Molecular polarizability of organic compounds and their complexes: L. Molar volumes and steric structure of some schiff bases and their structural analogs in infinitely dilute solutions

Molar volumes of a wide series of Schiff bases and their structural analogs, such as N-benzyl-ideneaniline N-oxides and azo compounds, in infinitely dilute solutions were determined. Analysis of the obtained values in terms of the additivity scheme showed that molecular fragments and substituting groups in these compounds are strongly solvated by solvent molecules, which leads to deviation of most molecules from the planar arrangement of the aryl moieties and bridging groups. Most compounds in which H-chelate rings are formed due to intramolecular hydrogen bonding are characterized by contraction of molar volumes, indicating their entropy stabilization in solution via release of solvent molecules from the solvate shell upon chelation. Methods for the determination of dipole moments and Kerr constants in solution can be simplified to a considerable extent for those compounds for which the additivity scheme was applied to calculate the molar volumes.     

Preferable solvatation of decane and benzene in 1-octanol-N,N-dimethylformamide mixed solvent

Heat effects of the dissolution of decane and benzene in a model system of 1-octanol (OctOH)-N,N-dimethylformamide are measured at 298 and 318 K using a variable temperature calorimeter with an isotermic shell. The state of hydrocarbon molecules in the mixed solvent is studied using an extended coordination model and is compared to earlier data for ethyl acetate (EtOAc), DMF, OctOH, and tetramethyl hematoporphyrin (TMHP). It is shown that the polar carboxylic groups of porphyrin are preferably solvated by amide molecules due to stronger interaction with DMF, while nonpolar aliphatic groups are solvated by alcohol molecules. We conclude that a solvate shell of aromatic benzene is strongly enriched with DMF over the range of compositions, suggesting that the weakening of the preferable solvatation of porphyrin relative to EtOAc is due primarily to the influence of nonpolar substituents.     

Molecular dynamics simulation study of friction and diffusion of a tracer in a Lennard–Jones solvent

The friction and diffusion coefficients of a tracer in a Lennard–Jones (LJ) solvent are evaluated by equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations in a microcanonical ensemble. The solvent molecules interact through a repulsive LJ force each other and the tracer of diameter σ₂ interacts with the solvent molecules through the same repulsive LJ force with a different LJ parameter σ. Positive deviation of the diffusion coefficient D of the tracer from a Stokes–Einstein behavior is observed and the plot of 1/D versus σ₂ shows a linear behavior. It is also observed that the friction coefficient ζ of the tracer varies linearly with σ₂ in accord with the prediction of the Stokes formula but shows a smaller slope than the Stokes prediction. When the values of ratios of sizes between the tracer and solvent molecules are higher than 5 approximately, the behavior of the friction and diffusion coefficients is well described by the Einstein relation D = k _B T/ζ, from which the tracer is considered as a Brownian particle.     

Inclusion compounds based on 16(S)-dihydro- and 15-ene-steviols

XRD is used to study the structures of inclusion compounds of diterpenoid 15-ene-steviol with chloroform and 16-S-dihydrosteviol with chloroform and ethyl acetate. In all three cases, the guest-host ratio is 1:2; by means of a branched system of hydrogen bonds, diterpenoid molecules form a three-dimensional associate with helical voids, in which solvent molecules are located. Crystals of all three complexes are isostructural, the ethyl acetate molecule being localized in the corresponding inclusion compound, while solvent molecules are disordered in complexes with chloroform.     

Quantum Chemical Microsolvation by Automated Water Placement

We developed a quantitative approach to quantum chemical microsolvation. Key in our methodology is the automatic placement of individual solvent molecules based on the free energy solvation thermodynamics derived from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and grid inhomogeneous solvation theory (GIST). This protocol enabled us to rigorously define the number, position, and orientation of individual solvent molecules and to determine their interaction with the solute based on physical quantities. The generated solute–solvent clusters served as an input for subsequent quantum chemical investigations. We showcased the applicability, scope, and limitations of this computational approach for a number of small molecules, including urea, 2-aminobenzothiazole, (+)-syn-benzotriborneol, benzoic acid, and helicene. Our results show excellent agreement with the available ab initio molecular dynamics data and experimental results.     

