The dipnictenes R-E=E′-R′ (E=P,As, Sb,Bi) revisited: a TDDFT and multi-reference study of some aspects of its electronic spectroscopy

Compounds with double bonds Terp-E=E′-Terp (E, E'=P, As, Sb or Bi; Terp=-C₆H₃-2,6 (C₆H₅)₂) have been studied using DFT. These compounds have been used as a model for other compounds with larger substituents. Some bands of its electronic spectroscopy have been calculated using TDDFT, and the results show high correlation with experimental data, when available. In Bi-containing compounds, the origin of some weak bands in the calculated spectra and also in experimental data is unclear. An assignation of these bands is suggested, wedding the experimental data with calculated and theoretical results. These bands could be weak singlet–triplet transitions, partially allowed by spin-orbit coupling only in Bi-containing compounds. A theoretical estimation of the energy of these bands is achieved using CASSCF and MR-MP2.     

Phase transitions of YbX (X = P,As and Sb) with a NaCl-type structure at high pressures

The powder X-ray diffraction of YbX (X?=?P, As and Sb) with a NaCl-type structure has been studied with synchrotron radiation up to 63?GPa at room temperature. YbSb undergoes the first-order structural phase transition from the NaCl-type (B1) to the CsCl-type (B2) structure at around 13?GPa. The structural change to the B2 structure occurs with the volume collapse of about 1% at 13?GPa. The transition pressure of YbSb is surprisingly lower than that of any other heavier LnSb (Ln?=?Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Lu). The pressure-induced phase transitions in YbP and YbAs are observed at around 51?GPa and 52?GPa respectively. The transition pressure of both compounds is much higher than that of YbSb. The high-pressure structural behaviour of YbX (X?=?P, As and Sb) is discussed. The volume versus pressure curve for YbX with the NaCl-type structure is fitted by a Birch equation of state. The bulk moduli of these compounds with the NaCl-type structure are 104?GPa for YbP, 85?GPa for YbAs and 52?GPa for YbSb.     

First principles prediction of the elastic,electronic and optical properties of Sn3X4 (X = P,As, Sb,Bi) compounds: Potential photovoltaic absorbers

We report a first-principles study of structural, mechanical and optoelectronic properties of the Sn₃X₄ (X = P, As, Sb, Bi) compounds. The calculations were performed using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave approach (FP-LAPW). The structural and mechanical properties of Sn₃X₄ (X = P, As, Sb, Bi) compounds were obtained using GGA-PBE. In addition, The Tran-Blaha modified Becke-Johnson exchange potential (TB-mBJGGA) technique was used to calculated the optoelectronic properties. The calculated electronic band structures and density of states reveal a direct band gap at Γ points varied from 0.11 eV to 1.23 eV for X = P, As, Sb, Bi. The optical absorption calculations show that all compounds have high absorption coefficients about twenty times greater than that of CuInSe₂ and CdTe in the visible region. The high absorption of these materials could be attributed to the localized p-states of cation (X = P, As, Sb, Bi) in the lower region of the conduction band.     

Structures and stabilities of endo- and exohedral Si20H20 derivatives: X@Si20H20 and XSi20H20, X = H + , H,N, P,C − , and Si −

Geometries, relative energies, and stabilities of endo- and exohedral complexes, X@Si₂₀H₂₀ and XSi₂₀H₂₀, (X = H⁺, H, N, P, C^?, and Si^?) are calculated at B3LYP/6-31G* level. The energy minimum structure of Si₂₀H₂₁ ⁺ shows that the proton cannot be positioned in the Si₂₀H₂₀ centre, but prefers attach to Si₂₀H₂₀ exohedrally with C_2v symmetry. Most investigated I_h endohedral complexes X@Si₂₀H₂₀ (X = H, N, P, C^?, and Si^?) are local minima, except for ²N@Si₂₀H₂₀, which is a high-order saddle point. Inclusions energies of the endohedral complexes are calculated, and it reveals that energy penalties caused by encapsulation are rather small. Exohedral complexes XSi₂₀H₂₀ (X = H, N, P, C^?, and Si^?) have C_2v or C_s local minima, and most of them are more stable than their endohedral isomers with the exception of C_2v ⁴PSi₂₀H₂₀ and ⁴Si^?Si₂₀H₂₀.     

