Ab initio calculations of anharmonic vibrational spectroscopy for hydrogen fluoride (HF)n (n = 3, 4) and mixed hydrogen fluoride/water (HF)n(H2O)n (n = 1, 2, 4) clusters

Anharmonic vibrational frequencies and intensities are computed for hydrogen fluoride clusters (HF)n, with n = 3, 4 and mixed clusters of hydrogen fluoride with water (HF)n(H2O)n where n = 1, 2. For the (HF)4(H2O)4 complex, the vibrational spectra are calculated at the harmonic level, and anharmonic effects are estimated. Potential energy surfaces for these systems are obtained at the MP2/TZP level of electronic structure theory. Vibrational states are calculated from the potential surface points using the correlation-corrected vibrational self-consistent field method. The method accounts for the anharmonicities and couplings between all vibrational modes and provides fairly accurate anharmonic vibrational spectra that can be directly compared with experimental results without a need for empirical scaling. For (HF)n, good agreement is found with experimental data. This agreement shows that the M?ller-Plesset (MP2) potential surfaces for these systems are reasonably reliable. The accuracy is best for the stiff intramolecular modes, which indicates the validity of MP2 in describing coupling between intramolecular and intermolecular degrees of freedom. For (HF)n(H2O)n experimental results are unavailable. The computed intramolecular frequencies show a strong dependence on cluster size. Intensity features are predicted for future experiments.     

Experimental and theoretical investigations of the reactions NH(X 3Sigma-) + D(2S)-->ND(X 3Sigma-) + H(2S) and NH(X 3Sigma-) + D(2S)-->N(4S) + HD(X 1Sigmag+)

The rate coefficient of the reaction NH(X (3)Sigma(-))+D((2)S)-->(k(1) )products (1) is determined in a quasistatic laser-flash photolysis, laser-induced fluorescence system at low pressures. The NH(X) radicals are produced by quenching of NH(a (1)Delta) (obtained in the photolysis of HN(3)) with Xe and the D atoms are generated in a D(2)/He microwave discharge. The NH(X) concentration profile is measured in the presence of a large excess of D atoms. The room-temperature rate coefficient is determined to be k(1)=(3.9+/-1.5) x 10(13) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1). The rate coefficient k(1) is the sum of the two rate coefficients, k(1a) and k(1b), which correspond to the reactions NH(X (3)Sigma(-))+D((2)S)-->(k(1a) )ND(X (3)Sigma(-))+H((2)S) (1a) and NH(X (3)Sigma(-))+D((2)S)-->(k(1b) )N((4)S)+HD(X (1)Sigma(g) (+)) (1b), respectively. The first reaction proceeds via the (2)A(") ground state of NH(2) whereas the second one proceeds in the (4)A(") state. A global potential energy surface is constructed for the (2)A(") state using the internally contracted multireference configuration interaction method and the augmented correlation consistent polarized valence quadrupte zeta atomic basis. This potential energy surface is used in classical trajectory calculations to determine k(1a). Similar trajectory calculations are performed for reaction (1b) employing a previously calculated potential for the (4)A(") state. The calculated room-temperature rate coefficient is k(1)=4.1 x 10(13) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1) with k(1a)=4.0 x 10(13) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1) and k(1b)=9.1 x 10(11) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1). The theoretically determined k(1) shows a very weak positive temperature dependence in the range 250< or =TK< or =1000. Despite the deep potential well, the exchange reaction on the (2)A(") ground-state potential energy surface is not statistical.     

The transition-state region of the O((3)P)+O(2)((3)Sigma(g) (-)) potential energy surface

New electronic structure calculations for the transition-state region of the lowest ozone potential energy surface are reported. A two-dimensional potential energy surface in the asymptotic channel is calculated with the O(2) bond distance being fixed. The calculations are performed at the multireference average quadratic coupled cluster level of theory using full-valence complete active space self-consistent field wave functions and the augmented correlation consistent polarized V6Z atomic basis set. The general shape of the potential energy surface as predicted in earlier studies, that is, a narrow transition state below the O+O(2) asymptote, is confirmed by the present calculations. The transition state is 181 cm(-1) below the asymptote and 72 cm(-1) above the van der Waals-like minimum. The changes in the O+O(2)-->O(3) (*) capture cross section and rate constant when the new potential energy surface is employed are investigated by means of classical trajectory calculations.     

