²/W, respectively, more than twice that of As₂S₃ glass. The relationship between glass compositions and the third-order nonlinear optical responses was analyzed by Raman spectra in terms of structural evolution. It is suggested that the tetrahedral units ([GeSe₄] and [InSe₄]) play an important role in the ultrafast third-order nonlinear optical responses of these chalcohalide glasses.     

Solid–liquid metastable equilibria in the quaternary system (NaCl–KCl–CaCl2–H2O) at 288.15 K

The solubilities and the physicochemical properties (densities, viscosities, refractive indices, conductivities, and pH) in the liquid–solid metastable system (NaCl–KCl–CaCl₂–H₂O) at 288.15 K have been studied using the isothermal evaporation method. Based on the experimental data, the dry-salt phase diagram, water-phase diagram and the diagram of physicochemical properties vs. composition in the system were plotted. The dry-salt phase diagram of the system includes one three-salt co-saturated point, three metastable solubility isotherm curves, and three crystallization regions corresponding to sodium chloride, potassium chloride and calcium chloride hexahydrate. Neither solid solution nor double salts were found. Based on the extended Harvie–Weare (HW) model and its temperature-dependent equation, the values of the Pitzer parameters β⁽⁰⁾, β⁽¹⁾, C for NaCl, KCl and CaCl₂, the mixed ion-interaction parameters θ_Na,K, θ_Na,Ca, θ_K,Ca, Ψ_Na,K,Cl, Ψ_Na,Ca,Cl, Ψ_K,Ca,Cl, the Debye–Hückel parameter A and the standard chemical potentials of the minerals in the quaternary system at 288.15 K were obtained. In addition, the average equilibrium constants of metastable equilibrium solids at the same temperature were obtained using a method derived from the activity product constant for the metastable system. Using the standard chemical potentials of the minerals and the average equilibrium constants of solids at equilibrium, the solubility predictions for the quaternary system are presented. A comparison between the calculated and experimental results shows that the predicted solubilities obtained with the extended HW model using the average equilibrium constants agree well with experimental data.     

The Phase Relations in the System In2O3–TiO2–MgO at 1100 and 1350°C

The phase relations in the system In₂O₃–TiO₂–MgO at 1100 and 1350°C are determined by a classical quenching method. In this system, there are four pseudobinary compounds, In₂TiO₅, MgTi₂O₅ (pseudobrookite type), MgTiO₃ (ilmenite type), and Mg₂TiO₄ (spinel type) at 1100°C. At 1350°C, in addition to these compounds there exist a spinel-type solid solution Mg_2−xIn_2xTi_1−xO₄ (0≤x≤1) and a compound In₆Ti₆MgO₂₂ with lattice constants a=5.9236(7) Å, b=3.3862(4) Å, c=6.3609(7) Å, β=108.15(1)°, and q=0.369, which is isostructural with the monoclinic In₃Ti₂FeO₁₀ in the system In₂O₃–TiO₂–MgO. The relation between the lattice constants of the spinel phase and the composition nearly satisfies Vegard's law. In₆Ti₆MgO₂₂ extends a solid solution range to In₂₀Ti₁₇Mg₃O₆₇ with lattice constants of a=5.9230(5) Å, b=3.3823(3) Å, c=6.3698(6) Å, β=108.10(5)°, and q=0.360. The distributions of constituent cations in the solid solutions are discussed in terms of their ionic radius and site preference effect.     

Blue-shifted hydrogen-bonded complexes. II. CH3F(HF)1 n 3 and CH2F2(HF)1 n 3

The equilibrium structures, binding energies, and vibrational spectra of the clusters CH₃F(HF)_{1 n 3} and CH₂F₂(HF)_{1 n 3} have been investigated with the aid of large-scale ab initio calculations performed at the Møller–Plesset second-order level. In all complexes, a strong C–FH–F halogen–hydrogen bond is formed. For the cases n = 2 and n = 3, blue-shifting C–HF–H hydrogen bonds are formed additionally. Blue shifts are, however, encountered for all C–H stretching vibrations of the fluoromethanes in all complexes, whether they take part in a hydrogen bond or not, in particular also for n = 1. For the case n = 3, blue shifts of the ν(C–H) stretching vibrational modes larger than 50 cm⁻¹ are predicted. As with the previously treated case of CHF₃(HF)_{1 n 3} complexes (A. Karpfen, E. S. Kryachko, J. Phys. Chem. A 107 (2003) 9724), the typical blue-shifting properties are to a large degree determined by the presence of a strong C–FH–F halogen–hydrogen bond. Therefore, the term blue-shifted appears more appropriate for this class of complexes. Stretching the C–F bond of a fluoromethane by forming a halogen–hydrogen bond causes a shortening of all C–H bonds. The shortening of the C–H bonds is proportional to the stretching of the C–F bond.     

