Correlation between the equilibrium and relaxation dielectric properties of 1,2-ethanediol

The data on the dispersion of the permittivity ?*(ω) of 1,2-ethanediol over the temperature range 161–453 K and the frequency range 0.1 Hz–150 GHz were analyzed using the Dissado-Hill cluster model. The relaxation frequency ω_p = τ _DH ^?1 and intra-(n _DH) and intercluster (m _DH) correlation parameters were calculated. The energy barrier to the libration of molecular axes in clusters was found to be B _DH = 2.96 kJ/mol. The apparent enthalpy of activation was determined; it increased from ΔH _{DH exp} ^# = 22.18 kJ/mol to ΔH _{DH exp} ^# = 129.19 kJ/mol close to the glass transition temperature. The mean dipole moments $ \bar \mu _c The data on the dispersion of the permittivity ɛ*(ω) of 1,2-ethanediol over the temperature range 161–453 K and the frequency range 0.1 Hz–150 GHz were analyzed using the Dissado-Hill cluster model. The relaxation frequency ω_p = τ_DH⁻¹ and intra-(n _DH) and intercluster (m _DH) correlation parameters were calculated. The energy barrier to the libration of molecular axes in clusters was found to be B _DH = 2.96 kJ/mol. The apparent enthalpy of activation was determined; it increased from ΔH _{DH exp}^# = 22.18 kJ/mol to ΔH _{DH exp}^# = 129.19 kJ/mol close to the glass transition temperature. The mean dipole moments of 1,2-ethanediol clusters were calculated; they decreased from 162920 to 18.08 D as the temperature increased from 161 to 453 K. According to approximate estimates, the number of 1,2-ethanediol molecules in a cluster /μ_v decreased from 72405 at 161 K to 8.04 at 453 K (μ_v is the dipole moment of the molecule in the vacuum), which substantiated the suggestion of the existence of a spatial structure close to the boiling point. Original Russian Text ? N.V. Lifanova, T.M. Usacheva, V.I. Zhuravlev, V.K. Matveev, 2008, published in Zhurnal Fizicheskoi Khimii, 2008, Vol. 82, No. 10, pp. 1973–1981.     

Analysis of relaxation on polypropyleneglycols above vitrification temperature

The dielectric spectra of polypropyleneglycols H-(C₃H₆O) _{N p} -OH (PPGs), where N _p = 1, 2, 3, 7, 12, 17, 20, 34, 69, were analyzed in terms of the Dissado Hill (DH) cluster model above the vitrification temperatures. In PPGs, the structural clusters are associates formed by intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The activation processes of cleavage and formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds in clusters, when the total number of intermolecular hydrogen bonds changes, are characterized by the parameter n _DH. The fluctuation processes of simultaneous exchange of molecules between adjacent clusters correspond to redistributions of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between clusters, when only the position but not the total number of intermolecular hydrogen bonds changes, and are characterized by the parameter m _DH. The relaxation time τ_DH at 303 K and 423 K and the parameters n _DH and m _DH of the dielectric spectra were calculated. The activation energies of relaxation in the range 210–323 K were determined. The mean statistic squares of the dipole moments of clusters 〈μ_c²〉 and di-PG, PPG-425 (N _p = 7), and PPG-2025 (N _p = 34) molecules 〈μ_m²〉 at 303 K and 423 K were calculated. The number of the units of the oxypropylene chains involved in relaxation was determined. The dependence of the parameters of the DH model, relaxation energies, 〈μ_c²〉 and 〈μ_m²〉 on N _p were studied.     

Novel approach to relaxation data analysis in polyhydric alcohols

In this paper the experimental data on dielectric permittivity of 1,3-, 1,4- and 2,3-butanediols within the frequency range from 1 MHz to 36 GHz and the temperature range from 283 to 423 K were analyzed. The correlation between relaxation parameters of the Davidson-Cole equation and molecular structure of the investigated butanediols was established. Values of average dipole moments of molecular clusters, 〈μ_c〉, were calculated according to the Dissado-Hill cluster theory. The dependence of 〈μ_c〉 on energy characteristics of the working model was revealed and discussed in details.     

Temperature dependences of characteristics of 2,5-hexanediol and 1,2,6-hexanetriol cluster structures according to dielectric radiospectroscopy

Dielectric radiospectra (DRS) of 2,5-hexanediol and 1,2,6-hexanetriol at frequencies of 1 MHz, 9.375, 36.885, and 74.569 GHz in a temperature range of 303–423 K (above the glass transition temperatures) are studied. Experimental DRS are analyzed using the Dissado-Hill (DH) cluster model. The dependence of the equilibrium and relaxation characteristics of DRS on the number of OH groups is studied. The dipole moments of the clusters are calculated. The change in the orientation of the dipole moments of the molecules in the cluster during the rearranging of its structure is characterized through the unit vector of the longitudinal component of dipole moment M _e of the cluster. The relation between a change in the Onsager-Kirkwood-Fröhlich correlation factor and the behavior of M _e is shown.     

Relaxation processes of the structural rearrangement of clusters in liquids: 1,2-ethanediol, 1,2-propanediol, and 1,2,6-hexanetriol

The dielectric relaxation spectra (DRS) of 1,2-ethanediol, 1,2-propanediol, and 1,2,6-gexanetriol are analyzed in terms of the Dissado-Hill (DH) model in a wide range of temperatures, with all parameters required for calculating the cluster dipole moments being determined within the DH molecular model itself. The dependence of the equilibrium and relaxation properties of DRS on the hydrocarbon radical length and the number of OH groups is studied. The dipole moments of the clusters are calculated. It is shown how the roles of the processes of intracluster rearrangement are redistributed due to the break of hydrogen bonds and fluctuation processes of synchronous exchange of molecules between the clusters.     

A density functional theory study on the Ag<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>H (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 1–10) clusters

Density functional GGA-PW91 method with DNP basis set is applied to optimize the geometries of Ag _n H (n = 1–10) clusters. For the lowest energy geometries of Ag _n H (n = 1–10) clusters, the hydrogen atom prefers to occupy the two-fold coordination bridge site except the occupation of single-fold coordination site in AgH cluster. After adsorption of hydrogen atom, most Ag _n structures are slightly perturbed and only the Ag₆ structure in Ag₆H cluster is distorted obviously. The Ag–Ag bond is strengthened and the strength of Ag–H bond exhibits a clear odd–even oscillation like the strength of Au–H bond in Au _n H clusters, indicating that the hydrogen atom is more favorable to be adsorbed by odd-numbered pure silver clusters. The adsorption strength of small silver cluster toward H atom is obviously weaker than that of small gold cluster toward H atom due to the strong scalar relativistic effect in small gold cluster. The pronounced odd–even alternation of the magnetic moments is observed in Ag _n H systems, indicating that the Ag _n H clusters possess tunable magnetic properties by adsorbing hydrogen atom onto odd-numbered or even-numbered small silver cluster.     

Combined DFT with NBO and QTAIM studies on the hydrogen bonds in (CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>OH)<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 2–8) clusters

The (CH₃OH) _n (n = 2–8) clusters formed via hydrogen bond (H-bonds) interactions have been studied systemically by density functional theory (DFT). The relevant geometries, energies, and IR characteristics of the intermolecular OH···O H-bonds have been investigated. The quantum theory of atoms in molecule (QTAIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis have also been applied to understand the nature of the hydrogen bonding interactions in clusters. The results show that both the strength of H-bonds and the deformation are important factors for the stability of (CH₃OH) _n clusters. The weakest H-bond was found in the dimer. The strengths of H-bonds in clusters increase from n = 2 to 8, moreover, the strengths of H-bonds in (CH₃OH) _n (n = 4–8) clusters are remarkably stronger than those in (CH₃OH) _n (n = 2, 3) clusters. The small differences of the strengths of H-bonds among (CH₃OH) _n (n = 6–8) clusters indicate that a partial covalent character is attributed to the H-bonds in these clusters. The linear relationships between the electron density of BCP (ρ_b) and the H···O bond length of H-bonds as well as the second-perturbation energies E(2) have also been investigated and used to study the nature of H-bonds, respectively.     

