Models of finely dispersed MgO and V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> on silica. Theoretical analysis of optical properties using TDDFT

The results of Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations on optical properties of vanadium complexes VOCl₃, VOCl₄ ^-, VOCl₅ ^2-, as well as the VO₄ ^3- ion, are presented. The spectra of excited states in the range 25000-60000 cm^-1 have been analyzed using the time-dependent DFT method (TDDFT). Spectroscopic features of structural defects (low-coordinated (LC) oxygen ions), as well as surface point defects (F⁺ and F sites) in MgO, have been studied within the cluster approach. The charge-transfer spectra and frequencies of normal vibrations for a number of active site models of finely dispersed oxides MgO and V₂O₅ on silica have been calculated. Comparison of the obtained results with experimental electronic diffuse reflectance spectra and fundamental frequencies confirms a hypothesis about the structure of active centers of finely dispersed oxide V₂O₅ on silica as monomeric forms, (O=V-O _n ).     

Assessing the Influence of Mutation on GTPase Transition States by Using X‐ray Crystallography, 19F NMR,and DFT Approaches

We report X‐ray crystallographic and ¹⁹F NMR studies of the G‐protein RhoA complexed with MgF₃⁻, GDP, and RhoGAP, which has the mutation Arg85′Ala. When combined with DFT calculations, these data permit the identification of changes in transition state (TS) properties. The X‐ray data show how Tyr34 maintains solvent exclusion and the core H‐bond network in the active site by relocating to replace the missing Arg85′ sidechain. The ¹⁹F NMR data show deshielding effects that indicate the main function of Arg85′ is electronic polarization of the transferring phosphoryl group, primarily mediated by H‐bonding to O^3G and thence to P^G. DFT calculations identify electron‐density redistribution and pinpoint why the TS for guanosine 5′‐triphosphate (GTP) hydrolysis is higher in energy when RhoA is complexed with RhoGAP_Arg85′Ala relative to wild‐type (WT) RhoGAP. This study demonstrates that ¹⁹F NMR measurements, in combination with X‐ray crystallography and DFT calculations, can reliably dissect the response of small GTPases to site‐specific modifications.     

Assessing the Influence of Mutation on GTPase Transition States by Using X‐ray Crystallography, 19F NMR,and DFT Approaches

We report X‐ray crystallographic and ¹⁹F NMR studies of the G‐protein RhoA complexed with MgF₃⁻, GDP, and RhoGAP, which has the mutation Arg85′Ala. When combined with DFT calculations, these data permit the identification of changes in transition state (TS) properties. The X‐ray data show how Tyr34 maintains solvent exclusion and the core H‐bond network in the active site by relocating to replace the missing Arg85′ sidechain. The ¹⁹F NMR data show deshielding effects that indicate the main function of Arg85′ is electronic polarization of the transferring phosphoryl group, primarily mediated by H‐bonding to O^3G and thence to P^G. DFT calculations identify electron‐density redistribution and pinpoint why the TS for guanosine 5′‐triphosphate (GTP) hydrolysis is higher in energy when RhoA is complexed with RhoGAP_Arg85′Ala relative to wild‐type (WT) RhoGAP. This study demonstrates that ¹⁹F NMR measurements, in combination with X‐ray crystallography and DFT calculations, can reliably dissect the response of small GTPases to site‐specific modifications.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Two Uranyl-Aryl “Ate” Complexes

Reaction of [UO₂Cl₂(THF)₃] with 3 equivalents of LiC₆Cl₅ in Et₂O resulted in the formation of first uranyl aryl complex [Li(Et₂O)₂(THF)][UO₂(C₆Cl₅)₃] ([Li][ 1 ]) in good yields. Subsequent dissolution of [Li][ 1 ] in THF resulted in conversion into [Li(THF)₄][UO₂(C₆Cl₅)₃(THF)] ([Li][ 2 ]), also in good yields. DFT calculations reveal that the U−C bonds in [Li][ 1 ] and [Li][ 2 ] exhibit appreciable covalency. Additionally, the ¹³C NMR chemical shifts for their C_ipso environments are strongly affected by spin-orbit coupling—a consequence of 5f orbital participation in the U−C bonds.     