Optoelectronic and thermoelectric properties of Zintl YLi3X2(X=Sb,Bi) compounds through modified Becke—Johnson potential

In the present work, we investigate the structural, optoelectronic and thermoelectric properties of the YLi₃X₂(X=Sb, Bi) compounds using the full potential augmented plane wave plus local orbital (FP-APW+lo) method. The exchange-correlation potential is treated with the generalized gradient approximation/local density approximation (GGA/LDA) and with the modified Becke-Johnson potential (TB-mBJ) in order to improve the electronic band structure calculations. In addition, the estimated ground state properties such as the lattice constants, external parameters, and bulk moduli agree well with the available experimental data. Our band structure calculations with GGA and LDA predict that both compounds have semimetallic behaviors. However, the band structure calculations with the GGA/TB-mBJ approximation indicate that the ground state of the YLi₃Sb₂ compound is semiconducting and has an estimated indirect band gap (Γ-L) of about 0.036 eV while the ground state of YLi₃Bi₂ compound is semimetallic. Conversely the LDA/TB-mBJ calculations indicate that both compounds exhibit semiconducting characters and have an indirect band gap (Γ-L) of about 0.15 eV and 0.081 eV for YLi₃Sb and YLi₃Bi₂ respectively. Additionally, the optical properties reveal strong responses of the herein materials in the energy range between the IR and extreme UV regions. Thermoelectric properties such as thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermo power factors are also calculated.     

Structures and stabilities of the donor–acceptor complexes HXPY (X=Al,B; Y=H,F, OH)

The optimized geometries, complexation energies, etc. of HXPY (X?=?Al, B; Y?=?H, F, OH) donor–acceptor complexes have been investigated at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p), MP2/6-311+G(d,p) and/or CCSD(T)/6-311+G(d,p) levels. The results show that HBPY (Y?=?H, F, OH) is more stable than the corresponding HAlPY (Y?=?H, F, OH), F (or OH) substitution on phosphorus results in decreasing complex stability, and the stronger the electron-attracting nature of the substitution atom, the more stable the complex. Moreover, the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the formation reaction of these donor–acceptor complexes were also examined within the temperature range 200–800?K using the general statistical thermodynamics and Eyring transition state theory with Wigner correction. It is concluded that the formation of HBPY is thermodynamically favoured over that of the corresponding HAlPY, especially at low temperature, and is kinetically favoured over that of the relevant HAlPY (Y?=?H, F, OH), especially at high temperature.     

Structures,thermochemistry, and electron affinities of the disilicon fluorides,Si2F n /Si2F− n (n = 1–6)

A systematic investigation of Si₂F_n/Si₂F^? _n systems is carried out with five density functional (DFT) methods in conjunction with DZP++ basis sets. For each system, various structures, including minima, transition states, and energetically low lying saddle points, are optimized. The geometries and the relative energies are discussed and compared. Three kinds of electron affinity and dissociation energy pertaining to the global minimum for each compound are reported. The theoretical predictions are in good agreement with the limited experimental results. The zero-point vibrational energy (ZPVE) corrected adiabatic electron affinities (EA_ad) are predicted as 1.97 (Si₂F), 1.92 (Si₂F₂), 2.39 (Si₂F₃), 2.02 (Si₂F₄), 2.68 (Si₂F₅), and 0.73 (Si₂F₆)eV by the BHLYP method, which is considered to be the most reliable method in the present study for predicting the EAs. These theoretical predictions are quite different from those for the analogous silicon hydrides and fluorocarbons. For example, both Si₂F₂ and its anions have vinylidene-like (Si-SiF₂) global minima. The anion SiSi bond distance is about 0.1 Å shorter than that for the Si—SiF₂ neutral. Both Si₂F₃ and its anion have carbyne-like (Si-SiF₃) global minima, with the anion SiSi distance about 0.05 Å shorter. Both Si₂F₄ and its anion have carbene-like (FSi-SiF₃) global minima, again with the negative ion SiSi distance ～0.05 Å shorter. Surprisingly, doubly bridged structures of Si₂F₄ are energetically competitive. For the ethyl-radical-like Si₂F₅, the expected longer SiSi distance (by 0.13 Å) for the anion is predicted. Whereas Si₂H₄, C₂F₄, Si₂H₆, and C₂F₆ do not have significant electron affinities, Si₂F₄ and Si₂F₆ do bind an electron. However, the unexpected Si₂F^? ₆ species has a significantly longer SiSi distance (by 0.15 Å) than that of neutral Si₂F₆.     

