The vibrational structure of the oxygen K-shell spectra in acenaphthenequinones: an ab initio study

The vibrational structure of the K-shell O1s → π? of acenaphthenequinone C(12)H(6)O(2) and its halogenated compound C(12)H(2)Br(2)Cl(2)O(2) has been simulated using an entirely ab initio approach. For both molecules, analysis of the calculated Franck-Condon factors confirm without ambiguity that, contrary to initial claims, the C-H stretching modes are not modified in the core states and are not excited. For C(12)H(6)O(2), the vibrational fine structure appears to be mainly due to three modes, involving C=O? asymmetric stretch and in-plane ring deformation modes, due to the symmetry breaking of the core state. For C(12)H(2)Br(2)Cl(2)O(2), the vibrational excitation arises essentially from the C=O? asymmetric stretch, with numerous secondary peaks arising from hot and combination bands. For both molecules, these bands are probably responsible for the asymmetry deduced in the experimental fits using a unique Morse potential and initially assigned to anharmonic effects.     

Distance-dependent Schwarz-based integral estimates for two-electron integrals: reliable tightness vs. rigorous upper bounds

A new integral estimate for four-center two-electron integrals is introduced that accounts for distance information between the bra- and ket-charge distributions describing the two electrons. The screening is denoted as QQR and combines the most important features of the conventional Schwarz screening by Ha?ser and Ahlrichs published in 1989 [J. Comput. Chem. 10, 104 (1989)] and our multipole-based integral estimates (MBIE) introduced in 2005 [D. S. Lambrecht and C. Ochsenfeld, J. Chem. Phys. 123, 184101 (2005)]. At the same time the estimates are not only tighter but also much easier to implement, so that we recommend them instead of our MBIE bounds introduced first for accounting for charge-distance information. The inclusion of distance dependence between charge distributions is not only useful at the SCF level but is particularly important for describing electron-correlation effects, e.g., within AO-MP2 theory, where the decay behavior is at least 1/R(4) or even 1/R(6). In our present work, we focus on studying the efficiency of our QQR estimates within SCF theory and demonstrate the performance for a benchmark set of 44 medium to large molecules, where savings of up to a factor of 2 for exchange integrals are observed for larger systems. Based on the results of the benchmark set we show that reliable tightness of integral estimates is more important for the screening performance than rigorous upper bound properties.     

High-spin organic molecules with dominant spin-orbit contribution and unprecedentedly large magnetic anisotropy

High-spin organic molecules with dominant spin-orbit contribution to magnetic anisotropy are reported. Quintet 4-azido-3,5-dibromopyridyl-2,6-dinitrene (Q-1), quintet 2-azido-3,5-dibromopyridyl-4,6-dinitrene (Q-2), and septet 3,5-dibromopyridyl-2,4,6-trinitrene (S-1) were generated in solid argon matrices by ultraviolet irradiation of 2,4,6-triazido-3,5-dibromopyridine. The zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters, derived from electron spin resonance spectra, show unprecedentedly large magnitudes of the parameters D: ∣D(Q1)∣ = 0.289, ∣D(Q2)∣ = 0.373, and ∣D(S1)∣ = 0.297 cm(-1). The experimental ZFS parameters were successfully reproduced by density functional theory calculations, confirming that magnetic anisotropy of high-spin organic molecules can considerably be enhanced by the "heavy atom effect." In bromine-containing high-spin nitrenes, the spin-orbit term is dominant and governs both the magnitude and the sign of magnetic anisotropy. The largest negative value of D among septet trinitrenes is predicted for 1,3,5-trinitrenobenzene bearing three heavy atoms (Br) in positions 2, 4, and 6 of the benzene ring.     

A FRET-based probe with a chemically deactivatable quencher

A new concept of a chemically deactivatable quencher is proposed for a FRET-based probe that turns-on its fluorescence by either an enzymatic cleavage or a chemical reagent (sodium dithionite). This concept allowed us to quantify the caspase-3 cleavage activity in solution and to reveal unreacted probes in cell experiments.     

Biodegradable, multi-layered coatings for controlled release of small molecules

Incorporation of orthogonal functional groups into biodegradable polymers permits the fabrication of multi-layered thin films with improved adhesion and tunable degradation profiles. The bi-layer structure also allows for accurate control over small molecule release.     

Magnetic exchange coupling in bis-nitroxides: a theoretical analysis of the solvent effects

Magnetic properties of nitroxide radicals can be greatly affected by solvent effects. In this study, the change of the magnetic exchange interaction J, coupling the two unpaired electrons of a model solvated antiferromagnetic bis-iminyl-nitroxide molecule (2IN), is rationalized thanks to different geometric and electronic criteria provided by density functional theory calculations. It is shown that for a given geometry, simple tools can be used to analyze with good accuracy the dependence of J with the solvent polarity. Estimates of two important magnetic parameters are given: the magnetic orbitals exchange and the in-site energy gap between ionic and neutral configurations. 2IN can be engaged in different hydrogen-bonds with first shell water molecules, modifying both the 2IN geometry and the electrostatic potential felt by the molecule. In all, the additivity of electrostatic and hydrogen-bond solvent effects is found to be responsible for J variations as large as 50%.     

Hofmeister effects on the colloidal stability of poly(ethylene glycol)-decorated nanoparticles

The colloidal stability of poly(ethylene glycol)-decorated poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA/Tween-20, particles was investigated by means of phase separation measurements, in the presence of sodium fluoride (NaF), sodium chloride, sodium bromide, sodium nitrate, or sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN) at 1.0?mol?L^?1. Following Hofmeister's series, the dispersions of PMMA/Tween-20 destabilized faster in the presence of NaF than with NaSCN. After the phase separation, the systems were homogenized and except for the dispersions in NaF, re-dispersed particles took longer to destabilize, indicating that anions adsorbed on the particles, creating a new surface. Except for F^? ions, the adsorption of anions on the polar outmost shell was evidenced by means of tensiometry and small-angle X-ray scattering measurements. Fluoride ions induced the dehydration of the polar shell, without affecting the polar shell electron density, and the formation of very large aggregates. A model was proposed to explain the colloidal behavior in the presence of Hofmeister ions.     

Triclinic-cubic phase transition and negative expansion in the actinide IV (Th, U, Np, Pu) diphosphates

The AnP(2)O(7) diphosphates (An = Th, U, Np, Pu) have been synthesized by various routes depending on the stability of the An(IV) cation and its suitability for the unusual octahedral environment. Synchrotron and X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and (31)P nuclear magnetic resonance reveal them as a new family of diphosphates which probably includes the recently studied CeP(2)O(7). Although they adopt at high temperature the same cubic archetypal cell as the other known MP(2)O(7) diphosphates, they differ by a very faint triclinic distortion at room temperature that results from an ordering of the P(2)O(7) units, as shown using high-resolution synchrotron diffraction for UP(2)O(7). The uncommon triclinic-cubic phase transition is first order, and its temperature is very sensitive to the ionic radius of An(IV). The conflicting effects which control the thermal variations of the P-O-P angle are responsible for a strong expansion of the cell followed by a contraction at higher temperature. This inversion of expansion occurs at a temperature significantly higher than the phase transition, at variance with the parent compounds with smaller M(IV) cations in which the two phenomena coincide. As shown by various approaches, the P-O(b)-P linkage remains bent in the cubic form.