Theoretical study of the O₂ interaction with a tetrahedral Al₄ cluster

Employing both multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) and density functional theory (DFT) methods, we have studied the interaction of O? with a tetrahedral Al? cluster in the total spin triplet state. For a parallel to the base approach of O? facing an apex of the pyramid, the O? adsorption is hindered by a barrier. Both the MRCI and the DFT calculations show that after a small barrier, there are two local energy minima: a shallow one just above the apex atom and another deeper one below the apex atom. The latter corresponds to dissociative O? adsorption. We discuss the implications of these findings for the understanding of O? adsorption on defect sites of Al surfaces.     

CHF3…H2O complex revisited: a matrix isolation and ab initio study

Structural Chemistry - The structural and spectroscopic features of the CHF3…H2O complex have been investigated using high-level ab initio calculations and IR matrix isolation spectroscopy....     

Formation of a vanillic Mannich base — theoretical study

One-pot anti-Mannich reaction of vanillin, aniline and cyclohexanone was successfully catalyzed by ionic liquid triethanolammonium chloroacetate, at room temperature. Yield of the obtained Mannich base was very good and excellent diastereoselectivity was achieved. Mechanism of the reaction was investigated using the density functional theory. The reaction started with a nucleophilic attack of aniline nitrogen at the carbonyl group of vanillin. The intermediate α-amino alcohol formed in this way was further subjected to protonation by the triethanolammonium ion yielding the imminium ion. Theoretically, the obtained imminium ion and the enol form of cyclohexanone can build the protonated Mannich base via the anti and syn pathways. The chloroacetic anion spontaneously abstracts the proton yielding the final product of the reaction anti 2-[1-(N-phenylamino)-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)]methylcyclohexanone (MB-H). The syn pathway requires lower activation energy but the anti pathway yields a thermodynamically more stable product, which implies that the examined Mannich reaction is thermodynamically controlled.     

Pyrazolium- and 1,2-cyclopentadiene-based ligands as σ-donors: a theoretical study of electronic structure and bonding

A high-level theoretical investigation of 1,2-cyclopentadiene (4) was performed using density functional theory and wave function methods. The results reveal that, in contrast to earlier assumptions, the ground state of this ephemeral "allene" is carbene-like with a small diradical component. Furthermore, the electronic structure and chemistry of 4 are found to parallel that of 1,2,4,6-cycloheptatetraene: both molecules possess a low-lying excited singlet state with a closed-shell carbenic structure, enabling rich coordination chemistry. Energy decomposition analyses conducted for currently unknown metal complexes of 4 as well as those involving stable carbenes based on the pyrazolium framework (aka "bent allenes" or remote N-heterocyclic carbenes) indicate that all investigated ligands form particularly strong metal-carbon bonds. Most notably, without exocyclic π-type substituents, 4 and pyrazolin-4-ylidenes are the strongest donor ligands examined, in large part because of the energy and shape of their highest occupied molecular orbital. As a whole, the current work opens a new chapter in the chemistry of 1,2-cyclopentadiene, which is hoped to spark renewed interest among experimentalists. In addition, results from the conducted bonding analyses underline that more emphasis should be placed on purely carbocyclic carbenes as unprecedented σ-donor strengths can be realized through this route.     

Co₃(2-OOCC₆H₄PO₃)₂(H₂O)₃·H₂O: a layered metal phosphonate showing reversible dehydration-rehydration behavior and ferrimagnetism

Two isostructural metal phosphonates M?(2-cpp)?(H?O)?·H?O [M(II) = Co (1), Zn (2), 2-cppH? = 2-carboxyphenylphosphonic acid] are synthesized and structurally characterized. Both exhibit layer structures in which -Co-O- "columns" are connected by the {PO?C} linkages. The "column" consists of triangular shaped {M?O?} trimers, inter-linked through either corner- or edge-sharing of the {MO?} octahedra. The phenyl groups are grafted on the two sides of the inorganic layer. Thermal analyses suggest that the layer structures of 1 and 2 are stable after removal of the lattice and coordination water. The dehydrated sample can be rehydrated reversibly in the case of compound 1. Magnetic studies reveal that antiferromagnetic interactions dominate in both 1 and 1-de, resulting in ferrimagnetic layers in both cases. The large inter-layer distance in 1 favors a ferromagnetic interaction between the layers. Hence ferrimagnetism is observed in both cases at low temperature. For 1-de, slow magnetization relaxation is also observed below ca. 2.8 K.     

