Application of the ABEEM/MM model in studying the properties of the water clusters (H2O) n ( n =7?10)

ABEEM/MM model has been applied to compute the various properties characterizing water clusters (H₂O) _n (n = 7−10), such as optimized geometries, the hydrogen bonds number, cluster interaction energies, stabilities, ABEEM charge distributions, dipole moments, structural parameters, and so on, and to describe the transition reflected by the hexamer region from two-dimensional (from dimer to pentamer) to three-dimensional structures (for clusters larger than the hexamer). Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20373021)     

Synthesis and catalytic activity of novel heteronuclear Ln (III) -Cu(II) complexes with noncyclic polyether-amino acid Schiff base

A series of novel heteronuclear Ln(III)-CU(II) complexes with noncyclic polyether-amino acid Schiff base were synthesized. The general formula is (LnCu₂(H₂TALY) (NO₃)₅] (NO₃)₂·nH₂O (Ln= La, Nd, Sm, Gd,n = 4; Ln = Yb, Y,n = 3), where H₂TALY = tetraglycol aldehyde bis-lysine Schiff base. It is the first time to report the synthetic method for this new Cu(II) complexes and Ln(III)-Cu(II) heteronuclear complexes. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra. TG-DTA, magnetic susceptibility, and especially by a 500 MHz NMR spectrometer for 2D-COSY NMR. Coordination mechanism and structures of complexes have been suggested as well. Of particular interest is the potential that the novel complexes obtained may be used as a catalyst. which prompted us to investigate them. It shows 100% conversion with the viscosity-average molecular weight 120 000 for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) without addition of any cocatalyst. Furthermore, the complexes with such aliphatic Schiff bases can be used as a good catalyst, which has been confirmed and discussed here. They may be a new kind of catalyst system with the above speciality. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 29671026) and Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (Grant No. 296062) and the Laboratory of MRAMP (Grant No. 971502).     

Synthesis and structures of two supramolecular complexes constructed via hydrogen bond linking

Two supramolecular complexes,[Ni(rac-L)]3[CrO4]2[ClO4]2-4H2O (1) and [meso-H2L]0.5[VO3]-0.16H2O (2) (L= 5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetra-decane),have been prepared in an aqueous solu-tion,and detected by elemental analysis,IR,TG,and single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Com-pound 1 shows a one-dimensional hexagonal prism formed by the hydrogen bonding interactions between the secondary amines of rac-L and CrO42-anion/water molecules. Compound 2 displays a three-dimensional structur...     

Two novel interpenetrated zinc(II) and cadmium(II) coordination polymers based on 4-imidazole-benzoate: Syntheses,crystal structures and properties

Two novel interpenetrated coordination polymers, [Zn(IBA)₂] _n (1) and {[Cd(IBA)₂(H₂O)]·4H₂O} _n (2), have been synthesized by using 4-imidazole-benzoic acid (HIBA) as ligand under hydrothermal conditions. Complex 1 crystallizes in a chiral space group and has a two-fold interpenetrated 2D network structure with (4,4) topology, while complex 2 is a 3D porous dia network with four nets interpenetrating each other. The SHG activity of 1 and the photoluminescent property of 2 have been investigated. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20731004 & 20721002) and the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2007CB925103)     

Can semi-empirical models describe HCl dissociation in water?

We discuss the failure of commonly used AM1 and PM3 semiempirical methods to correctly describe acid dissociation. We focus our analysis on HCl because of its physicochemical importance and its relevance in atmospheric chemistry. The structure of non-dissociated and dissociated HCl – (H₂O) _n clusters is accounted for. The very bad results obtained with PM3 (and also with AM1) are related to large errors in gas-phase proton affinity of water and gas-phase acidity of HCl. Indeed, estimation of pKa values shows that neither AM1 nor PM3 are able to predict HCl dissociation in liquid water since HCl is found to be a weaker acid than H₃O⁺. We have proposed in previous works a modified PM3 approach (PM3-MAIS) adapted to intermolecular calculations. It is derived from PM3 by reparameterization of the core–core functions using ab initio data. Since parameters for H–Cl and O–Cl core–core interactions were not yet available, we have carried out the corresponding optimization. Application of the PM3-MAIS method to HCl dissociation in HCl–(H₂O) _n clusters leads to a huge improvement over PM3 results. Though the method predicts a slightly overestimated HCl acidity in water environment, the overall agreement with ab initio calculations is very satisfying and justifies efforts to develop new semiempirical methods.     