Theoretical studies of uracil–(H2O)n (n = 1–7) clusters by ab initio and ABEEMσπ/MM fluctuating charge model

Uracil–(H₂O)_n (n = 1–7) clusters were systemically investigated by ab initio methods and the newly constructed ABEEMσπ/MM fluctuating charge model. Water molecules have been gradually placed in an average plane containing uracil. The geometries of 38 uracil–water complexes were obtained using B3LYP/6-311++G** level optimizations, and the energies were determined at the MP2/6-311++G** level with BSSE corrections. The ABEEMσπ/MM potential model gives reasonable properties of these clusters when comparing with the present ab initio data. For interaction energies, the root mean square deviation is 0.96 kcal/mol, and the linear coefficient reaches 0.997. Furthermore, the ABEEMσπ charges changed when H₂O interacted with the uracil molecule, especially at the sites where the hydrogen bond form. These results show that the ABEEMσπ/MM model is fine giving the overall characteristic hydration properties of uracil–water systems in good agreement with the high-level ab initio calculations.     

Phase relations in the system K2MoO4–KPO3–MoO3–Bi2O3: A new phosphate K3Bi5(PO4)6

Phase equilibrium in the pseudo-quaternary system K₂O–MoO₃–P₂O₅–Bi₂O₃ was studied as three-component solvent K₂MoO₄–KPO₃–MoO₃ containing 15 mol% Bi₂O₃ during slow cooling and spontaneous crystallization. The results of the investigation were shown on a composition diagram, which indicates the crystallization fields of K₂Bi(PO₄)(MoO₄), K₅Bi(MoO₄)₄, BiPO₄ and K₃Bi₅(PO₄)₆. New phosphate K₃Bi₅(PO₄)₆ was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (space group C2/c, a=17.680(4), b=6.9370(14), c=18.700(4) Å, β=113.79(3)°) and FTIR spectroscopy. The possibility of lone electron pair stereoactivity of bismuth was suggested using the calculations of characteristics of the Voronoi–Dirichlet polyhedra for K₃Bi₅(PO₄)₆ and K₂Bi(PO₄)(MoO₄).     

Tunneled Intergrowth Structures in the Ga2O3–In2O3–SnO2 System

The structures of several Ga₂O₃–In₂O₃–SnO₂ phases were investigated using high-resolution electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Rietveld analysis of time-of-flight neutron diffraction data. The phases, expressed as Ga_4−4xIn_4xSn_n−4O_2n−2 (n=6 and 7–17, odd), are intergrowths between the β-gallia structure of (Ga,In)₂O₃ and the rutile structure of SnO₂. Samples prepared with n≥9 crystallize in C2/m and are isostructural with intergrowths in the Ga₂O₃–TiO₂ system. Samples prepared with n=6 and n=7 are members of an alternative intergrowth series that crystallizes in P2/m. Both intergrowth series are similar in that their members possess 1-D tunnels along the b axis. The difference between the two series is described in terms of different crystallographic shear plane operations (CSP) on the parent rutile structure.     

DFT study on the intermolecular interactions between Aun (n = 2–4) and thymine

Density functional B3LYP method with 6-31++G** basis set is applied to optimize the geometries of the luteolin, water and luteolin–(H₂O)_n complexes. The vibrational frequencies are also studied at the same level to analyze these complexes. We obtained four steady luteolin–H₂O, nine steady luteolin–(H₂O)₂ and ten steady luteolin–(H₂O)₃, respectively. Theories of atoms in molecules (AIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) are used to investigate the hydrogen bonds involved in all the systems. The interaction energies of all the complexes corrected by basis set superposition error, are within −13.7 to −82.5 kJ/mol. The strong hydrogen bonding mainly contribute to the interaction energies, Natural bond orbital analysis is performed to reveal the origin of the interaction. All calculations also indicate that there are strong hydrogen bonding interactions in luteolin–(H₂O)_n complexes. The OH stretching modes of complexes are red-shifted relative to those of the monomer.     

