A density functional theory study on the Ag<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>H (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 1–10) clusters

Density functional GGA-PW91 method with DNP basis set is applied to optimize the geometries of Ag _n H (n = 1–10) clusters. For the lowest energy geometries of Ag _n H (n = 1–10) clusters, the hydrogen atom prefers to occupy the two-fold coordination bridge site except the occupation of single-fold coordination site in AgH cluster. After adsorption of hydrogen atom, most Ag _n structures are slightly perturbed and only the Ag₆ structure in Ag₆H cluster is distorted obviously. The Ag–Ag bond is strengthened and the strength of Ag–H bond exhibits a clear odd–even oscillation like the strength of Au–H bond in Au _n H clusters, indicating that the hydrogen atom is more favorable to be adsorbed by odd-numbered pure silver clusters. The adsorption strength of small silver cluster toward H atom is obviously weaker than that of small gold cluster toward H atom due to the strong scalar relativistic effect in small gold cluster. The pronounced odd–even alternation of the magnetic moments is observed in Ag _n H systems, indicating that the Ag _n H clusters possess tunable magnetic properties by adsorbing hydrogen atom onto odd-numbered or even-numbered small silver cluster.     

Structures and bonding patterns of nanoannular carbon clusters (C4–C20) through AIM analyses

Structures, binding energies, harmonic frequencies, dipole moments, HOMO–LUMO energy gaps and particularly atoms in molecules (AIM) analyses of some nanoannular carbon clusters (C₄–C₂₀) are investigated at B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level of theory. No correlation is found by plotting the calculated binding energies as a functional number of carbon atoms of carbon clusters. The calculated binding energies sharply increase from C₄ to C₁₀ while slowly from C₁₀ to C₂₀. The binding energies of C_4n+2 clusters including C₆, C₁₀, C₁₄, and C₁₈ have a clear increase when compared with others indicating their aromatic characters which is confirmed by results of HOMO–LUMO energy gaps and geometrical parameters. AIM analyses show that most of our carbon clusters are topologically normal (non-conflict) with stable structures. Nevertheless, the topological networks of small antiaromatic rings, C₄ and C₈, at their equilibrium geometries may change via molecular vibrations. The existence of straight bond paths in 3D molecular graphs of carbon clusters with n > 10 implies that ring strains are decreased as the ring sizes grow. Except for C₄ and C₈, the ellipticity values for the remaining carbon clusters are small indicating that the C–C bond is conserved in these clusters. Dipole moments of even-numbered structures are negligible, whereas odd-numbered ones have μ values of 0.09−0.73 D.     

Ab initio and DFT conformational study on nitrosamine (H<Subscript>2</Subscript>N–N=O) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Nitrosodimethylamine [(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>N–N=O]

Abstract  

Ab initio and DFT calculations have been performed to characterize some ground state structures of the title molecules. Relative energies, rotational barriers, NBO charges, and dipole moments (μ) have been calculated and analyzed. It has been confirmed that only highly correlated methods (e.g., CCSD) are able to yield the non-planar structure as a minimum, for the H₂NNO molecule. On the other hand, all computational levels here employed are able to yield a planar C₂NNO frame for the (CH₃)₂NNO as a minimum. Important correlations between atomic charges and bond distances are discussed. Replacement of H by methyl group increases the rotational barrier and μ values by at least 3 kcal/mol and 0.4 D, respectively. The largest μ values are obtained for the structures in which the nitrogen lone pair is parallel to the NO group π system, and are consistent with a larger contribution of a dipolar resonance structure.     