The electronic structures of vanadate salts: Cation substitution as a tool for band gap manipulation

The electronic structures of six ternary metal oxides containing isolated vanadate ions, Ba₃(VO₄)₂, Pb₃(VO₄)₂, YVO₄, BiVO₄, CeVO₄ and Ag₃VO₄ were studied using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and electronic structure calculations. While the electronic structure near the Fermi level originates largely from the molecular orbitals of the vanadate ion, both experiment and theory show that the cation can strongly influence these electronic states. The observation that Ba₃(VO₄)₂ and YVO₄ have similar band gaps, both 3.8 eV, shows that cations with a noble gas configuration have little impact on the electronic structure. Band structure calculations support this hypothesis. In Pb₃(VO₄)₂ and BiVO₄ the band gap is reduced by 0.9-1.0 eV through interactions of (a) the filled cation 6s orbitals with nonbonding O 2p states at the top of the valence band, and (b) overlap of empty 6p orbitals with antibonding V 3d-O 2p states at the bottom of the conduction band. In Ag₃VO₄ mixing between filled Ag 4d and O 2p states destabilizes states at the top of the valence band leading to a large decrease in the band gap (E_g=2.2 eV). In CeVO₄ excitations from partially filled 4f orbitals into the conduction band lower the effective band gap to 1.8 eV. In the Ce_1−xBi_xVO₄ (0≤x≤0.5) and Ce_1−xY_xVO₄ (x=0.1, 0.2) solid solutions the band gap narrows slightly when Bi³⁺ or Y³⁺ are introduced. The nonlinear response of the band gap to changes in composition is a result of the localized nature of the Ce 4f orbitals.     

Bridge‐Localized HOMO‐Binding Character of Divinylanthracene‐Bridged Dinuclear Ruthenium Carbonyl Complexes: Spectroscopic,Spectroelectrochemical, and Computational Studies

The electronic properties of four divinylanthracene‐bridged diruthenium carbonyl complexes [{RuCl(CO)(PMe₃)₃}₂(μ? CH?CHArCH?CH)] (Ar=9,10‐anthracene ( 1 ), 1,5‐anthracene ( 2 ), 2,6‐anthracene ( 3 ), 1,8‐anthracene ( 4 )) obtained by molecular spectroscopic methods (IR, UV/Vis/near‐IR, and EPR spectroscopy) and DFT calculations are reported. IR spectroelectrochemical studies have revealed that these complexes are first oxidized at the noninnocent bridging ligand, which is in line with the very small ν(C?O) wavenumber shift that accompanies this process and also supported by DFT calculations. Because of poor conjugation in complex 1 , except oxidized 1⁺ , the electronic absorption spectra of complexes 2⁺ , 3⁺ , and 4⁺ all display the characteristic near‐IR band envelopes that have been deconvoluted into three Gaussian sub‐bands. Two of the sub‐bands belong mainly to metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) transitions according to results from time‐dependent DFT calculations. EPR spectroscopy of chemically generated 1⁺ – 4⁺ proves largely ligand‐centered spin density, again in accordance with IR spectra and DFT calculations results.     

Light Absorption Properties and Electronic Band Structures of Lead‐Vanadium Oxyhalide Apatites Pb5(VO4)3X (X=F,Cl, Br,I)

The Pb‐V oxyhalide apatite compounds Pb₅(VO₄)₃X (X=F, Cl, Br, I) were successfully synthesized using a facile solution method and studied with respect to their structural/optical characteristics and electronic band structures. UV‐visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, electrochemical analysis and first‐principles calculations showed that the synthesized apatites behaved as n‐type semiconductors, with absorption bands in the UV‐visible region that could be assigned to electron transitions from the valence band to a conduction band formed by hybridized V 3d and Pb 6p orbitals. Among the apatites examined, Pb₅(VO₄)₃I had the smallest band gap of 2.7 eV, due to an obvious contribution of I 5p orbitals to the valence band maximum. Based on its visible light absorption capability, Pb₅(VO₄)₃I generated a continuous anodic photocurrent under visible light (λ>420 nm) in a solution of 0.1 m NaI in acetonitrile.     

