Electron Transfer Processes at Aryl‐Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

The effect of a layer of electrochemically grafted 4‐diazo‐N,N‐diethylaniline (DEA) groups on the electron transfer kinetics of redox systems, displaying fast and slow heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants at edge and basal planes of carbon, was investigated. The properties of the modified electrode were characterized by cyclic voltammetry using four different inorganic redox systems (Fe(CN) , Co(phen) , Ru(NH₃) , and IrCl in acidic, neutral, and basic media. Two distinct blocking behaviors and electrostatic effects were observed. More precisely, a strong blocking effect of the grafted layer on Fe(CN) and Co(phen) was found, whereas Ru(NH₃) and IrCl showed to be rather unaffected by the presence of the DEA grafted layer.     

Density functional study of electronic,bonding, and vibrational properties of Ca (NH2BH3)2

We present structural, electronic, bonding and vibrational properties of new type hydrogen storage material calcium amidoborane ${\rm Ca}({\rm NH}_{2}{\rm BH}_{3})_{2}$ by first principles density functional theory using plane wave pseudopotential method. The calculated ground state properties are in good agreement with experiments. The computed Bulk modulus of ${\rm Ca}({\rm NH}_{2}{\rm BH}_{3})_{2}$ is found to be 28.7 GPa which is slightly higher than that of ${\rm NH}_{3}{\rm BH}_{3}$ indicating that the material is hard over ${\rm NH}_{3}{\rm BH}_{3}$ . From the band structure calculations, the compound is found to be a direct band gap insulator with a band gap of 3.27 eV at the Γ point. The calculated bandstructure shows that the top of the valance band is from the p states of N and the bottom of the conduction band is from d states of Ca. The Mulliken bond populations, Born effective charges and charge density distributions are used to analyze the bonding nature of the compound. It is found that the N‐H and B‐H bonds are covalent in nature. Further we also compared the phonon density of states and vibrational frequencies of ${\rm Ca}({\rm NH}_{2}{\rm BH}_{3})_{2}$ with ${\rm NH}_{3}{\rm BH}_{3}$ . The study reveals that in both the cases the heavier mass atoms Ca, N, B are involved in the low frequency vibrations whereas the higher frequency vibrations are from H atoms. It is also observed that the vibrational frequencies of B‐H bonds are soft in ${\rm Ca}({\rm NH}_{2}{\rm BH}_{3})_{2}$ when compared to ${\rm NH}_{3}{\rm BH}_{3}$ and thereby concluded that ${\rm Ca}({\rm NH}_{2}{\rm BH}_{3})_{2}$ is a potential hydrogen storage material for fuel cell applications when compared to ${\rm NH}_{3}{\rm BH}_{3}$ . © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

$^{1}_{\infty}\rm [Ho_{2}Cl_{6}\{1,3-Ph(CN)_{2}\}_{3}]$ – Eine zu Doppelsträngen kondensierte Variante der PaCl5‐Struktur in einem Selten‐Erd‐Benzodinitril‐Koordinationspolymer

– A Variant of the PaCl₅ Structure Condensed to Double Strands in a Rare Earth Benzodinitrile Coordination Polymer Single crystalline transparent pink (1,3‐Ph(CN)₂ = 1,3‐benzodinitrile, C₆H₄(CN)₂) was obtained by the reaction of anhydrous holmium trichloride with a melt of 1,3‐benzodinitrile at 175 °C. The trichloride structure is broken up by the dinitrile ligands and re‐arranged to double strands of edge connected pentagonal bipyramids of chlorine and nitrogen atoms. The structure can be deduced from the PaCl₅ structure type by condensation of two PaCl₅ strands and exchange of two chlorine atoms with nitrile groups. The double strands exhibit ligand free cavities of 600–800 pm diameter.     

