Structural peculiarities and the possibility of the existence of small water cluster anions (H2O) n − withn≤4

Structures of (H₂O) _n ⁻ anions withn≤4 were optimized at the UHF/4-31++G^** level and their stability was estimated at the MP2/4-31++G^** level. The trimer anion has a chain-like structure while the tetramer anion can exist either in a chain-like or a cyclic configuration. In the dimer anion and in the chain-like anions, the excess electron density is localized on the terminal water molecule, an acceptor of the H-bond proton. In the cyclic anion, it is uniformly distributed over the free hydrogen atoms. All considered anions have energy values higher than those of the corresponding neutral oligomers. The detachment of an electron from the anions should proceed with the liberation of energy. However, trimer and larger anions are stable against dissociation into individual water molecules and a free electron. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 41–46, January, 1997.     

The possibility of the existence of (H2O) n − anions withn=5, 6

Structural changes that occur in cyclic and chain-like water pentamers and hexamers when an electron is added were analyzed at the unrestricted Hartree—Fock level. The vertical and adiabatic electron affinity of the oligomers, the energies of vertical detachment of an electron from the anions (VDE), and the stability of the anions against dissociation into individual water molecules and a free electron were estimated taking into account the second order perturbation theory (MP2) corrections to the energy. All water anions considered are stable against dissociation, but theirVDE values are negative, and only the chain-like hexamer anion has a value ofVDE close to zero, which means metastability of the anion. The energy of attachment of an electron to the oligomers is lower in the case of chain-like structures. The process is accompanied by structure relaxation, which is more substantial for cycles, especially for the cyclic hexamer. In the chain-like anions, the excess electron density is localized on the hydrogen nuclei of that terminal water molecule that acts as an acceptor of the H-bond proton, while in the cyclic anions it is distributed on the orbitals of those free hydrogen atoms that significantly approach each other due to structural relaxation. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 47–53, January 1997     

Hydrated electron: Nonempirical cluster approach

Interface water anions composed of several chainlike or cyclic fragments were simulated with a 6‐31++G** basis set at the unrestricted Hartree–Fock level with the second‐order Moeller–Plesset perturbation theory corrections taken into account. The estimated vertical electron detachment energies (VDEs) of (H₂O) anions were approximated by a VDE‐n^?1/3 dependence close to the experimental one. A hypothesis about the predominant formation of interface structures under conditions of molecular flows is put forward. The atomic population analysis, character of the highest occupied molecular orbital, and changes in the geometry of interface anions with an increase in their molecular size reveal the compact localization of the excess electron density in water clusters and allow evaluating the effective excess‐electron radius of condensed water as 2.5 Å, in good agreement with a similar empirical estimate. The scope of the data obtained shows the relatively low probability of the formation of octahedral hydration shells compared to the tetrahedral coordination of solvating water molecules. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2002     

Nonempirical Description of the Atmospherically Important Anionic Species. I. Water Cluster Anions

Water cluster anions, comprising up to 20 molecules, are simulated at the second-order unrestricted Møller–Plesset perturbation theory level with 6-31++G** basis set augmented with a floating center of 8 s diffuse functions. Interface structures composed of two to four chainlike or cyclic subclusters found to be most stable among anions of the same molecular size are shown to serve as a reliable restricted model of the hydrated electron. The calculated values of the adiabatic electron affinity of neutral clusters and the vertical energies of electron detachment from anions fit in with n ^–1/3 dependences that provide the corresponding estimates of the bulk water or ice specimens. The radius of a circumsphere containing about 85% of the excess electron density is treated as an effective radius of the excess electron and found to approach 2.5 Å as the size of cluster increases to infinity.     

