Energetics and Structures of Charged Helium Clusters: Comparing Stabilities of Dimer and Trimer Cationic Cores

We present accurate ab initio calculations of the most stable structures of He_n⁺ clusters in order to determine the more likely ionic core arrangements existing after reaching structural equilibrium of the clusters. Two potential energy surfaces are presented: one for the He₂⁺ and the other with the He₃⁺ linear ion, both interacting with one He atom. The two computed potentials are in turn employed within a classical structure optimization where the overall interaction forces are obtained within the sum‐of‐ potentials approximation described in the main text. Because of the presence of many‐body effects within the ionic core, we find that the arrangements with He₃⁺ as a core turn out to be energetically preferred, leading to the formation of He₃⁺(He)_n?3 stable aggregates. Nanoscopic considerations about the relative stability of clusters with the two different cores are shown to give us new information on the dynamical processes observed in the impact ionization experiments of pure helium clusters and the importance of pre‐equilibrium evaporation of the ionic dimers in the ionized clusters.     

He2@C60: Thoughts of the concept of a molecule and of the concept of a bond in quantum chemistry

We present a broad palette of discussions of the concepts of a molecule and a chemical bond that always lay down behind all computational modeling in quantum chemistry and of the endohedral fullerene He₂@C₆₀ in particular. For this purpose, we offer the definition of quantum chemistry as composed of three ingredients. Each of them is illustrated by its particular concept, either that of a molecule or a bond. The third, computational ingredient is tackled to resolve the bonding manifold of He₂@C₆₀ and to demonstrate that van‐der‐Waals binding of He? He is converted within He₂@C₆₀ into a stronger bond due to that C₆₀ acts as an electronic buffer and [He₂] moiety mimics a fractionally charged . Experimental fingerprints of He₂@C₆₀ are computed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Effect of substitution on the bonding in He dimer confined within dodecahedrane: A computational study

The effect of substitution in the dodecahedrane (C₂₀H₂₀) cage on bonding in the confined He dimer is analyzed. The He He distances inside the halogenated dodecahedrane C₂₀X₂₀ (X = F Br) cages are found to be less than half of that in the free He dimer. Comparing the equilibrium structure of He₂@C₂₀H₂₀ with He₂@C₂₀X₂₀ at ωB97XD/def2-TZVPP level, it is found that the He-He distances are relatively larger in the latter cases indicating the influence of halogen groups on the interaction between the cage and the trapped He pair. The viability of the He₂@C₂₀X₂₀ complexes is reflected in the presence of a very high activation energy barrier against the thermochemically feasible dissociation process producing free He₂ and C₂₀X₂₀. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) approach reveals a partial covalent interaction between He pair.     

Baseline resolution of isomers by traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry: investigating the eff ects of polarizable drift gases and ionic charge distribution

We have studied the behavior of isomers and analogues by traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (TWIM‐MS) using drift‐gases with varying masses and polarizabilities. Despite the reduced length of the cell (18 cm), a pair of constitutional isomers, N‐butylaniline and para‐butylaniline, with theoretical collision cross‐section values in helium (Ω_He) differing by as little as 1.2 Ų (1.5%) but possessing contrasting charge distribution, showed baseline peak‐to‐peak resolution (R_p‐p) for their protonated molecules, using carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and ethene (C₂H₄) as the TWIM drift‐gas. Near baseline R_p‐p was also obtained in CO₂ for a group of protonated haloanilines (para‐chloroaniline, para‐bromoaniline and para‐iodoaniline) which display contrasting masses and theoretical Ω_He, which differ by as much as 15.7 Ų (19.5%) but similar charge distributions. The deprotonated isomeric pair of trans‐oleic acid and cis‐oleic acid possessing nearly identical theoretical Ω_He and Ω_N2 as well as similar charge distributions, remained unresolved. Interestingly, an inversion of drift‐times were observed for the 1,3‐dialkylimidazolium ions when comparing He, N₂ and N₂O. Using density functional theory as a means of examining the ions electronic structure, and He and N₂‐based trajectory method algorithm, we discuss the effect of the long‐range charge induced dipole attractive and short‐range Van der Waals forces involved in the TWIM separation in drift‐gases of differing polarizabilities. We therefore propose that examining the electronic structure of the ions under investigation may potentially indicate whether the use of more polarizable drift‐gases could improve separation and the overall success of TWIM‐MS analysis. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conformational Equilibria of 2-Methoxypyridine⋅⋅⋅CO2: Cooperative and Competitive Tetrel and Weak Hydrogen Bonds

The rotational spectrum of 2-methoxypyridine⋅⋅⋅CO₂ was recorded and analysed employing a cavity-based Fourier transform microwave spectrometer, complemented with quantum chemical calculations which predicted three possible isomers within energies less than 1000 cm⁻¹. The two most stable isomers were observed in the pulsed jet, which are stabilized by a network of C⋅⋅⋅N/O tetrel and C−H⋅⋅⋅O weak hydrogen bonds. The relative population ratio of the two detected isomers was estimated to be N_I/N_II≈2.5. The competition and cooperation of the present non-covalent interactions in both isomers are discussed within the framework of Bader's quantum theory of atoms in molecules and Johnson's non-covalent interaction analyses. The study shows, that when looking for CO₂ adsorbents, one might prefer candidates with multiple interactions in one site over candidates with few but strong interactions.     

Ab initio study of small He cluster ions He n + ,n=2, 3, 4, 5, and low-lying Rydberg states of He4

SCF and CEPA calculations are applied to study the structure of small He cluster ions, He _n ⁺ ,n=2, 3, 4, 5 and some low-lying Rydberg states of He₄. The effect of electron correlation upon the equilibrium structures and binding energies is discussed. He ₃ ⁺ has a linear symmetric equilibrium geometry with a bond length of 2.35a ₀ and a binding energyD _e =0.165 eV with respect to He ₂ ⁺ +He (experimentally:D ₀=0.17 eV which corresponds toD _e ≈0.20 eV). He ₄ ⁺ is a very floppy molecular ion with several energetically very similar geometrical configurations. Our CEPA calculations yield a T-shaped form with a He ₃ ⁺ centre (R _e = 2.35a ₀) and one inductively bound He atom (4.39a ₀ from the central He atom of He ₃ ⁺ ) as equilibrium structure. Its binding energy with respect to He ₃ ⁺ +He is 0.031 eV. A linear symmetric configuration consisting of a He ₂ ⁺ centre with a bond length of 2.10a ₀ and two inductively bound He atoms (4.20a ₀ from the centre of He ₂ ⁺ ) is only 0.02–0.03 eV higher in energy. We expect that in larger He cluster ions structures with He ₂ ⁺ and He ₃ ⁺ centres andn?2 orn?3 inductively bound He atoms have nearly the same energies. In He₄ a low-lying metastable Rydberg state (³ Π symmetry for linear He ₄ ^* ,³ B ₁ for the T-shaped form) exists which is slightly stronger bound with respect to He ₃ ^* +He than the corresponding ion.     

Reversible Transformation between Cubane and Stairstep Cu4I4 Clusters Using Heat or Solvent Vapor

The controlled self‐assembly of CuI and an asymmetric ligand with mixed N/S donors, 2‐(tert‐butylthio)‐N‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)acetamide ( L ), afforded three Cu^I coordination polymers (CPs), [Cu₄I₄ L ₂(MeCN)₂]_n ( 1 ), [Cu₄I₄ L ₂]_n ( 2 ), and {[Cu₄I₄ L ₂] ? MeOH}_n ( 3 ). X‐ray analyses showed that CPs 1 – 3 are supramolecular isomers with 1, 2, and 3D structures, respectively. CP 1 adopts a stairstep Cu₄I₄ cluster, whereas CPs 2 and 3 are composed of cubane‐like Cu₄I₄ clusters. Crystal‐to‐crystal transformations of 1 to 2 and 3 showed reversible transformations between different Cu₄I₄ clusters using heat or solvent (acetonitrile or methanol) vapor. CP 2 was reversibly transformed to 3 by the addition of methanol and heat. Therefore, the transformations between supramolecular isomers 1 , 2 , and 3 are completely reversible.     

The Oxygen‐Rich Beryllium Oxides BeO4 and BeO6

Two novel isomers of BeO₄ with the structures OBeOOO and OBe(O₃) in the electronic triplet state have been prepared as well as the known disuperoxide complex Be(O₂)₂ in solid noble‐gas matrices. We also report the synthesis of the oxygen‐rich bis(ozonide) complex Be(O₃)₂ in the triplet state which has a D_2d equilibrium geometry. The molecular structures were identified by infrared absorption spectroscopy with isotopic substitutions as well as quantum chemical calculations.     

On the strength of hydrogen bonding within water clusters on the coordination limit

Hydrogen bonds (HB) are arguably the most important noncovalent interactions in chemistry. We study herein how differences in connectivity alter the strength of HBs within water clusters of different sizes. We used for this purpose the interacting quantum atoms energy partition, which allows for the quantification of HB formation energies within a molecular cluster. We could expand our previously reported hierarchy of HB strength in these systems (Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2016, 18 , 19557) to include tetracoordinated monomers. Surprisingly, the HBs between tetracoordinated water molecules are not the strongest HBs despite the widespread occurrence of these motifs (e.g., in ice I_h). The strongest HBs within H₂O clusters involve tricoordinated monomers. Nonetheless, HB tetracoordination is preferred in large water clusters because (a) it reduces HB anticooperativity associated with double HB donors and acceptors and (b) it results in a larger number of favorable interactions in the system. Finally, we also discuss (a) the importance of exchange-correlation to discriminate among the different examined types of HBs within H₂O clusters, (b) the use of the above-mentioned scale to quickly assess the relative stability of different isomers of a given water cluster, and (c) how the findings of this research can be exploited to indagate about the formation of polymorphs in crystallography. Overall, we expect that this investigation will provide valuable insights into the subtle interplay of tri- and tetracoordination in HB donors and acceptors as well as the ensuing interaction energies within H₂O clusters.     

Multicomponent Molecular Orbital–Climbing Image–Nudged Elastic Band Method to Analyze Chemical Reactions Including Nuclear Quantum Effect

To analyze the H/D isotope effects on hydrogen transfer reactions in XHCHCHCHY?XCHCHCHYH (X, Y=O, NH, or CH₂) including the nuclear quantum effect of proton and deuteron, we propose a multicomponent molecular orbital‐climbing image‐nudged elastic band (MC_MO–CI–NEB) method. We obtain not only transition state structures but also minimum‐energy paths (MEPs) on the MC_MO effective potential energy surface by using MC_MO–CI–NEB method. We find that nuclear quantum effect affects not only stationary‐point geometries but also MEPs and electronic structures in the reactions. We clearly demonstrate the importance of including nuclear quantum effects for H/D isotope effect on rate constants (k_H/k_D).     

Anab initio potential energy surface and dynamics calculations for vibrational excitation of I2 by He

We present newab initio calculations of the interaction potential and the elastic and inelastic cross sections for He scattering by I₂. The electronic structure calculations of the interaction potential are based on an extensive one-electron basis set (triple zeta plus ad set on each I, ans function plus ap set at the I₂ bond center, and quadruple zeta plus twop sets on He), a two-configuration-SCF orbital set, and a configuration interaction calculation based on all single and double excitations out of the two-configuration reference space. The calculations are performed at 16He-I₂ distances for nine combinations of I₂ vibrational displacement and orientation. A new form of analytic representation is presented that is particularly well suited to efficient and accurate fitting ofab initio interaction potentials that include vibrational displacements. Scattering calculations are performed by the vibrational close-coupling, rotational-infinite-order-sudden approximation with a converged vibrational basis.     

Four supramolecular isomers of dichloridobis(1,10‐phenanthroline)cobalt(II): synthesis,structure characterization and isomerization