Combined DFT with NBO and QTAIM studies on the hydrogen bonds in (CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>OH)<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 2–8) clusters

The (CH₃OH) _n (n = 2–8) clusters formed via hydrogen bond (H-bonds) interactions have been studied systemically by density functional theory (DFT). The relevant geometries, energies, and IR characteristics of the intermolecular OH···O H-bonds have been investigated. The quantum theory of atoms in molecule (QTAIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis have also been applied to understand the nature of the hydrogen bonding interactions in clusters. The results show that both the strength of H-bonds and the deformation are important factors for the stability of (CH₃OH) _n clusters. The weakest H-bond was found in the dimer. The strengths of H-bonds in clusters increase from n = 2 to 8, moreover, the strengths of H-bonds in (CH₃OH) _n (n = 4–8) clusters are remarkably stronger than those in (CH₃OH) _n (n = 2, 3) clusters. The small differences of the strengths of H-bonds among (CH₃OH) _n (n = 6–8) clusters indicate that a partial covalent character is attributed to the H-bonds in these clusters. The linear relationships between the electron density of BCP (ρ_b) and the H···O bond length of H-bonds as well as the second-perturbation energies E(2) have also been investigated and used to study the nature of H-bonds, respectively.     

All-electron relativistic calculations on hydrogen atom adsorption onto small copper clusters

An all-electron scalar relativistic calculation on Cu _n H (n = 1–13) clusters has been performed by using density functional theory with the generalized gradient approximation at the PW91 level. Our results reveal that the hydrogen atom prefers to occupy the two fold coordination site for Cu _n H (n = 2, 4–6, 8, 10–13) clusters, the single fold coordination site for Cu _n H (n = 1, 3, 7) and the three fold coordination site for Cu₉H cluster. For all Cu _n H clusters, only the Cu₁₁ structure in Cu₁₁H is distorted obviously. After adsorption, the Cu–Cu bond is strengthened and the Cu–H bond of odd-numbered Cu _n H clusters is relatively stronger than that of adjacent even-numbered Cu _n H clusters. The Cu–Cu bond-length and Cu–H bond-length for all Cu _n H clusters of our work are significantly shorter than those of previous work. This discrepancy can be explained in terms of the scalar relativistic effect. The most favorable adsorption between small copper clusters and hydrogen atom takes place in the case that hydrogen atom is adsorbed onto an odd-numbered pure Cu _n cluster and becomes Cu _n H cluster with even number of valence electrons. The odd–even alteration of magnetic moments is observed in Cu _n H clusters and may provide the material with tunable code capacity of “0” and “1” by adsorbing a hydrogen atom onto odd- or even-numbered copper clusters.     

Conformational properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">ortho</Emphasis>-nitrobenzenesulfonamide in gas and crystalline phases. Intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bond

A combined gas-phase electron diffraction and quantum chemical (B3LYP/6-311+G**, B3LYP/cc-pvtz, MP2/cc-pvtz) study of molecular structure of 2-nitrobenzenesulfonamide (2-NBSA) was carried out. Quantum chemical calculations showed that 2-NBSA has four conformers, two of which are stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bond. The latter (with the S–N bond in a close to orthogonal position around the phenyl ring and differing from each other by staggered or eclipsed positions of the N–H and S=O bonds in the SO₂NH₂ group) presented in a saturated vapor over 2-NBSA at T = 433 (3) K in commensurable amounts. Experimental internuclear distances (Ǻ) for the staggered conformer are (?): r _h1(C–H)_av. = 1.071(9), r _h1(C–C)_av. = 1.390(4), r _h1(C–S) = 1.789(8), r _h1(S=O)_av. = 1.427(6), r _h1(S–N) = 1.644(6), r _h1(N–O)_av. = 1.221(4), r _h1(C′–N) = 1.487(8), r _h1(N–H)_av. = 1.014. Calculations at B3LYP/cc-pvtz level were performed to determine the structure and the energies of the transition states between conformers. It was shown that the conformer structures of free molecule differ from those of a molecule stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen bonds in a crystal. Influence of a substituent X (X = –CH₃, –NO₂) on conformational features of the ortho-substituted benzenesulfonamide was established.     