Dilute solution behaviour of progressively hydrolyzed polyacrylamide in water-N, N dimethylformamide mixtures

The intrinsic viscosities [η’s] of anionic (hydrolyzed; low and high carboxyl content) and nonionic polyacrylamide (unhydrolyzed) were measured in water-N, N dimethylformamide mixtures at various temperatures. Non-polyelectrolyte behavior of low carboxyl content polyacrylamide was observed in mixed solvent system. The plots of [η] vs. solvent composition in a mixed solvent system pass through minima for both high as well as low carboxyl content polymers but through a maximum for nonionic polyacrylamide. Observed minimum for charged polymers may be attributed to the loss of polymer sites available to interact with solvent for H-bonding interaction between neighboring amide and the acid groups. The maximum for nonionic polymer at the particular solvent composition arises for the most powerful cosolvent effect. Existence of two antagonistic effects is apparent in [η] values of nonionic polymer at various temperatures. Huggins constant (K_H) also indicates a significant variation of cosolvency as a function of solvent composition. Activation parameters of viscous flow were calculated using Frenkel-Eyring equation. The volume related parameter and the shape factor were also computed. Shape factor data indicate that polymer molecules are more or less rigid spheres and are not affected by temperature and composition of solvent.     

Binding properties of mono-(6-deoxy-6-amino)-β-cyclodextrin towards p-nitroaniline derivatives: a polarimetric study

Polarimetry was used in order to investigate the formation of supramolecular complexes between mono-6-amino-β-cyclodextrin and various p-nitroaniline derivatives at two different pH values. Comparison with the behaviour of native β-cyclodextrin gave us the opportunity to consider the effect exerted by the presence of charged groups, having different solvation requirements, on the binding equilibrium. Data offer some support to the hypothesis of ‘dynamic co-inclusion’ of solvent molecules within the host-guest complex.     

FTIR study on molecular structure of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in mixed solvent of methanol and water

The intrachain and interchain hydrogen bonding of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) and intermolecular hydrogen bonding between PNIPA chains and the solvent molecules in the mixed solvent of methanol and water have been quantitatively investigated by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy at 25 °C. In this spectroscopic system with curve fitting program, we found that in the C-H stretching region, both the N-isopropyl group and the backbone underwent conformational change upon the solvent composition. An analysis of the amide I band suggested that the amide groups of PNIPA were mainly involved in intermolecular hydrogen bonding with water molecules, and the polymer chains were flexible and disordered in the mixed solvent when the methanol volume fraction (χ_v) was lower than 15%. While χ_v was in the range of 15-65%, about 30% of these intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the polymer and water were replaced by intrachain and interchain hydrogen bonding, consequently, PNIPA shrinked as aggregates. If χ_v was above 65%, the interchain hydrogen bonding became predominant due to the solubility characteristics of amphiphilic methanol, and the PNIPA system was homogeneous solution again. We believe that the reentrant transition is related to the weaker interaction between PNIPA molecules and methanol-water complexes, (H₂O)_m(CH₃OH)_n (m/n = 5/1, 5/2, 5/3, 5/4, 5/5) as compared to that between PNIPA and free water or free methanol.     

Single molecular insight into steric effect on C-terminal amino acids with various hydrogen bonding sites

Amino acids are basic units to construct a protein with the assistance of various interactions. During this building process, steric hindrance derived from amino acid side groups or side chains is a factor that could not be ignored. In this contribution, adsorption behaviors of C-terminal amino acid derivatives with amino acid residues fused in 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride were investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations at various liquid/solid interfaces. STM results at 1-phenyloctane/HOPG interface show that N,N'-3,4,9,10-perylenedicarboximide (GP) and N,N'-methyl-3,4,9,10-perylenedicarboximide (AP) formed linear and herringbone structures, respectively. The driving force could be attributed to different H-bonding sites induced by steric hindrance at side groups. N,N'-Benzyl-3,4,9,10-perylenedicarboximide (PP) generates both linear and herringbone structures because steric hindrance changes the H-bonding sites between PP molecules, whereas N,N'-isopropyl-3,4,9,10-perylenedicarboximide (LP) failed to be imaged because of strong steric hindrance coming from larger side group. To further investigate the impact of steric hindrance, we utilized octanoic acid (OA) as solvent to capture the adsorption details of LP and PP. We found that OA molecules drag PP and LP molecules in a different direction to generate linear structure, impeding the molecular rotation. The structure–solvent relationship shows that the steric hindrance is brought by the large side group, which makes it easier to recognize OA molecules at the interface. These results demonstrate that steric effect plays a significant role in altering interaction sites of the compounds during the adsorption process at the liquid/solid interface.     