A regularized inverted perturbation approach method: potential energy curve of the 4 (1)Sigma(u) (+) state in Na(2)

We describe a modification of the inverted perturbation approach method allowing to construct physically sensible potential energy curves for electronic states of diatomic molecules even when some parts of the potential are not adequately characterized by the experimental data. The method is based on a simple regularization procedure, imposing an additional constraint on the constructed potential curve. In the present work it is applied to the double minimum 4 (1)Sigma(u) (+) state of Na(2), observed experimentally by polarization labeling spectroscopy technique.     

Accurate potential energy curves for F(-)-Rg (Rg = He-Rn): spectroscopy and transport coefficients

High-quality ab initio potential energy curves are presented for the F(-)-Rg series (Rg = He-Rn). Calculations are performed at the CCSD(T) level of theory, employing d-aug-cc-pV5Z quality basis sets, with "small core" relativistic effective core potentials being used for Kr-Rn. The quality of the curves is judged by agreement with recent high-level calculations in the case of F(-)-He and F(-)-Ne and by excellent agreement with mobility data for the systems F(-)-Rg (Rg = He-Xe). Except for these recent high-level calculations on the two lightest systems, we are able to deduce that all other previous potentials for the whole set of these systems are inadequate. We also present spectroscopic information for the titular species, derived from our potential energy curves.     

Mechanism of nitrate electroreduction on Pt(100)

Kinetics and mechanism of nitrate anion reduction on the Pt(100) electrode in perchloric and sulfuric acid solutions are studied. Analysis of the results of electrochemical measurements (combination of potentiostatic treatment and cyclic voltammetry) and the data of in situ IR spectroscopy allow suggesting the following scheme of the nitrate reduction process on Pt(100) differing from that in the literature. If the potential of 0.85 V is chosen as the starting potential for a clean flame-annealed electrode surface and negativegoing (cathodic) potential sweep is applied, then an NO adlayer with the coverage of about 0.5 monolayer is formed on Pt(100) in the nitrate solution already at 0.6 V. The further decrease in the potential results in NO reduction to hydroxylamine or/and ammonia, desorbing products vacate the adsorption sites for nitrate and hydrogen adatoms. At E < 0.1 V, adsorbed hydrogen is mostly present on the surface. During positive-going (anodic) potential sweep, the process of nitrate reduction starts after partial hydrogen desorption, the cathodic peak of nitrate reduction to hydroxylamine or ammonia is observed at 0.32 V on cyclic voltammograms. The process of nitrate anion reduction continues up to 0.7 V; at higher potentials, the surface redox process with participation of hydroxylamine or ammonia (the anodic peak at 0.78 V) and nitrate (the cathodic peak at 0.74 V is due to nitrate reduction to NO on the vacant adsorption sites) occurs.     

Disordered CuN(6) Jahn-Teller Centers in Hexakis(1-methyltetrazole)copper(II) Tetrafluoroborate: A Temperature-Dependent X-ray Diffraction and EPR Study