Crystal engineering can be described as the understanding of intermolecular interactions in the context of crystal packing and the utilization of such understanding to design new solids with desired physical and chemical properties. Free‐energy differences between supramolecular isomers are generally small and minor changes in the crystallization conditions may result in the occurrence of new isomers. The study of supramolecular isomerism will help us to understand the mechanism of crystallization, a very central concept of crystal engineering. Two supramolecular isomers of dichloridobis(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)cobalt(II), [CoCl₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂], i.e. (IA) (orthorhombic) and (IB) (monoclinic), and two supramolecular isomers of dichloridobis(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)cobalt(II) N,N‐dimethylformamide monosolvate, [CoCl₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂]·C₃H₇NO, i.e. (IIA) (orthorhombic) and (IIB) (monoclinic), were synthesized in dimethylformamide (DMF) and structurally characterized. Of these, (IA) and (IIA) have been prepared and structurally characterized previously [Li et al. (2007). Acta Cryst. E 63 , m1880–m1880; Cai et al. (2008). Acta Cryst. E 64 , m1328–m1329]. We found that the heating rate is a key factor for the crystallization of (IA) or (IB), while the temperature difference is responsible for the crystallization of (IIA) or (IIB). Based on the crystallization conditions, isomerization behaviour, the KPI (Kitajgorodskij packing index) values and the density data, (IB) and (IIA) are assigned as the thermodynamic and stable kinetic isomers, respectively, while (IA) and (IIB) are assigned as the metastable kinetic products. The 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen) ligands interact with each other through offset face‐to‐face (OFF) π–π stacking in (IB) and (IIB), but by edge‐to‐face (EF) C—H...π interactions in (IA) and (IIA). Meanwhile, the DMF molecules in (IIB) connect to neighbouring [CoCl₂(phen)₂] units through two C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, whereas there are no obvious interactions between DMF molecules and [CoCl₂(phen)₂] units in (IIA). Since OFF π–π stacking is generally stronger than EF C—H...π interactions for transition‐metal complexes with nitrogen‐containing aromatic ligands, (IIA) is among the uncommon examples that are stable and densely packed but that do not following Etter's intermolecular interaction hierarchy.     

Interactions of Zn(II) with single and multiple amino acids. Insights from density functional and ab initio calculations

Calculations were performed to study the interactions of metal ions (M) with (multiple) amino acids (AA) and fill the gap between single AA and proteins. A complete conformational search results in nine and eleven ZnGly isomers at B3P86 and MP2 levels, respectively, and four populated conformers of glycine are responsible for production of these isomers. For all M, the isomers via the OO and NO binding modes are the main constituents, and the OO mode is favored by stronger electrostatic interactions. Binding with more glycines causes larger structural distortions, improves relative stabilities of monodentate binding isomers and generates new binding modes (e.g. ZnB_III via only the hydroxyl group). The scaling factor of Zn(Gly)_n structures, the ratio of its binding affinity versus the sum of comprising ZnGly isomers, is linear with glycine number (n), and the linear relationship may not be altered by mutations of glycines and M. It thus allows to estimate M(AA)_n binding affinities (n ≥ 2) from the comprising MAA structures and analyze their structures with kinetic methods. The DFT and MP2 results become comparable by increasing metal coordination, e.g. the ZnB_III versus ZnA_I (zwitterionic) relative energy differs by 41.9 kcal mol^?1 at B3P86 and MP2 levels and is close by addition of three water molecules (4.1 kcal mol^?1). The presence of water solvent improves the relative stabilities of monodentate binding isomers and results in a broader conformational distribution. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Molecular view of charge exchange in ion–C60 collisions

We present a theoretical study of charge transfer in H⁺+C₆₀ and He²⁺+C₆₀ collisions using an extension of the molecular time‐dependent method of ion–atom collisions. Energy‐correlation diagrams have been evaluated for the corresponding (C₆₀–H)⁺ and (C₆₀–He)²⁺ quasi‐molecules. Single and double charge‐transfer cross sections in C₆₀+He²⁺ collisions are reported for the first time. The results show that double charge‐transfer cross sections are only one order of magnitude smaller than single charge‐transfer cross sections. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2001     

A Computational Study of 3‐D Helium Clusters

Physical and thermodynamic properties have been calculated and analyzed for the best and optimized geometries of the 3‐D clusters with N = 3 to N = 10 atoms and unit cells of three types of crystalline systems using ab initio RHF/6–31G^** method. Dependence of the lattice binding energy on the cluster parameter, R, has been studied. Similar behavior observed for the binding energies for all clusters shows that probabilities of their existence in the condensed phase are more or less the same. In the next step, thermodynamic properties have been calculated and analyzed for He₂₇ 3‐D helium clusters with simple cubic, body centered cubic (bcc), trigonal and hexagonal (hcp) configurations. The results show that the hexagonal cluster is more favored over other clusters. It is found that these clusters are electronically stable over a limited range of the values for the lattice parameter. Δ_fH is constant in this stability region and thus the Δ_fG exactly follows the variations of TΔ_fS. Surface effects have been investigated by comparing the square and hexagonal He₉ 2‐D lattices with the cubic and hexagonal He₂₇ 3‐D lattices, respectively. The lattice parameters, densities and molar volumes calculated for the clusters with hcp and bcc configurations have satisfactory agreement with the available experimental values. Properties of the He₁₃, He₃₄ and He₁₀₄ hcp clusters have also been calculated and analyzed.     