Fluorescence probe for microenvironments: anomalous viscosity dependence of the fluorescence quantum yield of p-N,N-dialkylaminobenzylidenemalononitrile in 1-alkanols

The effect of solvent viscosity on the fluorescence quantum yield of p-N,N-dialkylaminobenzylidenemalononitrile has been studied in alcoholic solvents with viscosities ranging from 0.55 to 115 cP. The observed effect is shown to be a direct consequence of the molecular rotation of surrounding solvent molecules.     

A study of solvent effects on the stereoselectivity of Diels-Alder reactions through molecular surface electrostatic potentials

Statistical models for the study of solvent effects on the endo/exo selectivity of Diels-Alder reactions using molecular surface electrostatic potentials was obtained. The models show that hydrogen bond interactions of solvent molecules favor the predominance of the endo isomer for the reaction of methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate and methyl trans-crotonate with cyclopentadiene whereas the effect of solvophobicity seems to be negligible.     

Conformational analysis of polymethine dyes derived from the 2-azaazulene

A systematic investigation of the conformational structure was performed for the series of symmetrical and unsymmetrical mono-, tri-, pentamethine cyanines, and styryl dyes bearing 2-azaazulenium terminal group. The rotation energy barriers of terminal groups were determined via the dynamic variable temperature NMR experiments. The conformational transformation energy was calculated by quantum chemical methods (B3LYP and M05-2X) both for the cases of considering the solvent influence and not tacking it into account. Based on the comparison of theoretical and experimental data, relative electron-donating abilities and geometrical features of the heterocyclic terminal groups in 2-azaazulenium dyes were estimated. The arrangement of certain heterocyclic nuclei in order of basicity by considering the results of the dynamic NMR investigations was proposed. Influence of the conjugated chain length and the solvent nature on the conformational lability of the investigated dye molecules was discussed.     

Solvent induced folding of conformationally bistable helical imide triads

Foldamer population of imide triads derived from (R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane was studied with the use of ¹H NMR and CD spectroscopy, as well as computational modeling. Two stable foldamers of C and S shape, having correspondingly M and P helicity, are found to differ very little in energy. However, their interaction with the solvent results in significant shift of the equilibrium. For the interaction with aromatic solvent molecules a sandwich-type donor-acceptor model, stabilizing the S foldamer, is proposed. The limitations of the NMR and CD methods for studying the foldamer equilibrium in solution are discussed, pointing to the inadequacy of static computational models of CD spectra, not including the effect of rotation of the imide chromophores in the dynamic model of real molecules.     

Regioselective quadruple domino aldolization/aldol condensation/Michael/SNAr-cyclization: construction of hexacyclic indeno-fused C-nor-D-homo-steroid frameworks

An operationally simple and highly atom-economic anionic quadruple domino reaction sequence for the synthesis of hexacyclic indeno-fused naphthalene/quinoline molecules having structural resemblance with the C-nor-D-homo-steroid nucleus has been developed. Promoter and solvent specificity, regioselectivity and mechanistic details were experimentally established. Catalyst concentration and solvent dependent switching of domino steps creating four new C–C bonds are discussed.     