Optical and crystallization behavior in Dy doped 40GeSe2–25Ga2Se3–35CsI glass

Dy³⁺ doped 40GeSe₂–25Ga₂Se₃–35CsI (GGC) glass was synthesized, and optical spectrum, such as infrared transmission and Vis-Nir absorption was measured. Base on the Judd–Ofelt theory, the three Judd–Ofelt parameters Ω_t (t = 2, 4, 6) were calculated and the results were compared with other chalcogenide glasses. The small Ω₂ in GGC glass is ascribed to the weak covalency of Se–Dy bond. The theory of crystallization kinetics under non-isothermal condition was developed, and was applied to analyze this Dy³⁺ doped GGC glass. From the heating-rate dependence of crystallization temperature, the activation energy for crystallization E = 148 kJ/mol is obtained, and this value is much smaller than that of the undoped glass host, indicating the introduction of Dy³⁺ ions into the GGC glass will get the host crystallized easily.     

Interaction of N-(aryl)picolinamides with iridium. N–H and C–H bond activations

Reaction of N-(4-R-phenyl)picolinamide (R = OCH₃, CH₃, H, Cl and NO₂) with [Ir(PPh₃)₃Cl] in refluxing ethanol in the presence of a base (NEt₃) affords two yellow complexes (1-R and 2-R). The 1-R complexes contain an amide ligand coordinated to the metal center as a monoanionic bidentate N,N donor along with two triphenylphosphines, a chloride and a hydride. The 2-R complexes contain an amide ligand coordinated to the metal center as a monoanionic bidentate N,N donor along with two triphenylphosphines and two hydrides. Similar reaction of N-(naphthyl)picolinamide with [Ir(PPh₃)₃Cl] affords two organometallic complexes, 3 and 4. In complex 3 the amide ligand is coordinated to the metal center, via C–H activation of the naphthyl ring at the 8-position, as a dianionic tridentate N,N,C donor, along with two triphenylphosphines and one chloride. Complex 4 is similar to complex 3, except a hydride is bonded to iridium instead of the chloride. Structures of the 1-OCH₃, 2-Cl and 4 complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. All the complexes are diamagnetic, and show characteristic ¹H NMR signals and intense MLCT transitions in the visible region. Cyclic voltammetry on all the complexes shows a Ir^III–Ir^IV oxidation within 0.50–1.16 V vs. SCE and a reduction of the coordinated amide ligand within −1.02 to −1.25 V vs. SCE.     

Electronic spectra of the linear magnesium-containing carbon chains MgC2nH (n = 1–5): A CASPT2 study

Complete active space self-consistent-field (CASSCF) approach has been used for the geometry optimization of the X²Σ⁺ and A²Π electronic states for the linear magnesium-containing carbon chains MgC_2nH (n = 1–5). Multireference second-order perturbation theory (CASPT2) has been used to calculate the vertical excitation energies from the ground to selected seven excited states, as well as the potential energy curves of two ²Σ⁺ and two ²Π electronic states. The studies indicate that the vertical excitation energies of the A²Π ← X²Σ⁺ transition for MgC_2nH (n = 1–5) are 2.837, 2.793, 2.767, 2.714, and 2.669 eV, respectively, showing remarkable linear size dependence. Compared with the previous TD-DFT and RCCSD(T) results, our estimates for MgC_2nH (n = 1–3) are in the best agreement with the available observed data of 2.83, 2.78, and 2.74 eV, respectively. In addition, the dissociation energies in MgC_2nH (n = 1–5) are also been evaluated.     