AsS2Cl-an Arsenic(V) compound? Formation, stability and structure of gaseous AsSCl and AsS2Cl--a combined experimental and theoretical study

By reaction of solid As(4)S(4) with gaseous Cl(2) at a temperature of 410 K gaseous AsSCl and AsS(2)Cl are formed. Unexpectedly in AsS(2)Cl the arsenic is not of formal oxidation state +V but +III: the molecular structure of AsS(2)Cl is arranged as a 1-chloro-dithia-arsirane and comprises an hitherto unknown AsS(2) three-membered ring. Thermodynamic data on AsSCl and AsS(2)Cl are obtained by mass spectrometry (MS). The experimental data are extended and confirmed by ab initio quantum chemical calculations (QC). The following values are given: Δ(f)H(0)(298)(AsSCl) = -5.2 kJ mol(-1) (MS), Δ(f)H(0)(298)(AsSCl) = 1.7 kJ mol(-1) (QC), S(0)(298)(AsSCl) = 296.9 J K(-1) mol(-1) (QC) and c(p)(0)(T)(AsSCl) = 55.77 + 3.97 × 10(-3)T- 4.38 × 10(5)T(-2)- 1.83 × 10(-6)T(2) and Δ(f)H(0)(298)(AsS(2)Cl) = -39.0 kJ mol(-1) (MS), Δ(f)H(0)(298)(AsS(2)Cl) = -20.2 kJ mol(-1) (QC), S(0)(298)(AsS(2)Cl) = 321.3 J K(-1) mol(-1) (QC) and c(p)(0)(T)(AsS(2)Cl) = 80.05 + 5.09 × 10(-3)T- 7.61 × 10(5)T(-2)- 2.35 × 10(-6)T(2) (298.15 K < T < 1000 K) (QC). The ionization energies are determined (IP(AsSCl) = 10.5, IP(AsS(2)Cl) = 10.2 eV). The IR spectrum of AsSCl is detected by means of matrix isolation spectroscopy. The estimated force constant f(As=S) = 4.47 mdyn·?(-1) gives rise to an As=S double bond.     

Two-photon absorption properties of two-dimensional π-conjugated chromophores: combined experimental and theoretical study

The two-photon absorption (TPA) properties of four TPEB [tetrakis(phenylethynyl)benzene] derivatives (TD, para, ortho, and meta) with different donor/acceptor substitution patterns have been investigated experimentally by the femtosecond open-aperture Z-scan method and theoretically by the time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT) method. The four compounds show relatively large TPA cross sections, and the all-donor substituted species (TD) displays the largest TPA cross-section σ(2) = 520 ± 30 GM. On the basis of the calculated electronic structure, TD shows no TPA band in the lower energy region of the spectrum because the transition density is concentrated on particular transitions due to the high symmetry of the molecular structure. The centrosymmetric donor-acceptor TPEB para shows excitations resulting from transitions centered on D-π-D and A-π-A moieties, as well as transition between the D-π-D and A-π-A moieties; this accounts for the broad nature of the TPA bands for this compound. Calculations for two noncentrosymmetric TPEBs (ortho and meta) reveal that the diminished TPA intensities of higher-energy bands result from destructive interference between the dipolar and three-state terms. The molecular orbitals (MOs) of the TPEBs are derivable with linear combinations of the MOs of the two crossing BPEB [bis(phenylethynyl)benzene] derivatives. Overall, the characteristics of the experimental spectra are well-described based on the theoretical analysis.     

The structure of μ-oxo dimer of aluminium(III) porphyrin: a theoretical study

The gas-phase molecular structure of μ-oxo dimer of aluminium(III) porphyrin, (AlP)₂O, has been studied for the first time by density functional theory calculations using the B3LYP and M06 functionals and triple-ζ valence basis sets. The molecule has two conformers with equilibrium structures of D _4d and D _4h symmetries with parallel macrocycles and aluminium-oxygen distances of 1.680–1.684 Å (M06/cc-pVTZ). The aluminium atom lies out of the plane of the four central nitrogen atoms and forms a square-based pyramid with them, with the following parameters (M06/cc-pVTZ): r(Al–N) = 2.030–2.031 Å, r(N···N) = 2.803–2.804 Å (the side of the pyramid base), z(Al)–z(N) = 0.434–0.446 Å (the height of the pyramid).     

