Reinterpretation of Dynamic Vibrational Spectroscopy to Determine the Molecular Structure and Dynamics of Ferrocene

Molecular distortion of dynamic molecules gives a clear signature in the vibrational spectra, which can be modeled to give estimates of the energy barrier and the sensitivity of the frequencies of the vibrational modes to the reaction coordinate. The reaction coordinate method (RCM) utilizes ab initio‐calculated spectra of the molecule in its ground and transition states together with their relative energies to predict the temperature dependence of the vibrational spectra. DFT‐calculated spectra of the eclipsed (D_5h) and staggered (D_5d) forms of ferrocene (Fc), and its deuterated analogue, within RCM explain the IR spectra of Fc in gas (350 K), solution (300 K), solid solution (7–300 K), and solid (7–300 K) states. In each case the D_5h rotamer is lowest in energy but with the barrier to interconversion between rotamers higher for solution‐phase samples (ca. 6 kJ mol^?1) than for the gas‐phase species (1–3 kJ mol^?1). The generality of the approach is demonstrated with application to tricarbonyl(η⁴‐norbornadiene)iron(0), Fe(NBD)(CO)₃. The temperature‐dependent coalescence of the ν(CO) bands of Fe(NBD)(CO)₃ is well explained by the RCM without recourse to NMR‐like rapid exchange. The RCM establishes a clear link between the calculated ground and transition states of dynamic molecules and the temperature‐dependence of their vibrational spectra.     

Starlike aluminum-carbon aromatic species

Is it possible to achieve molecules with starlike structures by replacing the H atoms in (CH)_n^q aromatic hydrocarbons with aluminum atoms in bridging positions? Although D_4h C₄Al₄^2? and D₂ C₆Al₆ are not good prospects for experimental realization, a very extensive computational survey of fifty C₅Al₅^? isomers identified the starlike D_5h global minimum with five planar tetracoordinate carbon atoms to be a promising candidate for detection by photoelectron detachment spectroscopy. BOMD (Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics) simulations and high‐level theoretical computations verified this conclusion. The combination of favorable electronic and geometric structural features (including aromaticity and optimum C–Al–C bridge bonding) stabilizes the C₅Al₅^? star preferentially.     

Computationally Designed Families of Flat,Tubular, and Cage Molecules Assembled with “Starbenzene” Building Blocks through Hydrogen‐Bridge Bonds

Using density functional calculations, we demonstrate that the planarity of the nonclassical planar tetracoordinate carbon (ptC) arrangement can be utilized to construct new families of flat, tubular, and cage molecules which are geometrically akin to graphenes, carbon nanotubes, and fullerenes but have fundamentally different chemical bonds. These molecules are assembled with a single type of hexagonal blocks called starbenzene (D_6h C₆Be₆H₆) through hydrogen‐bridge bonds that have an average bonding energy of 25.4–33.1 kcal mol^?1. Starbenzene is an aromatic molecule with six π electrons, but its carbon atoms prefer ptC arrangements rather than the planar trigonal sp² arrangements like those in benzene. Various stability assessments indicate their excellent stabilities for experimental realization. For example, one starbenzene unit in an infinite two‐dimensional molecular sheet lies on average 154.1 kcal mol^?1 below three isolated linear C₂Be₂H₂ (global minimum) monomers. This value is close to the energy lowering of 157.4 kcal mol^?1 of benzene relative to three acetylene molecules. The ptC bonding in starbenzene can be extended to give new series of starlike monocyclic aromatic molecules (D_4h C₄Be₄H₄^2?, D_5h C₅Be₅H₅^?, D_6h C₆Be₆H₆, D_7h C₇Be₇H₇⁺, D_8h C₈Be₈H₈^2?, and D_9h C₉Be₉H₉^?), known as starenes. The starene isomers with classical trigonal carbon sp² bonding are all less stable than the corresponding starlike starenes. Similarly, lithiated C₅Be₅H₅ can be assembled into a C₆₀‐like molecule. The chemical bonding involved in the title molecules includes aromaticity, ptC arrangements, hydrogen‐bridge bonds, ionic bonds, and covalent bonds, which, along with their unique geometric features, may result in new applications.     