The influence of the molecular crystalline arrangement upon the state of a Jahn-Teller-active center has been investigated in crystals of the complex Cu(mtz)(6)(BF(4))(2), where mtz = 1-methyltetrazole. Crystal structures at 293, 123, and 93 K were determined by X-ray diffraction for the copper complex and at 293 and 100 K also for the analogous zinc complex, Zn(mtz)(6)(BF(4))(2). The respective lattice parameters for the copper complex at 293, 123, and 93 K are as follows: a = 18.137(4), 17.597(4), 17.575(4) ?; b = 10.247(4), 10.131(4), 10.133(4); c = 18.446(5), 18.531(4), 18.535(4) ?; beta = 112.62(2), 113.55(2), 113.61(2) degrees. Those for the zinc complexes at 293 and 100 K, respectively, are as follows: a = 18.153(2), 17.663(2) ?; b = 10.289(1), 10.159(2) ?; c = 18.506(3), 18.578(3) ?; beta = 113.21(1), 114.15(2) degrees. The crystal system is monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n (Z = 4), for all crystals with two crystallographically inequivalent pairs of centrosymmetric molecules, M(mtz)(6)(BF(4))(2), in the unit cell. The two inequivalent Cu(mtz)(6)(2+) complexes, Cu(A) and Cu(B), both exhibit Jahn-Teller distortions, but in different ways, the Cu-N distances for the unit on site A being 2.015(4), 2.031(5), and 2.384(5) ? at 93 K, while those for the unit on site B are 2.053(5), 2.126(5), and 2.204(5) ?. However, the Jahn-Teller radii of the two complexes, as calculated from the metal-ligand distances and the U tensors of the two CuN(6) units, were both found to be 0.41(3) ?. EPR experiments at room temperature on polycrystalline samples of the pure copper compound and of the copper-doped zinc compound confirm the presence of two different Jahn-Teller centers; both complexes are rapidly pulsating, but the CuN(6) units on site A are confined predominantly to one potential well of the warped Mexican hat potential, whereas the CuN(6) units on site B have density in all three wells. At 78 K, however, the spectrum of the polycrystalline material is consistent with a single site having an axial g tensor with maximum anisotropy (g( parallel) = 2.300(5), g( perpendicular) = 2.068(5)). While the low-temperature X-ray results also indicate a structure in which the Cu(A) center is exclusively populated in one potential well, the U tensor and potential well population data for the Cu(B) centers indicate that at 93 K a nonpulsating averaged structure based on tetragonally elongated CuN(6) units is being observed. The more pronounced preference for the CuN(6) octahedron on site A to show elongation in one specific direction, in contrast to that on the B site, appears to be due to the differing impacts of the local-site strains at the two distinct centers of symmetry, and a simple model for evaluating a crystal "packing" strain from the bond length data for the isomorphous zinc complex is described.     

Amplified potentiometric determination of pK(00), pK(0), pK(l), and pK(2) of hydrogen sulfides with Ag(2)S ISE

The chemical capacitor theory has been applied to accurately determine dissociation constants of H(2)S with the Ag(2)S ion-selective electrode (ISE). The theory's principle is based on the measurement of the change in electrode charge density as a result of protonated or unprotonated sulfide adsorbed on the electrode surface. This charge density is related to the potential. Connection of each individual capacitor in series amplifies the potential according to the equation, E(total)=E(1)+E(2)+E(3)+cdots, three dots, centeredE(n). As the charges of individual capacitors are concentrated to one capacitor area, the charge density rises, and the potential increases. The pK(00), pK(0), pK(1), and pK(2) are reported as 1.8, 2.12, 7.05, and 12.0, respectively. The pK(00) and pK(0) are reported here for the first time. The pK(1) agrees well with the literature values; however, the pK(2) differs from those reported recently under extreme conditions. Reasons for disproving the unreasonably high pK(2)>17-19 values are given based on calculations. Mainly, when pK(2)>17-19, the experimental results do not fit the equilibrium equations, pH=(pK(1)+pK(2))/2, pK(1)=(pK(0)+pK(2))/2, and pH=pK(2)+log(HS(-))/(S(2-)).     

Theoretical study of NO adsorption/dissociation on Pd (100) and (111) surfaces

Both adsorption and dissociation of the diatomic molecular NO on Pd (100) and (111) surfaces are studied using the extended London‐Eyring‐Polyani‐Sato (LEPS) method constructed by means of 5‐MP (the 5‐parameter Morse potential). All critical characteristics of the system that we obtain, such as adsorption geometry, binding energy, eigenvalues for vibration, are in good agreement with the experimental results. On Pd (100) surface, NO prefers to adsorb in fourfold hollow site (H) uprightly at low coverage. With increase in the coverage NO gradually tilts in fourfold hollow and bridge sites. For NO? Pd (111) system, two adsorption states are found at low coverage, of which one adsorption state is the B(tilt) state that the centroid of NO projects at bridge site, another (H? B? H state) that NO almost parallels to the (111) surface with the vibration frequency of 610 cm^?1, but the frequency is near to that of the atoms, which is easy to be ignored in experiments. At high coverage, two transitional states (BH and HT) are found. NO is difficult to dissociate on Pd (100) and (111) surfaces. Especially for NO? Pd (111) system, the three‐well‐potential dissociation mode is initially put forward to show the remarkable dissociation process with two dissociation transitional states of NO on Pd (111). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Self-assembling properties of (arylimido)vanadium(V) compounds

(Imido)vanadium(V) complexes have attracted much attention because of their potential applications as catalysts. Compared with oxo ligands, imido ligands can possess a substituent on the imido nitrogen so that the steric and electronic characters of the metal center are considered to be controlled by the properties of the nitrogen substituent. In such a sense, the design of the imido ligands is envisioned to be one of the key factors in the development of efficient catalysts. Furthermore, architectural control of transition metal-directed assembly to create organized nanostructures is of importance for advanced materials. This review highlights self-assembling properties of (arylimido)vanadium(V) compounds.     

A bond-bond description of the intermolecular interaction energy: the case of weakly bound N(2)-H(2) and N(2)-N(2) complexes

The atom-bond pairwise additive approach, recently introduced by us to describe the potential energy surface for atom-molecule cases, is extended here for the first time to molecule-molecule systems. The idea is to decompose the van der Waals interaction energy into bond-bond pair contributions. This must be considered an improvement with respect to the familiar atom-atom pairwise additive representation since, still using a simple formulation, it indirectly accounts for three body effects. Such an approach also allows to include, in a straightforward way, the effect of the bond length on the intermolecular interaction energy. Cases of study are the weakly bound complexes involving the H(2) and N(2) molecules, namely N(2)-H(2) and N(2)-N(2), here described as a single bond-bond pair. For both systems ab initio calculations and experimental molecular beam scattering data, as well as second virial coefficients, have been employed to test the accuracy of the chosen representation of the interaction and to improve the obtained potential energy surfaces. The results of this work are important also for the generalization to the cases involving molecular ions and polyatomic molecules.     

Water line lists close to experimental accuracy using a spectroscopically determined potential energy surface for H2(16)O, H2(17)O, and H2(18)O

Line lists of vibration-rotation transitions for the H(2) (16)O, H(2) (17)O, and H(2) (18)O isotopologues of the water molecule are calculated, which cover the frequency region of 0-20 000 cm(-1) and with rotational states up to J=20 (J=30 for H(2) (16)O). These variational calculations are based on a new semitheoretical potential energy surface obtained by morphing a high accuracy ab initio potential using experimental energy levels. This potential reproduces the energy levels with J=0, 2, and 5 used in the fit with a standard deviation of 0.025 cm(-1). Linestrengths are obtained using an ab initio dipole moment surface. That these line lists make an excellent starting point for spectroscopic modeling and analysis of rotation-vibration spectra is demonstrated by comparison with recent measurements of Lisak and Hodges [J. Mol. Spectrosc. (unpublished)]: assignments are given for the seven unassigned transitions and the intensity of the strong lines are reproduced to with 3%. It is suggested that the present procedure may be a better route to reliable line intensities than laboratory measurements.     

Surface structure of (10(-)10) and (11(-)20) surfaces of ZnO with density functional theory and atomistic simulation

We have calculated the stability of two of the low-index surfaces known to dominate the morphology of ZnO as a function of stoichiometry. These two surfaces are (10(-)10) and (11(-)20). In each case, two terminations only are stable for a significant range of oxygen and hydrogen chemical potential: the pure stoichiometric surface and a surface covered in a monolayer of water. The mode by which the water adsorbs is however different for the two surfaces considered. On the (10(-)10) surface the close proximity of the water molecules means hydrogen bonding can occur between adjacent chemiabsorbed water molecules and hence there is little difference in the stability of the hydrated and hydroxylated surface, and in fact the most stable surface occurs with a combination of dissociated and undissociated water adsorption. In the case of the (11(-)20) surface, it is only when full dissociation has occurred that a hydrogen-bonding network can form. Our results also show good agreement between DFT and atomistic simulations, suggesting that potential based methods can usefully be applied to ZnO.     

