Existence of doubly charged lead monohydrate: experimental evidence and theoretical examination

Despite reports to the contrary, doubly charged lead monohydrate is a stable species against both proton and charge transfers. [Pb(H(2)O)](2+) has been observed as a minor product in the ligand-exchange reaction of [Pb(CH(3)CN)](2+) with H(2)O after collisional activation. Density functional theory has been used to examine reaction profiles of [Pb(H(2)O)(n)](2+) where n = 1, 2, and 3.     

NMR studies of coupled low- and high-barrier hydrogen bonds in pyridoxal-5'-phosphate model systems in polar solution

The 1H and 15N NMR spectra of several 15N-labeled pyridoxal-5'-phosphate model systems have been measured at low temperature in various aprotic and protic solvents of different polarity, i.e., dichloromethane-d2, acetonitrile-d3, tetrahydrofuran-d8, freon mixture CDF3/CDClF2, and methanol. In particular, the 15N-labeled 5'-triisopropyl-silyl ether of N-(pyridoxylidene)-tolylamine (1a), N-(pyridoxylidene)-methylamine (2a), and the Schiff base with 15N-2-methylaspartic acid (3a) and their complexes with proton donors such as triphenylmethanol, phenol, and carboxylic acids of increasing strength were studied. With the use of hydrogen bond correlation techniques, the 1H/15N chemical shift and scalar coupling data could be associated with the geometries of the intermolecular O1H1N1 (pyridine nitrogen) and the intramolecular O2H2N2 (Schiff base) hydrogen bonds. Whereas O1H1N1 is characterized by a series of asymmetric low-barrier hydrogen bonds, the proton in O2H2N2 faces a barrier for proton transfer of medium height. When the substituent on the Schiff base nitrogen is an aromatic ring, the shift of the proton in O1H1N1 from oxygen to nitrogen has little effect on the position of the proton in the O2H2N2 hydrogen bond. By contrast, when the substituent on the Schiff base nitrogen is a methyl group, a proton shift from O to N in O1H1N1 drives the tautomeric equilibrium in O2H2N2 from the neutral O2-H2...N2 to the zwitterionic O2-...H2-N(2+) form. This coupling is lost in aqueous solution where the intramolecular O2H2N2 hydrogen bond is broken by solute-solvent interactions. However, in methanol, which mimics hydrogen bonds to the Schiff base in the enzyme active site, the coupling is preserved. Therefore, the reactivity of Schiff base intermediates in pyridoxal-5'-phosphate enzymes can likely be tuned to the requirements of the reaction being catalyzed by differential protonation of the pyridine nitrogen.     

Formation of p-phenylenediamine-crown ether-[PMo12O40]4- salts

Electron transfer from the electron donor of p-phenylenediamine (PPD) to the electron acceptor of (H+)3[PMo12O40]3- forms a one-electron-reduced Keggin cluster of [PMo12O40]4-, bearing a S = 1/2 spin, while proton transfer from the proton donor of (H+)3[PMo12O40]3- to the proton acceptor of PPD yielded mono- and diprotonated cations of 4-aminoanilinium (HPPD+) and p-phenylenediammonium (H2PPD2+). By introduction of crown ether receptors during the crystallization process, supramolecular cations of (HPPD+)(crown ethers) and/or (H2PPD2+)(crown ethers) were successfully introduced into three new alpha-[PMo12O40]4- salts of (H2PPD2+)2([12]crown-4)4[PMo12O40]4- (1), (HPPD+)4([15]crown-5)4[PMo12O40]4- (2), and (HPPD+)2(H2PPD2+)([18]crown-6)4[PMo12O40]4- (3) as the countercation. The protonated states of PPD and molecular-assembly structures of the supramolecular cations depended on the size of the crown ethers. In salt 3, a novel mixed-protonated state of HPPD+ and H2PPD2+ was confirmed to be complexed in the cation structure. According to the changes in the cation structures, the anion arrangements were modulated from those of the two-dimensional layer for salt 1 to the isolated cluster for salts 2 and 3. The temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibilities of salts 1-3 were consistent with the isolated spin arrangements of [PMo12O40]4-. The electronic spectra of salts 1-3 indicated the intervalence optical transition from pentavalent Mo(V) to hexavalent Mo(VI) ions within the [PMo12O40]4- cluster. Temperature-dependent electron spin resonance spectra of salt 2 revealed the delocalization-localization transition of the S = 1/2 spin at 60 K. The spin on the [PMo12O40]4- cluster was localized on a specific Mo(V) site below 60 K, which was thermally activated with an activation energy of 0.015 eV.     