A first-principles study of the properties of P-43m-Si3×2 (X = N,P and As)

The new P-43m-Si₃P₂ and P-43m-Si₃As₂ structures are predicted using the first-principles approach based density functional theory (DFT). The elastic constants, structural stability, phonon dispersion spectra, band structures, density of states, and optical properties of P-43m-Si₃×₂ (X=N, P and As) have been analyzed. The values of the elastic constants indicate that their structures are mechanically stable. Each elastic constant of the Si₃N₂ is greater than the corresponding elastic constants of Si₃P₂ and Si₃As₂. The Young's moduli, shear moduli, bulk moduli, Pugh ratios and Poisson's ratios of P-43m-Si₃×₂ are calculated at 0 GPa. Si₃N₂ has a larger Young's modulus, so it has higher hardness and good resistance to deformation. The bulk moduli of P-43m-Si₃×₂ are isotropic. The shear modulus of Si₃As₂ is anisotropic. The Pugh ratios of P-43m-Si₃×₂ are 0.50, 0.49 and 0.39, respectively. Their Poisson's ratios are 0.28, 0.29 and 0.33, respectively. The results show that they are brittle materials at zero pressure. The calculated phonon spectra confirm that they are dynamically stable. The calculated enthalpy of formation indicates their thermodynamic stability. The energy band gaps of P-43m-Si₃×₂ calculated by HSE06 hybrid function are 0.786, 0.955 and 0.343 eV, respectively. Si₃N₂ has a direct bandgap, Si₃P₂ and Si₃As₂ have indirect bandgaps. The dielectric functions, refractive indices, optical reflectance spectra, absorption coefficients, conductivities and loss functions of P-43m-Si₃×₂ are calculated. The calculated static dielectric constants of P-43m-Si₃×₂ are 5.207, 9.237 and 10.072, respectively. The maximum values of the loss functions of P-43m-Si₃×₂ are 6.408, 5.672 and 5.276 eV, respectively.     

Competition between σ-hole pnicogen bond and π-hole tetrel bond in complexes of CF2=CFZH2 (Z = P,As, and Sb)

ABSTRACT

A computational study of the complexes formed by F₂C=CFZH₂ (Z?=?P, As, and Sb) and F₂C=CFPF₂ with two Lewis bases (NH₃ and NMe₃) has been carried out. In general, two minima complexes are found, one with a σ-hole pnicogen bond and the other one with a π-hole tetrel bond in most complexes but two σ-hole pnicogen bonded complexes are obtained for F₂C=CFZH₂ and NH₃. They have similar stability though F₂C=CFSbH₂ engages in a much stronger σ-hole pnicogen bond with NMe₃. The –PF₂ substitution makes the π-hole on the terminal carbon form a tetrel bond with NH₃. A heavier –ZH₂ group engages in a stronger σ-hole pnicogen bond but results in a weaker π-hole tetrel bond. Other than electrostatic interaction, the stability of both complexes is attributed to the charge transfer from the N lone pair into the C–Z/H–Z anti-bonding orbital in the pnicogen bond and the C=C anti-bonding orbital in the tetrel bond.