Mode Selective Stereomutation and Parity Violation in Disulfane Isotopomers H2S2, D2S2, T2S2

We report quantitative calculations of stereomutation tunneling in the disulfane isotopomers H₂S₂, D₂S₂, and T₂S₂, which are chiral in their equilibrium geometry. The quasi‐adiabatic channel, quasi‐harmonic reaction path Hamiltonian approach used here treats stereomutation including all internal degrees of freedom. The torsional motion is handled as an anharmonic reaction coordinate in detail, whereas all the remaining degrees of freedom are taken into account approximately. We predict how stereomutation is catalyzed or inhibited by excitation of the various vibrational modes. The agreement of our theoretical results with spectroscopic data from the literature on H₂S₂ and D₂S₂ is excellent. We furthermore predict the influence of parity violation on stereomutation as characterized approximately by the ratio (ΔE_pv/ΔE_±) of the (local or vibrationally averaged) parity violating potential ΔE_pv and the tunneling splittings ΔE_± in the symmetrical case. This ratio is exceedingly small for the reference molecules H₂O₂ and D₂O₂, and still very small (2⋅10⁻⁶ cm⁻¹) for H₂S₂, which, thus, all exhibit essentially parity conservation in the dynamics. However, for D₂S₂ it is ca. 0.002, and for T₂S₂ it is ca. 1, which seems to be the first case where such intermediate mixing through parity violation is quantitatively predicted for spectroscopically accessible molecules. The consequences for the spectroscopic detection of molecular parity violation are discussed briefly also in relation to other molecules.     

Mapping the Metal Positions inside Spherical C80 Cages: Crystallographic and Theoretical Studies of Ce2@D5h‐C80 and Ce2@Ih‐C80

The dynamic positions of the dimetallic cluster inside the mid‐sized spherical cages of C₈₀–C₈₂ have been seldom studied, despite the high abundance of M₂@C_2n (2n=80, 82) species among various endohedral metallofullerenes. Herein, using crystallographic methods, we first unambiguously map the metal positions for both Ce₂@D_5h‐C₈₀ and Ce₂@I_h‐C₈₀, showing how the symmetry or geometrical change in cage structure can influence the motional behavior of the cluster. Inside the D_5h cage, the primary cerium sites have been identified along a cage belt of the contiguous hexagons, which suggests the significant influence of such a cage motif on endohedral cluster motion. Further analysis revealed a distorted D_5h cage owing to the “punch‐out” effect of cerium atoms. The consequence is the presence of two localized electrostatic potential minima inside the cage of (D_5h‐C₈₀)^6?, thus reflecting the primary ionic cerium–cage interaction. In contrast, a different motional behavior of Ce₂ cluster was observed inside the I_h cage. With the major cerium sites, the molecule of Ce₂@I_h‐C₈₀ presented an approximate D_2h configuration. With the combined theoretical study, we propose that the additional unidentified influence of Ni^II(OEP) (OEP=octaethylporphyrin) might be also relevant for the location of cerium sites inside the I_h cage.     

Ab initio calculation of the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya parameters: Spin–orbit GSO‐HF,DFT, and CI approaches

We present ab initio methods to determine the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya (DM) parameter, which provides the anisotropic effects of noncollinear spin systems. For this purpose, we explore various general spin orbital (GSO) approaches, such as Hartree–Fock (HF), density functional theory (DFT), and configuration interaction (CI), with one‐electron spin–orbit coupling (SOC1). As examples, two simple D_3h‐symmetric models, H₃ and B(CH₂)₃, are examined. Implications of the computational results are discussed in relation to as isotropic and anisotropic interactions of molecular‐based magnets. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Diffusion Coefficients for Binary, Ternary, and Polydisperse Solutions from Peak-Width Analysis of Taylor Dispersion Profiles