Single ion and dimerization studies of the Al(III) ion in aqueous solution

Aqueous trivalent aluminum (Al) ions and their oligomers play important roles in diverse areas, such as environmental sciences and medicine. The geometries of octahedral Al(H(2)O)(6)(3+) and tetrahedral Al(OH)(4)(-) species have been studied extensively. However, structures of intermediate hydrolysis products of the Al(III) ion, such as the penta-coordinated Al(OH)(2+) species, which exists at pH values ranging from 3.0 to 4.3, and their mode of formation have been poorly understood. Here, we present that a trigonal bipyramidal Al(OH)(H(2)O)(4)(2+) structure is formed in aqueous solution and how this monomeric species dimerizes to a dinuclear [(H(2)O)(4)Al(OH)(2)Al(H(2)O)(4)](4+) complex in aqueous solution. The Gibbs free energy change calculations indicate that the formation of the dinuclear complex is preferred over the existence of two single trigonal bipyramidal Al(OH)(H(2)O)(4)(2+) species in aqueous solution. This study captures the solution dynamics and proton transfer in the oligomerization reactions of penta-coordinated Al(OH)(2+) species in aqueous solution.     

Evaluation of the binding ability of a novel dioxatetraazamacrocyclic receptor that contains two phenanthroline units: selective uptake of carboxylate anions

The novel dioxatetraaza macrocycle [26]phen2N4O2, which incorporates two phenanthroline units, has been synthesized, and its acid-base behavior has been evaluated by potentiometric and 1H NMR methods. Six protonation constants were determined, and the protonation sequence was established by NMR. The location of the fifth proton on the phen nitrogen was confirmed by X-ray determinations of the crystal structures of the receptor as bromide and chloride salts. The two compounds have the general molecular formula {(H5[26]phen2N4O2)Xn(H2O)(5-n)}X(n-1) x mH2O, where X = Cl, n = 3, and m = 6 or X = Br, n = 4, and m = 5.5. In the solid state, the (H5[26]phen2N4O2)(5+) cation adopts a "horseshoe" topology with sufficient room to encapsulate three or four halogen anions through the several N-H...X hydrogen-bonding interactions. Two supermolecules {(H5[26]phen2N4O2)Xn(H2O)5-n}(5-n)(+) form an interpenetrating dimeric species, which was also found by ESI mass spectrum. Binding studies of the protonated macrocycle with aliphatic (ox(2-), mal(2-), suc(2-), cit(3-), cta(3-)) and aromatic (bzc(-), naphc(-), anthc(-), pyrc(-), ph(2-), iph(2-), tph(2-), btc(3-)) anions were determined in water by potentiometric methods. These studies were complemented by 1H NMR titrations in D2O of the receptor with selected anions. The Hi[26]phen2N4O2(i+) receptor can selectively uptake highly charged or extended aromatic carboxylate anions, such as btc(3-) and pyrc(-), in the pH ranges of 4.0-8.5 and <4.0, respectively, from aqueous solution that contain the remaining anions as pollutants or contaminants. To obtain further insight into these structural and experimental findings, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out in water solution.     

