Ab initio molecular orbital study of Fe2Cl6 and FeAlCl6

Ab initio molecular orbital theory was used to determine the equilibrium structure and vibrational frequencies of Fe₂Cl₆ and FeAlCl₆. The equilibrium structure the Fe₂Cl₆ dimer has D_2h symmetry with a planar arrangement of the four membered {FeCl_brFeCl_br} ring, similar to the Al₂Cl₆ dimer. The calculated bond distances and vibrational frequencies are in good agreement with experiment. The potential energy surface for the puckering of the {FeCl_brFeCl_br} ring is extremely flat. This prevents an unambiguous assignment of either D_2h or C_2v symmetry to the Fe₂Cl₆ structure in electron diffraction measurements. The FeAlCl₆ molecule is found to have a C_2v structure similar to Fe₂Cl₆ with vibrational frequencies in good agreement with experiment.     

Valency-bond studies of some conjugated hydrocarbons—II Pentalene, and some preliminary results on heptalene

Valency-bond studies of the still unknown molecule pentalene C₈H₆ in which the molecular symmetry may be either D_2h or C_2h show that a more stable molecule (lower ground state energy) is found for the lower symmetry, and that marked alternation of bond lengths occurs. The corresponding Penney-Dirac bond orders have been determined. Preliminary results for heptalene forecast a similar conclusion.     

Theoretical study on the aromaticity of the bimetallic clusters X2M2 (X=Si, Ge, M=Al, Ga)

Four neutral bimetallic clusters X₂M₂ (X=Si, Ge, M=Al, Ga) are investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and post-HF methods. The calculated results show that each of four X₂M₂ species has two energetically close stable isomers with rhombic structure (D_2h symmetry) and trapezoidal structure (C_2v symmetry) respectively. For the Ge₂Al₂ species the rhombic (D_2h) isomer is the ground state, whereas for other three species Ge₂Ga₂, Si₂Al₂, and Si₂Ga₂, the trapezoidal (C_2v) isomers are the ground states. The calculated magnetic susceptibility anisotropy (χ_anis) and nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) indicate that a strong diatropic ring current exists in the two heterocyclic planar isomers, suggesting they are highly aromatic. A detailed molecular orbital analysis further reveals that both heterocyclic isomers possess multiple aromaticity derived from one delocalized π MOs and two delocalized σ MOs.     

Big macrocyclic assemblies of carboranes (big MACs): synthesis and crystal structure of a macrocyclic assembly of four carboranes containing alternate ortho- and meta-carborane icosahedra linked by para-phenylene units

The macrocyclic compound, [1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀-1,4-C₆H₄-1,7-C₂B₁₀H₁₀-1,4-C₆H₄]₂ (5)—a novel cyclooctaphane, was prepared by condensation of the C,C′-dicopper(I) derivative of meta-carborane with 1,2-bis(4-iodophenyl)-ortho-carborane. The X-ray crystal structure of 5·C₆H₆·6C₆H₁₂ was determined at 150 K, revealing an extremely loose packing mode. Molecule 5 has a crystallographic C_s and local C_2v symmetry; the macrocycle adopts a butterfly (dihedral angle 143°) conformation with the ortho-carborane units at the wingtips and the phenylene ring planes roughly perpendicular to the wing planes. Multinuclear NMR spectra suggest that molecule 5 in solution inverts rapidly via the planar D_2h geometry, which (from ab initio HF/6-31G* calculations) is only 1 kcal mol⁻¹ higher in energy than the C_2v one. An attempt to prepare an even larger macrocycle, comprising three para-carborane and three ortho-carborane units linked by six para-phenylene units, was unsuccessful.     