An alternative synthetic process of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-acetaminobenzenesulfonyl chloride through combined chlorosulfonation by HClSO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and PCl<Subscript>5</Subscript>

p-Aminobenzene sulfonamide (sulfanilamide, SN) is the simplest and most-used sulfonamide medicine. The key step of SN production via the commonly used chlorosulfonic acid routine is the synthesis of p-acetaminobenzenesulfonyl chloride (P-ASC). A large amount of HSO₃Cl has to be used in the traditional process, which results in serious environmental problems. In this study, an alternative chlorosulfonic acid process to synthesize P-ASC was investigated by partially substituting HSO₃Cl by PCl₅ as the chlorination agent. Compared with the traditional process, the molar ratio of HSO₃Cl to acetanilide (the main raw material) can be decreased from 4.96 to 2.1 using CCl₄ as the diluent; also, addition of a small amount of NH₄Cl was found to significantly increase the P-ASC yield. Operating conditions of the reaction were studied first by single-factor experiments and later by orthogonal experiments to obtain optimum operating conditions under which the P-ASC yield can reach as high as 86.3 %.     

Preparation and properties of wheat gluten/silica composites

Wheat gluten (WG)/silica (SiO₂) hybrids were prepared through in-situ synthesis of SiO₂ in WG dispersion of aqueous ammonia. The hybrids with different SiO₂ contents were mixed with glycerol plasticizer to form cohesive dough and the dough was compressively molded to form cross-linked sheets. Morphology, moisture absorption, protein solubility in water, tensile mechanical properties and dynamic rheological behavior of the WG/SiO₂ composites were investigated in relation to SiO₂ contents. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50773068) and Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (Grant No. Y407011)     

Stretching vibrations and structure of (HF) n (n=4–8) clusters

IR spectra of 24 structural isomers of (HF) _n (n=4–8) clusters were calculated in the framework of semiempirical theory of polyatomic molecule vibrations. Based on the results obtained and available experimental data it is proposed that (HF) _n associates comprising 3–5-membered cycles with attached monomeric HF units are present in molecular beams and gas phase.Ab initio calculations performed by the SCF method show the existence of local minima corresponding to such structures on the potential energy surface of (HF) _n clusters (n=4–6). Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 435–443, March, 1997.     

Resonance-enhanced photon excitation spectroscopy of the even-parity autoionizing Rydberg states of Kr

Kr atoms were produced in their metastable states 4p⁵5s [3/2]₂ and 4p⁵5s’ [1/2]₀ in a pulsed DC discharge in a beam, and subsequently excited to the even-parity autoionizing Rydberg states 4p⁵ np′ [3/2]_1,2, [1/2]₁ and 4p⁵ nf′ [5/2]₃ using single photon excitation. The excitation spectra of the even-parity autoionizing resonance series from the metastable Kr were obtained by recording the autoionized Kr⁺ ions with time-of-flight ion detection in the photon energy range of 29000–40000 cm⁻¹. A wealth of autoionizing resonances were newly observed, from which more precise and more systematic spectroscopic data of the level energy and quantum defects were derived. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20673107), the National Key Basic Research Special Foundation of China (Grant No. 2007CB815203), and Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. KJCX2-SW-H08)     

N-(n-Alkyl)-N′-diphenylphosphorylureas as a new type of extractants for preconcentration of actinides and lanthanides

N-(n-Alkyl)-N′-diphenylphosphorylureas Ph₂P(O)NHC(O)NHC _n H_2n+1 (n = 6–10) were synthesized by the reaction of diphenylphosphoryl isocyanate with primary n-alkylamines C _n H_2n+1NH₂. The products (especially N-diphenylphosphoryl-N′-n-octylurea) are efficient extractants capable of extracting actinides and lanthanides from nitric acid solutions with high distribution coefficients. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 374–379, February, 2008.     

Structures and isomerization of neutral and zwitterion serine–water clusters: Computational study

Calculations are presented for the structure and the isomerization reaction of various conformers of the bare serine, neutral serine–(H₂O)_n and serine zwitterion–(H₂O)_n (n = 1, 2) clusters. The effects of binding water molecules on the relative stability and the isomerization processes are examined. Hydrogen bonding between serine and the water molecule(s) may significantly affect the relative stability of conformers of the neutral serine–(H₂O)_n (n = 1, 2) clusters. The sidechain (OH group) in serine is found to have a profound effect on the structure and isomerization of serine–(H₂O)_n (n = 1, 2) clusters. Conformers with the hydrogen bonding between water and the hydroxyl group of serine are predicted. A detailed analysis is presented of the isomerization (proton transfer) pathways between the neutral serine–(H₂O)₂ and serine zwitterion–(H₂O)₂ clusters by carrying out the intrinsic reaction coordinate analysis. At least two water molecules need to bind to produce the stable serine zwitterion–water cluster in the gas phase. The isomerization for the serine–(H₂O)₂ cluster proceeds by the concerted double and triple proton transfer mechanism occurring via the binding water molecules, or via the hydroxyl group. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

A capacitive sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymers and poly( p -aminobenzene sulfonic acid) film for detection of pazufloxacin mesilate

A novel capacitive sensor for pazufloxacin mesilate (pazufloxacin) determination was developed by electropolymerizing p-aminobenzene sulfonic (p-ABSA) and molecularly imprinted polymers (MPs), which was synthesized through thermal radical copolymerization of metharylic acid (MAA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) in the presence of pazufloxacin template molecules, on the gold electrode surface. Furthermore, 1-dedecanethiol was used to insulate the modified electrode. Alternating current (ac) impedance experiments were carried out with a Model IM6e to obtain the capacitance responses. Under the optimum conditions, the sensor showed linear capacitance response to pazufloxacin in the range of 5 ng·mL⁻¹ to 5 μg·mL⁻¹ with a relative standard deviation (RSD) 5.3% (n=7) and a detection limit of 1.8 ng·mL⁻¹. The recoveries for different concentration levels of pazufloxacin samples varied from 94.0% to 102.0%. Electrochemical experiments indicated the capacitive sensor exhibited good sensitivity and selectivity and showed excellent parameters of regeneration and stability. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20675064), the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing City (Grant No. CSTC-2004BB4149 and 2005BB4100) and High Technology Project Foundation of Southwest University (Grant No. XSGX02).     

Quantum dynamics of dissociative adsorption of H2 and D2: The time-dependent wave packet method

A time-dependent quantum wave packet method was used to study the dynamics of dissociative adsorption of H₂ and D₂ on a flat and static surface. The molecule-surface interaction is described using a modified London-Eyring-Polanyi-Sato (LEPS) type potential for the H₂/Ni(100) system. The three-dimensional (3-D) dissociation probabilities were calculated for different initial rovibrational states as a function of initial incident energies. Our results show that the dissociation of the diatomic rotational states whose quantum numbers satisfyj+m = odd is forbidden at low energies for the homonuclear H_z and D₂ due to the selection rule. The effect of the rotational orientation of diatoms on adsorption predicts that the in-plane rotation (m = j) is more favorable for dissociation than the out-of-plane rotation (m = 0). Enhanced dissociation for vibrationally excited molecules and the significant enhancement of the dissociation probability of H2 when compared to D₂ were explained reasonably in terms of quantum mechanical zero-point energies, the tunneling effect and the reflection from an activation barrier. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 19694033) and partially by the Science Foundation for Overseas Chinese Scholars and Students, administered by the State Education Commission of China (Grant No. 1992), by the State Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry of Jilin University at Changchun (Grant No. 98011, and by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (Grant No. Y96B03022)     