STEPWISE SYNTHESIS OF SiOSiN-RINGS AND CAGES

Aminosilanols can be stabilized kinetically, e.g. (Me ₃ C) ₂ Si(OH)NH ₂ , which crystallizes in ladder like chains via H-bridges. Its lithium salt was characterized as tetramer, forming a Li─O cubane, while the sodium and potassium salts are hexagonal prisms. The aminosilanol reacts with halosilanes to give amino-1,3-siloxanes. Lithium salts of amino-1,3-disiloxanes were isolated as amido-1,3-siloxanes or silylamino-silanolates. This includes a 1,3-silylgroup migration from the oxygen to nitrogen atom. Lithium salts of fluorofunctional amino-1,3-disiloxanes were characterized by X-ray. They crystallize as monomers or dimers and have unusual types of structures. LiF-elimination from such lithium salts leads to the formation of four- or eight-membered (SiNSiO)-ring systems. The chemical behavior of aminosilanols, the formation of structural isomers and of different ring systems are proved by experiments, crystal structures, and quantum chemical calculations.     

PEG‐Induced Synthesis of Coordination‐Polymer Isomers with Tunable Architectures and Iodine Capture

Controllable synthesis of coordination polymer (CP) isomers and revealing their structure–property relationships remain enormous challenges. Three new supramolecular isomers have been synthesized by tuning the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) content in the feed. These supramolecular isomers have the same framework formula of [Cu₂I₂(tppe)] and different architectures from the classical 2D stacking framework to a 3D entangled system with the coexistence of interpenetration and polycatenation, and a 3D topological framework. Interestingly, these CPs could be utilized for capturing iodine molecules. According to multiple complementary experiments and crystallographic analyses, iodine capture is mainly based on halogen‐bond interactions in the inorganic {Cu₂I₂} building blocks of the framework. The present study describes a structure–property relationship in supramolecular isomerism with distinct topological structures.     

A Theoretical Study of 1‐D and 2‐D Helium Lattices

One‐ and two‐dimensional (1‐D and 2‐D) helium lattices have been studied using ab initio RHF/6–31G** computations. Structural, physical and thermochemical properties have been calculated and analyzed for the 1‐D and 2‐D He_N lattices respectively up to N = 50 and N = 36. Asymptotic properties of the 1‐D He_N lattices are obtained by extrapolating N‐dependence properties to large values of N. Analysis of the results show that the bulk per‐atom interaction (binding) energies increase while the optimized interatomic distances (bond lengths) slightly decrease with the increase in size of the 1‐D He_N lattices and both reach their asymptotic values of 0.352 cm^?1 and 3.18775 Å, respectively. Between the square and hexagonal (packed) structures of the 2‐D He_N lattices, the latter is more favored. Extrapolated values of the calculated properties, including lattice parameter, binding and zero point energies, heat capacity, and entropy have also been calculated for both 1‐D and 2‐D He_N lattices. The surface densities for monolayer films of helium atoms with square and hexagonal configurations have been calculated to be respectively 9.84 × 10¹⁸ and 1.04 × 10¹⁹ helium atoms/cm² which are comparable to the experimental value of 2.4 × 10¹⁹ helium atom/m² well within the typical large and directional error bars of the experiments. Surface effects have been investigated by comparing the packed He_N2‐D lattices with the same value of N but with different geometries (arrangements). This comparison showed that the He_N lattices prefer arrangements with the smallest surface area.     

Numerical modeling and characterization of Electrolyte/Insulator/Semiconductor sensor systems

A model is proposed to describe integrated ionsensitive devices based on Electrolyte/Insulator/Semiconductor systems. In particular a special type of sensor will be discussed based on a pure Electrolyte/Insulator/Semiconductor structure in the constant capacitance mode. The following models will serve to describe the sensor effects: The site-binding model for pH-sensors and a single-site model for pF-sensors. The theory of the field effect has been integrated into the complete model. In this way pH/pF responses and quasistatic (lf) as well as rf C(V) characteristics can be simulated. A comparison between measurements and simulations can be made for the pH EIS structures with ZrO₂, SrTiO₃ and pF EIS structures with LaF₃.