Quantum dynamics of inelastic scattering with a moving grid

The time‐dependent discrete variable representation (TDDVR) of a wave function with grid points defined by the Hermite part of the Gauss–Hermite (G‐H) basis set introduces quantum corrections to classical mechanics. The grid points in this method follow classical trajectory and the approach converges to the exact quantum formulation with sufficient trajectories (TDDVR points) but just with a single grid point; only classical mechanics performs the dynamics. This newly formulated approach (developed for handling time‐dependent molecular quantum dynamics) has been explored to calculate vibrational transitions in the inelastic scattering processes. Traditional quantum mechanical results exhibit an excellent agreement with TDDVR profiles during the entire propagation when enough grid points are included in the quantum‐classical dynamics. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Kinetics of the “a” and “b” band emissions of mercury excimers with added gases

The kinetics of the “a” and “b” band emissions arising from the ¹Σ ← ³O_u and ¹Σ ← ³l_u transitions of the diatomic mercury molecule at λ_max ～ 4850 Å and 3350 Å, respectively, have been studied at low concentrations of mercury in the presence of N₂, C₂H₆, C₃H₈, and N₂O. Rate constant values have been obtained for the following reactions of the excimer molecule: Hg₂(³l_u) + N₂ → Hg₂(³O_u) + N₂ and Hg₂(³O_u) + RH → Hg₂(¹Σ) + RH, where RH = C₂H₆ or C₃H₈. From a consideration of the detailed kinetics of band emissions, it was also possible to derive rate constants for the quenching reactions of Hg(³P₀) atoms. These values are in reasonable agreement with those obtained previously from monitoring atom concentrations directly by 4047 Å absorbiometry.     

Random ethene/propene copolymerization from a catalyst system based on a “constrained geometry” half‐sandwich complex

Ethene/propene copolymerizations were performed in solution with a single centre catalyst system composed of a “constrained geometry” half‐sandwich organometallic complex {η¹: η⁵‐[(tert‐butylamido)dimethylsilyl](2,3,4,5‐tetramethyl‐1‐cyclopentadienyl)}titanium dichloride, and methylaluminoxane. The statistical treatment of polymerization data allowed to determine the reactivity ratios for ethene and propene: r_E = 1.35 ± 0.09, r_P = 0.82 ± 0.05, r_Er_P = 1.10 ± 0.14. This catalyst system promotes an almost random distribution of ethene and propene and gives rise to values of r_P and r_E very similar to each other.     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Three New Inorganic ＂Host-gues＂ Polyoxomolybdates

Since two interesting inorganic “host‐guest” polyoxomolybdates 1 and 2 have been reported previously, we have now succeeded in selectively isolating three new acetated “host‐guest” polyoxomolybdates 3–5, which considerably extend the range of structures in the cyclic polyoxomolybdate catalogue. 3 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P‐1 with a = 1.22235(1) nm, b = 1.52977(2) nm, c = 1.54022(1) nm, a = 113.746(1)°, β = 96.742(1)°, γ = 101.564(1)°, V = 2.51892(4) nm³, Z =1, D_c = 2.568 g. cm^?3. 4 and 5 crystallize in the monoclinic system: P2(1)/n, a = 1.08298(2) nm, b = 1.54029(1) nm, c = 2.78893(5) nm, β =94.2730(10)°, V = 4.63929(12) nm³, Z = 2 and D_c = 2.671 g. cm^?3 for 4, and C2/c, a =2.59907(8) nm, b = 1.65992(3) nm, c = 2.28473(7) nm, β‐93.4370(10)°, V = 9.8392(5) nm³, Z = 4 and D_c = 2.556 g. cm^?3 for 5. The structures of 3, 4 and 5 consist of 18‐membered “host‐guest” polyoxoanions [ Na (X)₂| ∈ |(μ_3‐OH)₄Mo^y₈Mo^VI₁₀52(μ₂‐CH₃COO)₂]^?(R+9 (X = CH₃COO^?for 3, DMF for 4 and H₂O for 5), which are connected via Na* ions or hydrogen bonds into infinite extended frameworks.     

On the “New possibility of chemical bonding”: Anti-resonance phenomena

A chemical bond in the absence of a local minimum in the potential surface has been obtained recently by Pollak, Manz, Meyer and Römelt for the I-HI complex. We associate this “new chemical bond” with Simon's proof that a discrete spectrum can be obtained even for a quantum Hamiltonian for which the volume |(P, q)|P² + V(q) ? El is infinite and therefore an infinite number of classical trajectories lead to dissociation (an “anti-resonance” phenomenon). A simple model Hamiltonian which yields for any given E an infinite number of classical dissociative trajectories and also has a discrete spectrum in quantum mechanics, is presented.     

