Binuclear Uranium(VI) Complexes with a “Pacman” Expanded Porphyrin: Computational Evidence for Highly Unusual Bis‐Actinyl Structures

On the basis of uranyl complexes reacting with a polypyrrolic ligand (H₄L), we explored structures and reaction energies of a series of new binuclear uranium(VI) complexes using relativistic density functional theory. Full geometry optimizations on [(UO₂)₂(L)], in which two uranyl groups were initially placed into the pacman ligand cavity, led to two minimum‐energy structures. These complexes with cation–cation interactions (CCI) exhibit unusual coordination modes of uranyls: one is a T‐shaped ( T ) skeleton formed by two linear uranyls {O_exo?U₂?O_endo→U₁(?O_exo)₂}, and another is a butterfly‐like ( B ) unit with one linear uranyl coordinating side‐by‐side to a second cis‐uranyl. The CCI in T was confirmed by the calculated longest distance and lowest stretching vibrational frequency of U₂?O_endo among the four U?O bonds. Isomer B is more stable than T , for which experimental tetrameric analogues are known. The formation of B and T complexes from the mononuclear [(UO₂)(H₂L)(thf)] ( M ) was found to be endothermic. The further protonation and dehydration of B and T are thermodynamically favorable. As a possible product, we have found a trianglelike binuclear uranium(VI) complex having a O?U?O?U?O unit.     

Highly Pure Synthesis,Spectral Assignments,and Two‐Photon Properties of Cruciform Porphyrin Pentamers Fused with Benzene Units

Tetrameric porphyrin formation of 2‐hydroxymethylpyrrole fused with porphyrins through a bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene unit gave bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene‐fused porphyrin pentamers. Thermal conversion of the pentamers gave fully π‐conjugated cruciform porphyrin pentamers fused with benzene units in quantitative yields. UV/Vis spectra of fully π‐conjugated porphyrin pentamers showed one very strong Q absorption and were quite different from those of usual porphyrins. From TD‐DFT calculations, the HOMO level is 0.49 eV higher than the HOMO?1 level. The LUMO and LUMO+1 levels are very close and are lower by more than 0.27 eV than those of other unoccupied MOs. The strong Q absorption was interpreted as two mutually orthogonal single‐electron transitions (683 nm: 86 %, HOMO→LUMO; 680 nm: 86 %, HOMO→LUMO+1). The two‐photon absorption (TPA) cross section value (σ⁽²⁾) of the benzene‐fused porphyrin pentamer was estimated to be 3900 GM at 1500 nm, which is strongly correlated with a cruciform molecular structure with multidirectional π‐conjugation pathways.     

Theoretical study on electronic structure of (CNC)Fe_2N2 and its N2 elimination mechanism

The density function theory (DFT) is to elucidate the electronic structure of bis(dinitrogen) Fe(0) complex, (CNC)Fe_2N₂, and its N₂ elimination mechanism. (CNC)Fe_2N₂ has a low‐spin singlet (S = 0) ground state with a distorted square pyramidal structure. Fragment orbital interaction analysis yields total occupancy of π* orbitals (LUF₍₄₎O and LUF₍₄₎O−1) of apical N3 N4 is 0.188 while that of basal N1 N2 is 0.187 in ^S0(CNC)Fe_2N₂, suggesting nearly the same activation extent for both basal and apical N₂ ligands. The lowest‐lying triplet state T₁ (3‐A′) has a repulsive potential energy surface along the Fe N3 bong length by PBE functional, while a minimum on T₂ state (3‐A″) with higher energy is found by B3LYP functional. The nonadiabatic N₂ elimination mechanism of (CNC)Fe_2N₂ involves an S₀‐T₁ states crossing, which lowers the activation energy to 9.7 kcal/mol and produces high‐spin intermediate (CNC)Fe N₂. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

Theoretical mechanisms of the superoxide radical anion catalyzed by the copper‐zinc superoxide dismutase

The disproportionation of superoxide radical anions catalyzed by copper‐zinc superoxide dismutase was investigated in detail using density functional theory. The structures of each stationary point and the transition states were located so that the reaction pathways were determined. The results indicate that the reactions proceed by two steps both for the oxidized process of superoxide radical anion and the reduced one. The rate for the determining step of the reaction (2) is in very good agreement with the experimental value. The solvation effect on the reaction was also discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

Nature of the near‐IR band in the electronic absorption spectra of neutral bis(tetrapyrrole) rare earth(III) complexes: Time‐dependent density functional theory calculations

