Computational studies of liquid water and diluted water in carbon tetrachloride

Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to study solvent effects on the energetic and dynamical properties of water molecules in liquid water and in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). In these studies, the free-energy profiles or potentials of mean force (PMF) for water dimers in both solvents were computed. The computed PMF results showed a stable minimum near 3 A for the O-O separation, with a minimum free energy of about -2.8 kcal/mol in CCl4, as compared to a value of -0.5 kcal/mol in liquid water. The difference in free energy in water as compared to that in CCl4 was expected and is the result of competition from surrounding water molecules that are capable of forming hydrogen bonds in the liquid water. This capability is absent in the diluted water found in CCl4. We found that the rotational motions of H2O/D2O were nonisotropic, with the out-of-plane vector correlation times in H2O/D2O varying from 5.6/5.8 ps at 250 K to 0.57/0.56 ps at 350 K and the corresponding OH/OD bond vectors varying from 6.5/7.7 ps to 0.75/0.75 ps. The results compare reasonably well to the available NMR experimental and computer simulation data on the same system (Farrar; Skinner; et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 8047). For diluted water in CCl4, we found the computed rotational correlation times also were nonisotropic and much longer than the corresponding NMR experimental values at the same concentration (Farrar; et al. J. Phys. Chem. A 2007, 111, 6146). Upon analyzing the water hydrogen-bonding patterns as a function of water concentration, we conclude that the differences in the rotational correlation times mainly result from the formation of water hydrogen-bonding networks as the water concentration is increased in liquid CCl4. In addition, we found the rotational correlation times to be substantially faster in liquid CCl4 than in liquid water.     

Dynamics of the 193 nm photodissociation of dichlorocarbene

The dynamics of the 193 nm photodissociation of the CCl2 molecule have been investigated in a molecular beam experiment. The CCl2 parent molecule was generated in a molecular beam by pyrolysis of CHCl3, and both CCl2 and the CCl photofragment were detected by laser fluorescence excitation. The 193 nm attenuation cross section was estimated from the reduction of the CCl2 signal as a function of the photolysis laser fluence. The internal state distribution of the CCl photofragment was derived from analysis of laser fluorescence excitation spectra in the A 2Delta-X 2Pi band system. Most of the energy available to the CCl(X 2Pi)+Cl fragments appears as translational energy. The CCl fragment rotational energy is much less than predicted in an impulsive model. The excited electronic state appears to dissociate indirectly, through coupling with a repulsive state arising from the ground-state CCl(X 2Pi)+Cl asymptote. The identity of the initially excited electronic state is discussed on the basis of what is known about the CCl2 electronic states.     

Carbon-13 spin–lattice relaxation of tropane alkaloids. Anisotropic rotational motion of tropine and pseudotropine

The ¹³C spin–lattice relaxation times of tropine and pseudotropine have been measured in CDCl₃ as a function of concentration. The same relative increase in concentration serves to increase the relaxation rates much less in the region 0.9–5.0 wt.% than in the region 5.0–14.3 wt.%. The rotational diffusion coefficients have been calculated from the relaxation data using Woessner's anisotropic rotational diffusion model. Reorientation of both molecules is shown to be moderately anisotropic. The principal axes of the rotational diffusion tensor in the symmetry plane of both molecules are rotationally shifted from the principal axes of the moment of inertia tensor of the free molecules, and the main rotational axis is parallel with a line passing through the centre of mass of the molecule and the nitrogen atom.     

Infrared and Raman studies of rotational correlation functions in liquids

Raman and infrared band shapes of some symmetric top molecules in the neat liquid and in solution were measured and used to obtain vibrational and rotational correlation functions and relaxation times. The results are compared with the predictions of the Debye rotational diffusion theory, the Gordon J diffusion model and the Ivanov rotational-jump model. Except for the latter theory none of these theories are consistent with both the infrared and Raman results for CD₃I and CH₃I.     

Distribution, structure, and dynamics of cesium and iodide ions at the H2O-CCl4 and H2O-vapor interfaces

Molecular dynamics simulations utilizing many-body potentials of H2O-CCl4 and H2O-vapor interfaces were carried out at different cesium and iodide ion concentrations to compare ion distribution, interfacial orientational and structural properties, and dynamics. It was found that cesium was repelled by both interfaces, and iodide was active at both interfaces, but to a much greater degree at the H2O-vapor interface. At the interface, the iodide dipole was strongly induced, orienting perpendicular to the interface for both systems, leading to stronger hydrogen bonds with water. For the H2O-CCl4 interface, though, there was a compensation between these strong hydrogen bonds and short to moderate ranged repulsion between iodide and CCl4. Hydrogen bond distance and angular distributions showed weaker water-water hydrogen bonds at both interfaces, but generally stronger water-iodide hydrogen bonds. Both translational and rotational dynamics of water were faster at the interface, while for CCl4, its translational dynamics was slower, but rotational dynamics faster at the interface. For many of the studied systems and species, translational diffusion was found to be anisotropic at both interfacial and bulk regions.     

Manifestation of nonequilibrium initial conditions in molecular rotation: the generalized J-diffusion model

In order to adequately describe molecular rotation far from equilibrium, we have generalized the J-diffusion model by allowing the rotational relaxation rate to be angular momentum dependent. The calculated nonequilibrium rotational correlation functions (CFs) are shown to decay much slower than their equilibrium counterparts, and orientational CFs of hot molecules exhibit coherent behavior, which persists for several rotational periods. As distinct from the results of standard theories, rotational and orientational CFs are found to dependent strongly on the nonequilibrium preparation of the molecular ensemble. We predict the Arrhenius energy dependence of rotational relaxation times and violation of the Hubbard relations for orientational relaxation times. The standard and generalized J-diffusion models are shown to be almost indistinguishable under equilibrium conditions. Far from equilibrium, their predictions may differ dramatically.     

Further investigation of the photodissociation dynamics of dichlorocarbene near 248 nm

A further investigation of the 248 nm photodissociation of CCl(2), which expands upon our original study of this process [S. K. Shin and P. J. Dagdigian, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 8, 3446 (2006)], is presented. The CCl(2) parent molecule and the CCl photofragment were detected by laser fluorescence excitation in a molecular beam experiment. From the dependence of the CCl(2) signals on the photolysis laser fluence, attenuation cross sections of the 0(0), 1(1), and 2(1) vibrational levels were determined; the cross sections for the excited vibrational levels were found to be significantly smaller than those for the ground vibrational level. The previously observed fragment CCl bimodal rotational state distribution was found to arise from the photolysis of more than one parent molecule. At low CHCl(3) mole fractions in the gas supplied to the pyrolysis beam source, it was concluded that CCl(2) is the photolysis precursor for both low-J and high-J CCl fragments. On the basis of the dependence of the CCl signals on the photolysis laser fluence, ground and vibrationally excited CCl(2), respectively, were assigned as the precursors to these two classes of fragments. The photofragment excitation spectra for low-J and high-J CCl fragments from the photolysis of CCl(2) were recorded in the wavelength range around 248 nm; both were found to be structureless. The 248 nm photodissociation dynamics of CCl(2) is discussed in light of our experimental observations and quantum chemical calculations of the CCl(2) excited electronic states.     

Rotational dynamics and polymerization of C60 in C60-cubane crystals: a molecular dynamics study

We report classical and tight-binding molecular dynamics simulations of the C(60) fullerene and cubane molecular crystal in order to investigate the intermolecular dynamics and polymerization processes. Our results show that, for 200 and 400 K, cubane molecules remain basically fixed, presenting only thermal vibrations, while C(60) fullerenes show rotational motions. Fullerenes perform "free" rotational motions at short times (approximately < 1 ps), small amplitude hindered rotational motions (librations) at intermediate times, and rotational diffusive dynamics at long times (approximately > 10 ps). The mechanisms underlying these dynamics are presented. Random copolymerizations among cubanes and fullerenes were observed when temperature is increased, leading to the formation of a disordered structure. Changes in the radial distribution function and electronic density of states indicate the coexistence of amorphous and crystalline phases. The different conformational phases that cubanes and fullerenes undergo during the copolymerization process are discussed.     