Molecular dynamics in fluorinated side-chain maleimide copolymers as studied by broadband dielectric spectroscopy

A series of alternating maleimide (MI) copolymers with fluorinated side chains have been investigated using broadband dielectric spectroscopy. The side chains consist of fluoroalkane (–C _x F_2x+1, x=1, 7, 9) end groups connected to the main chain via methylene spacers. The experiments were carried out in a frequency range of 0.1 Hz to 10 MHz and at temperatures between 120 K and 500 K. The fluorinated MI copolymers show a fast sub-T _g (β) relaxation characterized by an Arrhenius-type temperature dependence with activation energy in the range of 30–37 kJ/mol. Two more processes (α and δ-like) are observed, corresponding to independent relaxations of the main chain and the fluoroalkane domains respectively. For shorter side chains, the δ-like process is not observed but instead another relaxation process, α _S , occurs at temperatures higher than either the α and δ-like processes. When compared with unfluorinated MI copolymers, the fluorinated MI copolymers show the δ-like process and a slower β-relaxation unlike their unfluorinated counterparts. A model to explain the molecular origin of the four processes is proposed, supplemented by differential scanning calorimetry and published WAXS/SAXS data.     

Structures and bonding patterns of nanoannular carbon clusters (C4–C20) through AIM analyses

Structures, binding energies, harmonic frequencies, dipole moments, HOMO–LUMO energy gaps and particularly atoms in molecules (AIM) analyses of some nanoannular carbon clusters (C₄–C₂₀) are investigated at B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level of theory. No correlation is found by plotting the calculated binding energies as a functional number of carbon atoms of carbon clusters. The calculated binding energies sharply increase from C₄ to C₁₀ while slowly from C₁₀ to C₂₀. The binding energies of C_4n+2 clusters including C₆, C₁₀, C₁₄, and C₁₈ have a clear increase when compared with others indicating their aromatic characters which is confirmed by results of HOMO–LUMO energy gaps and geometrical parameters. AIM analyses show that most of our carbon clusters are topologically normal (non-conflict) with stable structures. Nevertheless, the topological networks of small antiaromatic rings, C₄ and C₈, at their equilibrium geometries may change via molecular vibrations. The existence of straight bond paths in 3D molecular graphs of carbon clusters with n > 10 implies that ring strains are decreased as the ring sizes grow. Except for C₄ and C₈, the ellipticity values for the remaining carbon clusters are small indicating that the C–C bond is conserved in these clusters. Dipole moments of even-numbered structures are negligible, whereas odd-numbered ones have μ values of 0.09−0.73 D.     

All-electron relativistic calculations on hydrogen atom adsorption onto small copper clusters

An all-electron scalar relativistic calculation on Cu _n H (n = 1–13) clusters has been performed by using density functional theory with the generalized gradient approximation at the PW91 level. Our results reveal that the hydrogen atom prefers to occupy the two fold coordination site for Cu _n H (n = 2, 4–6, 8, 10–13) clusters, the single fold coordination site for Cu _n H (n = 1, 3, 7) and the three fold coordination site for Cu₉H cluster. For all Cu _n H clusters, only the Cu₁₁ structure in Cu₁₁H is distorted obviously. After adsorption, the Cu–Cu bond is strengthened and the Cu–H bond of odd-numbered Cu _n H clusters is relatively stronger than that of adjacent even-numbered Cu _n H clusters. The Cu–Cu bond-length and Cu–H bond-length for all Cu _n H clusters of our work are significantly shorter than those of previous work. This discrepancy can be explained in terms of the scalar relativistic effect. The most favorable adsorption between small copper clusters and hydrogen atom takes place in the case that hydrogen atom is adsorbed onto an odd-numbered pure Cu _n cluster and becomes Cu _n H cluster with even number of valence electrons. The odd–even alteration of magnetic moments is observed in Cu _n H clusters and may provide the material with tunable code capacity of “0” and “1” by adsorbing a hydrogen atom onto odd- or even-numbered copper clusters.     