The nature of the near‐IR band in the electronic absorption spectra of bis(tetrapyrrole) rare earth(III) complexes Y(Pc)₂ (1), La(Pc)₂ (2), Y(Pc)(Por) (3), Y(Pc)[Pc(α‐OCH₃)₄] (4), Y(Pc)[Pc(α‐OCH₃)₈] (5), and Y(Pc)[Pc(β‐OCH₃)₈] (6) was studied on the basis of time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculations. The electronic dipole moment along the z‐axis in the electronic transition of the near‐IR band in all the studied neutral bis(tetrapyrrole) yttrium(III) and lanthanum(III) double‐deckers is well explained on the basis of the composition analysis of the orbitals involved. The electronic transition in the near‐IR band causes the reversion of the orbital orientation of one tetrapyrrole ring in both homoleptic and heteroleptic bis(tetrapyrrole) rare earth complexes and induces electron transfer from the tetrapyrrole ring with lower orbital energy to the other ring in the heteroleptic bis(tetrapyrrole) rare earth(III) complexes. The near‐IR band can work as an ideal characteristic absorption band to reflect the π–π interaction between the two tetrapyrrole rings in bis(tetrapyrrole) rare earth(III) double‐decker complexes because of its peculiar electronic transition nature. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

A first‐principles study of diatomic NiAl: Ground state,structure, and spectroscopic constants

A computational study of diatomic NiAl is reported. Molecular properties evaluated include the equilibrium bond length (r_e), equilibrium stretching frequency (ω_e), doublet‐quartet energy splitting, and nickel‐aluminum bond strength. Several interesting conclusions have resulted from this research. First, convergence in calculated properties is smoother with recently reported correlation consistent basis sets than earlier basis sets for Ni and Al. Second, with the exception of bond strength, basis set limit properties extrapolated using correlation basis sets are in agreement with reported data. Third, this research suggests that caution may be needed with regard to the use of DFT for developing interatomic potentials for larger scale simulations. For example, B97‐1 showed better agreement with reported r_e for ²NiAl than B3LYP. However, the situation was reversed for the calculation of ω_e. With respect to bond strength, the situation is unclear due to the scatter among experiment and calculations. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Induced Chiroptical Changes of a Water‐Soluble Cryptophane by Encapsulation of Guest Molecules and Counterion Effects

We report the synthesis of the water‐soluble cryptophanol derivative 1 and the study of the chiroptical properties of its two enantiomers (>99 % ee) by polarimetry, electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD). We show that cryptophanol 1 exhibits unusual chiroptical properties in water under basic conditions (pH>12). For instance, the shapes of the ECD and VCD spectra of 1 in water were strongly dependent on the nature of the alkali metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺) surrounding the cryptophane and whether or not a guest molecule is present inside the cavity of the host. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example in which the nature of these counterions governs the chiroptical properties of a host molecule. Moreover, specific ECD spectra were obtained depending on the size of the guest molecules. This makes 1 a good sensor for small neutral molecules in aqueous solvent. Finally, VCD experiments associated with DFT calculations show that the chiroptical changes can be directly correlated to the presence of charges close to the aromatic rings and with a conformational change of the alkyl chains upon encapsulation.     

Scission of Carbon Monoxide Using TaR3, R=(N(tBu)Ph) or OSi(tBu)3: A DFT Investigation

The experimentally known reduction of carbon monoxide using a 3‐coordinate [Ta(silox)₃] (silox=OSi(tBu)₃) complex initially forms a ketenylidene [(silox)₃Ta? CCO], followed by a dicarbide [(silox)₃Ta? CC? Ta(silox)₃] structure. The mechanism for this intricate reaction has finally been revealed by using density functional theory, and importantly a likely structure for the previously unknown intermediate [(silox)₃Ta? CO]₂ has been identified. The analysis of the reaction pathway and the numerous intermediates has also uncovered an interesting pattern that results in CO cleavage, that being scission from a structure of the general form [(silox)₃Ta? C_nO] in which n is even. When n is odd, cleavage cannot occur. The mechanism has been extended to consider the effect of altering both the metal species and the ligand environment. Specifically, we predict that introducing electron‐rich metals to the right of Ta in the periodic table to create mixed‐metal dinuclear intermediates shows great promise, as does the ligand environment of the Cummins‐style 3‐coordinate amide structure. This latter environment has the added complexity of improved electron donation from amide rotation that can significantly increase the reaction exothermicity.     

Superfluidity with and without a condensate in two and three dimensions

The recent study of He and You [P.-S. He and W.-L. You, Int. J. Mod. Phys. B26, 1250107 (2012)] on the relation between superfluid and condensate densities in a two-dimensional weakly interacting Boson system assumed a δ(x???x′) interaction between two particles at sites x and x′. The main purpose of this article is to point out the sensitivity of the conclusions of He and You to the choice of interaction. Thus, it is known for logarithmic interactions that one can have superfluidity without a condensate. Finally, some related ideas are mentioned in relation to superfluidity in liquid ⁴ He at exceedingly low temperatures.