Gas-phase stability of cluster ions SF m + (SF6) n with m = 0–5 and n = 1–3

The gas-phase stabilities of cluster ions SF⁺_m (SF₆)_n with m = 0−5 were determined by using a high pressure mass spectrometer. The bond energies of SF⁺_m (SF₆)₁ were found to be less than 10 kcal/mol and to decrease with m = 0 → 5. There appear to be rather large gaps in the bond energies between n = 1 and 2 for the clusters SF⁺_m (SF₆)_n with m = 0−4. The structures of SF⁺₅, SF⁺ (SF₆)₁, SF⁺₃ (SF₆)₁, and SF⁺₅ (SF₆)₁ were investigated by ab initio molecular orbital calculations. For SF⁺₅, the D_3h geometry is found to be most stable andC_4v is a transition state of the Berry pseudorotation. For the ion-molecule complexes, the “on-top hat” models were found to be the most stable structures.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of the redox reaction of hexaaquotitanium(III) and the ethylenediamine tetraacetato titanium(III) complex by aqueous solutions of bromine

At 25°C, I = 1.0 M (CF₃SO₃⁻Li⁺+CF₃SO₃H), [H⁺] = 0.034–0.274 M and λ = 453 nm, the rate equation for the oxidation of Ti(H₂O), ₆³⁺ by bromine was found to be: −d/[Br₂]T/dt=kK/[Br₂][Ti^III]/[H⁺]+K+kK/[Br₃⁻][Ti^III]/[H⁺+K, where k = 9.2 × 10⁻³ M ⁻¹ s ⁻¹ and K = 4.5 × 10⁻³ M. At [H⁺] = 1.0 M, [Br⁻] = 0.05–0.4 M, the apparent second-order rate constant decreases as [Br⁻] increases.

The pH-dependence of the oxidation of Ti^III-edta by bromine is interpreted in terms of the change in identity of the Ti^III-edta species as the pH of the reaction medium changes. The second-order rate constants were fitted using a non-linear least-square computer program with (1/k₀^edta)² weighting into an equation of the form: k₀^edta =k₁+k₂K₁[H⁺]⁻¹+k₃K₁K₂[H⁺]^−2/1+K₁[H⁺[H⁺⁻¹+K₁K₂[H⁺]⁻², with K₁ and K₂ fixed as earlier determined at 9.55 × 10⁻³ and 2.29 × 10⁻⁹ M, respectively, for the oxidation of bromine. k₁=k₂=(3.1±0.32)×10³M⁻¹s⁻¹ k₃=(2.3±0.45)×10⁶N⁻¹s⁻¹.

It is proposed that these electron transfer reactions proceed by univalent changes with the production of Br₂^.− as a transient intermediate. An outer-sphere mechanism is proposed for these reactions. The homonuclear exchange rate for Ti^III-edta+Ti^IV-edta is estimated at 32 M⁻¹ s⁻¹.     

Spectroscopic investigation of ground state pyrrole (C4H5N): the NH stretch

We have recorded the infrared absorption spectrum of pyrrole at 0.005 cm⁻¹ spectral resolution using a Fourier transform interferometer. The rotational analysis of the fundamental N---H stretch (1¹₀) at 3530.811343(82) cm⁻¹ was performed. A set of 13 upper state rovibrational parameters was determined, allowing the 2715 assigned rovibrational lines to be reproduced with a standard deviation of 1.3 10⁻³ cm⁻¹. An attempt to record the fundamental band under slit-jet conditions is reported. The role of hot bands accompanying the series of the N---H stretch excitation is investigated. Effective vibrational parameters — ω⁰₁, X⁰₁₁, Y₁₁₁, X_1,24 — are obtained. The lower level in the hot band series is unambiguously identified as the V₂₄ = 1 level, by retrieving X_1,24 independently, from other spectral data. The observation of the complex band pattern accompanying the N---H series in the higher overtone range is discussed with the help of new data, recorded around the 1⁵₀ band at different temperatures using intracavity laser optoacoustic spectroscopy.     