Molecular view of the anomalous acidities of Sn2+, Pb2+, and Hg2+

Experimental results taken from both the condensed and gaseous phase show that, when associated with water, the three dications Sn(2+), Pb(2+), and Hg(2+) exhibit a facile proton-transfer reaction. In the gas phase, no stable [M.(H(2)O)(n)](2+) ions are observed; but instead the cations appear to undergo rapid hydrolysis to give ions of the form M(+)OH(H(2)O)(n-1). A series of ab initio calculations have been undertaken on the structures and proton-transfer reaction profiles associated with the complexes [M.(H(2)O)(2,4)](2+), where M is one of Sn, Pb, Hg, and Ca. The latter has been used as a reference point both in terms of comparisons with previous calculations, and the fact that Ca(2+) is a very weak acid. The calculations show that for Sn(2+), Pb(2+), and Hg(2+), the only barriers to proton transfer are those associated with the movement of water molecules. In the gas phase, these barriers could be overcome through energy gained during ion formation, and in the condensed phase the thermal motion of water molecules would be sufficient. In contrast, the calculations show that for Ca(2+) it is the proton-transfer step that provides the most significant reaction barrier. Proton transfer in Sn(2+) and Pb(2+) is further assisted by distortions in the geometries of [M.(H(2)O)(2,4)](2+) complexes due to voids created by the 5s(2) (6s(2)) inert lone pair. For Hg(2+), ease of proton transfer is derived partly from the high degree of covalent bonding found in both the reactants and products.     

Photodissociation of diiodomethane in acetonitrile solution and fragment recombination into iso-diiodomethane studied with ab initio molecular dynamics simulations

Series of hydrates of the most stable glycine-H+/2H2+ in the gas phase are presented at the B3LYP level. The results show that only the amino hydrogens and hydroxyl hydrogens can be monohydrated for the glycine-H+, and the amino hydrogens are preferred. The H6(O4) of glycine-2H2+ is the best site for a water molecule to attach, i.e., the corresponding hydrate is the most stable one among its isomers. Calculations reveal that the binding energies of hydrated hydrogens decrease relative to their counterparts in the isolated glycine-H+/2H2+ complexes and they are positive values and without proton transfer except those of monohydrated glycine-2H2+ complexes with the combination modes of H3O+...(glycine-H+). The complex H3O+...(glycine-H+) is formed by the combination of a H2O molecule and one hydroxyl-site proton of glycine-2H2+, and with the proton transfer to H2O. Here the interaction between the proton of H3O+ and the glycine-H+ mainly depends on an electronic one instead of an initial covalent one of the isolated glycine-2H2+. The generation of the bond between the H3O+ and the glycine-H+ makes the energy of the complex higher than the energy sum of its two separated species (or two reactants of the complex), just like the case of M+...(glycine-H+) bond (M = Li,Na). The observation can explain satisfactorily why the combinations of both a proton and an alkali ion or two alkali ions to a glycine molecule can make the corresponding complex hold reservation energy bond(s), while the combination of two protons and a glycine in our previous work cannot [H. Ai et al., J. Chem. Phys. 117, 7593 (2002)]. For the glycine-2H2+, monohydration at the any site of its amino hydrogens can make the binding strength of any other neighboring proton (hydrogens) stronger relative to its counterpart in the isolated glycine-2H2+. Further hydration, especially at the site of either of hydroxyl hydrogens, would disfavor the reservation energy of the system.     

Microhydration effects on the electronic spectra of protonated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: [naphthalene-(H2O)(n = 1,2)]H+

Vibrational and electronic spectra of protonated naphthalene (NaphH(+)) microsolvated by one and two water molecules were obtained by photofragmentation spectroscopy. The IR spectrum of the monohydrated species is consistent with a structure with the proton located on the aromatic molecule, NaphH(+)-H(2)O. Similar to isolated NaphH(+), the first electronic transition of NaphH(+)-H(2)O (S(1)) occurs in the visible range near 500 nm. The doubly hydrated species lacks any absorption in the visible range (420-600 nm) but absorbs in the UV range, similar to neutral Naph. This observation is consistent with a structure, in which the proton is located on the water moiety, Naph-(H(2)O)(2)H(+). Ab initio calculations for [Naph-(H(2)O)(n)]H(+) confirm that the excess proton transfers from Naph to the solvent cluster upon attachment of the second water molecule.     