Formation of C4H4(•+) from the pyridine radical cation: a theoretical mechanistic and kinetic study

The potential energy surface (PES) for the formation of C(4)H(4)(?+) from the pyridine radical cation by loss of HCN was determined from quantum chemical calculations using the G3//B3LYP method. The complete reaction pathways for the formation of the low-energy C(4)H(4)(?+) isomers, radical cations of methylenecyclopropene (MCP(?+)), vinylacteylene (VA(?+)), cyclobutadiene, and butatriene were obtained. Based on the PESs, a Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus model calculation was performed to investigate the dissociation kinetics. The calculated dissociation rate constants agreed with the previous experimental data. It was predicted that a mixture of MCP(?+) and VA(?+) was formed by loss of HCN. The formation of MCP(?+) was more favored near the dissociation threshold and at high energies, whereas the formation of VA(?+) was more favored at the low energies corresponding to the ion lifetime of microseconds.     

Insights into the mechanism of O₂ formation and release from the Mn₄O₄L₆ "cubane" cluster

To probe photoinduced water oxidation catalyzed by the Mn?O?L? cubane clusters, we have computationally studied the mechanism and controlling factors of the O? formation from the [Mn?O?L?] catalyst, 6. It was demonstrated that dissociation of an L = H?PO?? ligand from 6 facilitates the direct O-O bond formation that proceeds with a 28.3 (33.4) kcal/mol rate-determining energy barrier at the transition state TS1. This step (the O-O single bond formation) of the reaction is a two-electron oxidation/reduction process, during which two oxo ligands are transformed into to μ2:η2-O?2? unit, and two ("distal") Mn centers are reduced from the 4+ to the 3+ oxidation state. Next two-electron oxidation/reduction occurs by "dancing" of the resulted O?2? fragment between the Mn1 and Mn2/Mn(2')-centers, keeping its strong coordination to the Mn(1')-center. As a result of this four-electron oxidation/reduction process Mn centers of the Mn?-core of I transform from {Mn1(III)-Mn(1')(III)-Mn2(IV)-Mn(2')(IV)} to {Mn1(II)-Mn(1')(II)-Mn2(III)-Mn(2')(III)} in IV. In other words, upon O? formation in cationic complex [Mn?O?L?](+), I, all four Mn-centers are reduced by one electron each. The overall reaction I → TS1 → II → III → TS2 → IV → TS3 → V → VI + O? is found to be exothermic by 15.4 (10.5) kcal/mol. We analyze the lowest spin states and geometries of all reactants, intermediates, transition states, and products of the targeted reaction.     

Synthesis, magnetic and photomagnetic study of new iron(II) spin-crossover complexes with N₄O₂ coordination sphere

A new family of neutral mononuclear iron(II) spin crossover (SCO) compounds, Fe(L1??)? (L1?? = N'-((pyridin-2-yl)methylene)benzohydrazide (HL1), N'-(1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene)-benzohydrazide (HL2), N'-(phenyl(pyridin-2-yl)methylene)benzohydrazide (HL3), 2-hydroxy-N'-((pyridin-2-yl)methylene)benzohydrazide (HL?), 2-hydroxy-N'-(1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene)benzohydrazide (HL?), 2-hydroxy-N'-(phenyl(pyridin-2-yl)methylene)benzohydrazide (HL?)) with N?O? donor sets have been synthesized from series tridentate Schiff base ligands with N,N,O donor sets. The investigation of magnetic properties of these compounds reveal that in the measured temperature range, compound 1 is in the high-spin (HS) state, and compound 3 and 6 are mainly in the low-spin (LS) state, whereas the other compounds exhibit various SCO properties: compound 2 undergoes a gradual incomplete SCO with characteristic temperature T(1/2) higher than 350 K; compound 4 exhibits a special stepwise thermally induced SCO occurring at ~150 K (smooth) and 200 K (two-steps, with T(S1↑/↓) = 204/202 K and T(S2↑/↓) = 227/219 K) with a mixture of the HS and LS states yielded below 100 K; compound 5 shows a gradual and complete LS?HS SCO with characteristic temperature T(1/2) = 273 K. All the three SCO compounds show the LIESST (light induced exited spin state trapping) effect with different levels of photoconversion. To thoroughly analyze these behaviours, M?ssbauer spectra and DSC of 4 and 5, crystal structures of all the compounds at 290 K and 5 in the LS state at 110 K were carried out, which confirmed the structural changes accompanying the spin transition. In addition, alkyl substitution effect on the ligand field was suggested for this system.     