Electrochemiluminescence of Supramolecular Nanorods and Their Application in the “On–Off–On” Detection of Copper Ions

In this work, an “on–off–on” switch system has been successfully applied through the construction of an electrochemiluminscent biosensor for copper ion (Cu²⁺) detection based on a new electrochemiluminescence (ECL) emitter of supramolecular nanorods, which was achieved through supramolecular interactions between 3,4,9,10‐perylenetetracarboxylic acid (PTCA) and aniline. The initial “signal‐on” state with strong and stable ECL emission was obtained by use of the supramolecular nanorods with a new signal amplification strategy involving a co‐reaction accelerator. In addition, ECL quencher probes (Fc‐NH₂/Cu‐Sub/nano‐Au) were fabricated by immobilizing aminoferrocene (Fc‐NH₂) on Cu‐substrate strand modified Au nanoparticles. The quencher probes were hybridized with the immobilized Cu‐enzyme strand to form Cu²⁺‐specific DNAzyme. Similarly, the “signal‐off” state was obtained by the high quenching effect of Fc‐NH₂ on the ECL of the excited‐state PTCA (¹PTCA*). As expected, the second “switch‐on” state could achieved by incubating with the target Cu²⁺, owing to the Cu²⁺‐specific DNAzyme, which was irreversibly cleaved, resulting in the release of the quencher probes from the sensor interface. Herein, on the basis of the ECL intensity changes (ΔI_ECL) before and after incubating with the target Cu²⁺, the prepared Cu²⁺‐specific DNAzyme‐based biosensor was used for the determination of Cu²⁺ concentrations with high sensitivity, excellent selectivity, and good regeneration.     

Decohesion of a rigid punch from an elastic layer: Transition from “flaw sensitive” to “flaw insensitive” regime

A cohesive zone model is used to study the pull‐off of a rigid flat cylindrical punch of radius c from an elastic layer of thickness h. The adhesion between the punch and the elastic layer is assumed to be sufficiently weak so that pull‐off occurs by the growth of a crack from the edge of contact. Our result shows that the pull‐off stress, when normalized by the interfacial strength σ_o, depends on a single dimensionless parameter χ_f = σc(1?v²) g(ξ)/2πEW_ad, where E and v are the Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of the elastic layer, respectively, W_ad is the work of adhesion, and g(ξ) is a known dimensionless function of ξ ≡ c/h. χ_f can be viewed as a generalized Tabor parameter. It characterizes the transition from a “brittle” or flaw sensitive failure regime to a “ductile” or flaw insensitive regime. The result in this work is used to generalize Maugis' theory of adhesive contact to the case where the elastic substrate is of finite thickness. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 3628–3637, 2005     

On the concept of “Partitions” in the perturbation theory of n-electron systems

This paper deals with the perturbation theory of an n-electron Hamiltonian of the general form H = ∑ⁿ ?(i) + λ∑ⁿ g(i, j) = H (f, g; n). In comparison to the Brueckner–Goldstone diagrammatic perturbation theory, we adopt the more general standpoint of admitting, for the construction of an n-particle state, component states of 1, 2, 3, and more particles [O. Sinanoglu, Phys. Rev. 122 , 493 (1961) and C. D. H. Chisholm and A. Dalgarno, Proc. R. Soc. (London) Sec. A 292 , 264 (1966)]. We show that this leads to the concept of a “partition” of a perturbational eigenstate (or energy) of H. A “partition” is a natural decomposition which: (i) is finite; (ii) relates the eigenvalue problem of the system H = H (f, g; n) to those of certain subsystems H (f, g; n₁)(n₁ < n); (iii) uses “nonseparable” components. We domonstrate (under the preliminary assumption of “strict” nondegeneracy) the second-order energy to possess a “partition.” The components therein are second-order energies of two- and three-particle states. The proof uses an extension of Racah's concept of the fractional-parentage expansion.     

“Complex” versus “free radical” mechanism for the catalytic decomposition of H2O2 by ferric ions

Kinetic and spectrophotometric measurements made during the Fe³⁺ ion catalyzed decomposition of H₂O₂ have been analyzed using the computer simulation method. Improved values of the rate constants of the “complex scheme” and of the molar absorptivities ofthe intermediates were obtained: k₃/K_M = 4.94 M^?1 min^?1, k₄ = 193 M^?1 min^?1, ε_I/K_M = 52.3 M^?2 cm^?1, ε_II = 25.7 M^?1 cm^?1. The simulation revealed details of the reaction which were unavailable by other means and which explained several features of its kinetics. The total amount of O₂ evolved in the reaction using [H₂O₂] ～ 10^?2 M has been calculated and found to be nearly stoichiometric. O₂ evolution experiments in this region cannot, thus, distinguish between the “complex mechanism” predicting nearly stoichiometric evolution of O₂ and the “free radical mechanism” predicting exactly stoichiometricamounts of O₂. There are discrepancies within the “free radical scheme” with regard to the correct values of the rate constants to fit the reactions of H₂O₂ both with Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions, as well as other reactions assumed to proceed via free radicals.     

Building the “Phosphoindigo” Backbone by Oxidative Coupling of Phosphindolin‐3‐ones with Selenium Dioxide

Oxidative coupling of racemic 1‐ethoxy‐1‐oxophosphindolin‐3‐one ( 1 ) and its 5‐CF₃‐derivative 6 with SeO₂ furnishes 1,1′‐diphosphaindigo derivatives 5 and 7 as bis‐phosphinic esters, i. e. as P^V‐compounds. Like indigo and thioindigo, 5 and 7 exist in the E‐configuration; the crude products of 5 and 7 are mixtures of isomers that are trans‐ and cis‐configurated with respect to the relative orientation of the ester groups oat phosphorus. The structure of the centrosymmetric E‐P(R)P′(S) isomer [(E)‐trans‐isomer] of 5 was determined by X‐ray crystallography. Ester cleavage of 5 , followed by addition of triethylamine to bis‐phosphinic acid 9 (the 1,1,1′,1′‐tetroxide of “phosphoindigo”), furnishes the related bis‐triethylammonium salt 10 as a crystalline hydrate that exhibits an extended hydrogen bonding network.     

Synthesis of a novel graft copolymer with hyperbranched poly(glycerol) as core and “Y”‐shaped polystyrene‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide)2 as side chains

The graft copolymers composed of “Y”‐shaped polystyrene‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide)₂ (PS‐b‐PEO₂) as side chains and hyperbranched poly(glycerol) (HPG) as core were synthesized by a combination of “click” chemistry and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) via “graft from” and “graft onto” strategies. Firstly, macroinitiators HPG‐Br were obtained by esterification of hydroxyl groups on HPG with bromoisobutyryl bromide, and then by “graft from” strategy, graft copolymers HPG‐g‐(PS‐Br) were synthesized by ATRP of St and further HPG‐g‐(PS‐N₃) were prepared by azidation with NaN₃. Then, the precursors (Bz‐PEO)₂‐alkyne with a single alkyne group at the junction point and an inert benzyl group at each end was synthesized by sequentially ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of EO using 3‐[(1‐ethoxyethyl)‐ethoxyethyl]‐1,2‐propanediol (EEPD) and diphenylmethylpotassium (DPMK) as coinitiator, termination of living polymeric species by benzyl bromide, recovery of protected hydroxyl groups by HCl and modification by propargyl bromide. Finally, the “click” chemistry was conducted between HPG‐g‐(PS‐N₃) and (Bz‐PEO)₂‐alkyne in the presence of N,N,N′,N″,N”‐pentamethyl diethylenetriamine (PMDETA)/CuBr system by “graft onto” strategy, and the graft copolymers were characterized by SEC, ¹H NMR and FTIR in details. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Atomic Xα calculations based on EHFS(α) = Eexp

The total energies and one-electron energies for first- and second-row atoms were calculated by using the Hartree–Fock and the Hartree–Fock-Slater Hamiltonian with X_α orbitals, u_i(α_exp); α was parametrized from E^HFS (α_exp) = E^exp. The E^HF (α_exp) total energies are always higher than the Hartree–Fock energies for the atoms. The relation of the calculated ionization potential to the experimental ionization potential depends on the α used to define u_i(α), α_exp, or α_HF.     

Specific “Unlocking” of a Nanozyme‐Based Butterfly Effect To Break the Evolutionary Fitness of Chaotic Tumors

Chaos and the natural evolution of tumor systems can lead to the failure of tumor therapies. Herein, we demonstrate that iridium oxide nanoparticles (IrO_x) possess acid‐activated oxidase and peroxidase‐like functions and wide pH‐dependent catalase‐like properties. The integration of glucose oxidase (GOD) unlocked the oxidase and peroxidase activities of IrO_x by the production of gluconic acid from glucose by GOD catalysis in cancer cells, and the produced H₂O₂ was converted into O₂ to compensate its consumption in GOD catalysis owing to the catalase‐like function of the nanozyme, thus resulting in the continual consumption of glucose and the self‐supply of substrates to generate superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical. Moreover, IrO_x can constantly consume glutathione (GSH) by self‐cyclic valence alternation of Ir^IV and Ir^III. These cascade reactions lead to a “butterfly effect” of initial starvation therapy and the subsequent pressure of multiple reactive oxygen species (ROS) to completely break the self‐adaption of cancer cells.     