A theoretical investigation on the structures of (NH3)·(H2SO4)·(H2O)0-14 clusters

Ternary clusters (NH₃)·(H₂SO₄)·(H₂O)_n have been widely studied. However, the structures and binding energies of relatively larger cluster (n > 6) remain unclear, which hinders the study of other interesting properties. Ternary clusters of (NH₃)·(H₂SO₄)·(H₂O)_n, n = 0-14, were investigated using MD simulations and quantum chemical calculations. For n = 1, a proton was transferred from H₂SO₄ to NH₃. For n = 10, both protons of H₂SO₄ were transferred to NH₃ and H₂O, respectively. The NH₄⁺ and HSO₄⁻ formed a contact ion-pair [NH₄⁺-HSO₄⁻] for n = 1-6 and a solvent separated ion-pair [NH₄⁺-H₂O-HSO₄⁻] for n = 7-9. Therefore, we observed two obvious transitions from neutral to single protonation (from H₂SO₄ to NH₃) to double protonation (from H₂SO₄ to NH₃ and H₂O) with increasing n. In general, the structures with single protonation and solvated ion-pair were higher in entropy than those with double protonation and contact ion-pair of single protonation and were thus preferred at higher temperature. As a result, the inversion between single and double protonated clusters was postponed until n = 12 according to the average binding Gibbs free energy at the normal condition. These results can serve as a good start point for studies of the other properties of these clusters and as a model for the solvation of the [H₂SO₄-NH₃] complex in bulk water.     

Ionic dissociations of chlorosulfonic acid in microsolvated clusters: A density functional theory and ab initio MO study

Ionic dissociation of chlorosulfonic acid (HSO3Cl) in the molecular clusters HSO3Cl-(H2O)n (n = 1-4) and HSO3Cl-NH3-(H2O)n (n = 0-3) was investigated by density functional theory and ab initio molecular orbital theory. The equilibrium structures, binding energies, and thermodynamic properties, such as relative enthalpy and relative Gibbs free energy, and were calculated using the hybrid density func- tional (B3LYP) method and the second order M?ller-Plesset approximation (MP2) method with the 6-311 G** basis set. Chlorosulfonic acid was found to require a minimum of three water molecules for ionization to occur and at least one water molecule to protonate ammonia. The corresponding clusters with fewer water molecules were found to be strongly hydrogen-bonded. The related properties and acid strength of chlorosulfonic acid were discussed and compared to the acid strengths of perchloric acid and sulfuric acid in the context of clusters with ammonia and water. The relative stabilities of these clusters were also investigated.     

Synthesis of unsymmetric triphenylene discotic liquid crystals with a semi-fluorinated chain and the influence of fluorophobic effect on mesogenic behavior

The fluorophobic effect of the semi-fluorinated chain of discotic molecules efficiently improves the stability of columnar mesophase.Low symmetric discogens exhibit decreased melting points and wide mesophase ranges.A series of triphenylene derivatives 1,C18H6(OCnH2n+1)4(OMe)(O2CC2H4C6F13),and their hydrocarbon analogues 2,C18H6(OCnH2n+1)4(OMe)(O2CC8H17),n = 4―8,were synthesized for the investigation of the influence of semi-fluorinated peripheral chain and molecular symmetry on mesomorphism.The structures ...     