New accurate benchmark energies for large water clusters: DFT is better than expected

In this work, we use MP2 and coupled‐cluster with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations [CCSD(T)] as well as their corresponding explicitly correlated (F12) counterparts to compute the interaction energies of water icosamers. The incremental scheme is used to compute benchmark energies at the CCSD(T)/CBS(45) and CCSD(T)(F12*)/cc‐pVQZ‐F12 level of theory. The four structures, dodecahedron, edge sharing, face sharing, and fused cubes, are part of the WATER27 test set and therefore, highly accurate interaction energies are required. All methods applied in this work lead to new benchmark energies for these four systems. To obtain these values, we carefully analyze the convergence of the interaction energies with respect to the basis set. Furthermore, we investigate the influence of the basis set superposition error and the core‐valence correlation. The interaction energies are: dodecahedron ?198.6 kcal/mol, edge sharing ?209.7 kcal/mol, face sharing ?208.0 kcal/mol, and fused cubes ?208.0 kcal/mol. For water clusters, we recommend to use the PW6B95 density functional of Truhlar in combination with Grimme's dispersion correction (D3), as the mean absolute error is 0.9 and the root mean‐squared deviation is only 1.4 kcal/mol. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Dynamics and structural changes of small water clusters on ionization

Despite utmost importance in understanding water ionization process, reliable theoretical results of structural changes and molecular dynamics (MD) of water clusters on ionization have hardly been reported yet. Here, we investigate the water cations [(H₂O)_{n = 2–6}⁺] with density functional theory (DFT), Möller–Plesset second‐order perturbation theory (MP2), and coupled cluster theory with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations [CCSD(T)]. The complete basis set limits of interaction energies at the CCSD(T) level are reported, and the geometrical structures, electronic properties, and infrared spectra are investigated. The characteristics of structures and spectra of the water cluster cations reflect the formation of the hydronium cation moiety (H₃O⁺) and the hydroxyl radical. Although most density functionals fail to predict reasonable energetics of the water cations, some functionals are found to be reliable, in reasonable agreement with high‐level ab initio results. To understand the ionization process of water clusters, DFT‐ and MP2‐based Born‐Oppenheimer MD (BOMD) simulations are performed on ionization. On ionization, the water clusters tend to have an Eigen‐like form with the hydronium cation instead of a Zundel‐like form, based on reliable BOMD simulations. For the vertically ionized water hexamer, the relatively stable (H₂O)₅⁺ (5sL4A) cluster tends to form with a detached water molecule (H₂O). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

含有二维十二核水簇的银配合物的合成及结构表征

以Hpda[3-(3-吡啶基)乙烯酸]为配体、AgNO_3为金属源,常温下合成了一个新颖的Ag配合物[Ag_2(pda)_2(H_2O)_3]n.通过往AgNO_3和Hpda的悬浊液中滴加氨水,室温下随着氨水的挥发澄清液中析出无色的晶体,所得产物经红外、XRD及热重表征.该分子中含有2个Ag中心,每个Ag中心通过pda配体及Ag—Ag键相连形成花生形状的一维链,该链进一步被Ag—Ag键连接形成双链结构.游离的水分子之间相互作用形成二维层状水簇,呈有趣的L4(4)12(8)形状.水分子与pda配体中的羧基氧通过氢键相互作用,将一维双链延伸成三维网络结构.     

Effects of different oxygen-containing anions on the structure of water clusters

Using Ni(Im)₆²⁺ (Im = imidazole) as the structural unit, the effects of oxygen-containing anions, such as SO₄^2-, NO₃^? and CO₃^2- on the structure of water clusters were studied. The crystal structures of three compounds [Ni(Im)₆][SO₄(H₂O)₁₁] (1), [Ni(Im)₆][(NO₃)Cl(H₂O)₄] (2), and [Ni(Im)₆][CO₃(H₂O)₅] (3) were obtained. Using Mercury-3.8 software to analyze the above three crystal structures, find different anion of water clusters had a significant effect on the supramolecular structure. At the same time, it also significantly influences the number of water molecules in the crystal structure.     

