Quantum chemical topology at the spin–orbit configuration interaction level: Application to astatine compounds

We report a methodology that allows the investigation of the consequences of the spin–orbit coupling by means of the QTAIM and ELF topological analyses performed on top of relativistic and multiconfigurational wave functions. In practice, it relies on the “state-specific” natural orbitals (NOs; expressed in a Cartesian Gaussian-type orbital basis) and their occupation numbers (ONs) for the quantum state of interest, arising from a spin–orbit configuration interaction calculation. The ground states of astatine diatomic molecules (AtX with X = At F) and trihalide anions (IAtI⁻ , BrAtBr⁻ , and IAtBr⁻ ) are studied, at exact two-component relativistic coupled cluster geometries, revealing unusual topological properties as well as a significant role of the spin–orbit coupling on these. In essence, the presented methodology can also be applied to the ground and/or excited states of any compound, with controlled validity up to including elements with active 5d, 6p, and/or 5f shells, and potential limitations starting with active 6d, 7p, and/or 6f shells bearing strong spin–orbit couplings.     

Effect of pressure on spin–orbit interaction in a quantum wire with V-shaped cross section

In the present work, we have considered a GaAs/Ga_1−xAl_xAs V-shaped quantum wire with a hydrogenic donor impurity at the center. First, the Schrödinger equation is analytically solved without the impurity. Second, we have used variational approximation to obtain the ground state binding energy. Third, the spin–orbit interaction (SOI) is studied by the perturbation theory. We also have investigated the effect of pressure on the binding energy and SOI in this quantum wire. According to the obtained results, it is found that i) the binding energy increases with increasing pressure, ii) the level splitting increases by increasing pressure, iii) the splitting decreases with increasing wire size.     

Uses of tensor-induced spin–orbit splitting to locate spherical doubly-magic SHE

Using optimized iso-scalar and iso-vector tensor coupling constants in Skyrme Hartree–Fock calculation which reproduces the splitting of spin–orbit partners 1f_7/2–1f_5/2 in ^40,48Ca and ⁵⁶Ni, the evolution of shells in the nuclear chart have been studied through developments in spin–orbit splitting. Signatures for all the magic numbers have been generated without any exception. The procedure when extended to superheavy region indicates the element with Z = 114 and N = 184 to be a doubly-magic spherical nucleus.     

The effect of molecular distortions on spin–orbit coupling in simple hydrocarbons

Recent work [D.N.S. Parker et al., Chem. Phys. Lett. 469 (2009) 43–49] has found intersystem crossing (ISC) on an ultrafast timescale in electronically excited benzene, a surprise as hydrocarbons generally have small spin–orbit coupling. In this paper, the effect of molecular distortions on spin–orbit coupling (SOC) is calculated for cyclobutadiene and benzene. At equilibrium the SOC in both molecules is negligible, and therefore terms arising from molecular distortions must play a significant role in any fast ISC. We show that out-of-plane C–H bends, which leads to the hybridisation of σ and π orbitals, are responsible for the most significant effect. The S₁/S₀ conical intersection is an important feature for understanding the photochemistry of these molecules. We examine the SOC along the vector from the Franck–Condon point to the lowest energy point on the crossing seam and discuss the potential importance of the SOC to the ultrafast dynamics.     

Ab initio calculations for the potential curves and spin–orbit coupling of Mg2

 The ground state and several low-lying excited states of the Mg₂ dimer have been studied by means of a combination of the complete-active-space multiconfiguration self-consistent-field (CASSCF)/CAS multireference second-order perturbation theory (CASPT2) method and coupled-cluster with single and double excitations and perturbative contribution of connected triple excitations [CCSD(T)] scheme. Reasonably good agreement with experiment has been obtained for the CCSD(T) ground-state potential curve but the dissociation energy of the only experimentally known A¹Σ _u ⁺ excited state of Mg₂ is somewhat overestimated at the CASSCF/CASPT2 level. The spectroscopic constants D _e, R _e and ω_e deduced from the calculated potential curves for other states are also reported. In addition, some spin–orbit matrix elements between the excited singlet and triplet states of Mg₂ have been evaluated as a function of internuclear separation. Received: 10 May 2001 / Accepted: 15 August 2001 / Published online: 30 October 2001     

Vibronic spin—orbit coupling in the phosphorescence of 4-hydroxypyridine

A phosphorescence emission and polarization study of 4-hydroxypyridine has been performed in EPA and in alkaline EPA. In contrast to the lack of luminescence from pyridine, 4-hydroxypyridine phosphoresces with φ_p = 0.40 (77°K) in EPA and τ_p = 0.27 sec. The 00 band of phosphorescence in EPA is clearly resolved at 29,940 cm⁻¹ and is out of plane polarized. An out of plane vibronic perturbation is evident in the polarization curve and is believed to arise from second order effects involving vibronic spin—orbit coupling. The out of plane vibration contributes in plane polarization outside the 00 band. The positive polarization of the 00 band in alkaline EPA is attributed to the inversion of two close lying perpendicularly polarized singlet states. No phosphorescence was observed in methylcyclohexane. The lowest triplet is assigned as π,π*³.     