Rates of the reactions CN + H2CO and NCO + H2CO in the temperature range 294–769 K

The rate coefficients of the reactions: (1) CN + H₂CO → products and (2) NCO + H₂CO → products in the temperature range 294–769 K have been determined by means of the laser photolysis-laser induced fluorescence technique. Our measurements show that reaction (1) is rapid: k₁(294 K) = (1.64 ± 0.25) x 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹; the Arrhenius relation was determined as k₁ = (6.7 ± 1.0) x 10⁻¹¹ exp[(−412 ± 20)/T] cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. Reaction (2) is approximately a tenth as rapid as reaction (1) and the temperature dependence of k₂ does not conform to the Arrhenius form: k₂ = 4.62 x 10⁻¹⁷T^1.71 exp(198/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. Our values are in reasonable agreement with the only reported measurement of k₁; the rate coefficients for reaction (2) have not been previously reported.     

Studies on the determination of dissolved oxygen in water

Studies on the decomposition rates of the Mn(III) complex of cyclohexanediaminetetra-acetate (DCTA) in light and in darkness have shown that this complex is more stable than the one derived from ethylenediaminetetra-acetate. The optimum pH range for the determination of dissolved oxygen by means of the Mn(III)-DCTA complex is found to be between 3 and 4. The absorbance of this complex is independent of the amount of DCTA used (in the range 0.2–1.0 g) with water samples containing a maximum of 3.2 ppm of dissolved oxygen. Significant interferences are caused by the presence of CO²⁻₃, HCO⁻₃, S₂O²⁻₃, PO³⁻₄, I⁻, NO⁻₂, SO²⁻₃, Ca²⁺, Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ at 500 times the oxygen concentration.     

Strong antiferromagnetism in the dinuclear 2-pyridone complex with N–C–O bridges: A paddle-wheel analogue of the dinuclear tetracarboxylates

A novel dinuclear complex [Cu₂(μ-L)₄(HL)₂] (1) was isolated from starting 2-pyridone (HL) via a resonance and a tautomeric transformation. Each copper centre is in a square-pyramidal coordination sphere, defined by two oxygen atoms (Cu–O4 1.978(5), Cu–O11 1.964(4) Å) and two nitrogen atoms (Cu–N2 2.003(5), Cu–N3 2.007(5) Å) of four bridging deprotonated pyridin-2-olates and an oxygen atom on the top from a neutral 2-pyridone (Cu–O2 2.227(5) Å), analogous to tetracarboxylate paddle-wheel complexes. Compound 1 was compared with mixed pyridin-2-olato/methanoato analogues [Cu₂(μ-HCO₂)₂(μ-L)₂(HL)₂] · 2CH₃CN (2) and [Cu₂(μ-HCO₂)₂(μ-L)₂(HL)₂] (2a) (2a is an air stable form obtained from 2 outside mother-liquid). The EPR spectra of air stable 1 and 2a show three signals H_z1, H₂ and H_z2, typical for the binuclear systems with spin S = 1, both revealing strong antiferromagnetism 2J = −334 (1) and −324 cm⁻¹ (2a). Interestingly, only for 1 additional H₁ signal at 100 mT is noticed (D(1) = 0.293 cm⁻¹ < hν = 0.320 cm⁻¹ < D(2a) = 0.347 cm⁻¹). On the other hand, several broad signals in the 100–450 mT region, only in the high temperature spectrum for 2a are observed. These results are in agreement with the magnetic susceptibility analysis.     

An efficient closed-shell singles and doubles coupled-cluster method

A reformulated set of equations for the closed-shell singles and doubles coupled-cluster (CCSD) method is presented. A computational cost of n_v⁴n₀²+7n_v³n₀³+1n_v²n₀⁴ for the n⁶ steps is obtained, where n_v is the number of virtual molecular orbitals included in the CCSD procedure, n₀ is the number of doubly occupied molecular orbitals and n=n₀+n_v. Test calculations for the cis and trans isomers of FNNF and planar and pyramidal CH₃⁻ are presented. Equilibrium structures determined with large Gaussian basis sets at the second-order Møller-Plesset (MP2) perturbation level of theory are reported and used for the other electron correlation methods. With the largest one-particle basis set (144 contracted Gaussian functions), the equilibrium geometries of cis- and trans-FNNF agree with experiment. Based on analyses of planar and pyramidal CH₃⁻ wavefunctions and the calculated inversion barrier, it is suggested that the molecular anion may not exist in a planar configuration but that autodetachment of an electron occurs before the transition state is reached. Comparisons of our new CCSD procedure demonstrate that coupled-cluster methods are not significantly more expensive than similar electron correlation techniques.     

