A comparative study on the photochemistry of two bipyridyl derivatives: [2,2'-bipyridyl]-3,3'-diamine and [2,2'-bipyridyl]-3,3'-diol.

The two isoelectronic bipyridyl derivatives, [2,2'-bipyridyl]-3,3'-diamine and [2,2'-bipyridyl]-3,3'-diol, are experimentally known to undergo very different excited-state double-proton-transfer processes, which result in fluorescence quantum yields that differ by four orders of magnitude. Herein, density functional theory (DFT), time-dependent DFT (TDDFT), and complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations are used to study the double-proton-transfer processes in the ground and first singlet pi-->pi* excited state. The quantum-chemistry calculations indicate 1) the existence of only one energy minimum in the ground electronic state corresponding to reactants (thus avoiding the possibility of a fast fluorescent relaxation process from the photoproducts region), 2) an endoergic process of the complete double proton transfer, and 3) the presence of a conical intersection in the excited intermediate region of [2,2'-bipyridyl]-3,3'-diamine. These facts explain the very low fluorescence quantum yield in [2,2'-bipyridyl]-3,3'-diamine compared to [2,2'-bipyridyl]-3,3'-diol.     

Conventional and unconventional infrared spectrometry and their quantitative interpretation

In condensed matter, optical properties can be described by a dielectric function (DF), and the structures observed in spectra are then related to the poles and zeros of the DF. As an example, model functions are calculated by a fit to measured spectroscopic data for polystyrene and silica. The first material shows weak, narrow bands and the latter strong, broad bands and a negative real part of the DF.Based on these model DFs, spectra are simulated which are expected to be obtained by “conventional” methods such as transmittance or reflectance measurements, or by “unconventional” methods such as reflectance at oblique incidence, diffuse reflectance, photoacoustic spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance. A variety of simulated, typical spectra are plotted as a small “atlas”. Conditions are discussed that allow a straightforward procedure for interpreting the spectra quantitatively, i.e., the evaluation of the resonance frequency and the concentration of the oscillators under consideration.It is shown that for systems characterized by weak, narrow oscillator lines, mostly an intuitive interpretation is possible, looking only at the position and strength of “lines” in the spectra. Materials showing strong polar vibrations, however, require more sophisticated procedures for interpreting the spectra.     

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Self-assembled Monolayers of 1-Adamantanethiolate and Its Derivatives on Au（111） Surfaces

The self-assembled monolayers （SAMs） of 1-adamantanethiolate and its derivatives on Au（111） surface were investigated. Density functional theory （DFT） calculation indicates that the most stable configuration for absorption is at the face centered cubic （fcc）-bridge site. Canonical ensemble molecular dynamics （MD） simulations were carried out to study the structures and energies of the SAMs. The ordered structures of the SAMs were analyzed by means of radial distribution function and the relative stability of the SAMs was compared. It was concluded by the comparison of various contributions to the SAM formation energy that the formation of the SAMs was determined by the intermolecular nonbonding interaction and the chemical bonding interaction of sulfur and gold.     

1,2,4-三氮杂苯-(H2O)n复合物氢键相互作用的密度泛函理论研究

用密度泛函理论方法在B3LYP/6-31++G**水平上对1,2,4-三氮杂苯-(H₂O)_n (n＝1, 2, 3)氢键复合物的基态进行了结构优化和能量计算, 结果表明复合物之间存在较强的氢键作用, 所有稳定复合物结构中形成一个N…H—O氢键并终止于弱O…H—C氢键的氢键水链的构型最稳定. 同时, 用含时密度泛函理论方法(TD-DFT)在TD-B3LYP/6-31++G**水平上计算了1,2,4-三氮杂苯单体及其氢键复合物的单重态第一¹(n, π^*)垂直激发能.     

Gas-phase spectroscopy of the unstable sulfur diisocyanate molecule S(NCO)2.