Kinetic energies to analyze the experimental auger electron spectra by density functional theory calculations

In the Auger electron spectra (AES) simulations, we define theoretical modified kinetic energies of AES in the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The modified kinetic energies correspond to two final-state holes at the ground state and at the transition-state in DFT calculations, respectively. This method is applied to simulate Auger electron spectra (AES) of 2nd periodic atom (Li, Be, B, C, N, O, F)-involving substances (LiF, beryllium, boron, graphite, GaN, SiO₂, PTFE) by deMon DFT calculations using the model molecules of the unit cell. Experimental KVV (valence band electrons can fill K-shell core holes or be emitted during KVV-type transitions) AES of the (Li, O) atoms in the substances agree considerably well with simulation of AES obtained with the maximum kinetic energies of the atoms, while, for AES of LiF, and PTFE substance, the experimental F KVV AES is almost in accordance with the spectra from the transitionstate kinetic energy calculations.     

Self-interaction correction and isotropic hyperfine parameter of light atoms

Numerical self-consistent field (SCF) calculations in density functional theory (DFT) and the local spin-density approximation (LSDA) were performed for the light atoms H, Li, B, C, N, O and F, in order to investigate the effect of the self-interaction correction (SIC) on the isotropic (or contact) hyperfine parameter A_ISO. In contrast to the findings for certain 3d-metals and compounds, results for light-atom SI-corrected A_ISO present no improvement over the LSDA values. We show that relatively modest changes to the correlation potential can lead to significant improvement of densities near the nucleus and the related A_ISO, suggesting a direction for future improvements in DFT functionals.     

Electronic and steric effects of substituents on the conformational diversity and hydrogen bonding of N-(4-X-phenyl)-N′,N″-bis(piperidinyl) phosphoric triamides (X = F, Cl, Br, H, CH3): A combined experimental and DFT study

Phosphoric triamides of the general formula (4-X-C₆H₄NH)P(O)(NC₅H₁₀)₂, X = F (1), Cl (2), Br (3), H (4) and CH₃ (5), have been synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystallography at 120 K reveals that the compounds 1, 3, 4·H₂O and 5 are composed of one, four, two and four conformers, respectively. DFT calculations were performed to investigate the electronic structures of the compounds. The X-ray data and DFT calculations revealed that the conformational diversity in these compounds is mainly governed by the steric effects of the substituent X rather than by electronic effects. Although substituent X does not participate directly in hydrogen bonding, the crystal packing of the compounds is influenced by the size of X. Atoms in molecules (AIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses confirm that the para substituent X has no significant effect on the electronic features of the amidic proton and the phosphoryl oxygen atom (O_P). Using X-ray crystallography, AIM and NBO analyses, the structural and electronic aspects of inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds of the compounds have been studied. The charge density (ρ) at the bond critical point (bcp) of the N-H bond decreases from the fully optimized monomers to their corresponding hydrogen bonded clusters. The N-H stretching frequency decreases from the calculated values to the experimental results.     

Affinity capillary electrophoresis and quantum mechanical calculations applied to the investigation of hexaarylbenzene-based receptor binding with lithium ion

In this study, two complementary approaches, affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) and quantum mechanical density functional theory (DFT) calculations, have been employed for quantitative characterization and structure elucidation of the complex between hexaarylbenzene (HAB)‐based receptor R and lithium ion Li⁺. First, by means of ACE, the apparent binding constant of Li R ⁺ complex (K) in methanol was determined from the dependence of the effective electrophoretic mobilities of Li R ⁺ complex on the concentration of lithium ions in the 25 mM Tris/50 mM chloroacetate background electrolyte (BGE) using non‐linear regression analysis. Prior to regression analysis, the effective electrophoretic mobilities of the Li R ⁺ complex were corrected to reference temperature 25°C and constant ionic strength 25 mM. The apparent binding constant of the Li R ⁺ complex in the above methanolic BGE was evaluated as logK = 1.15±0.09. Second, the most probable structures of nonhydrated Li R ⁺ and hydrated Li R ⁺·3H₂O complexes were derived by DFT calculations. The optimized structure of the hydrated Li R ⁺·3H₂O complex was found to be more realistic than the nonhydrated Li R ⁺ complex because of the considerably higher binding energy of Li R ⁺·3H₂O complex (500.4 kJ/mol) as compared with Li R ⁺ complex (427.5 kJ/mol).     