Role of axial ligation on potentiometric response of Co(III) tetraphenylporphyrin-doped polymeric membranes to nitrite ions

Two types of Co(III) tetraphenylporphyrins, Co(III)TPPX (I) and Co(III)(N)TPPX (II), where X = C1⁻ or NO⁻₂ and N = C₅H₅N or C₆H₅CH₂C₅H₄N, are used as ionophores to prepare nitrite responsive polymeric membrane electrodes. The influence of the initial axial ligand (X⁻ and N) on the operative ionophore mechanism of these metalloporphyrins within the solvent polymeric membranes is examined. Results from potentiometric and electrodialysis experiments suggest that in the presence of nitrite in the test sample and internal solution, both types of Co (III) porphyrins studied (I and II) act as neutral carriers and that the addition of lipophilic cationic sites (e.g., tridodecylmethylammonium ions (TDMA⁺)) to the organic membrane is essential to improve the selectivity and long term stability of sensors prepared with these species. Membranes formulated with (I) or (II) in the nitrite form along with TDMACl in plasticized PVC films exhibit the following selectivity sequence: SCN⁻ > NO⁻₂ ˜ C1O⁻₄ > Sal⁻ > NO⁻₃ > Br⁻ > C1⁻. Membrane electrodes with added lipophilic cationic sites are shown to exhibit rapid, fully reversible and Nernstian response towards nitrite ions in the concentration range of 10⁻¹–10⁻⁵ M, with good long term stability.     

Structural effects in low temperature radioluminescence of aqueous ionic systems

Structural effects in the radioluminescence spectra of glassy and polycrystalline aqueous solutions of chloride and alkaline ices observed by pulse radiolysis at temperatures 6–110 K are reported. The luminescence efficiency as well as position of λ_max of the emission spectra are dependent on the physical state and temperature of the matrix. For all the investigated aqueous polycrystalline matrices and for H₂O ice, the emission band peaking at about 330 nm, assigned to OH*A²Σ→X²Π transition appears at temperatures below 40 K. This UV band was not observed for glassy matrices. Luminescence bands observable in the visible range of spectrum (400–600 nm) can be associated with the emission of (OH⁻)*, the radiative capture of trapped electrons e⁻_t by metal cations Me⁺(Me²⁺) and trapped atoms H√_t. For polycrystalline chloride matrices a contribution of the emission of (Cl²⁻₂)* must be taken into account.     

Structural characterisation of [Pt(NH3)4]2[W(CN)8][NO3]·2H2O donor–acceptor complex

The bimetallic [Pt(NH₃)₄]₂[W(CN)₈][NO₃]·2H₂O is characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction [S.G.P2₁/m(11), a=8.0418(7), b=19.122(2), c=9.0812(6) Å, Z=2]. All platinum centres have the square-plane D_4h geometry with average dimensions Pt(1)–N 2.042(2) and Pt(2)–N 2.037(10) Å. The octacyanotungstate anion has the square-antiprismatic D_4d configuration with average dimensions W(1)–C 2.164(13), C–N 1.140(12), W(1)–N 3.303(5) Å. The structure exhibits two different mutual orientations of Pt versus W units resulting in Pt(2)–W(1), W(1)^* separations of 4.77(2), 4.55(2)^* and Pt(1)–W(1) of 6.331(8) Å. A centrosymmetric structure reveals groups of two distinct columns: the first is formed by intercalated NO₃⁻ between parallel [Pt(1)(NH₃)₄]²⁺ planes and the second consists of [W(CN)₈]³⁻ interlayered by, parallel to square faces of W-antiprisms, [Pt(2)(NH₃)₄]²⁺. The structure is stabilised through a three-dimensional hydrogen bond network via nitrogen atoms of cyanide ligands, hydrogen atoms of NH₃ ligands, water molecules and oxygen atoms of NO₃⁻ counteranions. The vibrational pattern and the range of ν(CN) frequencies attributable to the electronic environment of W(V) and W(IV) are consistent with the ground state Pt(II)↔W(V) charge transfer.     