The σ-hole pnicogen bonded and π-hole tetrel bonded complexes between F₂C=CFZH₂ (Z = P, As, and Sb) and two Lewis bases (NH₃ and NMe₃) have been compared. The results indicate that both interactions can compete, dependent on the nature of the N base.     

Modeling of variations of the peak F2 layer electron density and total electron content during the recovery period after the magnetic storm of April 15–20, 2002

The results of numerical modeling by using the global upper atmosphere model of the Earth (UAM) for reproducing the peak F2 layer electron density (N _m F2) and total electron content (TEC) during recovery period after the magnetic storm of the April 15–20, 2002 are discussed. According to the simulations, the time it takes to reach a stationary regime of N _m F2 and TEC diurnal variations is 24 hours, much shorter then the plasmasphere refilling time. The results are compared with the predictions of the IRI-2007 empirical model and GPS data on the TEC and found in good quantitative agreement for the latitudinal variations of N _m F2 and TEC for daytime conditions in the southern hemisphere. The worst agreement occurs in the region of the main ionospheric trough.     

Stability,electronic structure,and optical properties of lead-free perovskite monolayer Cs3B2X9(B=Sb,Bi;X=Cl,Br,I)and bilayer vertical heterostructure Cs3B2X9/Cs3B’2X9(B,B’=Sb,Bi;X=Cl,Br,I)

The lead-free perovskites Cs₃B₂X₉(B=Sb,Bi;X=Cl,Br,I)as the popular photoelectric materials have excellent optical properties with lower toxicity.In this study,we systematically investigate the stable monolayer Cs₃B₂X₉and bilayer vertical heterostructure Cs₃B₂X₉/Cs3B02X9(B,B0=Sb,Bi;X=Cl,Br,I)via first-principles simulations.By exploring the electrical structures and band edge positions,we find the band gap reduction and the band type transition in the heterostructure Cs₃B₂X₉/Cs3B02X9 due to the charge transfer between layers.Furthermore,the results of optical properties reveal light absorption from the visible light to UV region,especially monolayer Cs3Sb2I9 and heterostructure Cs3Sb2I9/Cs3Bi2I9,which have absorption peaks in the visible light region,leading to the possibility of photocatalytic water splitting.These results provide insights for more two-dimensional semiconductors applied in the optoelectronic and photocatalytic fields.     

Structures and bonding of C2X2Y q (X=Si,Ge,Sn,Pb; Y=C,Si,Ge,Sn,Pb; q = +1,0,−1): π-type templates for planar tetracoordinate heavier group 14 atoms

Contrasting the big family of the planar tetracoordinate carbon (ptC), species featuring the planar tetracoordinate heavier group element M (ptM) have been largely limited. Effective structural frameworks to accommodate such ptM centres are thus highly desired. In the present article, we report an extensive computational study on 60 pentatomic systems C₂X₂Y^q (X=Si,Ge,Sn,Pb; Y=C,Si,Ge,Sn,Pb; q = +1,0,?1) covering both the low and high spin states. Up to 34 systems were shown to have the very low-lying singlet planar tetracoordinate heavier group 14 (ptM with M=Si,Ge,Sn,Pb) structures bearing the 19 (q = +1), 20 (q = 0) and 21 (q = ?1) valence electrons (ve). Structural and bonding analysis confirmed the effectiveness of the inherent π-type ligand skeleton XCCX or XCCY that each have several sets of π-bonding orbitals to stabilise the ptM centre. The structural and bonding motifs of these ptMs differ greatly from the classic ptMs, which have the σ-type ligand skeleton, smaller number of valence electrons (≤18ve), and the centre → ligand π-delocalisation.     