Relativity and the Jahn–Teller,Berry pseudorotations of TBP clusters: group theory,spin–orbit and combinatorial nuclear spin statistics of TBP Desargues–Levi isomerization graph

Jahn–Teller and Berry pseudorotations in transition metal and main group clusters such as Hf₅, Ta₅, W₅ and Bi₅ are interesting because of the competition between relativistic effects and pseudorotations. Topological representations of various isomerization pathways arising from the Berry pseudorotation of pentamers constitute the edges of the Desargues–Levi graph. We have computed the combinatorics for multinomial colorings of the vertices, edges and 10-faces of the Desargues–Levi isomerization graph for all irreducible representations and the nuclear spin statistics of spin-7/2 ¹⁸¹Ta₅ as well as the TBP composite cluster particles. Topological insights into Jahn–Teller and Berry pseudorotations and relativistic effects are provided.     

Intermolecular spin–spin coupling constants between P atoms

This paper reports the study by NMR spectroscopy and ab initio methods of the structure of 3,4-dimethyl-1-cyanophosphole and its dimer. The dimer presents a P···P interaction of the pnictogen type due to the presence of σ-holes. NMR of the monomer was recorded in CDCl₃ solution while NMR of the dimer corresponds to the solid state (CPMAS) experiments. The ^2pJ_PP spin–spin coupling constant has not been measured, but calculated at the B3LYP level. AIM, NBO and ELF methodologies have been used to describe the electronic structure of the dimer.     

Magnetic field effects due to spin—orbit coupling in transient intermediates

The effects of anisotropic spin—orbit coupling on the radical yield and CIDEP in chemical reactions of short-lived triplet intermediate are treated in the density matrix formalism. Analytical expressions for the magnetic field effect (MFE) on the lifetime of the triplet precursor and electron spin polarization are obtained in terms of the molecular parameters, reorientational correlation time, and magnetic field strength.     

Full configuration interaction calculation for π-electron spectra of polycyclic hydrocarbons

We discuss some characteristics of full configuration interaction calculations for the -electron spectra of polycyclic hydrocarbons.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 28, Nos. 5–6, pp. 479–482, September–December, 1992.     

Complete configuration interaction and π-shell structure in 10-center conjugated systems

An exact -electron calculation is presented for the ground singlet and lowest triplet states in naphthalene, azulene, and linear and cyclic decapentaene.Kharkov University. Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya, Vola 27, No. 4, pp. 452–455, July–August 1991. Original article submitted January 14, 1991.     

Tetra-hydrides of the third-row transition elements: spin–orbit coupling effects on geometrical deformation in WH4 and OsH4

The dissociation energies of MH₄ (M =  La, Hf–Hg) were computed using full optimized reaction space (FORS) multi-configuration self-consistent field (MCSCF) and second-order multi-reference Møller–Plesset perturbation methods with the SBKJC basis sets augmented by a set of polarization functions (SBKJC(f,p)). It was shown that of the molecules examined, only four tetra-hydrides HfH₄, TaH₄, WH₄, and OsH₄ with T_d symmetry are lower in energy than the corresponding dissociation limits. For WH₄ and OsH₄, the potential energy surfaces from the D_4h to the T_d structure were explored from both theoretical calculations and symmetry arguments based on the pseudo-Jahn- Teller effect. As for WH₄, it is found that the ground state could be ³E_g, ³A_2g, or ³B_2g at the D_4h structure. The present calculations suggest that the ground state is ³E_g, and that this state is stabilized by the e_u deformation into a C_2v structure (³B₁) and then sequentially to the most stable T_d structure (³A₂). If the molecular system is promoted to the lowest ³B_2g state, the D_4h structure can directly deform into the most stable T_d structure along the b_2u vibrational mode. For OsH₄, the ground state (⁵B_1g) at the D_4h structure deforms into a D_2d structure and the resulting ⁵B₂ state strongly interacts with the lowest ³E and ¹A₁ states due to the spin-orbit couplings (SOCs). As a result, it was shown that the relativistic potential energy of the lowest spin-mixed state (ground state) monotonically decreases along the D_2d deformation path from the D_4h to the T_d structure.     

The error due to neglecting the core spin–orbit splitting in valence ZORA calculations with frozen core approximation and its elimination

In valence zeroth-order regular approximation (ZORA) calculations with frozen core approximation, when the basis set optimized to the related scalar relativistic ZORA calculations is used, neglecting the core spin–orbit splitting may result in additional basis set truncation errors. It is found that the error is negligible for most elements except the 6p-block elements. When the basis set is extended by a p-type STO function put on the 6p element atoms with the ζ value proper to 5p_1/2 orbitals, the error can be reduced to be negligible. The calculated atomic properties related to valence orbitals can be improved greatly by use of this extended basis set. The frozen core approximation calculations of some molecules containing Tl, Pb and Bi with closed shells show that neglecting the core spin–orbit splitting only slightly affects the calculated bond lengths and bond energies, and the calculated molecular property can also be improved slightly by use of the extended basis sets.     