The potential energy function for the ground state of CCl calculated from spectroscopic data

The dissociation energy (D_e= 57754±872 cm⁻¹ has been estimated for the ground state of CCl⁺ by fitting a Hulburt-Hirschfelder potential to the RKR turning points. This value of D_e has been used together with molecular constants B_e, ω_e, a_i (i= 1–6) and R_e obtained by Gruebele and co-workers to construct a potential energy function for CCl⁺ in the form of a perturbed Morse oscillator.     

The stereochemistry of quaternary N-methyl sparteinium cations, their derivatives, stereoisomers and analogues : Part II. Molecular and crystal structure, and IR spectra of methiodide and methperchlorate of 2-oxosparteine

The crystal and molecular structures of two quarternary salts of 2-oxosparteine (II), the methiodide (IICH⁺₃ • I⁻) and the methperchlorate (IICH⁺₃ • ClO⁻₄) have been determined on the basis of X-ray and IR data. The studies were performed by analogy to previously investigated quaternary salts of sparteine (I), the methiodide (ICH⁺₃ • I⁻) and the methperchlorate (ICH⁺₃ • ClO⁻₄). As expected, the configurations and conformations of cationic parts within the two pairs of quaternary salts are identical, except for the structure of their A/B fragments, which in ICH⁺₃ cations have the character of tertiary amines, but in IICH⁺₃ that of lactams.

On the basis of accumulated X-ray and IR data the similarities and differences in the modes of interaction of perchlorate and iodide anions with quaternary cations, and especially with their N⁺---CH₃ groups are discussed. In this discussion are also included the methiodide and methperchlorate of -isosparteine: IIICH⁺₃ • X⁻ (X⁻ = I⁻ or ClO⁻₄) where N⁺---CH₃ groups are cisoidally oriented to the basic nitrogen atoms. The most interesting observations are as follows: (i) When N⁺---CH₃ groups are easily accessible for direct quasi hydrogen bonding interactions with counter anions and when other positive charged groups, for instance lactam groups, are absent in quaternary cations, perchlorate anions interact more strongly than the iodide anions and in consequence introduce conformational changes into the ring with N⁺---CH₃ group as well as into further rings. (ii) Perchlorate and iodide anions interact with N⁺---CH₃ groups similarly and very weakly if at all, when the N⁺---CH₃ groups are for steric reasons inaccessible to counter anions or when in quaternary cations there are additional groups which attract the counter anions electrostatically. The last mechanism operates in both quaternary salts of 2-oxosparteine and this is the reason why their monocrystals are isosteric and IR spectra almost identical. (iii) The sterically hindered N⁺---CD₃ groups in both IIICD⁺₃ • X⁻ salts give rise in their IR spectra to two doubles of sharp, well resolved bands which indicate the presence of two different rotamers stabilized by two modes of weak intramolecular hydrogen bonds with basic N atoms. (iv) In IIICH⁺₃ • X⁻ and IIICD⁺₃ • X⁻ salts the perchlorate and iodide anions do not interact at all with the rotating and vibrating N⁺---CH₃ (N⁺---CD₃) group but the structures of these salts are not isosteric since the perchlorate anions interact more strongly than iodide anions with the A/B fragment of the IIICH⁺₃ cations. This is visible from the shapes and intensities of the so-called “trans” band in the IR spectra of both salts.     