Computational investigation and hydrogen/deuterium exchange of the fixed charge derivative tris(2,4,6-Trimethoxyphenyl) phosphonium: Implications for the aspartic acid cleavage mechanism

Aspartic acid (Asp)-containing peptides with the fixed charge derivative tris(2,4,6trimethoxyphenyl) phosphonium (tTMP-P+) were explored computationally and experimentally by hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange and by fragmentation studies to probe the phenomenon of selective cleavage C-terminal to Asp in the absence of a "mobile" proton. Ab initio modeling of the tTMP-P+ electrostatic potential shows that the positive charge is distributed on the phosphonium group and therefore is not initiating or directing fragmentation as would a "mobile" proton. Geometry optimizations and vibrational analyses of different Asp conformations show that the Asp structure with a hydrogen bond between the side-chain hydroxy and backbone carbonyl lies 2.8 kcal/mol above the lowest energy conformer. In reactions with D2O, the phosphonium-derived doubly charged peptide (H+)P+LDIFSDF rapidly exchanges all 12 of its exchangeable hydrogens for deuterium and also displays a nonexchanging population. With no added proton, P+LDIFSDF exchanges a maximum of 4 of 11 exchangeable hydrogens for deuterium. No exchange is observed when all acidic groups are converted to the corresponding methyl esters. Together, these H/D exchange results indicate that the acidic hydrogens are "mobile locally" because they are able to participate in exchange even in the absence of an added proton. Fragmentation of two distinct (H+)P+LDIFSDF ion populations shows that the nonexchanging population displays selective cleavage, whereas the exchanging population fragments more evenly across the peptide backbone. This result indicates that H/D exchange can sometimes distinguish between and provide a means of separation of different protonation motifs and that these protonation motifs can have an effect on the fragmentation.     

A benzene-core trinuclear GdIII complex: towards the optimization of relaxivity for MRI contrast agent applications at high magnetic field

A novel ligand, H(12)L, based on a trimethylbenzene core bearing three methylenediethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetate moieties (-CH(2)DTTA(4-)) for Gd(3+) chelation has been synthesized, and its trinuclear Gd(3+) complex [Gd(3)L(H(2)O)(6)](3-) investigated with respect to MRI contrast agent applications. A multiple-field, variable-temperature (17)O NMR and proton relaxivity study on [Gd(3)L(H(2)O)(6)](3-) yielded the parameters characterizing water exchange and rotational dynamics. On the basis of the (17)O chemical shifts, bishydration of Gd(3+) could be evidenced. The water exchange rate, k(ex)(298)=9.0+/-3.0 s(-1) is around twice as high as k(ex)(298) of the commercial [Gd(DTPA)(H(2)O)](2-) and comparable to those on analogous Gd(3+)-DTTA chelates. Despite the relatively small size of the complex, the rotational dynamics had to be described with the Lipari-Szabo approach, by separating global and local motions. The difference between the local and global rotational correlation times, tau(lO)(298)=170+/-10 ps and tau(gO)(298)=540+/-100 ps respectively, shows that [Gd(3)L(H(2)O)(6)](3-) is not fully rigid; its flexibility originates from the CH(2) linker between the benzene core and the poly(amino carboxylate) moiety. As a consequence of the two inner-sphere water molecules per Gd(3+), their close to optimal exchange rate and the appropriate size and limited flexibility of the molecule, [Gd(3)L(H(2)O)(6)](3-) has remarkable proton relaxivities when compared with commercial contrast agents, particularly at high magnetic fields (r(1)=21.6, 17.0 and 10.7 mM(-1)s(-1) at 60, 200 and 400 MHz respectively, at 25 degrees C; r(1) is the paramagnetic enhancement of the longitudinal water proton relaxation rate, referred to 1 mM concentration of Gd(3+)).     

Periodic DFT calculations of the stability of Al/Si substitutions and extraframework Zn2+ cations in mordenite and reaction pathway for the dissociation of H2 and CH4

The local stability of Al atoms replacing Si in the zeolite framework is compared for all inequivalent tetrahedral (T) sites in mordenite. For Al/Si substitutions in two T sites the stable location of the compensating extraframework Zn(2+) cation forming a Lewis acid site is determined. In the most stable Zn-MOR structures Zn(2+) is located in a small ring (5MR, 6MR) containing two Al/Si substitutions. In less stable structures the Al atoms are placed at larger distances from each other and Zn(2+) interacts with only one Al site. The simulated adsorption of H(2) and CH(4) shows that adsorption strength decreases with increasing stability of the Zn(2+) Lewis site. A higher adsorption strength is observed for Zn(2+) deposited in the 5MR than for the 6MR. The reactivity of a series of stable Zn(2+) Lewis sites is tested via the dissociative adsorption of H(2) and CH(4). The heterolytic dissociation of the adsorbed molecule on the extraframework Zn(2+) cation produces a proton and an anion. The anion binds to Zn(2+) and proton goes to the zeolite framework, restoring a Br?nsted acid site. Because bonding of the anion to Zn(2+) is almost energetically equivalent for Zn(2+) in any of the extraframework positions the dissociation is governed by stabilizing bonding of the proton to the framework. Those structures which can exothermically accommodate the proton represent reaction pathways. Due to the repulsion between the proton and Zn(2+) the most favorable proton-accepting O sites are not those of the ring where Zn(2+) is deposited, but O sites close to the ring. Large differences are observed for neighboring positions in a- and b-directions and those oriented along the c-vector. Finally, among the stable Zn(2+) Lewis sites not all represent reaction pathways for dehydrogenation. For all of them the dissociation of H(2) is an exothermic process. In structures exhibiting the highest reactivity the Al/Si substitutions are placed at a large distance and the Zn(2+) cation interacts with O-atoms next to Al in the T4 site of the 5MR. This Lewis site is strong enough to break the C-H bond in the CH(4) molecule.     

The arrangement of first- and second-shell water molecules in trivalent aluminum complexes: results from density functional theory and structural crystallography

The structural and energetic features of a variety of gas-phase aluminum ion hydrates containing up to 18 water molecules have been studied computationally using density functional theory. Comparisons are made with experimental data from neutron diffraction studies of aluminum-containing crystal structures listed in the Cambridge Structural Database. Computational studies indicate that the hexahydrated structure Al[H(2)O](6)(3+) (with symmetry T(h)()), in which all six water molecules are located in the innermost coordination shell, is lower in energy than that of Al[H(2)O](5)(3+).[H(2)O], where only five water molecules are in the inner shell and one water molecule is in the second shell. The analogous complex with four water molecules in the inner shell and two in the outer shell undergoes spontaneous proton transfer during the optimization to give [Al[H(2)O](2)[OH](2)](+).[H(3)O(+)](2), which is lower in energy than Al[H(2)O](6)(3+); this finding of H(3)O(+) is consistent with the acidity of concentrated Al(3+) solutions. Since, however, Al[H(2)O](6)(3+) is detected in solutions of Al(3+), additional water molecules are presumed to stabilize the hexa-aquo Al(3+) cation. Three models of a trivalent aluminum ion complex surrounded by a total of 18 water molecules arranged in a first shell containing 6 water molecules and a second shell of 12 water molecules are discussed. We find that a model with S(6) symmetry for which the Al[H(2)O](6)(3+) unit remains essentially octahedral and participates in an integrated hydrogen bonded network with the 12 outer-shell water molecules is lowest in energy. Interactions between the 12 second-shell water molecules and the trivalent aluminum ion in Al[H(2)O](6)(3+) do not appear to be sufficiently strong to orient the dipole moments of these second-shell water molecules toward the Al(3+) ion.     

Gas-phase oxidation reactions of Ta2+: synthesis and properties of TaO(2+) and TaO2(2+)

Gas-phase reactions of Ta(2+) and TaO(2+) with oxidants, including thermodynamically facile O-atom donor N(2)O and ineffective donor CO, as well as intermediate donors C(2)H(4)O (ethylene oxide), H(2)O, O(2), CO(2), NO, and CH(2)O, were studied by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. All oxidants reacted with Ta(2+) by electron transfer yielding Ta(+), in accord with the high second ionization energy of Ta (ca. 16 eV). TaO(2+) was also produced with N(2)O, H(2)O, O(2), and CO(2), oxidants with ionization energies above 12 eV; CO reacted only by electron transfer. The following charge separation products were also observed: TaN(+) and TaO(+) with N(2)O; and TaO(+) with O(2), CO(2), and CH(2)O. TaOH(2+), formed with H(2)O, reacted with a second H(2)O by proton transfer. TaO(2+) abstracted an electron from N(2)O, H(2)O, O(2), CO(2), and CO. Oxidation of TaO(2+) by N(2)O was also observed to produce TaO(2)(2+); on the basis of density functional theory (DFT) results, this species is a dioxide, {O-Ta-O}(2+). TaO(2)(2+) reacted by electron transfer with N(2)O, CO(2), and CO to give TaO(2)(+). Additionally, it was found that TaO(2)(2+) oxidizes CO to CO(2) and that it acts as a catalyst in the oxidation of CO by N(2)O. TaO(2)(2+) also activates H(2) to form TaO(2)H(2+). On the basis of the rates of electron transfer from N(2)O, CO(2), and CO to Ta(2+), TaO(2+), and TaO(2)(2+), the following estimates were made for the second ionization energies of Ta, TaO, and TaO(2): IE[Ta(+)] = 15.8 ± 0.3 eV, IE[TaO(+)] = 16.0 ± 0.5 eV, and IE[TaO(2)(+)] = 16.9 ± 0.4 eV. These IEs, together with recently reported bond dissociation energies, D[Ta(+)-O] and D[OTa(+)-O], result in the following bond energies: D[Ta(2+)-O] = 657 ± 58 kJ mol(-1) and D[OTa(2+)-O] = 500 ± 63 kJ mol(-1), the first of which is in good agreement with the value obtained by DFT.     

Cation mobility and kinetics of ion exchange in zirconium hydrogen monothiophosphate hydrate, Zr(HPO(3)S)(2)x1.5H(2)O

The ion conductivity of zirconium hydrogen monothiophosphate (Zr(HPO(3)S)(2)x1.5H(2)O) has been measured by impedance spectroscopy. The measured value of proton conductivity is 3 x 10(-5) S/cm at 298 K. Conductivity was shown to decrease with increasing temperature due to a dehydration process. Above 450 K, the conductivity is likely governed by proton transport in the anhydrous phase Zr(HPO(3)S)(2). The activation energies of proton conductivity were measured to be 18 +/- 2 kJ/mol for Zr(HPO(3)S)(2)x1.5H(2)O and 60 +/- 3 kJ/mol for the anhydrous compound. The kinetics of ion exchange was studied with the use of potentiometric titration for several ion pairs, H(+)/Na(+), H(+)/Zn(2+), and Na(+)/Zn(2+) in Zr(HPO(3)S)(2)x1.5H(2)O. The diffusion coefficient values for H(+)/Na(+) ion exchange in Zr(HPO(3)S)(2)x1.5H(2)O are lower than those reported in alpha-zirconium phosphate. At the same time, the mobility of zinc ions in Zr(HPO(3)S)(2)x1.5H(2)O is higher than sodium ion mobility. The ion exchange H(+)/Zn(2+) is accompanied by the slow hydrolysis of the initial compound. In all cases, the powdered solids were evaluated by powder X-ray diffraction, and particle sizes were controlled by grinding and sieving the powders.     

Stable [Pb(ROH)(N)](2+) complexes in the gas phase: softening the base to match the Lewis acid

Experiments have been performed in the gas phase to investigate the stability of complexes of the general form [Pb(ROH)(N)](2+). With water as a solvent, there is no evidence of [Pb(H(2)O)(N)](2+); instead [PbOH(H(2)O)(N-1)](+) is observed, where lead is considered to be held formally in a +2 oxidation state by the formation of a hydroxide core. As the polarizability of the solvating ligands is increased through the use of straight chain alcohols, ROH, solvation of Pb(2+) is observed without proton transfer when R >or= CH(3)CH(2)CH(2)-. The relative stabilities of [Pb(ROH)(4)](2+) complexes with respect to proton transfer are further investigated through the application of density functional theory to examples where R = H, methyl, ethyl, and 1-propyl. Of three trial structures examined for [Pb(ROH)(4)](2+) complexes, in all cases those with the lowest energy comprised of three solvent molecules were directly bound to the central cation, with the fourth molecule held in a secondary shell by hydrogen bonds. The implications of this arrangement as a favorable starting structure for proton transfer are discussed. Conditions for the stability of particular Pb(II)/ligand combinations are also discussed in terms of the hard-soft acid-base principle. Charge population densities calculated for the central lead cation and oxygen donor atoms across the ROH range are used to support the proposal that proton transfer occurs when a ligand is hard. Stability of the [Pb(ROH)(4)](2+) unit is commensurate with a decrease in the ionic character of the bond between Pb(2+) and a ligand; this in turn reflects a softening of the ligand as the alkyl chain increases in length. From the calculations, the most favorable protonated product is, in all cases, (ROH)(2)H(+). The trends observed with lead are compared with Cu(II), which is capable of forming stable gas-phase complexes with water and all of the alcohols considered here.     

Apparent or real water exchange reactions on [Zn(H2O)4(L)](2+)·2H2O (L = sp-nitrogen donor ligands)? A quantum chemical investigation

The exchange of a second coordination sphere water molecule in [Zn(H(2)O)(4)(L)](2+)·2H(2)O (L = HN(3), HCN, FCN, ClCN, BrCN, CH(3)CN, (C(4)H(3))CN, PhCN, (CH(3))(3)CCN, CF(3)CN, CCl(3)CN, CHCl(2)CN, and CH(2)ClCN) against a coordinated water molecule was studied by quantum chemical calculations (RB3LYP/6-311+G**). The complete reaction consists of an associative binding of one H(2)O from the second coordination sphere leading to a six-coordinate intermediate [Zn(H(2)O)(5)(L)](2+)·H(2)O, followed by the dissociation of a water molecule to reach the product state [Zn(H(2)O)(4)(L)](2+)·2H(2)O. For a real water exchange reaction to occur two different transition states have to be included, otherwise only an apparent water exchange reaction takes place. For the water exchange reaction in [Zn(H(2)O)(4)(L)](2+)·2H(2)O, nearly iso-energetic cis- and trans-orientated transition states are crossed. The gas-phase proton affinity of L shows instructive correlations with structural parameters and energy gaps for the investigated reactions.     

Theoretical study of O--O single bond formation in the oxidation of water by the ruthenium blue dimer

The first key step in the oxidation of water to O(2) by the oxidized species [(bpy)(2)(O)Ru(V)ORu(V)(O)(bpy)(2)](4+) of the Ru blue dimer is studied using density functional theory (DFT) and an explicit solvent treatment. In the model reaction system [L(2)(O)Ru(V)ORu(V)(O)L(2)](4+)·(H(2)O)(4)·W(76), the surrounding water solvent molecules W are described classically while the inner core reaction system is described quantum mechanically using smaller model ligands (L). The reaction path found for the O--O single bond formation involves a proton relay chain: direct participation of two water molecules in two proton transfers to yield the product [L(2)(HOO)Ru(IV)ORu(IV)(OH)L(2)](4+)·(H(2)O)(3)·W(76). The calculated ～3 kcal/mol reaction free energy and ～15 kcal/mol activation free energy barrier at 298 K are consistent with experiment. Structural changes and charge flow along the intrinsic reaction coordinate, the solvent's role in the reaction barrier, and their significance for water oxidation catalysis are examined in detail.     