Calculations of the indirect nuclear spin–spin coupling constants of PbH4

We report ab initio calculations of the indirect nuclear spin–spin coupling constants of PbH₄ using a basis set which was specially optimized for correlated calculations of spin–spin coupling constants. All nonrelativistic contributions and the most important part of the spin–orbit correction were evaluated at the level of the random phase approximation. Electron correlation corrections to the coupling constants were calculated with the multiconfigurational linear-response method using extended complete and restricted active space wavefunctions as well as with the second-order polarization propagator approximation and the second-order polarization propagator approximation with coupled-cluster singles and doubles amplitudes. The effects of nuclear motion were investigated by calculating the coupling constants as a function of the totally symmetric stretching coordinate. We find that the Fermi contact term dominates the Pb‐H coupling, whereas for the H‐H coupling it is not more important than the orbital paramagnetic and diamagnetic contributions. Correlation affects mainly the Fermi contact term. Its contribution to the one-bond coupling constant is reduced by correlation, independent of the method used; however, the different correlated methods give ambiguous results for the Fermi contact contribution to the H‐H couplings. The dependence of both coupling constants on the Pb‐H bond length is dominated by the change in the Fermi contact term. The geometry dependence is, however, overestimated in the random phase approximation. Received: 16 November 1998 / Accepted: 30 March 1999 / Published online: 14 July 1999     

The optimum contraction of basis sets for calculating spin–spin coupling constants

The previously proposed pcJ-n basis sets, optimized for calculating indirect nuclear spin–spin coupling constants using density functional methods, are re-evaluated for finding the optimum contraction scheme as a compromise between computational efficiency and minimizing contraction errors. An exhaustive search is performed for the H₂, F₂ and P₂ molecules, and candidates for optimum contraction schemes are evaluated for a larger test set of 21 molecules. Using the criterion that the contraction error should not exceed the basis set error relative to the basis set limit, the optimum contraction is defined for each basis set. The results show that it is difficult to contract basis sets for calculating spin–spin coupling constants to any significant degree without losing the inherent accuracy. The work provides guidelines for searching for optimum contraction schemes for other properties and/or at theoretical levels where a systematic search is impractical.     

Drug–tea polyphenol interaction

Propericiazine (PCZ) is an antipsychotic agent used for the treatment and the prevention of relapse of schizophrenia. We found that when an oral solution containing PCZ was mixed with a green tea drink, the residual content of PCZ was reduced by forming an insoluble complex between PCZ and tea polyphenol. In this study, the mechanism underlying the incompatibility of PCZ with green tea polyphenol (GTP) in the solution was clarified by isothermal titration microcalorimetry (ITC). Both solutions of 27.4 mM PCZ and 2.2 mM (?)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), which is a main ingredient of GTP, were mixed and then PCZ in the filtrate was reduced to approximately 60 %. According to measurement at 298 K by ITC, PCZ formed an insoluble complex with EGCg at an associate constant (K) of 4.75 × 10² M^?1 exothermically, ΔH = ?40.0 kJ mol^?1. When (?)-epicatechin gallate (ECg) was used as the GTP, PCZ interacted with ECg with K and ΔH values of 3.74 × 10² M^?1 and ?22.1 kJ mol^?1, respectively. On the other hand, little heat of the reaction between PCZ and (?)-epigallocatechin or (?)-epicatechin was observed. The results indicated that the main reason for this incompatibility was the formation of an insoluble complex by PCZ and a gallate-type GTP such as EGCg and ECg in the aqueous solution.     

Ab initio configuration interaction study on electronically excited 4-dimethylamino-4′-cyanostilbene

Ab initio configuration interaction calculations have been performed to examine the electronic structures of both trans-4-dimethylamino-4′-cyanostilbene (DCS) and four types of perpendicularly twisted DCSs, trans-DCS is predominantly excited into the S₁ state out of low-lying excited states. The S₁ state is an intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) state in which the dipole moment is about twice as large as that in S₀. The excited DCS at the 4-dimethylanilino twisted conformation, which becomes S₁ in polar solvents, has a very much larger dipole moment than that in S₁ to trans-DCS. This means that the geometrical structure of the twisted ICT (TICT) is the 4-dimethylanilino twisted form, not the dimethylamino twisted one which is well know from the TICT structure of 4-dimethylaminobenzonitrile. Received: 16 December 1998 / Accepted: 19 March 1999 / Published online: 9 September 1999     

Transition metal atoms grafted on the nanodiamonds surface: Identification and guest–host spin–spin interactions

This survey describes recent achievements in creating a new type of materials – nanodiamonds grafted with atoms of transition metals. Structural features of some selected chelate complexes studied by density functional theory, their scope and limitations as well as possible applications are discussed. Using the example of copper ions, their location relative to subsurface defects of detonation diamond is investigated by the method of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR).