Anharmonic vibrational probe for N-methylacetamide in different micro-environments

In the present study, anharmonic vibrational properties of the amide modes in N-methylacetamide (NMA), a model molecule for peptide vibrational spectroscopy, are examined by DFT calculations. The 3N-6 normal mode frequencies, diagonal and off-diagonal anharmonicities are evaluated by means of the second order vibrational perturbation theory (VPT2). Good performance of B3LYP/6-31+G** is found for predicting vibrational frequencies in comparison with gas phase experimental data. The amide vibrational modes are assigned through potential energy distribution analysis (PED). The solvation effect on the amide vibrational modes is modeled within the PCM method. From gas phase to polar solvents, red shifts are observed for both harmonic and anharmonic vibrational frequency of amide I mode while the CO bond length increases upon the solvent polarity. Cubic and quartic force constants are further calculated to evaluate the origin of the anharmonicity for the amide I mode of NMA in different micro-environments.     

Density functional theory study of the rotational barriers,conformational preference,and vibrational spectra of 2-formylfuran and 3-formylfuran

The torsional potentials, molecular structures, conformational stability, and vibrational wavenumbers for the rotational isomers of 2-formylfuran and 3-formylfuran are computed using the density functional theory (B3LYP) method with the 6-31+G* basis set. All structures are fully optimized and the optimized geometries, rotational constants, dipole moments, and energies are presented. From the computations, both 2-formylfuran and 3-formylfuran are predicted to exist predominantly in trans conformation with a cis–trans rotational barrier of 11.19 kcal/mol and 8.10 kcal/mol, respectively. The vibrational wavenumbers and the corresponding vibrational assignments of the molecules in the C _s symmetry are examined and the infrared spectra of the molecules are simulated using the wavenumbers and the corresponding intensities obtained from the computations. The effect of solvents on the conformational stability of all the molecules in nine different solvents (heptane, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, dichloroethane, acetone, ethanol, methanol, dimethylsulfoxide, and water) is investigated. The integral equation formalism in the polarizable continuum model (IEF-PCM) is used for all solution phase computations.     

Density functional theory studies of conformational stabilities and rotational barriers of 2- and 3-thiophenecarboxaldehydes

The molecular structures, conformational stabilities, and infrared vibrational wavenumbers of 2-thiophenecarboxaldehyde and 3-thiophenecarboxaldehyde are computed using Becke-3–Lee–Yang–Parr (B3LYP) with the 6-311++G** basis set. From the computations, cis-2-thiophenecarboxaldehyde is found to be more stable than the transfer conformer with an energy difference of 1.22 kcal/mol, while trans-3-thiophenecarboxaldehyde is found to be more stable than the cis conformer by 0.89 kcal/mol. The computed dipole moments, structural parameters, relative stabilities of the conformers and infrared vibrational wavenumbers of the two molecules coherently support the experimental data in the literature. The normal vibrational wavenumbers are characterized in terms of the potential energy distribution using the VEDA4 program. The effect of solvents on the conformational stability of the molecules in nine different solvents is investigated using the polarizable continuum model.     

In situ high-throughput study of drug polymorphism under controlled temperature and humidity using FT-IR spectroscopic imaging

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic imaging in combination with a controlled humidity cell was applied to simultaneously monitor crystallisation of several binary mixtures of two drugs under identical environment. The effect of relative humidity was studied on samples of binary mixtures of nifedipine and nitrendipine with different molar ratios as well as on amorphous nitrendipine. All samples were arranged in array format on the surface of BaF₂ window for simultaneous imaging using an infrared focal plane array detector. The effect of sample thickness on the analysis of imaging results was addressed using novel approach to create images. The thickness-independent images have been obtained by plotting the distribution of the wavenumber corresponding to the peak maximum of the ν(NH) vibrational mode which is sensitive to the formation of the various crystalline polymorphs. The FT-IR spectroscopic imaging approach described in this work can be utilised in further high-throughput studies of many samples under controlled environment.     