A model study on the mechanism and kinetics for the dissociation of water anion

Quantum chemical computations using both density functional theory (B3LYP functional) and wavefunction (MP2 and CCSD(T)) methods, with the 6-311++G(3df,2p) and aug-cc-pVnZ (n = D,T,Q) basis sets, in conjunction with a polarizable continuum model (PCM) method for treating structures in solution, were carried out to look again at a series of small negatively charged water species [(H₂O)_n]^•–. For each size n of [(H₂O)_n]^•– in aqueous solution with n = 2, 3, and 4, two distinct structural motifs can be identified: a classical water radical anion formed by hydrogen bonds and a molecular pincer in which the excess electron is directly interacting with H atoms. In aqueous solution, both motifs have comparable energy content and likely coexist and compete for the ground state. Some water anion isomers can dissociate when interaction with a water molecule, [(H₂O)_n]^•– + H₂O → H^•(H₂O)_m + OH^–(H₂O)_n–m, through successive hydrogen transfers with moderate energy barriers. This reaction can also be regarded as a water-splitting process in which the H transfers involved take place mainly within a water trimer, whereas other water molecules tend to stabilize transition structures through microsolvation rather than direct participation. Calculated absolute rate constants for the reversed reaction H^•(H₂O)₂ + OH^–(H₂O)₂ → [(H₂O)₄]^•־ + H₂O with both H and D isotopes agree well with the experimentally evaluated counterpart and lend a kinetic support for the involvement of a tetramer unit.     

An explanation of the unusual strength of the hydrogen bond in small water clusters

We seek to explain why the hydrogen bond possesses unusual strength in small water clusters that account for many of the complex behaviors of water. We have investigated and visualized the donation of covalent character from covalent (sigma) to hydrogen bonds by calculating the eigenvector coupling properties of quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), stress tensor σ ( r ), and Ehrenfest Force F ( r ) on the F ( r ) molecular graph. The next-generation three-dimensional (3-D) bond-path framework sets are presented, and only the F ( r ) bond-path framework sets reproduce the earlier finding on the coupling between covalent (sigma) and hydrogen bonds that possess a degree of covalent character. Exploration of the bond-path between the covalent (sigma) and hydrogen bond's critical points provides an explanation for the previously obtained coupling results. The directional character of the covalent (sigma) and hydrogen bonds' 3-D bond-path framework sets for the F ( r ) explains differences found in the earlier results from QTAIM and the stress tensor σ ( r ).     

Magnesium-Based Clusters as Building Blocks of Electrolytes in Lithium-Ion Batteries

Superhalogens, owing to their large electron affinity (EA, exceeding those of any halogen atom), play an essential role in physical chemistry as well as new material design. They have applications in hydrogen storage and lithium-ion batteries. Owing to the unique geometries and electronic features of magnesium-based clusters, their potential to form a new class of lithium salts has been investigated here theoretically. The idea is assessed by conducting ab initio computations on Li⁺/Mg_nF_2n+1-2mO_m⁻ compounds (n=2, 3; m=0-3) and analyzing their performance as potential Li-ion battery electrolytes. The Mg₃F₇⁻ cluster, with large electron binding energy (EA of 7.93 eV), has been proven to serve as a building block for lithium salts. It is shown that, apart from high electronic stability, the new superhalogen-based electrolytes exhibit a set of desirable properties, including a large band gap, high electrolyte stability window, easy mobility of the Li⁺, and favorable insensitivity to water.     

Computer investigation of physical properties of water clusters. 1. Stability

The method of molecular dynamics is applied to investigate the stability of water clusters containing up to 90 molecules. With increasing size of aggregates, (H₂O)_n≥10 10, their thermal stability strengthens. Mechanical stability of great clusters keeps the quickly reached level, and the coefficient of dielectric stability passes through the maximum at n = 50.     

The critical size of clusters of water molecules on a carbon surface

The experimental adsorption isotherms of water and nitrogen vapors on graphitized carbonaceous adsorbents with large pore size prepared from ultradispersive technical carbon black have been compared with those on the surface of non-porous graphitized carbon black. The saturation value of water vapor adsorption has been shown to be proportional to the concentration of primary adsorption centers. At low concentrations of these centers the saturation value corresponds to the formation of fractions of a dense monolayer on the surface. The maximum size of clusters of water molecules on a carbonaceous adsorbent surface has been estimated.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 54–56, January, 1993.     