Intermolecular vibrational modes and orientational dynamics of cooperative hydrogen-bonding dimer of 7-azaindole in solution

We observed the low-frequency Raman-active intermolecular vibrational modes of 7-azaindole in CCl(4) by femtosecond Raman-induced Kerr effect spectroscopy. To understand the dynamical aspects and vibrational modes of 7-azaindole in the solution, the ultrafast dynamics of 1-benzofuran in CCl(4) was also examined as a reference and ab initio quantum chemistry calculations were performed for 7-azaindole and 1-benzofuran. The cooperative hydrogen-bonding vibrational bands of 7-azaindole dimer in CCl(4) appeared at 89 cm(-1) and 105 cm(-1) represent the overlap of stagger and wheeling modes and the intermolecular stretching mode, respectively. They are almost independent of the concentration in the solution. We further found from the low-frequency differential Kerr spectra of the solutions with neat CCl(4) that the intermolecular motion in the low frequency region below 20 cm(-1) was less active in the case of 7-azaindole/CCl(4) than in the case of 1-benzofuran/CCl(4). The slow orientational relaxation time in 7-azaindole/CCl(4) is ~3.5 times that in 1-benzofuran/CCl(4) because of the nature of the dimerization of 7-azaindole.     

Spectroscopic investigation of the structures of dialkyl tartrates and their cyclodextrin complexes

Structures of three dialkyl tartrates, namely, dimethyl tartrate, diethyl tartrate, and diisopropyl tartrate, in CCl4, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/DMSO-d6, and H2O/D2O solvents have been investigated using vibrational absorption (VA), vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), and optical rotatory dispersion (ORD). VA, VCD, and ORD spectra are found to be dependent on the solvent used. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to interpret the experimental data in CCl4 and DMSO. The trans-COOR conformer with hydrogen bonding between the OH group and the C=O group attached to the same chiral carbon is dominant for dialkyl tartrates both in vacuum and in CCl4. The experimental VA, VCD, and ORD data of dialkyl-D-tartrates in CCl4 correlated well with those predicted for dimethyl-(S,S)-tartrate molecule as both isolated and solvated in CCl4. In DMSO solvent, dialkyl tartrate molecules favor formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonding with DMSO molecules. Clusters of dimethyl-(S,S)-tartrate, with one molecule of dimethyl-(S,S)-tartrate hydrogen bonded to two DMSO molecules, are used for the DFT calculations. A trans-COOR cluster and a trans-H cluster are needed to obtain a reasonable agreement between the predicted and experimental data of dimethyl tartrate in DMSO solvent. VA, VCD, and optical rotations are also measured for dialkyl tartrate-cyclodextrin complexes. It is noted that these properties are barely affected by complexation of dialkyl tartrates with cyclodextrins, indicating weak interaction between tartrates and cyclodextrin. Binding constants of alpha-CD and beta-CD with diethyl L-tartrate in both H2O and DMSO have been determined using isothermal titration calorimetry technique. The smaller binding constants (less than 100) confirmed the weak interaction between tartrates and cyclodextrin in the solution state.     

Dynamics of dilute water in carbon tetrachloride

A dilute solution of water in a hydrophobic solvent, such as carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), presents an opportunity to study the rotational properties of water without the complicating effects of hydrogen bonds. We report here the results of theoretical, experimental, and semiempirical studies of a 0.03 mole percent solution of water in CCl4. It is shown that for this solution there are negligible water-water interactions or water-CCl4 interactions; theoretical and experimental values for proton NMR chemical shifts (deltaH) are used to confirm the minimal interactions between water and the CCl4. Calculated ab initio values and semiempirical values for oxygen-17 and deuterium quadrupole coupling constants (chi) of water/CCl4 clusters are reported. Experimental values for the 17O, 2H, and 1H NMR spin-lattice relaxation times, T1, of 0.03 mole percent water in dilute CCl4 solution at 291 K are 94+/-3 ms, 7.0+/-0.2 s, and 12.6+/-0.4 s, respectively. These T1 values for bulk water are also referenced. "Experimental" values for the quadrupole coupling constants and relaxation times are used to obtain accurate, experimental values for the rotational correlation times for two orthogonal vectors in the water molecule. The average correlation time, tauc, for the position vector of 17O (orthogonal to the plane of the molecule) in monomer water, H2(17)O, is 91 fs. The average value for the deuterium correlation time for the deuterium vector in 2H2O is 104 fs; this vector is along the OD bond. These values indicate that the motion of monomer water in CCl4 is anisotropic. At 291 K, the oxygen rotational correlation time in bulk 2H2(17)O is 2.4 ps, the deuterium rotational correlation time in the same molecule is 3.25 ps. (Ropp, J.; Lawrence, C.; Farrar, T. C.; Skinner, J. L. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 8047.) These values are a factor of about 20 longer than the tauc value for dilute monomer water in CCl4.     

Study on the intermolecular interaction of C60 and simulations on the orientational properties of C60 in crystals

We developed the new intermolecular interaction model of C(60) with the quantitative accuracy for the molecular orientational properties in crystals. The energy difference (DeltaE) and the activation barrier (E(barrier)) between the two stable orientations (P and H orientations) in crystals are in the values of +14.7 and +260 meV in our model, respectively; these values are in fairly good agreement with the experimental values (DeltaE approximately +11 meV, E(barrier)=+235-+290 meV in experiments). The relaxation calculation for C(60) crystals using our model revealed that there is the reversal of the stable orientations between the P and H orientations under the high H-orientation occupancy (p(H)) in crystals, when p(H)>0.83, DeltaE<0. From the molecular dynamics calculations for C(60) crystals using our model, it is found that the phase transition is induced at T(C)=200-260 K, which is consistent with the experimental value of 260 K. Immediately below T(C), we found a great variety of molecular rotational jumps involving that between the P and H orientations every about 10(-9) s due to the thermal activation. In the high temperature phase (>T(C)), all molecules rotate irregularly like in Brownian motion involving the rotational "slumber" for approximately 10(-12)-10(-11) s.     

Molecular dynamics simulation of the nematic liquid crystal phase in the presence of an intense magnetic field

The influence of an intense external field on the dynamics of the nematic liquid crystal phase is investigated using a molecular dynamics simulation for the Gay-Berne nematogen under isobaric-isothermal conditions. The molecular dynamics as a function of the second-rank orientational order parameter P<2> for a system consisting of a nematic liquid crystal in the presence of an intense magnetic field is compared with that of a similar system without the field. The translational motion of molecules is determined as a function of the translational diffusion coefficient tensor and the anisotropy and compared with the values predicted theoretically. The rotational dynamics of molecules is analyzed using the first- and the second-rank orientational time correlation functions. The translational diffusion coefficient parallel with respect to the director is constrained by the intense field, although the perpendicular one is decreased as the P<2> is increased, just as it is in the system without the field. However, no essential effect of the strong magnetic field is observed in the rotational molecular dynamics. Further, the rotational diffusion coefficient parallel with respect to the director obtained from the first-rank orientational time correlation function in the simulation is qualitatively in agreement with that in the real nematic liquid crystalline molecules. The P<2> dependence of the rotational diffusion coefficient for the system with the intense magnetic field shows a tendency similar to that for the system without the field.     