Water exchange rates and mechanisms in tetrahedral [Be(H2O)4]2+ and [Li(H2O)4]+ complexes using DFT methods and cluster‐continuum models

The water exchange reactions in aquated Li⁺ and Be²⁺ ions were investigated with density functional theory calculations performed using the [Li(H₂O)₄]⁺·14H₂O and [Be(H₂O)₄]²⁺·8H₂O systems and a cluster‐continuum approach. A range of commonly used functionals predict water exchange rates several orders of magnitude lower than the experimental ones. This effect is attributed to the overstabilization of coordination number four by these functionals with respect to the five‐coordinated transition states responsible for the associative ( A ) or associative interchange ( I_a ) water exchange mechanisms. However, the M06 and M062X functionals provide results in good agreement with the experimental data: M062X/TZVP calculations yield a concerted I_a mechanism for the water exchange in [Be(H₂O)₄]²⁺·8H₂O that gives an average residence time of water molecules in the first coordination sphere of 260 μs. For [Li(H₂O)₄]⁺·14H₂O the water exchange reaction is predicted to follow an A mechanism with a residence time of inner‐sphere water molecules of 25 ps.     

Chemical interaction in the quaternary mutual systems Li,K‖F,Cl,MoO4 and Li,K‖F(Cl),VO3,MoO4

The Li,K‖Cl,VO₃,MoO₄ system was partitioned into simplexes using graph theory, and the tree of phases for this system was constructed. The equations of the main reactions describing the chemical interaction in the quaternary mutual systems Li,K‖F,Cl,VO₃(MoO₄) and Li,K‖F(Cl),VO₃,MoO₄ were derived using the conversion patterns of partitioning elements. Based on the reaction equations and the data on the boundary elements, the prediction of phases crystallizing in the studied systems was made and confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction analysis.     

DFT Simulation of Electron Spectra for Auger Electron and Photoelectron Spectra of Lithium Compounds

(Li, O, F)-Auger electron, and X-ray photoelectron spectra (AES, VXPS) of solid lithium compounds (Li metal, LiCl, LiF, Li₂O) are simulated by deMon density functional theory (DFT) calculations using the model molecules of the unit cell. Calculated valence XPS, core-electron binding energies (CEBE)s, and Li-, O-, and F-KVV AES for the substances correspond considerably well to experimental results. For the calculation of VXPS, the observed spectra of Li₂O pellet with chemisorbed CO₂ almost show agreement with simulation curve of the valence XPS according to the model for the 1/1 ratio of Li₂O/Li₂CO₃. In the case of AES calculation, we analyze the experimental AES with our modified Auger electron kinetic energy calculation method which corresponds to the two final-state holes at the ground state and at the transition-state in DFT calculation by removing 1 and 2 electrons, respectively. Experimental KVV AES of the Li atom, and (O, F) KVV AES of (Li₂O and LiF) in the substances almost agree well to the AES calculated with maximum kinetic energies at the ground state, and at the transition-state, respectively.     

NMR Crystallography: Evaluation of Hydrogen Positions in Hydromagnesite by 13C{1H} REDOR Solid‐State NMR and Density Functional Theory Calculation of Chemical Shielding Tensors

Solid‐state NMR measurements coupled with density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate how hydrogen positions can be refined in a crystalline system. The precision afforded by rotational‐echo double‐resonance (REDOR) NMR to interrogate ¹³C–¹H distances is exploited along with DFT determinations of the ¹³C tensor of carbonates (CO₃^2?). Nearby ¹H nuclei perturb the axial symmetry of the carbonate sites in the hydrated carbonate mineral, hydromagnesite [4 MgCO₃?Mg(OH)₂?4 H₂O]. A match between the calculated structure and solid‐state NMR was found by testing multiple semi‐local and dispersion‐corrected DFT functionals and applying them to optimize atom positions, starting from X‐ray diffraction (XRD)‐determined atomic coordinates. This was validated by comparing calculated to experimental ¹³C{¹H} REDOR and ¹³C chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) tensor values. The results show that the combination of solid‐state NMR, XRD, and DFT can improve structure refinement for hydrated materials.     

Synthesis and Structures of Gallium‐β‐Diketiminate Complexes: Isolation of a Dinuclear Gallium(II) Complex

The sterically demanding β‐diketiminate ligand L^dmp [L^dmp = HC{(CMe)N(dmp)}₂, dmp = C₆H₃‐2,6‐Me₂] was used to stabilize various gallium complexes in the formal oxidation states +II and +III. The reaction of in situ generated [L^dmpLi] with gallium chloride affords [L^dmpGaCl₂] ( 1 ), which was used as starting complex to synthesize a variety of gallium(III) compounds [L^dmpGaX₂] [X = F ( 2 ), I ( 3 ), H ( 4 ), and Me ( 5 )]. Synthesis of the dinuclear complex [L^dmpGaI]₂ ( 6 ), with gallium in the formal oxidation state +II was accomplished by converting “GaI” with in situ generated [L^dmpLi] in toluene. All compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, NMR spectroscopy, LIFDI‐TOF‐MS, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Additionally DFT calculations were performed for analysis of the bonding in 6 .     