On the equilibrium between monomeric and dimeric iminochlorophosphanes R–N=P–Cl

The monomer/dimer equilibrium has been studied for a series of alkyl and aryl substituted and functionalized iminochlorophosphane species of the type R–N=P–Cl. In agreement with experiment, theoretical data always favor the dimer when the group R is small, while bulky groups such as Mes* destabilize the dimer by a considerable steric repulsion. This effect is superimposed by electronic effects. Para-substitution in the aryl systems either favors the monomer (energy gain ca. 15–30 kJ/mol) when a π-electron donating group such as p-NMe₂ is used or favors the dimer when a π-electron withdrawing group such as p-NO₂ is used (energy gain ca. 1–13 kJ/mol).     

The thermodynamic properties of S-lactic acid

The enthalpies of combustion and formation of S-lactic acid at 298.15 K, Δ_c H _m^o(cr.) = −1337.9 ± 0.8 and Δ_f H _m^o(cr.) = −700.1 ± 0.9 kJ/mol, were determined by calorimetry. The temperature dependence of acid vapor pressure was studied by the transpiration method, and the enthalpy of its vaporization was obtained, Δ_vap H ^o(298.15 K) = 69.1 ± 1.0 kJ/mol. The temperature and enthalpy of fusion, T _m (330.4 K) and Δ_m H ^o(298.15 K) = 14.7 ± 0.2 kJ/mol, were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The enthalpy of formation of the acid in the gas phase was obtained. Ab initio methods were used to perform a conformational analysis of the acid, calculate fundamental vibration frequencies, moments of inertia, and total and relative energies of the stablest conformers. Thermodynamic properties were calculated in the ideal gas state over the temperature range 0–1500 K. A thermodynamic analysis of mutual transformation processes (the formation of SS- and RS(meso)-lactides from S-lactic acid and the racemization of these lactides) and the formation of poly-(RS)-lactide from S-lactic acid and SS- and RS(meso)-lactides was performed.     

The Role of Binary and Many-centre Molecular Interactions in Spin Crossover in the Solid State. Part II. Non-ideality Parameters Defined via Binary Molecular Potentials

Parameters of the formalism [1–6] describing spin crossover in the solid state have been defined via molecular potentials in model systems of neutral and ionic complexes. In the first instance Lennard-Jones and electric dipole–dipole potentials have been used whereas in ionic systems Lennard-Jones and electric point-charge potentials have been used. Electric dipole–dipole interaction of neutral complexes brings about a positive excess energy controlled by the difference of electric dipole moments of HS and LS molecules. Differences of the order of Δμ = 1–2 D cause an abrupt spin crossover in systems with T_1/2 = 100–150 K. Magnetic coupling contributes both to the excess energy and excess entropy, however the overall effect is equivalent to a modest positive excess energy. Ionic systems in the absence of specific interactions are characterised by very small excess energies corresponding to practically linear van’t Hoff plots. Detectable positive and negative excess energies in these systems may arise from interactions of ligands belonging to neighbouring complexes. The HOMO–LUMO overlap in HS–LS pairs can bring about a nontrivial variation of the shape of transition curves. Examples of regression analysis of experimental transition curves in terms of molecular potentials are given.     

Conformational study of a strained tolanophane by dynamic 1H NMR spectroscopy and computational methods

The existence of a short C–H ⋯ π (alkyl–alkyne) interaction in the structure of a strained and relatively rigid tolanophane is expected to hinder the rotation about the C–C sp³ single bond. Variable-temperature NMR experiments (performed in three solvents, CDCl₃, THF-d₈, and acetone-d₆) and ab initio density functional calculations were carried out to investigate its dynamic nature. An energy barrier of 48.6 kJ/mol is determined at coalescence (210 K) with acetone-d₆ which is in good agreement with calculation result (54 kJ/mol). Correspondence: Hossein Reza Darabi, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Research Center of Iran, Pajoohesh Blvd., km 17, Karaj Hwy, 14968-13151 Tehran, Iran.     