DFT calculations of NMR properties for GaP nanotubes

Abstract  

We performed density functional theory calculations for nitrogen-doped models of the representative structures of (6,0) zigzag and (4,4) armchair aluminum phosphide nanotubes (AlPNTs). Our results indicate that the optimized bond distances and tip diameters do not detect the effects of the N-doped regions; however, the effects are observed for the band gap energies and dipole moments. It is noted that substitution of the P atom by the N atom does not influence the value of band gap energy for this N-doped model. The results also indicate that the tendency of the Al atom for contribution to the Al–N bond is stronger than the tendency of the P atom for contribution to the N–P bond; therefore, the latter form of substitution makes the AlPNTs interesting as reactive materials towards other atoms or molecules, especially for the the zigzag AlPNT.     

Fusing C60 units without Stone–Wales bond rotations

Abstract  

Using ab-initio calculation, we have explored new chemical paths for the coalescence of C₆₀ units into higher fullerenes and novel structures. Besides the Stone–Wales paradigm used for rationalizing the fusion of fullerenes and nanotubes, we demonstrated that an alternative path exists for the fusion of two C₆₀ units. This path uses successive “π–π” additions and subsequent bond reorganizations to lead to a specific C₁₂₀ peanut-like structure. The energies of the chemical barriers, the intermediate structures, and the final product are markedly lower than their counterparts found in the chemical paths based on Stone–Wales bond rotations. The results rationalize the existence of a temperature range in which peanut-like structures are obtained during thermal treatment of peapod structures.     

Complete basis set,hybrid-DFT study,and NBO interpretations of the conformational behavior of 1,2-dihaloethanes

The conformational behavior of 1,2-difluoroethane (1), 1,2-dichloroethane (2), 1,2-dibromoethane (3), and 1,2-diiodoethane (4) have been analyzed by means of complete basis set CBS-QB3, hybrid-density functional theory (B3LYP/Def2-TZVPP) based methods and natural bond orbital (NBO) interpretation. Both methods showed the expected greater stability of the gauche conformation of compound 1 compared to its anti conformation. Contrary to compound 1, the anti conformations of compounds 2–4 are more stable than their gauche conformation. The stability of the anti conformation compared to the gauche conformation increases from compound 1 to compound 4. The NBO analysis of donor–acceptor (σ → σ*) interactions showed that the generalized anomeric effect (GAE) is in favor of the gauche conformation of compound 1. Contrary to compound 1, GAE is in favor of the anti conformations of compounds 2–4. The GAE values calculated (i.e., GAE_anti − GAE_gauche) increase from compound 1 to compound 4. On the other hand, the calculated dipole moment values for the gauche conformations decrease from compound 1 to compound 4. In the conflict between the GAE and dipole moments, the former succeeded in accounting for the increase of the anti conformation stability from compound 1 to compound 4. There is a direct correlation between the calculated GAE, ∆[r _c–c(G) − r _c–c(A)] and ∆[r _c–x(A) − r _c–x(G)] parameters. The correlations between the GAE, bond orders, total steric exchange energies (TSEEs), ΔG _{Anti–Gauche}, ΔG ^‡(Gauche → Gauche′, C _2v), ΔG ^‡(Anti → Gauche, C ₂), dipole–dipole interactions, structural parameters, and conformational behaviors of compounds 1–4 have been investigated.     

Selective reduction of 1,4-diarylimidazoline-3-oxides to imidazolidin-1-ols and hydroxylamine derivatives

Abstract  

C-2-unsubstituted imidazoline-3-oxides were reduced with NaBH₄ in THF to give the corresponding trans-3,5-diarylimidazolidin-1-ols, while under the same conditions C-2-substituted derivatives gave the corresponding ring–chain–ring tautomers. Treatment of the crude reaction mixture from the reduction of C-2-unsubstituted imidazoline-3-oxides with a MeOH–H₂O mixture provided reductive C–N bond cleavage to give hydroxylamines, while under the same conditions ring–chain–ring tautomers remained unchanged.     