Synthetic Control of the Excited‐State Dynamics and Circularly Polarized Luminescence of Fluorescent “Push–Pull” Tetrathia[9]helicenes

A series of fluorescent “push‐pull” tetrathia[9]helicenes based on quinoxaline (acceptor) fused with tetrathia[9]helicene (donor) derivatives was synthesized for control of the excited‐state dynamics and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) properties. In this work, introduction of a quinoxaline onto the tetrathia[9]helicene skeleton induced the “push–pull” character, which was enhanced by further introduction of an electron‐releasing Me₂N group or an electron‐withdrawing NC group onto the quinoxaline unit (denoted as Me₂N‐QTTH and NC‐QTTH, respectively). These trends were successfully discussed in terms of by electrochemical measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. As a consequence, significant enhancements in the fluorescence quantum yields (Φ_FL) were achieved. In particular, the maximum Φ_FL of Me₂N‐QTTH was 0.43 in benzene (NC‐QTTH: Φ_FL=0.30), which is more than 20 times larger than that of a pristine tetrathia[9]helicene (denoted as TTH; Φ_FL=0.02). These enhancements were also explained by kinetic discussion of the excited‐state dynamics such as fluorescence and intersystem crossing (ISC) pathways. Such significant enhancements of the Φ_FL values thus enabled us to show the excellent CPL properties. The value of anisotropy factor g_CPL (normalized difference in emission of right‐handed and left‐handed circularly polarized light) was estimated to be 3.0×10^?3 for NC‐QTTH.     

The Controlled Formation and Cleavage of an Intramolecular d8–d8 Pt–Pt Interaction in a Dinuclear Cycloplatinated Molecular “Pivot‐Hinge”

The bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm)‐bridged dinuclear cycloplatinated complex {[Pt(L)]₂(μ‐dppm)}²⁺ (Pt₂ ? dppm; HL: 2‐phenyl‐6‐(1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)‐pyridine) demonstrates interesting reversible “pivot‐hinge”‐like intramolecular motions in response to the protonation/deprotonation of L. In its protonated “closed” configuration, the two platinum(II) centers are held in position by intramolecular d⁸–d⁸ Pt–Pt interaction. In its deprotonated “open” configuration, such Pt–Pt interaction is cleaved. To further understand the mechanism behind this hingelike motion, an analogous dinuclear cycloplatinated complex, {[Pt(L)]₂(μ‐dchpm)}²⁺ (Pt₂ ? dchpm) with bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)methane (dchpm) as the bridging ligand, was synthesized. From its protonation/deprotonation responses, it was revealed that aromatic π–π interactions between the phenyl moieties of the μ‐dppm and the deprotonated pyrazolyl rings of L was essential to the reversible cleavage of the intramolecular Pt–Pt interaction in Pt₂ ? dppm. In the case of Pt₂ ? dchpm, spectroscopic and spectrofluorometric titrations as well as X‐ray crystallography indicated that the distance between the two platinum(II) centers shrank upon deprotonation, thus causing a redshift in its room‐temperature triplet metal–metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer emission from 614 to 625 nm. Ab initio calculations revealed the presence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the deprotonated and negatively charged 1‐pyrazolyl‐N moiety and the methylene CH and phenyl C–H of the μ‐dppm. The “open” configuration of the deprotonated Pt₂ ? dppm was estimated to be 19 kcal mol^?1 more stable than its alternative “closed” configuration. On the other hand, the open configuration of the deprotonated Pt₂ ? dchpm was 6 kcal mol^?1 less stable than its alternative closed configuration.     