An ab initio close-coupling calculation of the lower vibrational energies of the HCl dimer

We have previously determined an analytical ab initio six-dimensional potential energy surface for the HCl dimer, and in the present paper we use this potential, with the HCl bond lengths held fixed, in a full (four-dimensional) close-coupling calculation to determine the energies of the lowest 24 vibrational states. These vibrational states involve the intermolecular stretch ν₄, the trans-bend tunneling vibration ν₅, and the torsion ν₆. The highest of the 24 levels is the (ν₄ν₅ν₆)=(111) state, for which we calculate an energy of 200 cm⁻¹ above the (000) state. As well as determining tunneling energies up to 5ν₅=183 cm⁻¹, we determine ν₄=49 cm⁻¹, 2ν₄=93 cm⁻¹, 3ν₄=134 cm⁻¹, 4ν₄=172 cm⁻¹, ν₆=137 cm⁻¹ and ν₄+ν₆=178 cm⁻¹, together with tunneling energies in all these states. Making allowance for the HCl stretching zero-point energy we determine the dissociation energy D₀ as 390 cm⁻¹ on this analytical surface. We determine that below 300 cm⁻¹ there are 72 vibrational (J=K=0) states, and below dissociation there are 162 vibrational (J=K=0) states, for this potential surface.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reaction between silver(III) and thiourea in aqueous alkaline media

The tetrahydroxoargentate(III) ion, Ag(OH)₄⁻, is rapidly reduced by thiourea (tu) in accordance with the three term rate law RATE = {k₁+(k₂+k₃[OH⁻])[tu]}[Ag^III] where k₁ = 1.08 s⁻¹, k₂ = 1.46 x 10³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, and k₃ = 2.02 x 10³ M⁻² s⁻¹. The k₁ path occurs via the rate-determining aquation of Ag(OH)₄⁻ while the other two paths involve axial attack of thiourea on silver. The higher values of k₂ and k₃ compared to the ethylenediamine reaction, which obeys the same rate law, is a reflection of the greater nucleophilicity of tu.

Following the redox reaction, solutions become brown in a reaction that obeys pseudo-first-order kinetics. Similar behaviour is observed when tu is replaced by Na₂S or thio-acetamide and when Ag^I reacts with any of these sulphur containing compounds. We attribute this process to the Ag^I promoted formation of sulphide species which eventually precipitate as Ag₂S.     

Resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectroscopy of photolytically generated hot CF radicals

In this paper, we investigate the rotationally resolved spectra of hot CF radicals generated after IR multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) of CFCl₃ or CF₂Cl₂ and subsequent UV photodissociation. It is shown that these conditions are advantageous for the spectroscopy of transitions involving high rotational quantum numbers and hot bands. Thus molecular constants of CF for the first vibrationally excited state of the electronic ground state (A_v=77.1 cm⁻¹, B_v=1.389 cm⁻¹, D_v=6.570×10⁻⁶ cm⁻¹) are determined for the first time or are calculated more accurately. The spectroscopic method used was resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectroscopy.     

Measurement of binary diffusion coefficient from impulse response curve having extremely low absorbance intensity under supercritical condition by noise elimination technique

A noise elimination technique was applied to the determination of binary diffusion coefficients D₁₂ from the response curves having extremely low absorbance intensities in impulse response methods under supercritical conditions of carbon dioxide. The effectiveness of this technique was experimentally examined for the analyses of response curves through both the curve-fitting and the moment methods in two cases: the chromatographic impulse response method for phenol and β-carotene with a polymer-coated capillary column, and the Taylor dispersion method for acetone with an uncoated capillary column. Unreliable D₁₂ values were obtained from the moment method of the response curves at lower absorbance intensities, even treated with noise elimination. The curve-fitting method with the noise elimination treatment was quite effective for determining the D₁₂ values accurately, and was valid at the lowest absorbance intensities, on the order of 10⁻⁴ absorbance unit of UV-Vis multi-detector, corresponding to the smallest quantity of the solute, i.e. 6×10⁻⁵, 6×10⁻⁶, and 5×10⁻² μ mol for phenol, β-carotene, and acetone, respectively, under conditions studied. Infinite dilution regions for binary diffusion coefficients were obtained by injecting various amounts: the binary diffusion coefficients showed constant values at concentrations less than 0.6, 0.004, and 0.08 mol m⁻³ for phenol, β-carotene, and acetone, respectively, in supercritical carbon dioxide at 313.2 K and 16–18 MPa.     