The Role of Binary and Many-centre Molecular Interactions in Spin Crossover in the Solid State. Part II. Non-ideality Parameters Defined via Binary Molecular Potentials

Summary. Parameters of the formalism [1–6] describing spin crossover in the solid state have been defined via molecular potentials in model systems of neutral and ionic complexes. In the first instance Lennard-Jones and electric dipole–dipole potentials have been used whereas in ionic systems Lennard-Jones and electric point-charge potentials have been used. Electric dipole–dipole interaction of neutral complexes brings about a positive excess energy controlled by the difference of electric dipole moments of HS and LS molecules. Differences of the order of Δμ = 1–2 D cause an abrupt spin crossover in systems with T_1/2 = 100–150 K. Magnetic coupling contributes both to the excess energy and excess entropy, however the overall effect is equivalent to a modest positive excess energy. Ionic systems in the absence of specific interactions are characterised by very small excess energies corresponding to practically linear van’t Hoff plots. Detectable positive and negative excess energies in these systems may arise from interactions of ligands belonging to neighbouring complexes. The HOMO–LUMO overlap in HS–LS pairs can bring about a nontrivial variation of the shape of transition curves. Examples of regression analysis of experimental transition curves in terms of molecular potentials are given.     

Structural,electronic and magnetic properties of small gold clusters with a copper impurity

A set of all-electron scalar relativistic calculations on Au _n Cu (n = 1–12) clusters has been performed using density functional theory with the generalized gradient approximation at PW91 level. The lowest energy geometries of Au _n Cu clusters may be considered as assemblies of triangular Au₃ moieties substituted with one Cu atom at the highest coordinated site. All these lowest energy geometries of the Au _n Cu clusters are slightly distorted but retain the planar structures of the Au _n+1 clusters due to the strong scalar relativistic effects. The Au–Cu bonds are stronger, and a few Au–Au bonds far from the Cu atom are weaker, than the corresponding Au–Au bonds in pure Au _n+1 clusters. After doping with a Cu atom, the thermodynamic stability and chemical reactivity are enhanced to some extent. The odd-numbered Au _n Cu clusters with even numbers of valence electrons are more stable than the neighboring even-numbered Au _n Cu clusters with odd numbers of valence electrons. Odd–even alternations of magnetic moments and electronic configurations for the Au _n Cu clusters can be observed clearly and may be understood in terms of the electron pairing effect.     

Application of the ABEEM/MM model in studying the properties of the water clusters (H2O) n ( n =7?10)

ABEEM/MM model has been applied to compute the various properties characterizing water clusters (H₂O) _n (n = 7−10), such as optimized geometries, the hydrogen bonds number, cluster interaction energies, stabilities, ABEEM charge distributions, dipole moments, structural parameters, and so on, and to describe the transition reflected by the hexamer region from two-dimensional (from dimer to pentamer) to three-dimensional structures (for clusters larger than the hexamer). Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20373021)     

Water effect in the thermal and molecular dynamics behavior of poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>-lactic acid)

A detailed dielectric characterization of the relaxation modes found in a poly(L-lactic acid), PLLA, film containing 0.4 mass% of water is provided. The sub-glass relaxation process is a superposition of two processes, one highly influenced by water with activation energy of 50 kJ mol^–1, and another one, with longer relaxation times and lower intensity having activation energy of 38 kJ mol^–1. Dried PLLA exhibits an abnormally broad secondary β-relaxation that probably corresponds to the superposition of multiple processes. Upon water sorption the strength of the more mobile process significantly increases being shifted to lower temperatures which allows the detection of the underlying process. The glass transition relaxation process is deviated to higher frequencies almost one decade due to the water plasticizing effect. The reported results show that small quantities of water may have a profound impact in the relaxational features in PLLA, which should be taken in account when considering the properties and performance of this system.