Sulfur diisocyanate is generated from a heterogeneous reaction of gaseous sulfur dichloride with silver cyanate and studied for the first time in the gas phase. Combined with quantum chemical calculations, the electronic structure is characterized by photoelectron spectroscopy (PES). Simultaneously, an investigation of the possible ionization and dissociation processes for the molecular cation is presented based on experimental soft ionization mass spectrometry. From the calculated bond-dissociation energies, the dissociation pathway is determined. S(NCO)2+ undergoes 1,3-sigmatropic rearrangement with a smaller barrier height (9.9 kcal mol(-1)) than the neutral counterpart. Thus, the 1,3-sigmatropic rearrangement is preferred for the molecular cation, and OCNCO+ and NS+ is produced by subsequent dissociation of the rearrangement product. The analysis agrees very well with the experimental mass spectrum.     

The crystallinity of polyaryl ether ether ketone

Measurement of the degree of crystallinity of the polymer matrix in a composite is complicated by the presence of the reinforcing additive. This is particularly the case in APC-2 in which as much as 70% can be carbon fibre. A First Law procedure, developed for determining the degree of crystallinity of PEEK, which involves direct measurement of the enthalpy changes associated with melting, crystallization and heat capacity changes, has found to be an effective method for the determination of the crystallinity of the PEEK matrix. The procedure has been applied to carbon fibre and glass fibre PEEK composites.     

Vibrational structure of endohedral fullerene Sc3N@C78 (D3h'): evidence for a strong coupling between the Sc3N cluster and C78 cage.

The vibrational structure of the endohedral cluster fullerene Sc(3)N@C(78) is studied by FTIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and DFT-based quantum chemical calculations. Remarkably good agreement between experimental and calculated spectra is achieved and a full assignment of the Sc(3)N-based vibrational modes is given. Significant differences in the vibrational structure of the endohedral cluster fullerene Sc(3)N@C(78) and the empty, charged C(78) (6-): 5 (D(3h)') are rationalized by the strong coupling between the Sc(3)N cluster and the fullerene cage. This coupling has its origin in a significant overlap of the Sc(3)N and C(78) molecular orbitals, and causes atomic-charge and bond-length redistributions compared to the neutral C(78) and the C(78) (6-) anion. An ionic model is not sufficient to describe the electronic, geometric and vibrational structure of the Sc(3)N@C(78) nitride cluster fullerene.     

Methodology for the calculation of the potential of mean force for a cation-pi complex in water.

We report potential of mean force (PMF) calculations on the interaction between the p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene and a monovalent cation (Cs(+)). It has been recently shown from microcalorimetry and (133)Cs NMR experiments that the association with Cs(+) is governed by favourable cation-pi interactions and is characterized by the insertion of the cation into the cavity of the macrocycle. We show that the PMF calculation based upon a classical model is not able to reproduce both the thermodynamic properties of association and the insertion of the cation. In order to take into account the different contributions of the cation-pi interactions, we develop a new methodology consisting of changing the standard PMF by an additional contribution resulting from quantum calculations. The calculated thermodynamic properties of association are thus in line with the microcalorimetry and (133)Cs NMR experiments and the structure of the complex at the Gibbs free-energy minimum shows the insertion of the cation into the cavity of the calixarene.     

Determination of charge density of anionic polyacrylamide flocculants by NMR and DSC

New methods are suggested for the determination of the charge density of acrylamide/acrylate copolymers.¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to determine the comonomer ratio by comparing the peak intensities of the methine carbon in acrylamide and acrylate monomers. Results were compared with those obtained by conductometric and potentiometric titration and were found to be in good agreement. Differential scanning calorimetry was employed to determine the glass transition temperatures (T _g) of the copolymers. A master curve was established by plottingT _g versus charge density of the copolymers previously determined by NMR and conductometric titration. Compositions of poly(acrylamide-co-acrylate) samples can thus be determined by measuring theT _g and reading the percent composition directly from the master curve.