Theoretical study of the interaction of a proton with the O, F and Cl atoms of enflurane (CHFCl–CF2–O–CHF2)

Ab initio MP2 and density functional B3LYP calculations were performed to investigate the interaction of a proton with the O, F and Cl atoms of enflurane (CHFCl–CF₂–O–CHF₂) in the gas phase. The study included the optimized structures, proton affinities, interactions energies and thermodynamic properties of protonated enflurane. The proton affinities (PAs) of the O and Cl atoms are 154.5 and 139.8 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively, whereas PAs of five of the fluorine atoms are between 143.6 and 165.5 kcal mol⁻¹ (MP2 results). In contrast to protonation at the O and Cl atoms, protonation at each of the F atoms of enflurane reveals a striking result, it leads to a cleavage of the C–F bond and formation of an ion–dipole complex between the enfluranyl cation and neutral hydrogen fluoride. The [(enfluranyl)⁺FH] complexes are weakly bound, the SAPT-calculated interaction energy varies between −12.5 and −11.7 kcal mol⁻¹. The long range attraction in these complexes is dominated by the electrostatic term (70%), whereas the induction and dispersion components contribute by about 15% each. Protonation at the chlorine atom of enflurane does not lead to a cleavage of the C–Cl bond. For the O-protonated enflurane the results from the natural bond orbital analysis (NBO) are discussed in details.     

Electro-electrodialysis of HI–I2–H2O mixture using radiation-grafted polymer electrolyte membranes

In the thermochemical water-splitting iodine–sulfur process for hydrogen production, new polymer electrolyte membranes were applied in an electro-membrane process (electro-electrodialysis, EED) to increase the HI molality of HIx solution (HI + I₂ + H₂O mixture) to be over quasi-azeotropic. Radiation grafting of a styrene monomer into a poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) base film and subsequent sulfonation provided electrolyte membranes that had ion exchange capacities (IECs) of 1.1–1.6 mmol/g. With the EED of the HIx solutions using [HI] = [I₂] = 10 mol/kg at 40 °C the transport number of protons, ratio of permeated quantities of water to the protons, and current efficiency all appeared to depend on the IEC of the resulting membranes. When compared to Nafion, the self-made membranes exhibited lower electric cell resistance, and thereby decreasing up to 32% of the overall energy required in the concentration operation.     

The ultraviolet photodissociation of DCl: H/D isotope effects on the Cl(P) atom spin–orbit branching

The photodissociation of jet-cooled DCl molecules subsequent to excitation in the long-wavelength tail of the first UV absorption band (A¹Π₁←X¹Σ⁺) has been investigated at five wavelengths in the range 200–220 nm. Ground state Cl(²P_3/2) and spin–orbit excited Cl^*(²P_1/2) photofragments were monitored using (2+1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The product branching fractions are reported and compared with previous experimental results and high-level quantum mechanical calculations for HCl and DCl. A significant H/D isotope effect in the branching fractions is found at all the studied wavelengths, in quantitative agreement with recent theoretical predictions.     

Fabrication of mesoporous SiO2–C–Fe3O4/γ–Fe2O3 and SiO2–C–Fe magnetic composites

A synthetic method for the fabrication of silica-based mesoporous magnetic (Fe or iron oxide spinel) nanocomposites with enhanced adsorption and magnetic capabilities is presented. The successful in situ synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles is a consequence of the incorporation of a small amount of carbon into the pores of the silica, this step being essential for the generation of relatively large iron oxide magnetic nanocrystals (10 ± 3 nm) and for the formation of iron nanoparticles. These composites combine good magnetic properties (superparamagnetic behaviour in the case of SiO₂–C–Fe₃O₄/γ–Fe₂O₃ samples) with a large and accessible porosity made up of wide mesopores (>9 nm). In the present work, we have demonstrated the usefulness of this kind of composite for the adsorption of a globular protein (hemoglobin). The results obtained show that a significant amount of hemoglobin can be immobilized within the pores of these materials (up to 180 mg g⁻¹ for some of the samples). Moreover, we have proved that the composite loaded with hemoglobin can be easily manipulated by means of an external magnetic field.     

Phase Relations at 1500°C in the Ternary System ZrO2–Gd2O3–TiO2

Phase relations at 1500°C in the ternary system ZrO₂–Gd₂O₃–TiO₂ have been determined by the powder X-ray diffraction of samples prepared by standard solid state reaction. A large area of this ternary oxide system centered on the Gd₂Ti₂O₇–Gd₂Zr₂O₇ join was shown to exhibit the pyrochlore and defect fluorite structures. The pyrochlore structure was observed for stoichiometries as far from the ideal M₄O₇ as M₄O_6.7 and M₄O_7.4, although the degree of disorder seemed much higher at these stoichiometries. On further deviation from the ideal M₄O₇ stoichiometry a smooth transition to fluorite average structure was observed for Zr-rich compositions. None of the other binary phases were observed to show significant extent of solid solution into the ternary region.