Spectroscopic and theoretical studies of N-trichlorophosphazotrifluoroacetyl,CF3C(O)NPCl3 and N-trichlorophosphazotrichloroacetyl,CCl3C(O)NPCl3

FTIR, Raman and NMR spectra of N-trichlorophosphazotrifluoroacetyl, CF₃C(O)NPCl₃ (1) and N-trichlorophosphazotrichloroacetyl, CCl₃C(O)NPCl₃ (2) were obtained. The experimental data are compared with results of ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. According the theoretical studies the main conformer for both molecules possesses C_s symmetry (CO bond syn respect to the NP bond). The preference of the syn conformation has been rationalized based on the natural bond orbital formalism. The vibrational spectra of 1 in the liquid phase and 2 in the solid phase are in good agreement with theoretical results.     

Non-equilibrium vibrational kinetics of CO pumped by vibrationally excited nitrogen molecules: General theoretical considerations

The non-equilibrium vibrational kinetics of CO pumped by vibrationally excited N₂ has been calculated by solving the vibrational master equations for both N₂ and CO molecules, linked by V-V (N₂CO) energy exchange processes. The results have been obtained for different values of the parameters governing the kinetics (in particular gas temperature, initial vibrational content of N₂, different mixing ratios N₂/CO). Emphasis is also given to dissipative channels present in CO, due to bimolecular reactions involving highly vibrationally excited CO molecules. The results shows the essential features of the temporal evolution of CO and N₂ vibrational distribution as well as the strong coupling existing between them.     

QM/MM dynamics of a Peridinin model in triplet state in three prototypical solvents

Peridinin (Per) is a carbonyl-containing carotenoid playing a key role in light harvesting and photoprotection in dinoflagellates. This carotenoid plays its photoprotective role by quenching the potentially dangerous ³Chl-a triplet state through the formation of the non-reactive ³Per triplet state through Dexter energy transfer mechanism. We have investigated by means of Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics dynamics simulations at room temperature the structural and dynamical properties of a Peridinin model system (PMS) in triplet state in three different solvents: cyclohexane, apolar/aprotic; acetonitrile, polar/aprotic; and methanol (MeOH), polar/protic. Our results of ³PMS in MeOH show that the lactonic carbonyl has a stronger tendency to accept hydrogen bonds compared to the corresponding singlet ground state (¹PMS). This effect may play some so far overlooked role in Per-containing proteins (notably the water soluble Peridinin-Chlorophyll-Proteins – PCPs).The vibrational properties of the ³PMS dynamics in the three solvents have been analyzed by means of decomposition of the vibrational density of states in effective normal modes. The results show that the solute-solvent interactions can influence some vibrational bands of ³PMS; in particular, they are able to modulate the position of the lactonic CO stretching band. The situation is particularly evident in the case of MeOH, where the dynamics of the MeOH⋯OC hydrogen bond interactions can strongly influence the band position and shape. As vibrational spectroscopy (notably step-scan FTIR difference spectroscopy) has been largely used to investigate ³Per in PCPs, especially using the lactonic carbonyl stretching as a marker band to investigate the different photophysical role of each Per in the protein complex, this study represents an important step to understand the experimental spectra and to identify the Per(s) molecule(s) bearing the triplet in PCPs.     

New polyamides containing azobenzene unites and hydantoin derivatives in main chain: synthesis and characterization

Eight new polyamides containing azo moieties and hydantoin groups were synthesized under microwave irradiation by using a domestic microwave oven from the polycondensation reactions of 4,4^′-azodibenzoyl chloride [4,4^′-azobenzenedicarboxylic acid] 3 with eight different derivatives of 5,5-disubstituted hydantoin 4a-h in the presence of a small amount of a polar organic medium such as o-cresol. The polycondensation proceeded rapidly, compared with the bulk polycondensation and the solution polycondensation and was completed between 7-12 min, producing a series of new polyamides 5a-h in high yield, and inherent viscosity between 0.35 and 0.60 dL/g. The resulting polyamides were characterized by elemental analysis, viscosity measurements, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA and DTG), solubility test and FT-IR spectroscopy. All of the polymers were soluble at room temperature in polar solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, tetrahydrofurane and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone.     