Structures and stabilities of CBHz (z ≤ 8) and CxB3-xHz (x = 1, 2, z ≤ 14): prediction of novel organo-boron radicals

Hydrogenated boron-carbon clusters, i.e. organo-borons, have received considerable attention both theoretically and experimentally. Herein, using a topology searching strategy, we systematically explore the structures and stabilities of small organo-borons with CBH_z (z ≤ 8) and C_xB_3-xH_z (x = 1, 2,z≤ 14) stoichiometry, with particular interests in the intrinsic stabilities of the organo-boron radicals. At the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVQZ//B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ and CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVQZ//MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ levels, the stabilities of these global minimum organo-boron species were evaluated by considering dissociation pathways and the binding energy per atom. Aside from the five already studied radicals (CBH₂, CBH₄, C₂BH₂, C₂BH₄ and CB₂H₃), we predict six novel radicals, i.e. CBH₆, C₂BH₆, C₂BH₈, CB₂H, CB₂H₅ and CB₂H₇, which could be detected under suitable circumstances. However, observation of the highly hydrogenated CB₂H₉ radical is much less likely due to its minute stability towards H-extrusion. The computationally determined stable/meta-stable maximum hydrogenation numbers for CB, C₂B and CB₂ (6, 8 and 8, respectively) are in excellent agreement with a simple electron-counting model for C_xB_y chains. The newly predicted organo-boron radicals await future laboratory verification.     

Potential energy curve study on the ^3Π electronic states of GaX （X=F,Cl, and Br） molecules

The potential energy curves （PECs） of the 3Π states of GaX （X=F, Cl, and Br） molecules are calculated using the multireference configuration interaction method with a large contracted basis set aug-cc-pV5Z. The PECs are accurately fitted to analytical potential energy functions （APEFs） using the Murrell–Sorbie potential function. The spectroscopic parameters for the states are determined using the obtained APEFs, and compared with the theoretical and experimental data available presently in the literature.     

Theoretical Studies of g Factors and Defect Structures for Cubic, Tetragonal, and Orthorhombic Fe^＋ Centers in Alkali Halides MX （M=Li, Na; X = F, C1）

The EPR 9 factors for cubic, tetragonal and orthorhombic Fe^＋ centers in alkali halides MX （M= Li, Na; X = F, CI） are calculated from second-order perturbation formulas of g factors based on cluster approach for 3d^7 ions in three symmetries. From calculations, the g factors of these Fe^＋ centers in MX crystals are reasonably explained and the defect structural data for the tetragonal and orthorhombic Fe^＋ centers are estimated. The results are discussed.     

Computational study of the cooperative effects between tetrel bond and halogen bond in XCN⋅⋅⋅F2CO⋅⋅⋅YCN complexes (X = H,F, Cl,Br; Y = F,Cl, Br)

ABSTRACT

Ab initio calculations have been accomplished to study the cooperativity between the halogen bond and tetrel bond in the XCN???F2CO???YCN (X = H, F, Cl, Br; Y = F, Cl, Br) complexes. F₂CO at the same time plays the role of Lewis acid with the π-hole on the C atom and Lewis base with the O atom to participate in the tetrel bond and in halogen bond, respectively. According to the geometry survey, the effect of a tetrel bond on a halogen bond is more pronounced than that of a halogen bond on a tetrel bond and the intermolecular distances in the triads are always smaller than the corresponding values in the dyads. In all cases, the halogen bond and tetrel bond in the termolecular complexes are stronger compared with those in the bimolecular complexes. So, from the intermolecular distances, interaction energies and many-body interactions demonstrate that there is positive cooperativity between the halogen bond and tetrel bond. The molecular electrostatic potential, atoms in molecules and natural bond orbital methodologies are used to analyse the nature of interactions of the complexes.     

Bottom-up substitution assembly of AuF4−n0,−+nPO3 (n = 1–4): a theoretical study of novel oxyfluoride hyperhalogen molecules and anions AuF4−n(PO3)n0,−