A Density Functional Investigation on C2Aun+ (n?=?1, 3, 5) and C2Aun (n?=?2, 4, 6): from Gold Terminals, Gold Bridges, to Gold Triangles

A systematic density functional theory investigation on C₂Au _n ⁺ (n = 1,3,5) and C₂Au _n (n = 2,4,6) indicates that gold atoms serve as terminals (–Au) in the chain-like C_s C₂Au⁺ (C=C–Au⁺) and D_∞h C₂Au₂ (Au–C≡C–Au) and as bridges (–Au–) in the side-on coordinated C_2v C₂Au₃ ⁺ ([Au–C≡C–Au]Au⁺) and C_s C₂HAu₂ ⁺([H–C≡C–Au]Au⁺). However, when the number of gold atoms reaches four, they form stable gold triangles (–Au₃) in the head-on coordinated C_2v C₂Au₄ (Au–C≡C–Au₃) and the side-on coordinated C_2v C₂Au₅ ⁺ ([Au–C≡C–Au]Au₃ ⁺). Similar –Au₃ triangular units exist in the head-on coordinated C_2v C₂HAu₃ (H–C≡C–Au₃) and D_2d C₂Au₆ (Au₃–C≡C–Au₃). The existence of stable –Au₃ triangular units in small dicarbon aurides is significant and intriguing. The high stability of Au₃ triangles originates from the fact that an equilateral D_3h Au₃ ⁺ cation possesses a completely delocalized three-center-two-electron (3c–2e) σ bond and therefore is σ-aromatic in nature. The extension from H/Au analogy to H/Au₃ analogy established in this work may have important implications in designing new gold-containing catalysts and nano-materials.     

Three manganese(II) coordination polymers based on 1,10-phenanthroline derivatives and mono-, bi-, or trimetallic cores

Abstract  

Three Mn(II) coordination polymers based on 1,10-phenanthroline derivatives and mono-, bi-, or trimetallic cores, namely [Mn(L1)(HL1)(Cl)] (1), [Mn(1,4-ndc)(HL1)] (2), and [Mn₃(cis-chdc)₂(trans-chdc)(L2)₂] (3), where HL1 = 1-(1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1, 10]phenanthrolin-2-yl)naphthalen-2-ol, L2 = 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1, 10]phenanthroline, 1,4-ndc = 1,4- naphthalenedicarboxylate and chdc = 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate, have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Their structures have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and further characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. Compound 1 shows a one-dimensional zigzag chain structure. The neighboring chains are extended into a two-dimensional 3-connected (6,3) network by π–π interactions. Interestingly, two (6,3) networks are interpenetrated in a twofold mode. Compound 2 displays a 2D 4-connected (4,4) network structure based on dinuclear Mn(II) units. Adjacent networks are further connected through π–π interactions to form a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture. Compound 3 shows a 2D 4-connected (4,4) network structure based on trinuclear Mn(II) units. Further, the π–π interactions among adjacent networks resulted in a 3D supramolecular architecture for 3.     

Growth Pattern, Electronic Structures and Magnetic Moments of Small Lutetium Clusters

The lowest-energy configurations, electronic structures and magnetic moments of small Lu _n (n = 2–20) clusters have been investigated within the framework of density functional theory. The results show that Lu _n (n = 4, 8, 13, and 18) clusters are more stable than their respective neighbors, and structural transformation reveals at n = 16. As the number of atoms increases, the magnetic moments increase in an alternating fashion until they reach a maximum of 4.00 μ_B for Lu₈ clusters, followed by even–odd oscillation between 0.00 and 1.00 μ_B over the range n = 9–20.     