Nonempirical Description of the Atmospherically Important Anionic Species. III. Hydrated Nitrogen Dioxide Anions

Neutral and negatively charged NO₂(H₂O) _n clusters are simulated at the second order of the Møller–Plesset perturbation theory with 6-31G basis set extended with diffuse and polarization functions on all nuclei. For better reliability, configuration interaction and multiconfiguration self-consistent field calculations with the active spaces, formed by all single and double excitations to the basic determinant, are carried out. The weak binding of a neutral NO₂ molecule to water clusters is provided by its coordination to two water molecules, either directly H bonded to each other or joined in an H-bond network via the third molecule. The presence of an excess electron strongly decreases the summary energy of the NO₂(H₂O) _n system, so that its adiabatic affinity exceeds the summary affinity of NO₂ and water system, although the excess electron is localized predominantly by NO₂ fragment.     

Revisiting the structural and electronic properties of neutral,mono- and di-anionic titanium-doped silicon clusters TiSin0/−/2− (n = 6-16)

The systematic structures search for neutral and Zintl anionic Ti-doped silicon clusters TiSi_n^0/−/2− (n = 6-16) have been carried out using the ABCluster global search technique combined with a double-hybrid density functional method. Based on the predicted energies, adiabatic electron affinities, vertical detachment energies and the consistency between simulated and experimental photoelectron spectroscopy, the true global minimum structures are confirmed. The results show that structural growth pattern of neutral TiSi_n clusters is from linked structures (n = 10-12) to encapsulated configurations (n = 13-16). In contrast, the evolution pattern of Zintl anionic TiSi_n^−/2− clusters begins with the pentagonal bipyramid structure (n = 6). As the Si atoms increase, these Si atoms attach to the surface adjacent to Ti atom, and gradually surround Ti atom. Eventually, the encapsulated structure is formed when n = 12. Moreover, two extra electrons not only perfect the structure of TiSi₁₂ but also improve its chemical and thermodynamic stability.     

Quantum monte carlo study of the energetics of small hydrogenated and fluoride lithium clusters

An investigation of the energetics of small lithium clusters doped either with a hydrogen or with a fluorine atom as a function of the number of lithium atoms using fixed‐node diffusion quantum Monte Carlo (DMC) simulation is reported. It is found that the binding energy (BE) for the doped clusters increases in absolute values leading to a more stable system than for the pure ones in excellent agreement with available experimental measurements. The BE increases for pure, remains almost constant for hydrogenated, and decreases rapidly toward the bulk lithium for the fluoride as a function of the number of lithium atoms in the clusters. The BE, dissociation energy as well as the second difference in energy display a pronounced odd–even oscillation with the number of lithium atoms. The electron correlation inverts the odd–even oscillation pattern for the doped in comparison with the pure clusters and has an impact of 29%–83% to the BE being higher in the pure cluster followed by the hydrogenated and then by the fluoride. The dissociation energy and the second difference in energy indicate that the doped cluster Li₃H is the most stable whereas among the pure ones the more stable are Li₂, Li₄, and Li₆. The electron correlation energy is crucial for the stabilization of Li₃H. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Probing the Properties of Polynuclear Superhalogens without Halogen Ligand via ab Initio Calculations: A Case Study on Double‐Bridged [Mg2(CN)5]−1 Anions

An ab initio study of the superhalogen properties of eighteen binuclear double‐bridged [Mg₂(CN)₅]^?1 clusters is reported herein by using various theoretical methods. High‐level CCSD(T) results indicate that all the clusters possess strong superhalogen properties owing to their high vertical electron detachment energies (VDEs), which exceed 6.8 eV (highest: 8.15 eV). The outer valence Green's function method provides inaccurate relative VDE values; hence, this method is not suitable for this kind of polynuclear superhalogens. Both the HF and MP2 results are generally consistent with the CCSD(T) level regarding the relative VDE values and—especially interesting—the average values of the HF and MP2 VDEs are extremely close to the CCSD(T) results. The distributions of the extra electrons of the anions are mainly aggregated into the terminal CN units. These distributions are apparently different from those of previously reported triple‐bridged isomers and may be the reason for the decreased VDE values of the clusters. In addition, comparisons of the VDEs of binuclear and mononuclear superhalogens as well as studies of the thermodynamic stabilities with respect to the detachment of various CN^?1 ligands are also performed. These results confirm that polynuclear structures with pseudohalogen ligands can be considered as probable new superhalogens with enhanced properties.