A qualitative scale for the electron withdrawing effect of substituted phenyl groups and heterocycles

The electron withdrawing effect of a variety of differently substituted phenyl groups can be classified on the basis of the CO or CN distance of the corresponding phenolate or aryl amide ions (Ar-O⁻ and Ar-NH⁻), respectively, which are reliably accessible by DFT calculations on B3LYP/6-311 + G(2d,p) level of theory. An increasing electron withdrawing effect of the aromatic group leads to a shortened CO and CN distance of the corresponding ions. Within the presented model it is also possible to characterize the electronic nature of different kinds of six membered heterocycles.The defined constants Δ(E)_m,p - the difference of the E-C distances of the substituted derivatives X-C₆H₄-E and the non-substituted phenyl derivative, C₆H₅-E - exhibit the same tendency as the corresponding Hammett constants. The values of Δ(E)_m,p strongly depend on the nature of E. With E = F, the resulting values Δ(F)_m,p are found to be accidentally close to the corresponding Hammett constants. Therefore, the values of Δ(E)_m,p, which can be easily determined by DFT calculations, are useful tools to classify the electronic nature of different kinds of substituents.The different electronic nature of the groups E, for example O⁻, NH⁻ or F, gives rise to varying electronic interactions with the connected aromatic ring system. These interactions influence on their part the special interaction of a given substituent X. This is the reason why the constants Δ(E)_m,p exhibits different values, which vary depending on the different electronic nature of the groups E. As a consequence, the values Δ(E)_m,p open the possibility to classify the electronic nature of substituents X in relation to any neutral or even charged group E.     

Ab initio DFT studies of oxygen K edge NEXAFS spectra for the V2O3(0001) surface

Theoretical near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectra describing oxygen 1s core excitation have been evaluated for the differently coordinated oxygen species appearing near the V₂O₃(0001) surface with half metal layer V^′OV termination. Adsorption of oxygen above vanadium centers of the V^′OV terminated surface (O_tV^′O termination) results in very strongly bound vanadyl oxygen, which has also been considered for core excitation in this study. The angle-resolved spectra are based on electronic structure calculations using ab initio density functional theory (DFT) together with model clusters. Experimental NEXAFS spectra for V₂O₃(0001) show a rather strong dependence of peak positions and relative intensities on the photon polarization direction. This dependence is well described by the present theoretical spectra and allows us to assign spectral details in the experiment to specific O 1s core excitations where final state orbitals are determined by the local binding environments of the differently coordinated oxygen centers. As a result, a combination of the present theoretical spectra with experimental NEXAFS data enables an identification of differently coordinated surface oxygen species at the V₂O₃(0001) surface.     

Metastable Dianions and Dications

A theoretical study of metastable dianions and dications has been carried out at the CCSD(T)//MP2 level. MX₃²⁻ and LX₄²⁻ (M=Li and Na, L=Be and Mg, X=F and Cl) have been considered as dianions, M₃X²⁺ (M=Li and Na, X=F and Cl), YH₃²⁺ and ZH₄²⁺ (Y=F and Cl and Z=O, S) as dications. Minima structures are found in all cases, but they are less stable than the corresponding dissociated pair of mono-ions. The dissociation profile of the molecules in two mono-ions has been explored showing in all cases a maximum that prevent their spontaneous dissociation. The strength and nature of the chemical bond in the dianions and dications have been analyzed with the QTAIM, NBO and LMOEDA method and compared to the corresponding monoanions and monocations.     

X-ray photoelectron spectra and electronic structure of rare-earth orthovanadates

Photoelectron spectra of 4d and valence states in RVO₄ (R = Y, Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Yb) have been investigated. The experimental spectra are interpreted using the results of the Xα discrete variational method calculations for orthovanadates. Transformations of electronic structure and covalency in the RVO₄ series are discussed. It is shown that lanthanide 4f orbitals significantly mix with the O 2pAO's and hybridize with the rare-earths 5pAO's. The 5p levels spin-orbital splitting in orthovanadates has been evaluated.