Syntheses, structures and properties of two new neodymium complexes with N-P-acetamidobenzenesulfonyl-glycine acid

Two new neodymium complexes, [Nd₂(abglyH)₆(2,2′-bipy)₂(H₂O)₂] · 4H₂O 1 and {[Nd(abglyH)₃(H₂O)₂] · (4,4′-bipy) · 7H₂O}_n 2 (abglyH₂ = N-P-acetamidobenzenesulfonyl-glycine acid, 2,2′-bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine, 4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine), have been synthesized and their structures have been measured by X-ray crystallography. In 1, nine-coordinated Nd(III) ions are bridged by two syn–syn bidentate and two tridentate bridging carboxylate groups from four different abglyH⁻ anions to form dinuclear motifs, which are further connected into a 3-D supramolecular framework via hydrogen bonds between the binuclear motifs and the uncoordinated water molecules. In 2, eight-coordinated Nd(III) ions are linked by six carboxylate groups adopting a syn–syn bidentate bridging fashion to form a 1-D inorganic–organic alternating linear chain. These polymeric chains generate microchannels extending along the a direction, and these cavities are occupied by discrete tetradecameric water clusters, which interact with their surroundings and finally furnish the 3-D supramolecular network via hydrogen bonds. At the same time, π–π stacking interactions between benzene rings from abglyH⁻ anions also play an important role in stabilizing the network.     

Synthesis of 2-substituted 1-tosyl-3-(1-tosyliminoalkyl)imidazolidines and-hexahydropyrimidines

Reactions of N-tosylimidoyl chlorides with the Schiff bases of the general formula TsNH(CH₂)_nN=CHR (n = 2 or 3; R = Prⁱ, 4-MeOC₆H₄, 4-Me₂NC₆H₄, and 3-O₂NC₆H₄) afforded 2-substituted 1-tosyl-3-(1-tosyliminoalkyl)imidazolidines (n = 2) or-hexahydropyrimidines (n = 3). Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 872–875, May, 2006.     

Structure of the C17H20FN3O 32+ ·2HSO 4? · H2O compound

A new compound of C₁₇H₂₀FN₃O₃²⁺ · 2HSO₄⁻·H₂O [ciprofloxacindi-um bis(hydrosulfate) monohydrate], C₁₇H₁₈FN₃O₃ 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(1-piperazinyl)-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid (CfH, ciprofloxacin) is obtained and its crystal structure is determined. The crystal contains CfH₃²⁺ and HSO₄⁻ ions and crystallization water molecules. Hydrogen (H3), which forms an intramolecular hydrogen bond with oxygen O2 of the carboxyl group, is attached to the carbonyl O1 atom. Hydrogen H4 of the carboxyl group is hydrogen bonded to the crystallization water molecule which links CfH₃²⁺ with two HSO₄⁻ groups by hydrogen bonds. Both H atoms at N3 of the piperazine ring form hydrogen bonds with two oxygen atoms of other HSO₄⁻ anions. Intramolecular hydrogen bonds of two types are present in the CfH₃²⁺ cation. One of them forms a six-membered ring, bonding O1 and O2 atoms, while the other, also enclosing a six-membered ring, links fluorine and carbon C14 atoms. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2009 by A. D. Vasiliev, N. N. Golovnev, and I. A. Baidina __________ Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 50, No. 1, pp. 165–168, January–February, 2009.     

Inception of Acetic Acid/Water Cluster Growth in Molecular Beams

The influence of carboxylic acids on water nucleation in the gas phase has been explored in the supersonic expansion of water vapour mixed with acetic acid (AcA) at various concentrations. The sodium‐doping method has been used to detect clusters produced in supersonic expansions by using UV photoionisation. The mass spectra obtained at lower acid concentrations show well‐detected Na⁺?AcA(H₂O)_n and Na⁺?AcA₂(H₂O)_n clusters up to 200 Da and, in the best cooling expansions, emerging Na⁺?AcA_m(H₂O)_n signals at higher masses and unresolved signals that extend beyond m/e values >1000 Da. These signals, which increase with increasing acid content in water vapour, are an indication that the cluster growth taking place arises from mixed water–acid clusters. Theoretical calculations show that small acid–water clusters are stable and their formation is even thermodynamically favoured with respect to pure water clusters, especially at lower temperatures. These findings suggest that acetic acid may play a significant role as a pre‐nucleation embryo in the formation of aerosols in wet environments.