Detailed insight into the hydrogen bonding interactions in acetone-methanol mixtures. A molecular dynamics simulation and Voronoi polyhedra analysis study

Voronoi polyhedra (VP) analysis of mixtures of acetone and methanol is reported on the basis of molecular dynamics computer simulations, performed at 300 K and 1 bar. The composition of the systems investigated covers the entire range from neat acetone to neat methanol. Distribution of the volume, reciprocal volume and asphericity parameter of the VP as well as that of the area of the individual VP faces and of the radius of the empty voids located between the molecules are calculated. To investigate the tendency of the like molecules to self-associate the analyses are repeated by disregarding one of the two components. The self-aggregates of the disregarded component thus turn into large empty voids, which are easily detectable in VP analysis. The obtained results reveal that both molecules show self-association, but this behavior is considerably stronger among the acetone than among the methanol molecules. The strongest self-association of the acetone and methanol molecules is found in their mole fraction ranges of 02-0.5 and 0.5-0.6, respectively. The caging effect around the methanol molecules is found to be stronger than around acetones. Finally, the local environment of the acetone molecules turns out to be more spherical than that of the methanols, not only in the respective neat liquids, but also in their mixtures.     

Contribution to understanding of the molecular dynamics in liquids

The dielectric relaxation spectroscopy is used for studying the orientational molecular dynamics in the isotropic (I) and nematic (N) phases of two mesogenic liquids composed of the molecules of similar structure and length, but of an essentially different polarity: n-heptylcyanobiphenyl, C(7)H(15)PhPhCN, 7CB (molecular dipole moment mu approximately 5D) and 4-(trans-4'-n-hexylcyclohexyl)isothiocyanatobenzene, C(6)H(13)CyHxPhNCS, 6CHBT (mu approximately 2.5D); advantageously, the temperatures of the I-N phase transition for the two compounds are very close to each other (T(NI) = 316.6 +/- 0.2 K). It is shown that regardless of the differences in polarity of 7CB and 6CHBT molecules and their abilities in dipolar aggregation, the values and temperature dependences of the relaxation time (corresponding to the rotational diffusion of the molecules around their short axis) are very close to each other, in both the isotropic and nematic phases of the liquids studied. Therefore, the data show that the dielectric relaxation processes occurring in dipolar liquids in the isotropic and nematic states lead through the rotational diffusion of individual molecules and the diffusion seems to be not influenced by the intermolecular interactions.     

Inclusion complexes of spin-labeled indoles with cyclodextrins in aqueous solutions

Guest-host complexes of β- and γ-cyclodextrins (CDs) with two spin-labeled indole derivatives having the same molecular weights but different structures were studied by EPR spectroscopy in aqueous solutions and semiempirical quantum-chemical calculations of these systems were carried out. In the presence of CD the polarity of the NO group environment decreases and the rotational correlation time (τ) of guest molecules increases. Both indole derivatives form 1 : 1 complexes with γ-CD, the binding constants of the complexes being different more than twice. Simulation of EPR spectra made it possible to determine the indole ring orientation relative to the plane of the host molecule (at angles in the range 30–60°) and the rotational diffusion coefficients of the complexes, which corresponded to the hydrodynamic volume of one γ-CD molecule. In contrast to the complexes with γ-CD the rotational correlation times, τ, of the complexes with β-CD correspond to a hydrodynamic volume which much exceeds the volume of a single β-CD molecule. The complexes with β-CD are also characterized by more hydrophobic environment for guest molecules and absence of spin exchange with Ni²⁺ ions in the aqueous solution. There results are consistent with a dimeric structure of β-CD in the complex and with the orientation of the long axis of the guest molecule along the dimer axis. The energies and geometric parameters were calculated for all complexes by the PM3 method with a conventional set of parameters. The optimized energetically stable structures of the 1 : 1 complexes with γ-CD and of the 1 : 2 complexes with β-CD are consistent with experimental data. __________ Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 1139–1147, May, 2005.     

Rotational-diffusion anomalies in dye solutions from transient-dichroism experiments

Subnanosecond transient-dichroism experiments have been performed to investigate the rotational diffusion of dyes in solution. Dyes and solvents were chosen in a way to obtain information on the influence of size, shape and hydrogen-bonding abilities either of the solute or the solvent molecules. One finds slow orientational relaxation of di-anionic xanthene dyes in alcohols, while oblate cationic dyes rotate faster in spite of their comparable size. The rotational diffusion times for alcohol solutions exceed the theoretical values predicted by the Debye-Einstein model except for prolate molecules. For a solute molecule with internal mobility the rotational diffusion exhibits a partial slip behaviour. It is shown that the deviations from the Debye-Einstein model are restricted to alcohols since for other solvents either with or without strong hydrogen-bonding abilities the experimental values agree with the hydrodynamic model including the stick-boundary condition. Experiments on erythrosine B reveal the influence of size and shape of the attached solvent molecules.     