Hydrogenation of B 120/? : A Planar-to-Icosahedral Structural Transition in B12H n0/? (n?=?1–6) Boron Hydride Clusters

A systematic density functional theory and wave function theory investigation performed in this work reveals a planar-to-icosahedral structural transition between n = 4–5 in the partially hydrogenated B₁₂H _n ^0/− clusters (n = 1–6) upon hydrogenation of all-boron B₁₂^0/−. Coupled cluster calculations with triple excitations (CCSD(T)) indicate that a distorted icosahedral B₁₂H₆ cluster with C₂ symmetry is overwhelmingly favored (by 35 kcal/mol) over the recently proposed perfectly planar borozene (D_3h B₁₂H₆) (Szwacki et al., Nanoscale Res Lett 4:1085, 2009) which proves to be a high-lying local minimum. A similar 2D–3D structural transition occurs to the corresponding boron boronyl analogues of B₁₂(BO) _n with n –BO terminals. Detailed adaptive natural density partitioning (AdNDP) analyses reveal the bonding patterns of these quasi-planar or cage-like clusters which are characterized with delocalized σ and π molecular orbitals. The electron detachment energies of the concerned anions and excitation energies of the neutrals are also predicted to facilitate their future experimental characterizations.     

Acetylene aggregates via cluster-building algorithm and molecular tailoring approach

Acetylene clusters are prototypical of simple non-aromatic systems bonded through C–H…π interactions. The present work explores structures and properties of acetylene clusters (C₂H₂) _n , n = 8 and 10, employing cluster-building algorithm and molecular tailoring approach (MTA). The former uses electrostatics guidelines for building (C₂H₂)₈ and (C₂H₂)₁₀ structures. These clusters are treated at MP2 level of theory with correlation-consistent basis sets using MTA. The Hessian matrix and vibrational spectra for the best five structures of (C₂H₂)₈ and (C₂H₂)₁₀ are computed employing MTA. Actual calculations on these clusters using conventional methods employing large basis sets are prohibitively difficult to perform. All the frequencies for these structures extracted using MTA-based Hessian matrix are found to be real, confirming their local minimum nature. This study points to the possibility of using the present approach for exploring structures, energetics and vibrational spectra of even larger clusters at higher levels of theory.     

Deuterium Clusters D N and Mixed K–D and D–H Clusters of Rydberg Matter: High Temperatures and Strong Coupling to Ultra-Dense Deuterium

Ultra-dense deuterium D(−1) can be formed by a catalytic process from Rydberg Matter (RM) of deuterium as reported previously. Laser-induced inertial confinement fusion (ICF) has recently been observed in this material. The formation of D(−1) is now studied through experiments observing the deuterium RM clusters D _N in excitation levels n _B  = 1, 3 and 4. These levels are intermediate in the formation process of D(−1). Laser-induced fragmentation is used, with neutral time-of-flight (TOF) and TOF–MS measurements of the kinetic energy release (KER) from the quantized Coulomb explosions (CE). Several types of pure D _N clusters, mixed clusters containing both D and H atoms, and clusters containing both D and K atoms are identified. The large planar RM clusters which are common for H and K are less common for D. The neutral D _N clusters are small and have high kinetic temperature, typically at 100 K instead of 10 K for K _N and H _N . Large D _N ⁺ clusters are only observed when an electric field is applied, probably stabilized by increased cooling. A strong coupling of the D(1) laser fragmentation signal to the ultra-dense D(−1) signal is observed, and the materials D(1) and D(−1) are two rapidly interchangeable forms of quantum fluids.     

Density functional theory study on (F2AlN3) n (n = 1–4) clusters

Possible geometrical structures and relative stabilities of (F₂AlN₃) _n (n = 1–4) clusters were studied using density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-311+G* level. The optimized clusters (F₂AlN₃) _n (n = 2–4) possess cyclic structure containing Al–N_α–Al linkages, and azido in azides has linear structure. The IR spectra of the optimized (F₂AlN₃) _n (n = 1–4) clusters have three vibrational sections, the whole strongest vibrational peaks lie in 2218–2246 cm⁻¹, and the vibrational modes are N₃ asymmetric stretching vibrations. Trends in thermodynamic properties with temperature and oligomerization degree n are discussed, respectively. A study of their thermodynamic properties suggests that monomer 1A forms the most stable clusters (2A, 3A, and 4B) can occur spontaneously in the gas phase at temperatures up to 800 K.     