Relative energies of isomers of C36F2

The symmetry unrestricted C₃₆F₂ isomers formed from fullerene C₃₆, the initial symmetry of which is C_6v, C_6h, or D_2d, have been extensively studied with semi-empirical (AM1 and PM3) calculations. Based on the relationship between the isomer's stability and the adding positions, three patterns of the adding sites of F₂ moiety in the additive reactions have been deducted. The results of the π-orbital axis vector (POAV) analysis indicate that the chemical reactivity of C₃₆ is the result of the high strain in the C₃₆ cage. But, in order to form stable compounds, the effects, which guide the F₂ moiety to select carbon atoms in the C₃₆ cage, are dominated by the conjugate effect in C₃₆F₂ system rather than the strain release in the C₃₆ cage.     

Vibrational spectra of σ-allylmanganese pentacarbonyl

The vibrational spectra of σ-(C₃H₅)Mn(CO)₅ are reported. Assignment of bands is made and carbonyl force constants are calculated. The results indicate that the Mn(CO)₅ moiety has C_4ν symmetry. The calculated angle between the axial and equatorial carbonyl groups is approximately 95°. The bonding in this compound is very similar to that in (CH₃)Mn(CO)₅.

In the far-infrared region, seven bands are expected in C_4ν symmetry (3A₁ + 4E), and all are observed.     

The geometry, vibrational frequencies, thermochemistry, quadrupole moments and electronic structure of C2Na2: Comparison with C2Li2, C2H2, C2F2 and C2Cl2

The electronic structure of Na₂C₂ is studied using ab initio electronic structure methods and is compared to the companion molecule Li₂C₂. Both the linear D_∞h and planar structures are minima on the ground state potential surface with the planar D_2h conformation being the lowest energy form, similar to Li₂C₂. At the CCSD(t) level the planar form is more stable that the linear by 11.2 kcal/mol as compared with 7.34 kcal/mol for Li₂C₂. Both molecules are significantly ionic. The vibrational frequencies, atomization energy at 0 K, D₀, and the standard enthalpy of formation, are calculated and compared to those of Li₂C₂ as well as HCCH, FCCF and ClCCCl. We find D₀ and to be 331.1 and 84.92 kcal/mol for Li₂C₂ and 298.3 and 93.25 kcal/mol for Na₂C₂. We calibrate these by calculating the same quantities for HCCH, FCCF and ClCCCl.     

The molecular structure of beryllocene, (C5H5)2Be. A reinvestigation by gas phase electron diffraction

The electron scattering pattern of gaseous dicyclopentadienylberyllium, Cp₂Be, has been recorded from s = 2.00 to 39.00 Å⁻¹ with a nozzle temperature of about 120°C. Molecular models of D_5d symmetry or models containing one π-bonded and one σ-bonded Cp ring are not compatible with the data. The possibility the gaseous Cp₂Be consists fo a mixture D_5d and π-Cp, σ-Cp conformers is considered and rejected. A model of C_5v symmetry can be brought into satisfactory agreement with the data. It is also found that a slip sandwich model obtained from the C_5v model by moving sideways the ring which is at the greatest distance from Be, while keeping the two rings essentially parallel is compatible with the electron diffraction data. The best fit between experimental and calculated intensity curves is obtained with a model with a sideways slip of 0.8(1) Å. This model is similar to that indicated by the X-ray diffraction investigations by Wong and coworkers [4,5]. It is suggested that the potential energy of the molecule does not change much as the magnitude of the slip changes and that the molecule thus undergoes large amplitude vibration.     

Dnd点群的几点释疑

Point group in crystallography is one of the important subjects in structural chemistry.Some topics are very difficult to understand.To name a few, why does point group of D_2d belong to tetragonal? Why are D_4d and D_6d not included in 32 kinds of crystallographic point groups? The two questions are easy to answer if we understand the following topic:for the D_nd point group, when n is odd, it contains an I_n symmetry axis; when n is even, it contains an I_2n symmetry axis.In this work, graphic method and matrix method are adopted to clarify why the D_nd point group includes an S_2n axis, and thus give explanations that D_2d belongs to tetragonal as well as D_4d and D_6d are not included in 32 kinds of crystallographic point groups.     

2, 5-二氟苯酚分子之旋转异构物的质量分辨阈值电离光谱

利用共振双光子电离(R²PI)技术和质量分辨阈值电离(MATI)技术来研究2, 5-二氟苯酚分子。实验所测得的顺式、反式2, 5-二氟苯酚分子电子激发能E₁分别为36448和36743 cm^-1,绝热电离能分别为71164和71476 cm^-1。这两个顺反转动同素异构分子在电子激发S₁态与离子D₀态活性振动主要是由于面内环变形和与取代基相关的弯曲振动。分析2, 5-二氟苯酚分子的振动光谱、D₀态离子光谱以及理论计算均表明这两个转动异构体在D₀态的几何构型与S₁态的中性几何构型相当相似。     

Structural characterization of cyclopentadienyl(duroquinone)cobalt dihydrate

The structure of cyclopentadienyl(duroquinone)cobalt dihydrate, (C₅H₅)Co-[(CH₃)₄C₆O₂]·2H₂O, has been determined by three-dimensional X-ray analysis. The crystal structure consists of discrete cyclopentadienyl(duroquinone)cobalt molecules linked together by a complex network of hydrogen bonds between water molecules and duroquinone oxygen atoms. Each (C₅H₅)Co[(CH₃)₄C₆O₂] molecule consists of a cobalt atom sandwiched between a cyclopentadienyl ring and a duroquinone ring. A detailed comparison of the molecular parameters of this complex with those of closely related complexes is given. Crystallographic evidence that the metal---duroquinone interaction in cyclopentadienyl(duroquinone)cobalt dihydrate is considerably stronger than that in the electronically-equivalent 1,5-cyclooctadiene(duroquinone)nickel complex is given not only by the metal---C(olefin) distances being 0.12 Å (av) shorter in the duroquinone---cobalt complex [viz., 2.104(8) Å vs. 2.222(7) Å] but also by the much greater C_2v-type distortion of the duroquinone ring from the planar D_2h configuration in free duroquinone. The compound crystallizes with two formula species in a triclinic unit cell of symmetry P and reduced cell dimensions á = 8.60 Å, b = 9.00 Å, c = 10.15 Å, = 87° 34′, β = 84° 10′, γ = 73° 44′. Least-squares refinement yielded final unweighted and weighted discrepancy factors of R₁ = 10.8% and R₂ = 12.0%, respectively, for 2481 independent diffraction maxima collected photographically.     

Density functional theory analysis of CaRgn complexes: (Rg=He, Ne, Ar; n=1–4)

CaRg_n⁺ (Rg=He, Ne, Ar) complexes with n=1–4, are investigated by performing using the B3LYP/6-311+G (3df) density functional theory calculations. The CaHe_n⁺ (n=1–4) complexes are found to be stable. In the case of CaNe_n⁺ and CaAr_n⁺, stable structures and stationary point were found only for n=1 and 2. For n=3 in the C_3V and the D_3h point group as well as for n=4 in the T_d (tetrahedral) point group a saddle point (imaginary frequency) is observed and global minimum could be obtained along the potential energy surface.     

Molecular vibrations of complexes with trigonal ligands : VI: Tetrammines with a square-planar-skeleton- the infrared spectrum of [Cu(NH3)4]

A vibrational analysis is performed for [Cu(NH₃)₄]²⁺, which has a square-planar frame work structure. Two versions of symmetry coordinates are produced assuming the C_4V and C_4h structures, respectively. The IR spectrum of [Cu(¹⁵NH₃)₄]²⁺ was recorded, and the observed frequencies used as supplementary data in a normal coordinate analysis along with data available for other isotopic compounds. An approximate force field which reproduces satisfactorily the observed frequencies for all the isotopic compounds is developed. The force constants may be classified as pertaining to the (a) ligand vibrations, (b) ligand-framework couplings and (c) framework vibrations. These calculations for the whole complex are compared with (i) results for free NH₃, (ii) the analysis of the XY₄ (D_4h) point-mass model and (iii) calculations for the pyramidal-axial CuNH₃ (C_3V) fragment. It is concluded that the effects of kinematic coupling are small. The validity of the point-mass model approximation is confirmed.     

A “vertex electron pair” scheme (VEPS) for describing the skeletal electron distribution in borane-type clusters

A predominantly localized electron pair scheme is outlined for describing the electron distribution and bonding in closo borane anions B_nH_n²⁻ and related electron deficient deltahedral clusters, in which a skeletal electron pair is assigned to each vertex, one pair being regarded as delocalized just inside the roughly spherical surface on which the skeletal atoms lie. The scheme gives a clearer picture of the electron distribution than is conveyed by resonating 2- and 3-centre bonds in the polyhedron edges and faces, and allows the bond orders of the polyhedron edge links to be calculated readily. The consequence of formal removal of BH²⁺ units from closo species B_nH_n²⁻ to generate nido species B_n−1H_n−1⁴⁻ and arachno species B_n−2H_n−2⁶⁻ is explored, and seen to allow rationalization of two features of such deltahedral-fragment clusters: (i) why a high-connectivity vertex is left vacant and (ii) why the frontier orbitals of such species concentrate electronic charge around their open faces. Moreover, in the case of D_4‘h B₄H₄⁶⁻ (cf. C₄H₄²⁻) and D_5h B₅H₅⁶⁻ (cf. C₅H₅⁻), the approach leads directly to the familiar picture for aromatic ring systems in which the highest filled, doubly degenerate π-bonding molecular orbital concentrates electronic charge in rings above and below the polygon on which the skeletal nuclei lie. It also leads to the expectation that arachno clusters with non-adjacent vacant vertices will be more stable than those with adjacent vacant vertices.     

Titan—sticksoff-verbindungen XXIX. Kristall- und molekülstruktur spicocyclischer amide von titan und zirkonium mit dem liganden meSi(N-t-Bu)2

The compounds M[(N-t-Bu)₂SiMe₂]₂ (I M = Ti; II, M = Zr) were prepared by treatment of dilithiated Me₂Si(NH-t-Bu)₂ with TiCl₄ and ZrCl₄, respectively. Crystals of I and II belong to the space groups P2₁2₁2₁ and C2/c, respectively. The spirocyclic molecules possess approximate D_2d symmetry with planar MN₂Si rings. Important ring dimensions are d(MN) 1.890(4)/2.053(2) » (I/II). d(SiN) 1.742(10)/1.753(2) », angle NMN 83.4(2)/77.9(1)° and angle NSiN 92.4(2)/94.8(1)°.     

Gas-phase stability of cluster ions SF m + (SF6) n with m = 0–5 and n = 1–3

The gas-phase stabilities of cluster ions SF⁺_m (SF₆)_n with m = 0−5 were determined by using a high pressure mass spectrometer. The bond energies of SF⁺_m (SF₆)₁ were found to be less than 10 kcal/mol and to decrease with m = 0 → 5. There appear to be rather large gaps in the bond energies between n = 1 and 2 for the clusters SF⁺_m (SF₆)_n with m = 0−4. The structures of SF⁺₅, SF⁺ (SF₆)₁, SF⁺₃ (SF₆)₁, and SF⁺₅ (SF₆)₁ were investigated by ab initio molecular orbital calculations. For SF⁺₅, the D_3h geometry is found to be most stable andC_4v is a transition state of the Berry pseudorotation. For the ion-molecule complexes, the “on-top hat” models were found to be the most stable structures.     

Guest and host deuterium effects of the large ZFS parameters D of dimethylbenzaldehydes in durene single crystals

The ZFS parameters D of 2,4-, 2,5- and 3,4-dimethylbenzaldehyde-1h₁ and -1d₁ guests in perhydrogenated and perdeuterated durene single crystals are determined by comparing the experimental and calculated resonance curves. It is found that the deuterium substitution of the guest aldehydic group in a given host leads to the decrease of the D values and to the increase of the energy gaps ΔE_T between the zero-point levels of the ³nπ* and ³ππ* states of the guests. On the other hand, the perdeuteration of the host results in the decrease of ΔE_T with a corresponding increase of the D value of a given guest. The D value of 1 cm⁻¹ determined for 2,5-dimethylbenzaldehyde-1h₁ in perdeuterated durene is the lategest ever found for an aromatic carbonyl compound. Correlations between D and ΔE_T indicate that the ZFS parameters D of the guests are determined by contributions from both spin-spin and spin-orbit interactions between the ³nπ* and ³ππ* states. The large guest and host deuterium effects observed on the D values are attributed to the changes of the gaps ΔE_T of the guests.     

Cis- and trans-3-hexene: infrared spectrum in liquid argon solution, ab initio calculations of equilibrium geometry, normal coordinate analysis, and vibrational assignments

The infrared spectra of cis-3-hexene and trans-3-hexene dissolved in liquid argon have been obtained at temperatures from 93 to 120 K. The absorptions were observed with a low-temperature cell and a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer. Ab initio molecular orbital calculations were performed to obtain the equilibrium geometry, vibrational frequencies, force fields, and infrared intensities. The calculations were done at the Hartree-Fock level using 6-31G basis set. The Cartesian force fields from ab initio calculations have been converted to the force field in symmetry coordinates. The scale factors of ab initio calculated force fields were determined. Normal coordinate calculations were performed using a scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) force field. Vibrational normal modes calculated for the lowest energy rotamers of cis- and trans-3-hexene have been assigned to infrared absorption bands observed in liquid argon solution. The assignments were based on calculated frequencies and potential energy distributions. The equilibrium geometries of the two lowest energy rotamers (symmetry C₂ and C_s) of cis-3-hexene and of the three lowest energy rotamers (symmetry C_i, C₂, and C₁) of trans-3-hexene were calculated. Variable temperature studies of the infrared spectrum of cis- and trans-3-hexenes dissolved in liquid argon were done to obtain the ΔH of conversion between the rotamers C₂ and C_s of cis-3-hexene and between the rotamers C_i, C₂, and C₁ of trans-3-hexene.     

EPR and ESEEM study of the plastoquinone anion radical QA in photosystem II treated at high pH

The effect of treatment at pH = 11 on the photosystem II was studied by EPR and electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM). The magnetic interaction between the semiquinone Q_A^−. and the non-heme Fe²⁺ (S = 2) was absent. ESEEM showed that the Q_A^−. interacts magnetically with two ¹⁴N nuclei. The first interaction has a hyperfine coupling tensor (A_XX, A_YY, A_ZZ)=(2.0, 1.7, 2.3 MHz) and nuclear quadrupole interaction parameters e²qQ/h=3.24 MHz and η = 0.45 while those of the second are (A_XX, A_YY, A_ZZ)=(1.2, 1.5, 2.3 MHz), e²qQ/h = 1.56 MHz and η = 0.71. These are assigned to an amide nitrogen of the peptide backbone and the amino nitrogen of an imidazole respectively. By analogy to the bacterial reaction centre, these nitrogens are attributed to the Ala 261 and His 215 of the D2 protein. It was shown earlier that the imidazole coupling is absent in cyanide-treated PSII, its presence here is attributed to a difference in the position of the imidazole group itself.     

Polarized infrared and Raman spectra of a CsHSO4 single crystal

The polarized absorption infrared (IR) and polarized Raman spectra of a CsHSO₄ single crystal at room temperature are presented and discussed in relation to the X-ray crystal structure. Breakdown of the selection rules for the X-ray determined C_2h factor group is observed. The vibrational factor group appears to be C₂. This implies C₁ site symmetry for the SO²⁻₄ ions. The polarization features of the HSO⁻₄ ion vibrations are predicted assuming that the longest S---OH bond vibrates independently of the SO₃ group vibrations. The ABC structure of the IR and Raman band arising from the νOH stretching vibration is explained on the basis of Fermi resonance.