Molecular dynamics in triglycine sulphate by cold neutron spectroscopy

Molecular dynamics of the ferroelectric compound triglycine sulphate (TGS) was studied by quasi-elastic neutron scattering. From among the three glycine molecules forming the unit cell the non-planar GI molecule is responsible for the polarisation which occurs in crystal and for the order–disorder ferroelectric phase transition at T_c = 49 °C. This molecule also shows a complex dynamics much faster than that performed by the other glycine molecules. The key group of this molecule is the amino group that, on one hand, seems to be responsible for the phase transition and, on the other hand, performs motional processes spread on a wide time scale. These motions have been detailed studied by means of different energy resolution windows within the quasi-elastic scattering range. We found that the dynamics of this group develops in a restricted spatial volume and consists in a faster rotational diffusion around the molecular axis of the group and a slower flipping dynamics between two symmetrical positions on both sides of a mirror plane containing the molecular axis of GI molecule.     

Thermodynamic studies of aqueous and CCl4 solutions of 15-crown-5 at 298.15 K: an application of McMillan-Mayer and Kirkwood-Buff theories of solutions

The density and osmotic coefficient data for solutions of 15-crown-5 (15C5) in water and in CCl4 solvent systems at 298.15 K have been reported using techniques of densitometry and vapor pressure osmometry in the concentration range of 0.01-2 mol kg-1. The data are used to obtain apparent molar and partial molar volumes, activity coefficients of the components as a function of 15C5 concentration. Using the literature heat of dilution data for aqueous system, it has become possible to calculate entropy of mixing (DeltaS(mix)), excess entropy of solution (DeltaS(E)), and partial molar entropies of the components at different concentrations. The results of all these are compared to those obtained for aqueous 18-crown-6 solutions reported earlier. It has been observed that the partial molar volume of 15C5 goes through a minimum and that of water goes through a maximum at approximately 1.2 mol kg(-1) in aqueous solutions whereas the opposite is true in CCl4 medium but at approximately 0.5 mol kg(-1). The osmotic and activity coefficients of 15C5 and excess free energy change for solution exhibit distinct differences in the two solvent systems studied. These results have been explained in terms of hydrophobic hydration and interactions in aqueous solution while weak solvophobic association of 15C5 molecules in CCl4 solutions is proposed. The data are further subjected to analysis by applying McMillan-Mayer and Kirkwood-Buff theories of solutions. The analysis shows that osmotic second virial coefficient value for 15C5 is marginally less than that of 18C6 indicating that reduction in ring flexibility does not affect the energetics of the interactions much in aqueous solution while the same gets influenced much in nonpolar solvent CCl4.     

Cuboctahedral symmetry in the aggregation of [60]fullerene in polar organic media

[60]fullerene is known to aggregate in water and all experimental and theoretical evidences support that the aggregates contain (C60)13 units. No chemical kinetic study of the effect of solvent polarity on the aggregation of C60 has so far been reported. Here we show by simple kinetic study of the aggregation process and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) that when methanol is added to a solution of [60]fullerene in CCl4, spontaneous aggregation starts immediately and the aggregation numbers (n) found to be dependent on the CCl4:CH3OH ratio (v/v) of the medium. One particular ratio of the two liquids gives uniformly sized (C60)13 clusters for about 10 min. The values of n correspond to the minima of the previously reported energy calculations and in the present work, they have been shown to be a natural consequence of stacking of cuboctahedra made up of C60 molecules. A Young diagram-like method has been developed for counting the number of C60 molecules in these cuboctahedral stacks and the numbers obtained from this model and also from the present chemical kinetic and SEM studies agree very well with the "magic numbers" obtained by earlier mass spectrometric studies.