1H, 13C and 15N nuclear magnetic resonance coordination shifts in Au(III), Pd(II) and Pt(II) chloride complexes with phenylpyridines

¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N nuclear magnetic resonance studies of gold(III), palladium(II) and platinum(II) chloride complexes with phenylpyridines (PPY: 4‐phenylpyridine, 4ppy; 3‐phenylpyridine, 3ppy; and 2‐phenylpyridine, 2ppy) having the general formulae [Au(PPY)Cl₃], trans‐/cis‐[Pd(PPY)₂Cl₂] and trans‐/cis‐[Pt(PPY)₂Cl₂] were performed and the respective chemical shifts (δ, δ and δ) reported. ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N coordination shifts (i.e. differences between chemical shifts of the same atom in the complex and ligand molecules: , , ) were discussed in relation to the type of the central atom (Au(III), Pd(II) and Pt(II)), geometry (trans‐/cis‐) and the position of a phenyl group in the pyridine ring system. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Manganese(II) Coordination Polymers [{Mn(tren)}(As2Se4)] and [{Mn(tren)}(As4Se7)] with Infinite Selenidoarsenate(III) Chains $^{1}_{\infty}\rm [AsSe_{2}^{-}]$ and $^{1}_{\infty}\rm [As_{4}Se_{7}^{2-}]$

Solvothermal reaction of [MnCl₂(tren)] with elemental As and Se at 1:1:2 and 1:6:12 molar ratios in H₂O/tren (10:1) affords the 1D coordination polymers [{Mn(tren)}(As₂Se₄)] ( 1 ) and [{Mn(tren)}(As₄Se₇)] ( 2 ), respectively. 1 contains vierer infinite chains, which coordinate [(tren)Mn]²⁺ fragments through every second terminal Se atom of their corner‐sharing pyramidal AsSe₃ building units. The double chains of compound 2 are related to the chains 1 by a simple rearrangement of the connectivity pattern between the participating AsSe₃ pyramids and contain condensed centrosymmetric As₈Se₈ and As₄Se₄ rings.     

Studies on the Chemistry of Tetraamminezinc(II) Dipermanganate ([Zn(NH3)4](MnO4)2): Low‐Temperature Synthesis of the Manganese Zinc Oxide (ZnMn2O4) Catalyst Precursor

Tetraamminezinc(II) dipermanganate ([Zn(NH₃)₄](MnO₄)₂; 1 ) was prepared, and its structure was elucidated with XRD‐Rietveld‐refinement and vibrational‐spectroscopy methods. Compound 1 has a cubic lattice consisting of a 3D H‐bound network built from blocks formed by four MnO anions and four [Zn(NH₃)₄]²⁺ cations. The other four MnO anions are located in a crystallographically different environment, namely in the cavities formed by the attachment of the building blocks. A low‐temperature quasi‐intramolecular redox reaction producing NH₄NO₃ and amorphous ZnMn₂O₄ could be established occurring even at 100°. Due to H‐bonds between the [Zn(NH₃)₄]²⁺ cation and the MnO anion, a redox reaction took place between the NH₃ and the anion; thus, thermal deammoniation of compound 1 cannot be used to prepare [Zn(NH₃)₂](MnO₄)₂ (contrary to the behavior of the analogous perrhenate (ReO ) complex). In solution‐phase deammoniation, a temperature‐dependent hydrolysis process leading to the formation of Zn(OH)₂ and NH₄MnO₄ was observed. Refluxing 1 in toluene offering the heat convecting medium, followed by the removal of NH₄NO₃ by washing with H₂O, proved to be an easy and convenient technique for the synthesis of the amorphous ZnMn₂O₄.     

On the 4JHH long‐range coupling in 2‐bromocyclohexanone: conformational insights

2‐Bromocyclohexanone is a model compound in which a ⁴J_{H2, H6} coupling constant is observed, whereas the corresponding ⁴J_{H2, H4} is absent. The observed long‐range coupling is not only a result of the known W‐type coupling, in the axial conformation, but also because of the less usual diaxial spin–spin coupling in the equatorial conformer. The carbonyl group plays a determining role in describing the coupling pathway, as concluded by natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis; although the and interactions in the axial conformer contribute for transmitting the spin information associated with the W‐type coupling, the strong and hyperconjugations in the equatorial conformer define an enhanced coupling pathway for ⁴J_{H2, H6}, despite the inhibition of this coupling because of interaction and the large carbonyl angle. These findings provide the experimental evidence that orbital interactions contribute for the conformational isomerism of 2‐bromocyclohexanone. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Unprecedented Electron‐Poor Octahedral Ta6 Clusters in a Solid‐State Compound: Synthesis,Characterisations and Theoretical Investigations of Cs2BaTa6Br15O3

The crystal structure of Cs₂BaTa₆Br₁₅O₃ has been elucidated by using synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction and absorption experiments. It is built from edge‐bridged octahedral [(Ta₆${{\rm Br}{{{\rm i}\hfill \atop 9\hfill}}}$ ${{\rm O}{{{\rm i}\hfill \atop 3\hfill}}}$ )${{\rm Br}{{{\rm a}\hfill \atop 6\hfill}}}$ ]^4? cluster units with a singular poor metallic electron (ME) count equal to thirteen. This leads to a paramagnetic behaviour related to one unpaired electron. The arrangement of the Ta₆ clusters is similar to that of Cs₂LaTa₆Br₁₅O₃ exhibiting 14‐MEs per [(Ta₆${{\rm Br}{{{\rm i}\hfill \atop 9\hfill}}}$ ${{\rm O}{{{\rm i}\hfill \atop 3\hfill}}}$ )${{\rm Br}{{{\rm a}\hfill \atop 6\hfill}}}$ ]^5? motif. The poorer electron‐count cluster presents longer metal–metal distances as foreseen according to the electronic structure of edge‐bridged hexanuclear cluster. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on molecular models were used to rationalise the structural properties of 13‐ and 14‐ME clusters. Periodic DFT calculations demonstrate that the electronic structure of these solid‐state compounds is related to those of the discrete octahedral units. Oxygen–barium interactions seem to prevent the geometry of the octahedral cluster to strongly distort, allowing stabilisation of this unprecedented electron‐poor Ta₆ cluster in the solid state.     

The adsorption of CO2, H2CO3, HCO3− and CO32− on Cu2O (111) surface: First‐principles study

The adsorption of CO₂, and its derivatives, H₂CO₃, HCO, and CO, on Cu₂O (111) surface has been investigated by first‐principles calculations based on the density functional theory at B3LYP hybrid functional level. The Cu₂O (111) surface has been modeled using an embedded cluster method,in which the quantum clusters plus some ab initio ion model potentials were inserted in an array of point charges. On the surface, H₂CO₃ was dissociated into an H⁺ and an HCO ion. Among the CO₂ species, HCO was the only activated species on the surface. The results suggest that the reduction of CO₂ on Cu₂O (111) surface can start from the form of HCO. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Understanding,Controlling and Programming Cooperativity in Self‐Assembled Polynuclear Complexes in Solution

Deviations from statistical binding, that is cooperativity, in self‐assembled polynuclear complexes partly result from intermetallic interactions ΔE^M,M, whose magnitudes in solution depend on a balance between electrostatic repulsion and solvation energies. These two factors have been reconciled in a simple point‐charge model, which suggests severe and counter‐intuitive deviations from predictions based solely on the Coulomb law when considering the variation of ΔE^M,M with metallic charge and intermetallic separation in linear polynuclear helicates. To demonstrate this intriguing behaviour, the ten microscopic interactions that define the thermodynamic formation constants of some twenty‐nine homometallic and heterometallic polynuclear triple‐stranded helicates obtained from the coordination of the segmental ligands L1 – L11 with Zn²⁺ (a spherical d‐block cation) and Lu³⁺ (a spherical 4f‐block cation), have been extracted by using the site binding model. As predicted, but in contrast with the simplistic coulombic approach, the apparent intramolecular intermetallic interactions in solution are found to be i) more repulsive at long distance ( > ), ii) of larger magnitude when Zn²⁺ replaces Lu³⁺ ( > ) and iii) attractive between two triply charged cations held at some specific distance ( <0). The consequences of these trends are discussed for the design of polynuclear complexes in solution.     

Guanidinium Alkynesulfonates with Single‐Layer Stacking Motif: Interlayer Hydrogen Bonding Between Sulfonate Anions Changes the Orientation of the Organosulfonate R Group from “Alternate Side” to “Same Side”

Hydrolyses of HC?CSO₃SiMe₃ ( 1 ) and CH₃C?CSO₃SiMe₃ ( 2 ) lead to the formation of acetylenic sulfonic acids HC?CSO₃H?2.33 H₂O ( 3 ) and CH₃C?CSO₃H?1.88 H₂O ( 4 ). These acids were reacted with guanidinium carbonate to yield [⁺C(NH₂)₃][HC?CSO₃^?] ( 5 ) and [⁺C(NH₂)₃][CH₃C?CSO₃^?] ( 6 ). Compounds 1 – 6 were characterized by spectroscopic methods, and the X‐ray crystal structures of the guanidinium salts were determined. The X‐ray results of 5 show that the guanidinium cations and organosulfonate anions associate into 1D ribbons through ${{\rm R}{{2\hfill \atop 2\hfill}}}$ (8) dimer interactions, whereas association of these ions in 6 is achieved through ${{\rm R}{{2\hfill \atop 2\hfill}}}$ (8) and ${{\rm R}{{1\hfill \atop 2\hfill}}}$ (6) interactions. The ribbons in 5 associate into 2D sheets through ${{\rm R}{{2\hfill \atop 2\hfill}}}$ (8) dimer interactions and ${{\rm R}{{3\hfill \atop 6\hfill}}}$ (12) rings, whereas those in 6 are connected through ${{\rm R}{{1\hfill \atop 2\hfill}}}$ (6) and ${{\rm R}{{2\hfill \atop 2\hfill}}}$ (8) dimer interactions and ${{\rm R}{{4\hfill \atop 6\hfill}}}$ (14) rings. Compound 6 exhibits a single‐layer stacking motif similar to that found in guanidinium alkane‐ and arenesulfonates, that is, the alkynyl groups alternate orientation from one ribbon to the next. The stacking motif in 5 is also single‐layer, but due to interlayer hydrogen bonding between sulfonate anions, the alkynyl groups of each sheet all point to the same side of the sheet.     

$^{2}_{\infty}\rm [Tb(Tz\ast)_{3}]$, A Homoleptic 2‐Dimensional Framework from a Solvent Free Synthesis of Terbium Metal with 1H‐1,2,3‐Triazole

Single crystalline , (Tz*)^– = 1,2,3‐triazolate anion, C₂H₂N₃^–, was obtained by the reaction of terbium metal with the amine 1H‐1,2,3‐triazole. As no additional solvent was used, the formation of a homoleptic framework without additional co‐ligands is accessible. Furthermore molecular hydrogen is produced. is a 2‐dimensional framework with a (6,6) topology including (Tz*)^– double bridges. The structure can be deduced from a basic structure type as it adopts the AlCl₃ structure with the triazolate ligands establishing the package. (Tz*)^– thus function as μ‐η¹:η²/μ‐η²:η¹ linkers between trivalent terbium ions that have a C.N. of nine. The framework exhibits an exceptional thermal stability up to 380 °C considering the three neighbouring nitrogen atoms of the triazolate ligands. At this point the framework decomposes in one single exothermic step under release of N₂.     

Formation of Diverse Mesophases Templated by a Diprotic Anionic Surfactant

The synthesis system for mesophase formation, using the diprotic anionic surfactant N‐myristoyl‐L ‐glutamic acid (C₁₄GluA) as the structure‐directing agent (SDA) and N‐trimethoxylsilylpropyl‐N,N,N‐trimethylammonium chloride (TMAPS) as the co‐structure‐directing agent (CSDA), has been investigated and a full‐scaled synthesis‐field diagram is presented. In this system we have obtained mesophases including three‐dimensional (3D) micellar cubic Fm m, Pm n, Fd m, micellar tetragonal P4₂/mnm, two‐dimensional (2D) hexagonal p6mm and bicontinuous cubic Pn m, by varying the C₁₄GluA/NaOH/TMAPS composition ratios. From the diagram it can be concluded that the mesophase formation is affected to a high degree by the organic/inorganic‐interface curvature and the mesocage–mesocage electrostatic interaction. Bicontinuous cubic and 2D‐hexagonal phases were found in the low organic/inorganic‐interface curvature zones, whereas micellar cubic and tetragonal mesophases were found in the high organic/inorganic‐interface curvature zones. Formation of cubic Fm m and tetragonal P4₂/mnm was favoured in highly alkaline zones with strong mesocage–mesocage interactions, and formation of cubic Pm n and Fd m was favoured with moderate mesocage–mesocage interactions in the less alkaline zones of the diagram.     

The natural abundance of 15N in plant and soil‐available N indicates a shift of main plant N resources to NO from NH along the N leaching gradient

To investigate which of ammonium (NH) or nitrate (NO) is used by plants at gradient sites with different nitrogen (N) availability, we measured the natural abundance of ¹⁵N in foliage and soil extractable N. Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa Endlicher) planted broadly in Japan was selected for use in this study. We estimated the source proportion of foliar N (NH vs. NO) quantitatively using mass balance equations. The results showed that C. obtusa used mainly NH in N‐limited forests, although the dependence of C. obtusa on NO was greater in other NO‐rich forests. We regarded dissolved organic N (DON) as a potential N source because a previous study demonstrated that C. obtusa can take up glycine. Thus we added DON to our mass balance equations and calculated the source proportion using an isotope‐mixing model (IsoSource model). The results still showed a positive correlation between the calculated plant N proportion of NO and the NO pool size in the soil, indicating that high NO availability increases the reliance of C. obtusa on NO. Our data suggest the shift of the N source for C. obtusa from NH to NO according to the relative availability of NO. They also show the potential of the foliar δ¹⁵N of C. obtusa as an indicator of the N status in forest ecosystems with the help of the δ¹⁵N values of soil inorganic and organic N. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Stereo Multiblock Poly(lactic acid)s with Different Block Lengths by Melt Polycondensation of Poly(L‐lactic acid)/Poly(D‐lactic acid) Blends

Stereo multiblock PLAs with different block lengths are synthesized by melt polycondensation of low‐molecular‐weight poly(L ‐lactic acid)/poly(D ‐lactic acid) blends with a wide variety of $\overline {M} _{{\rm w}} $ in the range of 1.1–5.2 × 10³ g · mol^–1. The average block length (ν_av) of the stereo multiblock PLAs increases with increasing $\overline {M} _{{\rm w}} $ of the blend and with the reaction temperature, whereas $\overline {M} _{{\rm w}} $ and PDI of the stereo multiblock PLAs increases with increasing $\overline {M} _{{\rm w}} $ of the blend, the reaction time, and the temperature. Stereo multiblock PLAs with ν_av > 7 are crystallizable to form stereocomplex crystallites, and the crystallinity and melting temperature of the stereo multiblock PLAs increases with increasing ν_av and $\overline {M} _{{\rm w}} $ of the stereo multiblock PLAs.

     

A Novel Sensor Based on Layer‐by‐Layer Hybridized Phosphomolybdate and Poly(ferrocenylsilane) on a Cysteamine Modified Gold Electrode

A novel sensor have been constructed by layer‐by‐layer hybridizing phosphomolybdate (POM) and poly(ferrocenylsilane) (PFS) on a cysteamine modified gold electrode. The properties and performance of the sensor have been measured by electrochemistry and atomic force microscopy in detail. The results showed that the constructed multilayers modified gold electrode combined the properties of POM and PFS, and exhibited good electrocatalytic ability to a series of inorganic ions, including BrO , IO , NO , Fe³⁺, ascorbic acid and SO . The well catalytic activity of the sensor was ascribed to the porous structure of hybrid POM‐PFS multilayer. The resulted sensor exhibited extremely fast amperometric response, low detection limit, high selectivity and wide linear range to these analyses.     

Polysulfide Chemistry in Sodium–Sulfur Batteries and Related Systems— A Computational Study by G3X(MP2) and PCM Calculations