Supramolecular amide and thioamide synthons in hydrogen bonding patterns of N-aryl-furamides and N-aryl-thiofuramides

The supramolecular synthon of amide group in the primary and secondary amides is well recognized to be infinite chains of the C(4) type formed by the intermolecular hydrogen bond of the type N–HO=C. On the other hand, there is a lack of structural data for the thioamides. Three compounds belonging to the class of N-aryl-fura-mides (N-(4-bromophenyl)-5-bromo-2-furancarboxamide, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-bromo-2-furancarboxamide) and to the class of N-aryl-thiofuramide (N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-furanthiocarboxamide) are prepared and characterized by the NMR spectroscopy in solution; molecular and crystal structures in the solid state have been determined by X-ray single crystal diffractometry and the structures in the gas phase by DFT and AM1 calculations. The investigation is carried out in order to establish supramolecular amide and thioamide synthons of hydrogen bonding patterns in these crystal structures. The geometry of the N–HO=C and the N–HS=C type of hydrogen bonds are compared due to the possibility of the N–H amide group to form intramolecular hydrogen bond with the furan oxygen atom, thus, commonly, leading to the three-center hydrogen bond pattern. The competition between the S=C proton acceptor of thioamides and the other proton acceptors (such as methoxy group) for the amide N–H proton donor group has been investigated. In that context, the above-mentioned compounds are correlated with the others of this class, structurally determined, so far.     

An efficient and regioselective synthesis of 1,1′-oxalylbis[3-(alkyl/aryl/heteroaryl)-5-(trihalomethyl)-1H-pyrazoles] from 4-alkoxy-1,1,1-trihaloalk-3-en-2-ones

Abstract  

This work describes the regioselective synthesis of two new series of 1,1′-oxalylbis[3-(alkyl/aryl/heteroaryl)-4,5-dihydro-5-hydroxy-5-(trihalomethyl)-1H-pyrazoles], where the 3-substituents are H, Me, C₆H₅, 4-FC₆H₄, 4-ClC₆H₄, 4-BrC₆H₄, 4-NO₂C₆H₄, 4,4′-BiPh, and 2-furyl, in a one-pot methodology with ethanol as solvent, from the reaction of 4-alkoxy-4-(alkyl/aryl/heteroaryl)-1,1,1-trihaloalk-3-en-2-ones with oxalyldihydrazide (51–89%). Complementarily, the dehydration reactions of five examples of the described oxalylbispyrazolines are also reported, which furnished the respective 1,1′-oxalylbis[3-(alkyl/aryl/heteroaryl)-5-(trihalomethyl)-1H-pyrazoles] in 53–78% yields without the two C(O)–N bond cleavages.     

Study of <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>–<Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis> isomerization mechanism of 3,3′-azobenzene disulphonate in the lowest singlet and triplet electronic states by density functional theory

Abstract  

The cis–trans isomerization pathways of 3,3′-azobenzene disulphonate in the S₀ and T₁ states are studied by DFT method at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level. In the S₀ state, the cis–trans isomerization concerns the complex pathway that is characterized by the inversion of one NNC angle combined with rotation around the NC bond, and the three sequential transition states are also found on the potential energy profile. Therefore, the cis–trans isomerization of 3,3′-azobenzene disulphonate can be understood in terms of a pathway involving successive rotation, inversion, and rotation processes. The energy barrier of the S₀ state is 22.79 kcal mol⁻¹. In the T₁ state, the isomerization mainly concerns the rotational pathway around the NN double bond, and the two isomers are connected through only one transition state. The isomerization of the T₁ state is related to a lower energy barrier, 5.02 kcal mol⁻¹, but requires a change in spin-multiplicity.