Role of hydration in determining the structure and vibrational spectra of L-alanine and N-acetyl L-alanine N′-methylamide in aqueous solution: a combined theoretical and experimental approach

In this work we have utilized recent density functional theory Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics simulations to determine the first principles locations of the water molecules in the first solvation shell which are responsible for stabilizing the zwitterionic structure of L-alanine. Previous works have used chemical intuition or classical molecular dynamics simulations to position the water molecules. In addition, a complete shell of water molecules was not previously used, only the water molecules which were thought to be strongly interacting (H-bonded) with the zwitterionic species. In a previous work by Tajkhorshid et al. (J Phys Chem B 102:5899) the L-alanine zwitterion was stabilized by 4 water molecules, and a subsequent work by Frimand et al. (Chem Phys 255:165) the number was increased to 9 water molecules. Here we found that 20 water molecules are necessary to fully encapsulate the zwitterionic species when the molecule is embedded within a droplet of water, while 11 water molecules are necessary to encapsulate the polar region with the methyl group exposed to the surface, where it migrates during the MD simulation. Here we present our vibrational absorption, vibrational circular dichroism and Raman and Raman optical activity simulations, which we compare to the previous simulations and experimental results. In addition, we report new VA, VCD, Raman and ROA measurements for L-alanine in aqueous solution with the latest commercially available FTIR VA/VCD instrument (Biotools, Jupiter, FL, USA) and Raman/ROA instrument (Biotools). The signal to noise of the spectra of L-alanine measured with these new instruments is significantly better than the previously reported spectra. Finally we reinvestigate the causes for the stability of the P_π structure of the alanine dipeptide, also called N-acetyl-L-alanine N′-methylamide, in aqueous solution. Previously we utilized the B3LYP/6-31G* + Onsager continuum level of theory to investigate the stability of the NALANMA4WC Han et al. (J Phys Chem B 102:2587) Here we use the B3PW91 and B3LYP hybrid exchange correlation functionals, the aug-cc-pVDZ basis set and the PCM and CPCM (COSMO) continuum solvent models, in addition to the Onsager and no continuum solvent model. Here by the comparison of the VA, VCD, Raman and ROA spectra we can confirm the stability of the NALANMA4WC due to the strong hydrogen bonding between the four water molecules and the peptide polar groups. Hence we advocate the use of explicit water molecules and continuum solvent treatment for all future spectral simulations of amino acids, peptides and proteins in aqueous solution, as even the structure (conformer) present cannot always be found without this level of theory. Festschift in Honor of Philip J. Stephens’ 65th Birthday. During the proof stage of this article a very relevant article has been published by M. Losada and Y. Xu titled “Chirality transfer through hydrogen-bonding: Experimental and ab initio analyses of vibrational circular dichroism spectra of methyl lactate in water” in Phys Chem Chem Phys 2007, 9: 3127–3135. In that work they confirm that the effects of water are seen in the VCD spectra and hence it is fundamental to include explicit water molecules in modeling studies of the vibrational spectra of biomolecules in aqueous solution.     

Extended Fe₄ butterfly complexes: theoretical analysis of magnetic properties and magnetostructural maps

The inclusion of additional metal atoms in Fe? butterfly complexes drastically modifies their magnetic properties. Exchange interactions of a Fe?Y? complex have been calculated using theoretical methods based on density functional theory. The calculated values are in good agreement with experimental data showing that the change in the nature of bridging ligands induces a dramatic decrease of the antiferromagnetic wing-body interaction while the body-body interaction between the two central iron atoms is ferromagnetic. Finally, we propose a new tool to facilitate the understanding of the magnetic properties in polynuclear iron complexes. Magnetostructural maps allow us to correlate the calculated exchange coupling constants with metal-metal distances for the dinuclear or polynuclear iron complexes that we have studied.     

Hydration effects on the molecular structure of silica-supported vanadium oxide catalysts: A combined IR,Raman, UV–vis and EXAFS study

The effect of hydration on the molecular structure of silica-supported vanadium oxide catalysts with loadings of 1–16 wt.% V has been systematically investigated by infrared, Raman, UV–vis and EXAFS spectroscopy. IR and Raman spectra recorded during hydration revealed the formation of V–OH groups, characterized by a band at 3660 cm⁻¹. Hydroxylation was found to start instantaneously upon exposure to traces of water, reflecting a very high sensitivity of the supported vanadium oxide catalysts for H₂O. Further hydration resulted in the appearance of a V–O–V vibration band located around 700 cm⁻¹ pointing to the formation of di- or polymeric species. EXAFS analysis at 77 K indicated structural changes as the oxygen coordination changed from four to five. Moreover, a V⋯V contribution was detected for the hydrated species. The IR, Raman and UV–vis data suggested a pyramidal anchoring of the dehydrated VO_x species, whereas, the EXAFS data pointed to the presence of single V–O–Si bonded VO_x species. This difference is attributed to water condensation effects at 77 K during EXAFS acquisition, resulting in a partial re-hydroxylation of the dehydrated samples, as confirmed by complementary IR and Raman analysis. Combining the results of this study with data from our previous studies [D.E. Keller, F.M.F. de Groot, D.C. Koningsberger, B.M. Weckhuysen, J. Phys. Chem. B 109 (2005) 10223; D.E. Keller, D.C. Koningsberger, B.M. Weckhuysen, J. Phys. Chem. B 110 (2006) 14313] as well as literature led to a reaction scheme in which a monomeric VO_x species anchored by three Si–O–V bonds to the silica support (pyramidal-type structure) is transformed into a monomeric VO_x species anchored by one Si–O–V bond (umbrella-type structure) by partial hydration of the catalyst material. This results in the formation of both V–O–H and Si–O–H bonds. At higher water pressures, larger vanadium oxide clusters are formed due to full hydration of the catalyst surface and a de-attachment of the vanadium oxide from the support surface. The results of this study provide evidence, that an umbrella-type structure (i.e., Si–O–VO(OH)₂) could be present under catalytic conditions where H₂O is a reaction product (e.g., partial oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde and oxidative dehydrogenation of alkanes). In other words, both the pyramidal ((Si–O)₃–VO) and the umbrella (Si–O–VO(OH)₂) model can exist at a support surface, their relative ratio depending on the hydration degree of the catalyst material. This study also illustrates that a corroborative characterization requires the use of multiple spectroscopic techniques applied at the same samples under almost identical measuring conditions.     

Experimental and theoretical study on the structure and vibrational spectra of β-2-aminopyridinium dihydrogenphosphate

Experimental and theoretical vibrational spectra of β-2-aminopyridinium dihydrogenphosphate (β-2APDP) have been investigated. The FT-IR spectrum of β-2APDP was recorded in the region 4000-400 cm(-1). The optimized molecular structure and theoretical vibrational frequencies of β-2APDP have been investigated using ab initio Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional B3LYP method with 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The optimized geometric parameters (bond lengths and bond angles) and theoretical frequencies have been compared with the corresponding experimental data and it is found that they agree well with each other. All the assignments of the theoretical frequencies were performed by potential energy distributions using VEDA 4 program. Furthermore, the used scale factors were obtained from the ratio of the frequency values of the strongest peaks in the experimental and theoretical IR spectra. From the results it was concluded that the B3LYP method is superior to the HF method for the vibrational frequencies.     

Controlled rearrangement of lactam-tethered allenols with brominating reagents: a combined experimental and theoretical study on α- versus β-keto lactam formation

N-Bromosuccinimide (NBS) smoothly promotes the ring expansion of lactam-tethered allenols to efficiently afford cyclic α- or β-ketoamides with good yields and high chemo-, regio-, and diastereoselectivity, through controlled C-C bond cleavage of the β- or γ-lactam nucleus. Interestingly, in contrast to the rearrangement reactions of 2-azetidinone-tethered allenols, which lead to the corresponding tetramic acid derivatives (β-keto lactam adducts) as the sole products, the reactions of 2-indolinone-tethered allenols under similar conditions give quinoline-2,3-diones (α-keto lactam adducts) as the exclusive or major products. To rationalize the experimental observations, theoretical studies have been performed.     

Brønsted/Lewis acid synergy in dealuminated HY zeolite: a combined solid-state NMR and theoretical calculation study

The Br?nsted/Lewis acid synergy in dealuminated HY zeolite has been studied using solid-state NMR and density function theory (DFT) calculation. The 1H double quantum magic-angle spinning (DQ-MAS) NMR results have revealed, for the first time, the detailed spatial proximities of Lewis and Br?nsted acid sites. The results from 13C NMR of adsorbed acetone as well as DFT calculation demonstrated that the Br?nsted/Lewis acid synergy considerably enhanced the Br?nsted acid strength of dealuminated HY zeolite. Two types of Br?nsted acid sites (with enhanced acidity) in close proximity to extra-framework aluminum (EFAL) species were identified in the dealuminated HY zeolite. The NMR and DFT calculation results further revealed the detailed structures of EFAL species and the mechanism of Br?nsted/Lewis acid synergy. Extra-framework Al(OH)3 and Al(OH)2+ species in the supercage cage and Al(OH)2+ species in the sodalite cage are the preferred Lewis acid sites. Moreover, it is the coordination of the EFAL species to the oxygen atom nearest the framework aluminum that leads to the enhanced acidity of dealuminated HY zeolite though there is no direct interaction (such as the hydrogen-bonding) between the EFAL species and the Br?nsted acid sites. All these findings are expected to be important in understanding the roles of Lewis acid and its synergy with the Br?nsted acid in numerous zeolite-mediated hydrocarbon reactions.     

Coordination chemistry of N-heterocyclic stannylenes: a combined synthetic and Mössbauer spectroscopy study

The N-heterocyclic stannylenes (NHSns), [(Dipp) N(CH(2))(n)N(Dipp)S n] (Dipp = 2,6- (i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3); n = 2, 1; n = 3, 5) and [((t)Bu) N(CHMe)(2)N((t)Bu)S n] (10) are competent ligands toward a variety of transition metal centers, as seen in the complexes [W(CO)(5)·1] (2), [(OC)(4)Fe(μ-1)(2)Fe(CO)(4)] (3), [(OC)(4)Fe(μ-1)Fe(CO)(4)] (4), [Fe(CO)(4)·5](n) (6, n = 1 or 2), [(OC)(4)Fe(μ-5)Fe(CO)(4)] (7), [Ph(3)PPt(μ-1)(2)PtPPh(3)] (8), [Fe(CO)(4)·10] (11), and [(η(5)-C(5)H(5))(OC)(2)Mn·10] (12). X-ray crystallographic studies show that the NHSns are structurally largely unperturbed binding to the metal, but in contrast to the parent NHCs, NHSns often adopt a bridging position across dinuclear metal units. The balance between terminal and bridging positions for the stannylene is evidently closely balanced as shown by the observation of both monomers and dimers for 6 in the solid state and in solution. (119)Sn and (57)Fe Mo?ssbauer spectroscopy of the complexes shows the tin atoms in such complexes to be consistent with electron deficient Sn(II) centers.     

Complexes of α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrins with nitrophenols: A theoretical study of the structure and energy

Detailed quantum mechanical calculations of the interaction of cyclodextrin (α-, β-, and γ-CD) with 4-nitrophenol (I), 4-nitro-2,6-dimethylphenol (II), 4-nitro-3,5-dimethylphenol (III), and their anions (IVVI) with the formation of intercalation complexes are carried out for the first time. The calculations of the compounds are performed within the density functional theory by the hybrid Becke–Lee–Yang–Parr (B3LYP) method with LanL2DZ basis sets. For the α-CD+III and α-CD+VI complexes it is shown that a nitrophenol molecule of III and a nitrophenolate anion of VI are not contained in the α-CD torus, which agrees with the experimental equilibrium constants. It is found that the calculated equilibrium constants of the formation of guest–host complexes with phenolate anions are much larger than those of neutral molecules. The most stable CD complexes with nitrophenols and their anions should be expected for γ-CD. The β-CD complexes when the guest enters into the host cavity are formed only with compounds I, V, and VI.