The sodium–sulfur (NAS) battery is a candidate for energy storage and load leveling in power systems, by using the reversible reduction of elemental sulfur by sodium metal to give a liquid mixture of polysulfides (Na₂S_n) at approximately 320 °C. We investigated a large number of reactions possibly occurring in such sodium polysulfide melts by using density functional calculations at the G3X(MP2)/B3LYP/6‐31+G(2df,p) level of theory including polarizable continuum model (PCM) corrections for two polarizable phases, to obtain geometric and, for the first time, thermodynamic data for the liquid sodium–sulfur system. Novel reaction sequences for the electrochemical reduction of elemental sulfur are proposed on the basis of their Gibbs reaction energies. We suggest that the primary reduction product of S₈ is the radical anion ${{\rm S}{{{{\bullet}}- \hfill \atop 8\hfill}}}$ , which decomposes at the operating temperature of NAS batteries exergonically to the radicals ${{\rm S}{{{{\bullet}}- \hfill \atop 2\hfill}}}$ and ${{\rm S}{{{{\bullet}}- \hfill \atop 3\hfill}}}$ together with the neutral species S₆ and S₅, respectively. In addition, ${{\rm S}{{{{\bullet}}- \hfill \atop 8\hfill}}}$ is predicted to disproportionate exergonically to S₈ and ${{\rm S}{{2- \hfill \atop 8\hfill}}}$ followed by the dissociation of the latter into two ${{\rm S}{{{{\bullet}}- \hfill \atop 4\hfill}}}$ radical ions. By recombination reactions of these radicals various polysulfide dianions can in principle be formed. However, polysulfide dianions larger than ${{\rm S}{{2- \hfill \atop 4\hfill}}}$ are thermally unstable at 320 °C and smaller dianions as well as radical monoanions dominate in Na₂S_n (n=2–5) melts instead. The reverse reactions are predicted to take place when the NAS battery is charged. We show that ion pairs of the types ${{\rm NaS}{{{{\bullet}}\hfill \atop 2\hfill}}}$ , ${{\rm NaS}{{- \hfill \atop n\hfill}}}$ , and Na₂S_n can be expected at least for n=2 and 3 in NAS batteries, but are unlikely in aqueous sodium polysulfide except at high concentrations. The structures of such radicals and anions with up to nine sulfur atoms are reported, because they are predicted to play a key role in the electrochemical reduction process. A large number of isomerization, disproportionation, and sulfurization reactions of polysulfide mono‐ and dianions have been investigated in the gas phase and in a polarizable continuum, and numerous reaction enthalpies as well as Gibbs energies are reported.     

Autocatalytic oxidation of β‐alanine by peroxomonosulfate in the presence of copper(II) ion

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of β‐alanine by peroxomonosulfate (PMS) in the presence of Cu(II) ion at pH 4.2 (acetic acid/sodium acetate) has been studied. Autocatalysis was observed only in the presence of copper(II) ion, and this was explained due to the formation of hydroperoxide intermediate. The rate constant for the catalyzed (k) and uncatalyzed (k) reaction has been calculated. The kinetic data obtained reveal that both the reactions are first order with respect to [PMS]. k values initially increase with the increase in [β‐alanine] and reach a limiting value, but k values decrease with the increase in [β‐alanine]. k values increase linearly with the increase in [Cu(II)], whereas k values increase with [Cu(II)]². Furthermore, k values are independent of [acetate], but k values decrease with the increase in acetate. A suitable mechanism has been proposed to explain the experimental observation. The reaction has been studied at different temperatures, and the activation parameters are calculated. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 40: 44–49, 2008     

A New Quantum Chemical Approach to the Magnetic Properties of Oligonuclear Transition‐Metal Complexes: Application to a Model for the Tetranuclear Manganese Cluster of Photosystem II

Broken‐symmetry DFT calculations on transition‐metal clusters with more than two centers allow the hyperfine coupling constants to be extracted. Application of the proposed theoretical scheme to a tetranuclear manganese complex that models the S₂ state of the oxygen‐evolving complex of photosystem II yields hyperfine parameters that can be directly compared with experimental data. The picture shows the metal–oxo core of the model and the following parameters; exchange coupling constant J_ij, the expectation value of the site‐spin operator , and the isotropic hyperfine coupling parameters.

     

Bound‐states of diatomic molecules in the Dirac equation with the q‐deformed Morse potential

We present the solutions of the ro‐vibrational motion of a diatomic molecule with a spatially dependent mass by solving the Dirac equation with position‐dependent mass for repulsive vector $V(r)$ and attractive scalar $S(r)$ q‐deformed Morse potential for any $\kappa$ value, within the framework of Pekeris approximation of the spin‐orbitcoupling term. The relativistic energy spectra are obtained using theNikiforov‐Uvarov method and the two‐component spinor wavefunctions are obtained in terms of the Laguerre polynomials. It is found that there exist only negative energy states for bound states, and the energy values for a fixed value of $n_r$ increase with decrease in $\kappa$ . © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012