Ab-initio studies of structural features not easily amenable to experiment: 10. Correlation between thermal reactivity and equilibrium structure of tricyclo [3.1.0.02,4] hexane.

The equilibrium structure of tricyclo [3.1.0.0^2,4] hexane is computed by ab-initio methods in the 4-21G basis set with complete geometry relaxation. A correlation with thermal reactivity and with effects found in ¹³C-nmr is discussed.     

Phenylene vinylene oligomers studied by theoretical methods: Joint analysis of computational and x-ray results of the configurational isomers of 1,4-bis[2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethenyl]benzene

The configurational isomers of 1,4-bis[2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethenyl]benzene have been investigated by ab initio and MOPAC-AM1 semiempirical methods. The calculations were guided by and compared with single crystal X-ray results of the trans, trans-isomer (taken from the literature) and of the cis,cis-isomer (reported here). Using 4-21G-based ab initio calculations, free state geometries, deviations from coplanarity, and barriers to rotation of the central and peripheral rings were evaluated. Such barriers were also enumerated for the solid state of the cis,cis- and trans,trans-isomers. A single-molecule cluster surrounded by point charges sufficed to rationalize observed solid state properties in the trans,trans-isomer, including the quasi-free rotation of the central ring. A multimolecule cluster, however, was required to rationalize the restricted rotation of the rings in the cis,cis-isomer. MOPAC-AM1 methods were used to calculate geometries and energies of rotameric forms on the singlet photoisomerization path cis,cis → cis,trans → trans,trans. Finally, UV absorption wavelengths and oscillator strengths were calculated and the electronic structure of the states discussed. © 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

2,5-Dimethoxy-1,4-bis[2-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl) ethenyl]benzene studied by quantum chemical calculations and single crystal X-ray diffraction

The configurational isomers of 2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-bis-[2-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethenyl]benzene have been investigated by ab initio (4-21G level) and MOPAC-AM1 semiempirical methods. The calculations were guided by and compared with single crystal X-ray results of the trans,trans-isomer determined at 298 K and 103 K. The barriers of rotation of the latter isomer in the free and the solid state were enumerated. A comparison with related molecules, in particular 1,4-bis[2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethenyl]benzene, is made. The positioning of substituents is shown to be of importance for ring rotational movements and NMR shifts, as well as for UV /Vis spectroscopy. © 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Influence of interparticle interactions on the kinetics of self-assembly and mechanical strength of nanoparticulate aggregates

Computer simulations based on Discrete Element Method have been performed in order to investigate the influence of interparticle interactions on the kinetics of self-assembly and the mechanical strength of nanoparticle aggregates.Three different systems have been considered.In the first system the interaction between particles has been simulated using the JKR (Johnson,Kendall and Roberts) contact theory,while in the second and third systems the interaction between particles has been simulated using van der Waals and electrostatic forces respectively.In order to compare the mechanical behaviour of the three systems,the magnitude of the maximum attractive force between particles has been kept the same in all cases.However,the relationship between force and separation distance differs from case to case and thus,the range of the interparticle force.The results clearly indicate that as the range of the interparticle force increases,the self-assembly process is faster and the work required to produce the mechanical failure of the assemblies increases by more than one order of magnitude.     

Laser microprobe mass spectrometry of quaternary phosphonium salts: Direct versus matrix-assisted laser desorption

The use of laser microprobe mass spectrometry (LMMS) for the structural characterization of thermolabile quaternary phosphonium salts has been evaluated. A comparison has been made between LM mass spectra obtained by direct analysis of “neat” organic salts and the corresponding “matrix-assisted” LM mass spectra. Main limitations of LMMS for the direct analysis of neat organic salts (i.e., no matrix) result from (1) formation of artifact ions that originate from thermal degradation and surface recombination reactions and (2) poor shot-to-shot reproducibility of the spectra. Dilution of the organic salts in a suitable, UV-absorbing matrix (e.g., nicotinic acid) significantly enhances the quality of the LM mass spectra. Improvements are: (1) an increase of the ion yield of preformed cations, (2) reduction or elimination of thermal decomposition and other deleterious surface reactions, and (3) a much better shot-to-shot spectral reproducibility. An interesting analytical feature is that these LM mass spectra, which contain only a few matrix peaks, can be obtained for subnanogram amounts of sample. The results also show that triphenylphosphonium salts with polycyclic aromatic substituents can be used as “molecular thermometers” to probe both the temperatures experienced by the sample molecules during the laser-induced desorption ionization process and the internal energies of the desorbed ion species. In this way, quaternary phosphonium salts can be used for evaluating whether improvements have been achieved by applying different sample treatments. Comparison of four different matrices (i.e., nicotinic acid, ammonium chloride, glycerol, and 3-nitrobenzylalcohol) indicates that the effectiveness of a matrix to reduce thermal degradation and to decrease the internal energies of the ions depends on the UV-absorption characteristics and the volatilization/sublimation temperature of the matrix material.     

Potentiometric detection of organic acids in liquid chromatography using polymeric liquid membrane electrodes incorporating macrocyclic hexaamines

Potentiometric detection employing coated-wire electrodes was applied to the determination of organic acids in liquid chromatography (LC). Poly(vinyl chloride)-based liquid membranes, incorporating lipophilic macrocyclic hexaamines as neutral ionophores were used as electrode coatings. The selectivity and sensitivity of the macrocycle-based electrodes were found to be superior to an electrode based on a lipophilic anion exchanger (a quaternary ammonium salt). Sensitive detection was obtained for the di- and tricarboxylic acids tartaric, malonic, malic, citric, fumaric, succinic, pyruvic, 2-oxoglutaric and maleic acids after separation in reversed-phase LC. Detection limits (signal/4sigmanoise=3) of 6 pmol for malonic acid and 2 pmol for maleic acid were attained. The detection was explained using a molecular recognition model. The hexaamine-based potentiometric electrodes had a 1-s response time at 1 ml min(-1) flow-rates. They were stable for at least 4 months, with an intra-electrode variation of 3.2% (n=5).     

The isomers of 3-methyl pentene-2; configurational assignment and molecular structure by electron diffraction

The two isomers of 3-methyl pentene-2 have been investigated in the vapour phase by electron diffraction. The higher boiling isomer (70.4 °C) has the E-configuration and the isomer boiling at 67.7 °C has the Z-configuration. Bond distances in the E-isomer are: r(CC) = 1.349, r(Csp²-Csp³) = 1.511, r(C-C) = 1.551, r(C-H) = 1.116 Å; in the Z-isomer: r(CC) = 1.344, r(Csp²-Csp³) = 1.508, r(C-C) = 1.553, r(C-H) = 1.114 Å. In both compounds the Csp³-Csp³ bond is at approximately right angles to the plane containing the double bond. The possibility of non-planar arrangements around the double bond is discussed.