Molecular Logic Gates and Switches Based on 1,3,4‐Oxadiazoles Triggered by Metal Ions

Organic molecular devices for information processing applications are highly useful building blocks for constructing molecular‐level machines. The development of “intelligent” molecules capable of performing logic operations would enable molecular‐level devices and machines to be created. We designed a series of 2,5‐diaryl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazoles bearing a 2‐(para‐substituted)phenyl and a 5‐(o‐pyridyl) group (substituent X=NMe₂, OEt, Me, H, and Cl; 1 a – e ) that form a bidentate chelating environment for metal ions. These compounds showed fluorescence response profiles varying in both emission intensity and wavelength toward the tested metal ions Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Pb²⁺ and the responses were dependent on the substituent X, with those of 1 d being the most substantial. The 1,3,4‐oxadiazole O or N atom and pyridine N atom were identified as metal‐chelating sites. The fluorescence responses of 1 d upon metal chelation were employed for developing truth tables for OR, NOR, INHIBIT, and EnNOR logic gates as well as “ON‐OFF‐ON” and “OFF‐ON‐OFF” fluorescent switches in a single 1,3,4‐oxadiazole molecular system.     

Ruthenium Complex “Light Switches” that are Selective for Different G‐Quadruplex Structures

Recognition and regulation of G‐quadruplex nucleic acid structures is an important goal for the development of chemical tools and medicinal agents. The addition of a bromo‐substituent to the dipyridylphenazine (dppz) ligands in the photophysical “light switch”, [Ru(bpy)₂dppz]²⁺, and the photochemical “light switch”, [Ru(bpy)₂dmdppz]²⁺, creates compounds with increased selectivity for an intermolecular parallel G‐quadruplex and the mixed‐hybrid G‐quadruplex, respectively. When [Ru(bpy)₂dppz‐Br]²⁺ and [Ru(bpy)₂dmdppz‐Br]²⁺ are incubated with the G‐quadruplexes, they have a stabilizing effect on the DNA structures. Activation of [Ru(bpy)₂dmdppz‐Br]²⁺ with light results in covalent adduct formation with the DNA. These complexes demonstrate that subtle chemical modifications of Ru^II complexes can alter G‐quadruplex selectivity, and could be useful for the rational design of in vivo G‐quadruplex probes.     

Solution of the “Classical” Schrödinger equation for a driven symmetric triple well: A comparison with its classical counterpart

The behavior of a driven symmetric triple well potential has been studied by developing an algorithm where the well‐established Bohmian mechanics and time‐dependent Fourier Grid Hamiltonian method are incorporated and the quantum theory of motion (QTM) phase space structures of the particle are constructed, both in “nonclassical” and “classical” limits. Comparison of QTM phase space structures with their classical analogues shows both similarity as well as dissimilarities. The temporal nature and the spatial symmetry of applied perturbation play crucial roles in having similar phase space structures. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Multi-state multi-mode nuclear dynamics on three isomers of C6H4F2+ using parallelized TDDVR approach

We have performed molecular dynamics on the three isomers of the difluorobenzene radical cation (C(6)H(4)F(2)(+)) after excitation from the ground state to a specific higher electronically excited state by using our recently implemented parallelized Time-Dependent Discrete Variable Representation (TDDVR) methodology. A five-state eleven-mode realistic model Hamiltonian for o-C(6)H(4)F(2)(+) and two separate five-state ten-mode Hamiltonians for m- and p-isomer of the same radical cation are considered, where those five electronic states are interconnected through several conical intersections in the vicinity of the Franck-Condon (FC) region and thus the dynamics for each case become complex. The photoelectron, mass analyzed threshold ionization spectra and population profiles obtained by using our TDDVR approach show reasonably good agreement with the results obtained by multiconfiguration time dependent Hartree (MCTDH) method. It is worthwhile to mention that the parallelized TDDVR algorithm reduces the computation time by more than an order of magnitude compared to its serial analog and, therefore, such approach appears to be a good compromise between accuracy and speed for a large molecular system.     

Cation‐Controlled Formation and Interconversion of the fac/fac and mer/mer Stereoisomers of a Triple‐Stranded Helicate

Two biscatecholester ligands with oligoether spacers were used to prepare dinuclear titanium(IV) triscatecholate based helicates. In the case of Li₄[( 1 / 2 )₃Ti₂], “classical” helicates with three internally bound Li⁺ ions and syn‐oriented ligands in the complex units (fac/fac isomer) were obtained. In the case of the sodium salt Na₄[( 2 )₃Ti₂], a different homochiral dinuclear triple‐stranded helicate with two internally bound Na⁺ ions was formed. The complex units are anti‐configured, and two of the ligand spacers are connecting internal with external positions of the helicate (mer/mer isomer). Removal of the sodium ions and addition of lithium ions leads to the switching from one topology to the other with an expanded helicate [( 2 )₃Ti₂]^4? as an intermediate. Switching back to the “non‐classical” helicate cannot be observed because severe structural rearrangements would be required.