DFT Study of the Molecular Structure,Conformational Preference,HOMO, LUMO,and Vibrational Analysis of 2-, and 3-Furoyl Chloride

Molecular structure, conformational stability and vibrational wave numbers for the rotational isomers of 2-furoyl chloride and 3-furoyl chloride have been computed using the B3LYP method with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. From computations, 2-furoyl chloride was predicated to exist predominantly in cis conformation with cis–trans rotational barrier 40.40 kJ·mol^?1, and 3-furoyl chloride was predicated to exist predominantly in the trans conformation with cis–trans rotational barrier 30.17 kJ·mol^?1. The effects of solvents on the conformational stability of all the molecules in nine different solvents (heptane, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, dichloroethane, acetone, ethanol, methanol, dimethylsulfoxide and water) were investigated. The integral equation formalism of the polarizable continuum model was used for all solution phase computations. The vibrational wave numbers and the corresponding vibrational assignments of the molecules in C₁ symmetry were examined and the simulated infrared spectra of the molecules are reported. The geometrical parameters, highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals, Infrared intensities, and molecular electrostatic potentials results are reported.     

Atom transfer radical polymerization of (meth)acrylates and their novel block copolymers with vinyl acetate

Homopolymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) were carried out at 90 °C using methyl-2-bromopropionate (MBP) as initiator, copper halide (CuX, X=Cl, Br) as catalyst, 2,2^′-bipyridine (bpy) or N,N,N^′,N^′,N^″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as ligand in 1-butanol (less polar and containing OH) and acetonitrile (more polar) solvents. It was found that with CuCl/bpy catalyst ATRP of MA and MMA in 1-butanol proceeded faster than that in acetonitrile. The rate of ATRP of MA and MMA in acetonitrile and 1-butanol was comparable when CuCl/PMDETA used as catalyst system. The number-average molecular weights increased with conversion and polydispersities were low . The ATRP of MA and MMA with vinyl acetate telomer having trichloromethyl end group (PVAc-CCl₃) were also used to synthesize new block copolymers. The structures and molecular weight of synthesized PVAc-b-PMA and PVAc-b-PMMA were characterized by ¹H NMR, FTIR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and shown that the block copolymers were novel.     

Kinetic and Thermodynamic Control of Protonation in Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization

For p-(dimethylamino)chalcone (p-DMAC), the N atom is the most basic site in the liquid phase, whereas the O atom possesses the highest proton affinity in the gas phase. A novel and interesting observation is reported that the N- and O-protonated p-DMAC can be competitively produced in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) with the change of solvents and ionization conditions. In neat methanol or acetonitrile, the protonation is always under thermodynamic control to form the O-protonated ion. When methanol/water or acetonitrile/water was used as the solvent, the protonation is kinetically controlled to form the N-protonated ion under conditions of relatively high infusion rate and high concentration of water in the mixed solvent. The regioselectivity of protonation of p-DMAC in APCI is probably attributed to the bulky solvent cluster reagent ions (S_nH⁺) and the analyte having different preferred protonation sites in the liquid phase and gas phase.

Structural and vibrational study on N-(biphenyl-2-thiocarbamoyl)-4-phenylcarboxamide

A new thiourea derivative, N-(biphenyl-2-thiocarbamoyl)-4-phenylcarboxamide, is synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, NMR and the single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The title compound crystallizes with two molecules in the asymmetric unit. The dihedral angle between the two aromatic rings in the biphenyl unit is 47.9(2) and 56.52(19)°, respectively, for the two molecules in the asymmetric unit. The molecular conformation is stabilized by intramolecular NH?O hydrogen bond. The crystal packing shows that the molecules form centrosymmetric dimers connected by NH?S hydrogen bonds. The vibrational properties have been studied by FTIR and FT-Raman spectroscopy along with quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP/6-311 + G^* level of approximation. The main normal modes related with the thioamide bands are discussed.     

Kinetics and mechanism of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-chloromethylamine decomposition in solutions

Kinetics of N-chloromethylamine decomposition in an aqueous base medium and chloroform at different temperatures is studied. The decomposition of N-chloromethylamine is found to obey a second order equation in an aqueous base medium at an equimolar ratio of the reagents and a first order equation in chloroform with excess base. The activation energy of N-chloromethylamine decomposition in the both solvents is determined. A mechanism for the reaction is proposed. N-Chloromethylamine is shown to have approximately equal stability in these solvents within the studied temperature range.     