A full interionic potential for Na(1+x)Zr(2)Si(x)P(3-x)O(12) superionic conductors

Most inorganic solids are made up of octahedral and tetrahedral units interconnected to give an infinite framework. Use of computer simulation to study these materials has not been as prevalent as in the organic or biomolecules. Na(1+x)Zr(2)Si(x)P(3-x)O(12) is a typical inorganic solid with ZrO(6) octahedra and (Si/P)O(4) tetrahedra which are shown along with a few Na(+) sites marked M1, M2, and M3. We report here a full interionic potential which reproduces the structure and conductivity of these solids. This augurs well for the study of other inorganic solids.     

Doping of calcium in C(60) fullerene for enhancing CO(2) capture and N(2)O transformation: a theoretical study

Recently, capturing or transforming greenhouse gases, such as CO(2) and N(2)O, have attracted considerable interest from the perspective of environmental protection. In the present work, by studying CO(2) and N(2)O adsorption on pristine and calcium (Ca)-decorated fullerenes (C(60)) with density functional theory (DFT) methods, we have evaluated the potential application of this C(60)-based complex for the capture of CO(2) and transformation of N(2)O. The results indicate that the adsorptions of CO(2) and N(2)O molecules on the pristine C(60) are considerably weak accompanied by neglectable charge transfer. When C(60) is decorated with Ca atoms, however, it is found that CO(2) and N(2)O adsorptions on the C(60) are greatly enhanced. Up to five CO(2) molecules can be adsorbed on the CaC(60) system due to the electrostatic interaction. For N(2)O molecule, it is first molecularly adsorbed on the Ca atom with the adsorption energy of -0.534 eV, followed by the N(2) formation with a low barrier and high exothermicity. Moreover, when four Ca atoms are decorated on the surface of C(60), the maximum number of the adsorbed CO(2) molecules is 16. Our results might be useful not only to widen the potential applications of fullerene but also to provide an effective method to capture or transform greenhouse gases.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol on a glassy carbon modified electrode by bis(1,2-phenylenediamine) nickel(II) complex

Electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol on a glassy carbon electrode coated with Ni(II)-(1,2-phenylendiamine)₂ (GC/NiOPD), conditioned by the potential recycling in a potential range of 100–650 mV (vs. SCE) is studied by cyclic voltammetry in an alkaline medium (0.10 M NaOH). The results show that the NiOPD layer formed at the surface of the electrode behaves as an efficient electrocatalyst for the oxidation of methanol in the alkaline medium via the Ni(III) species with a cross exchange reaction occurring throughout the layer at a low concentration of methanol. The effects of various parameters such as potential scan rates, methanol concentration and NiOPD surface concentration on the electro-oxidation of methanol are also investigated.     

Sb在Pt(100),Pt(110),Pt(111)及Pt(320)上不可逆吸附的电化学特性

研究了Sb在Pt(1 0 0 ) ,Pt(1 1 0 ) ,Pt(1 1 1 )和Pt(32 0 )单晶面上不可逆吸附的电化学特性 .发现当扫描电位的上限Eu≤ 0 .45V时 ,Sbad可以稳定地吸附在Pt(1 0 0 ) ,Pt(1 1 0 )和Pt(1 1 1 )表面 ,而Sbad在Pt(32 0 )表面稳定的电位较低 ,为Eu≤ 0 .40V .从饱和吸附Sb的铂单晶电极出发 ,通过改变电位扫描上限Eu 和电位扫描圈数可以获得不同Sb覆盖度 (θSb)的电极 .根据Sb和H在铂单晶电极表面共吸附的定量数据 ,对Sb在不同铂单晶面上饱和吸附的模型进行了初步探讨 .     

A liquid-state copper(II) ion-selective electrode containing a complex of Cu(II) with salicylaniline

A new liquid-state ion-selective electrode based on a complex of Cu(II) with salicylaniline is described. The electrode shows linear dependence of potential on the activity of Cu(2+) in the range from 5 x 10(-6) to 0.1M, with a slope of 28.3 mV/pCu at 18 degrees . The electrode shows a better selectivity relative to Ag(I) and Hg(II) than other copper(II) ion-selective electrodes. The possibilities for using the electrode for determination of copper in the presence of interfering cations are described.