Formation of vesicular structures by a mono-tethered polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane amphiphilic diacid derivative in a solvent mixture

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) molecules contain a silicon/oxygen nano-size cage substituted with organic groups. 2-(Propylcarbamoyl)terephthalic acid heptaisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS DCA) is a novel mono-tethered POSS compound which is not commercially available yet and can be regarded as a single-tail surfactant. In contrast to theoretically possible micellization of amphiphilic POSS compounds very rare interest is paid by scientific community to this issue. POSS DCA vesiculation occurred at a very low concentration (0.09 mM) in a mixture of acetone, ethanol and 1-propanol according to the experiments. Critical packing parameter of POSS DCA is bigger than one and it must self-assemble into inverted-micelle morphology in a non-polar solvent. The vesicle formation for POSS DCA in a relatively polar solvent system was mainly attributed to formation of stable various-size intermolecular bridges of ethanol or 1-propanol. Also, π–π interaction between aromatic rings is another driving force. Vesicles can trap both hydrophilic and hydrophobic solvents and change composition of a solvent mixture. For the first time, we studied this property for POSS DCA vesicles in different concentrations by a gas chromatographic method. Significant increase in surface tension was attributed to the changes in solvent system composition due to vesicle formation and variation in vesicles morphology.     

Complex formation of tetra(3,5-di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butylphenyl)porphine with copper(II) and zinc(II) acetates in organic solvents

The effect of accumulation of the tert-butyl groups in the phenyl rings of tetraphenylporphine on the complex formation rate of tetra(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)porphine (I) with copper(II), zinc(II), and cadmium(II) acetates in acetic acid and in a mixed ethanol-benzene solvent was studied by the chemical kinetics method with spectrophotometric monitoring. The activation characteristics of the complex formation were calculated. The complex with zinc was found to form three times more slowly that the copper complex. Benzene additives to the organic solvent decreased the reaction rate because of steric hindrance created by the benzene molecules that formed stable solvates with compound I.     

Kinetics of Formation of Octa(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-Bromophenyl)tetraazaporphine Complexes with <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Bases in Benzene-Dimethyl Sulfoxide System

The acid-base interaction of octa(p-bromophenyl)tetraazaporphine with nitrogen-containing organic bases in benzene-DMSO system is studied. The structures of the proton-transfer complexes formed in the reaction are suggested. The reaction rate, activation parameters, and mechanism of intermolecular transfer of protons of the NH groups of octa(p-bromophenyl)tetraazaporphine to a base were shown to be determined by the nature of the proton-acceptor molecules. The dielectric permeability of a binary solvent was found to significantly affect the kinetic parameters of the process.     

Theoretical study of the role of solvent Stark effect in electron transitions

The possible influence of the solvent Stark effect (SSE) on the solvatochromic shift in electron transitions has been analyzed by using the ASEP/MD (averaged solvent electrostatic potential from molecular dynamics) method. With this purpose, four molecules, two polar (acrolein and formaldehyde) and two non-polar (p-difluorobenzene and trans-difluoroethene) have been studied in solvents of diverse polarity. Independently of the nature of the system we found that the contribution of SSE on the average value of the solvent shift or on the multipole moment values is negligible. In the case of centro-symmetric molecules, our results permit to discard the SSE as cause of the solvent shift found, which must be assigned to the electrostatic interaction of the solute quadrupole and higher multipoles with the solvent. As the SSE values provide also a measure of the errors introduced by the mean field approximation (MFA), these results indicate that MFA permits a very accurate determination of the solvent shift at the same time that it reduces drastically the computational cost. Finally, a new procedure suited to the ASEP/MD method has been presented that permits to estimate the inhomogeneous broadening of spectral bands, complementing the information provided by mean field theories. This procedure does not need additional quantum calculations and its computational cost is minimal.     

The effect of solvent nature upon the optical anisotropy of poly-(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne)

Optical properties of poly-(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) in solvents with different refractive indices and optical anisotropies have been studied by the dynamic birefringence method. An optical shape-effect has been detected in solvents characterized by refractive indices n_s different from those of dry polymer n_k. It was revealed that this effect is an effect of the macromolecule segment shape; this allowed us to estimate thermodynamic rigidity of the molecular chains under study (A = 82 × 10⁻⁸ cm). It has been found that the optical shear coefficient of the studied polymers solutions in anisotropic solvents exceeds considerably the same parameter in an isotropic solvent. It has been shown that this difference is caused by the solvent anisotropic molecules orientation by the axis of maximal polarizability along the macromolecule backbone. The assumption that the solvent molecules orientation order with respect to chain molecules does not depend on the chain molecule thermodynamic rigidity allowed us to obtain independent estimate of the sizes of static segments of the macromolecules under study (98 × 10⁻⁸ cm).