Synthesis, structure and non-linear optical property of a copper(II) thiocyanate three-dimensional supramolecular compound

A novel copper(II) thiocyanate complex [Cu(im)₂(NCS)₂] 1 (im=imidazole) has been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic analysis and crystallographic method. This supramolecular compound exhibits a three-dimensional solid state structure constituted by N–HS hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions. The compound in DMF solutions has a very strong third-order non-linear optical (NLO) behavior with absorption coefficient and refractive index ₂=1.18×10⁻¹¹ mw⁻¹, n₂=−9.00×10⁻¹⁶ m²w⁻¹, respectively, and third-order NLO susceptibility χ⁽³⁾ of 7.00×10⁻¹⁰ esu.     

Theoretical determination of the ionization potentials of the 1σ and 2σ electrons of CO(Σ)

Large-basis-set calculations of near Hartree-Fock accuracy were performed on CO⁺(1σ-hole ²Σ⁺) and CO⁺)2σ-hole, ²Σ⁺); correlation energies for these systems and for CO were calculated using an atoms-in-molecule approach, relativistic energies and vibrational structure corrections were also considered. The results are: IP(CO, 1σ) = 542.4 (542.57) eV, IP(CO,2σ) = 297.0 (296.24) cV, D_c(CO, ¹Σ⁺) = 10.8 (11.1) Ev, D₃(CO⁺, 1σ, ²Σ⁺) = 11.9 eV, D_e(CO⁺, 2σ, ²Σ⁺) = 9.1 eV, where IP and D_e stand respectively for ionization potential and dissociation energy, and where the numbers in parentheses refer to the most recent experimental values. The electron transfers resulting from the ionization of inner-shell electrons are discussed. Finally a quantitative correlation is developed correlating absolute chemical shifts to charge densities. Agreement between the calculated values and those derived from the correlation is quite satisfactory.     

Theoretical Study on Ionic Liquid Based on 1-Ethyl-3-Methyl- Imidazolium Cation and Hexafluorophosphate or Tetrafluoroborate

The Hartree-Fock and DFT/B3LYP methods have been employed to investigate the electronic structures of 1-ethy1-3-methyl-imidazolium cation(EMIM~ ),BF_4~-,PF_6~-,EMIM~ -BF_4~-,and EMIM~ -PF_6~- using the Gaussian-94 soft-package at 6-31 G(d,p)basis set level for hydrogen,carbon,nitrogen,boron, phosphorus,and fluorine atoms.Comparison of the electronic structures of the lowest energy of EMIM~ - BF_4~- and EMIM~ -PF_6~- pairs,and single EMIM~ ,BF_4~- and PF_6~- showed that the optimized EMIM~ -BF_4~- and EMIM~ -PF_6~- pair conformers were BF_4~- and PF_6~- outside the 5-ring plane between the ethyl group and the methyl group.The cohesion of C—H…F hydrogen bond between cation and anion is reinforced by charge assistance.The interaction energy between EMIM~ and PF_6~- is 328.8 kJ/mol at the B3LYP level and 326.6 kJ/mol at the Hartree-Fock level,whereas that between EMIM~ and BF_4~- is 353.5 kJ/mol at the B3LYP level and 350.5 kJ/mol at the Hartree-Fock level.The low energy interactions caused by bulky asymmetric EMIM~ ,and charge dispersion of cation and anion give rise to the low melting point of ionic liquid EMIM~ -BF_4~- and EMIM~ -PF_6~-.The two hydrogen bonding models of single hydrogen bond formation,and the hydrogen transfer between C_2 in EMIM~ and F in BF_4~- or PF_6~- were principally depicted.     

Density functional theory analysis of CaRgn complexes: (Rg=He, Ne, Ar; n=1–4)

CaRg_n⁺ (Rg=He, Ne, Ar) complexes with n=1–4, are investigated by performing using the B3LYP/6-311+G (3df) density functional theory calculations. The CaHe_n⁺ (n=1–4) complexes are found to be stable. In the case of CaNe_n⁺ and CaAr_n⁺, stable structures and stationary point were found only for n=1 and 2. For n=3 in the C_3V and the D_3h point group as well as for n=4 in the T_d (tetrahedral) point group a saddle point (imaginary frequency) is observed and global minimum could be obtained along the potential energy surface.