Compounds with high electron affinity, i.e. superhalogens, have continued to attract chemists’ attention, due to their potential importance in fundamental chemistry and materials science. It has now proven very effective to build up novel superhalogens with multi-positively charged centres, which are usually called ‘hyperhalogens’. Herein, using AuF₄^? and PO₃ as the model building blocks, we made the first attempt to design the Au,P-based hyperhalogen anions AuF_4?n(PO₃)_n^? (n = 1–4) at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d)&;SDD and CCSD(T)/6-311+G(d)&;SDD (single-point) levels (6-311+G(d) for O, F, P and SDD for Au). Notably, for all the considered Au,P systems, the ground state bears a dioxo-bonded structure with n ≤ 3, which is significantly more stable than the usually presumed mono-oxo-bonded one. Moreover, the clustering of the –PO₃ moieties becomes energetically favoured for n ≥ 3. The ground states of AuP₄O₁₂^0,? are the first reported cage-like oxide hyperhalogens. Thus, the ?PO₃ moiety cannot be retained during the ‘bottom-up’ assembly. The vertical detachment energy (VDE) value of the most stable AuF_4?n(PO₃)_n^? (n = 1–4) ranges from 7.16 to 8.20 eV, higher than the VDE values of the corresponding building blocks AuF₄^? (7.08 eV) and PO₃^? (4.69 eV). The adiabatic detachment energy values of these four hyperhalogens exceed 6.00 eV. Possible generation routes for AuF_4?n(PO₃)_n^? (n = 1–4) were discussed. The presently designed oxyfluorides not only enriches the family of hyperhalogens, but also demonstrates the great importance of considering the structural transformation during the superhalogen → hyperhalogen design such as for the present Au–P based systems.     

A comparative study of model halogen-bonded, π-hole-bonded and cationic complexes involving NCX AND H2O (X = F,Cl, Br)

A MP2/6-311+ +G(d,p) study of NCX (X = F, Cl, Br) has shown that it is possible to attach an electrophile (H⁺, Be²⁺) to the positive halogen X surface of NCX. The stability and properties of model halogen-bonded and π-hole carbon-bonded NCX/H₂O complexes were found to be significantly affected by H⁺ or Be²⁺ cationic attachment at the N atom. The halogen-bonded complexes are destabilised by binding at the N, while an attached proton enhances the binding in the π-hole bonded dimers. For the attached Be²⁺, an unusual complex was obtained with the NCF subunit, whereas the complexes containing Cl and Br were destabilised by the interaction.     

Computational study of non-covalent interactions in oxirane…XF complexes (X = H,F, Cl,Br, Li) and their F-/Li-substituted analogues

A computational study found oxirane^…XF (X = H, Cl, Br, F, Li) dimers to be energetically stable, with their interaction energies increasing with the magnitude of the XF dipole moment in the order XF = LiF > BrF ～ HF > ClF > F₂. Their relative stabilities roughly correlate with the amount of charge transferred from the lone pairs on the O atom of oxirane to the antibonding σ* orbital of XF. However, the most strongly bound dimer, oxirane^…LiF, is stabilised by the largest dipole but involves the smallest charge transfer. The variation in the strength of the oxirane^…XF interaction was subsequently investigated by the sequential substitution of the protons on oxirane by either electron-donating Li or electron-withdrawing F atoms.     

Prediction and characterisation of a chalcogen···π interaction with acetylene as a potential electron donor in XHS···HCCH and XHSe···HCCH (X = F,Cl, Br,CN, OH,OCH3, NH2, CH3) σ-hole complexes

It is well-known that many covalently bonded atoms of group VI have specific positive regions of electrostatic potential (σ-holes) through which they can interact with Lewis bases. This interaction is called ‘chalcogen bond’ by analogy with halogen bond and hydrogen bond. In this study, ab initio calculations are performed to predict and characterise chalcogen···π interactions in XHS···HCCH and XHSe···HCCH complexes, where X = F, Cl, Br, CN, OH, OCH₃, NH₂, CH₃. For the complexes studied here, XHS(Se) and HCCH are treated as a Lewis acid and a Lewis base, respectively. The CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ interaction energies of this type of σ-hole bonding range from ?1.18 to ?4.83 kcal/mol. The calculated interaction energies tend to increase in magnitude with increasing positive electrostatic potential on the extension of X–S(Se) bond. The stability of chalcogen···π complexes is attributed mainly to electrostatic and correlation effects. The nature of chalcogen···π interactions is unveiled by means of the atoms in molecules, natural bond orbital, and electron localisation function analyses.