Eigen and Zundel forms of small protonated water clusters: structures and infrared spectra

The spectral properties of protonated water clusters, especially the difference between Eigen (H3O+) and Zundel (H5O2+) conformers and the difference between their unhydrated and dominant hydrated forms are investigated with the first principles molecular dynamics simulations as well as with the high level ab initio calculations. The vibrational modes of the excess proton in H3O+ are sensitive to the hydration, while those in H5O2+ are sensitive to the messenger atom such as Ar (which was assumed to be weakly bound to the water cluster during acquisitions of experimental spectra). The spectral feature around approximately 2700 cm-1 (experimental value: 2665 cm-1) for the Eigen moiety appears when H3O+ is hydrated. This feature corresponds to the hydrating water interacting with H3O+, so it cannot appear in the Eigen core. Thus, H3O+ alone would be somewhat different from the Eigen forms in water. For the Zundel form (in particular, H5O2+), there have been some differences in spectral features among different experiments as well as between experiments and theory. When an Ar messenger atom is introduced at a specific temperature corresponding to the experimental condition, the calculated vibrational spectra for H5O2+.Ar are in good agreement with the experimental infrared spectra showing the characteristic Zundel frequency at approximately 1770 cm-1. Thus, the effect of hydration, messenger atom Ar, and temperature are crucial to elucidating the nature of vibrational spectra of Eigen and Zundel forms and to assigning the vibrational modes of small protonated water clusters.     

Theoretical investigation of large kinetic isotope effects for proton-coupled electron transfer in ruthenium polypyridyl complexes

A theoretical investigation of proton-coupled electron transfer in ruthenium polypyridyl complexes is presented. The three reactions studied are as follows: (1) the comproportionation reaction of [(bpy)(2)(py)Ru(IV)O](2+) and [(bpy)(2)(py)Ru(II)OH(2)](2+) to produce [(bpy)(2)(py)Ru(III)OH](2+); (2) the comproportionation reaction of [(tpy)(bpy)Ru(IV)O](2+) and [(tpy)(bpy)Ru(II)OH(2)](2+) to produce [(tpy)(bpy)Ru(III)OH](2+); and (3) the cross reaction of [(tpy)(bpy)Ru(III)OH](2+) and [(bpy)(2)(py)Ru(II)OH(2)](2+) to produce [(tpy)(bpy)Ru(II)OH(2)](2+) and [(bpy)(2)(py)Ru(III)OH](2+). This investigation is motivated by experimental measurements of rates and kinetic isotope effects for these systems (Binstead, R. A.; Meyer, T. J. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1987, 109, 3287. Farrer, B. T.; Thorp, H. H. Inorg. Chem. 1999, 38, 2497.). These experiments indicate that the second reaction is nearly one order of magnitude faster than the first reaction, and the third reaction is in the intermediate regime. The experimentally measured kinetic isotope effects for these three reactions are 16.1, 11.4, and 5.8, respectively. The theoretical calculations elucidate the physical basis for the experimentally observed trends in rates and kinetic isotope effects, as well as for the unusually high magnitude of the kinetic isotope effects. In this empirical model, the proton donor-acceptor distance is predicted to be largest for the first reaction and smallest for the third reaction. This prediction is consistent with the degree of steric crowding near the oxygen proton acceptor for the three reactions. The second reaction is faster than the first reaction since a smaller proton donor-acceptor distance leads to a larger overlap between the reactant and product proton vibrational wave functions. The intermediate rate of the third reaction is determined by a balance among several competing factors. The observed trend in the kinetic isotope effects arises from the higher ratio of the hydrogen to deuterium vibrational wave function overlap for larger proton donor-acceptor distances. Thus, the kinetic isotope effect increases for larger proton donor-acceptor distances. The unusually high magnitude of the kinetic isotope effects is due in part to the close proximity of the proton transfer interface to the electron donor and acceptor. This proximity results in strong electrostatic interactions that lead to a relatively small overlap between the reactant and product vibrational wave functions.