Synthesis and characterization of new polymeric ionic liquid microgels

A new two‐step route toward the synthesis of polymeric ionic liquid microgel particles is presented. In the first step, hydrophilic microparticles were prepared by the concentrated emulsion polymerization of the ionic liquid 1‐vinyl‐3‐ethylimidazolium bromide in the presence of small amounts of N,N‐dimethylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinking agent. In the second step, the bromide anion was exchanged in water with different anions such as BF, CF₃SO, (CF₃SO₂)₂N^?, (CF₃CF₂SO₂)₂N^?, and dodecylbenzenesulfonate, and this resulted in the coagulation of the microparticles, which were easily recovered by filtration. The obtained polymeric ionic liquid microparticles could be swollen in a very broad range of organic solvents, including apolar organic solvents. As an application, glucose oxidase was encapsulated inside polymeric ionic liquid microparticles, which were used in an amperometric biosensor. The response of the biosensor showed excellent values that strongly depended on the nature of the polymeric ionic liquid counteranion in the order of Br^? > BF > (CF₃SO₂)₂N^?. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3958–3965, 2006     

Strong vibrational exciton coupling effects in polarized IR spectra of the hydrogen bond in 2-thiopyridone crystals

This paper presents the results of investigation on polarized IR spectra of the hydrogen bond in 2-thiopyridone crystals. The spectra were measured in the frequency range of the NH and ND bond stretching vibrations, for two different crystalline forms, having developed ab or bc crystal faces. The spectra exhibited extremely strong vibrational exciton coupling effects characterized by a large Davydov-splitting (correlation field splitting), whose existence was confirmed by a strong difference between the polarized spectra of the two forms of 2-thiopyridone crystals. It was shown that extremely strong exciton interactions involving the translationally non-equivalent hydrogen bonds in the unit cell are responsible for these effects. Isotopic dilution in the crystals caused the disappearance of the spectral effects, ascribed to the inter-dimer exciton couplings, and the simultaneous retaining of the dimeric character of the “residual” ν_NH and ν_ND bands. This spectral behavior of the isotopically diluted crystals was interpreted as the result of the dynamical co-operative interactions involving the hydrogen bonds in the lattice. These interactions lead to a non-random distribution of the protons and deuterons in the cyclic hydrogen bond dimeric systems and in consequence to the so-called H/D isotopic “self-organization” effects in the crystal spectra. The fine structure of the “residual” ν_NH and ν_ND bands is also influenced by such non-conventional spectral effects as the selection rule breaking for IR transitions, as well as the “reversal” exciton coupling effect for centrosymmetric hydrogen bonded dimers. This statement is supported by model calculations of the analyzed band shapes. They are performed in terms of the “strong-coupling” theory which assumes a strong anharmonic coupling involving different frequency hydrogen bond normal vibrations in the dimers, namely the high-frequency NH stretching and the low-frequency ν_N⋯S hydrogen bond stretching vibrations.     

New optically active and thermally stable poly(ester-imide)s containing bicyclo segment in the main chain: Synthesis and characterization

New optically active diacid containing L-2-aminobutyric acid moiety was prepared by reacting bicyclo[2,2,2]oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic dianhydride 1, with L-2-aminobutyric acid 2 in the acetic acid, and was polymerized with several aromatic diols 5a–f to obtain a new series of optically active poly(ester-imide)s (PEIs) through direct polycondensation using tosyl chloride/pyridine/N,N-dimethylformamide system as condensation agent. The data obtained by these methods indicate that, good yields and inherent viscosities are resulted. These polymers are readily soluble in polar organic solvents such as N,N-dimethyacetamide, N,N-dimethyformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide. The obtained polymers were characterized by FTIR, specific rotation measurements, elemental analysis and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The thermal stability of the resulting PEIs were evaluated with thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry techniques under a nitrogen atmosphere.