Binary mutual diffusion coefficients D can be estimated from the width at half height W _1/2 of Taylor dispersion profiles using D=(ln 2)r ² t _R/(3W ² h) and values of the retention time t _R and dispersion tube radius r. The generalized expression D _h=−(ln h)r ² t _R/(3W ² _h ) is derived to evaluate diffusion coefficients from peak widths W _h measured at other fractional heights (e.g., (h = 0.1, 0.2,…,0.9). Tests show that averaging the D _h values from binary profiles gives mutual diffusion coefficients that are as accurate and precise as those obtained by more elaborate nonlinear least-squares analysis. Dispersion profiles for ternary solutions usually consist of two superimposed pseudo-binary profiles. Consequently, D _h values for ternary profiles generally vary with the fractional peak height h. Ternary profiles with constant D _h values can however be constructed by taking appropriate linear combinations of profiles generated using different initial concentration differences. The invariant D _h values and corresponding initial concentration differences give the eigenvalues and eigenvectors for the evaluation of the ternary diffusion coefficient matrix. Dispersion profiles for polymer samples of N i-mers consist of N superimposed pseudo-binary profiles. The edges of these profiles are enriched in the heavier polymers owing to the decrease in polymer diffusion coefficients with increasing polymer molecular weight. The resulting drop in D _h with decreasing fractional peak height provides a signature of the polymer molecular weight distribution. These features are illustrated by measuring the dispersion of mixed polyethylene glycols.     

Exploring the Potential Energy Surface of E2P4 Clusters (E=Group 13 Element): The Quest for Inverse Carbon‐Free Sandwiches

Inverse carbon‐free sandwich structures with formula E₂P₄ (E=Al, Ga, In, Tl) have been proposed as a promising new target in main‐group chemistry. Our computational exploration of their corresponding potential‐energy surfaces at the S12h/TZ2P level shows that indeed stable carbon‐free inverse‐sandwiches can be obtained if one chooses an appropriate Group 13 element for E. The boron analogue B₂P₄ does not form the D_4h‐symmetric inverse‐sandwich structure, but instead prefers a D_2d structure of two perpendicular BP₂ units with the formation of a double B?B bond. For the other elements of Group 13, Al–Tl, the most favorable isomer is the D_4h inverse‐sandwich structure. The preference for the D_2d isomer for B₂P₄ and D_4h for their heavier analogues has been rationalized in terms of an isomerization‐energy decomposition analysis, and further corroborated by determination of aromaticity of these species.     

Identification of the Most Stable Sc2C80 Isomers: Structure,Electronic Property,and Molecular Spectra Investigations

A systematic density functional theory investigation has been carried out to explore the possible structures of Sc₂C₈₀ at the BMK/6‐31G(d) level. The results clearly show that Sc₂@C₈₀‐I_h, Sc₂@C₈₀‐D_5h, and Sc₂C₂@C₇₈‐C_2v can be identified as three isomers of Sc₂C₈₀ metallofullerene with the lowest energy. Frontier molecular orbital analysis indicates that the two Sc₂@C₈₀ isomers have a charge state as (Sc³⁺)₂@C₈₀^6?and the Sc₂C₂@C₇₈ has a charge state of (Sc³⁺)₂C₂^2?@C₇₈^4?. Moreover, the metal‐cage covalent interactions have been studied to reveal the dynamics of endohedral moiety. The vertical electron affinity, vertical ionization potential, infrared spectra and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra have been also computed to further disclose the molecular structures and properties.     

Modelling the Metabolic Epimerization of Anti-inflammatory 2-Arylpropanoyl-coenzyme-A Conjugates: Solvent effects on the 1H/2H exchange in S-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl] 2-phenylpropanethioate

The ¹H/²H exchange at the methine position of S-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl] 2-phenylpropanethioate (DEPP) in solvent/D₂O mixtures was taken as a model reaction for the metabolic epimerization of 2-arylpropanoyl-coenzyme-A thioesters and was monitored by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy at 37°. The solvents used were (D₆)acetone, (D₃)acetonitrile, (D₆)dimethylsulfoxide, and (D₅)pyridine. In the investigated range of D₂O percentage (10–50%), the exchange reaction was found to increase linearily with D₂O content and with the basicity of the organic solvent, the fastest rates being close to 0.09 h^?1 (t_½ ca. 8 h). These rates are slower than those observed in vivo for the configurational inversion of profens, and they are elicited in totally unphysiological concentrations of bases. The hypothesis thus formulated is that the metabolic epimerization of 2-arylpropanoyl-coenzyme-A thioesters cannot occur nonenzymatically.     

A Thermally Populated,Perpendicularly Twisted Alkene Triplet Diradical

Variable‐temperature NMR and ESR spectroscopic studies reveal that bis(dibenzo[a,i]fluorenylidene) 1 possesses a singlet ground state, 1 (S₀), while the 90° twisted triplet 1 (T₁) is populated to a small extent already at room temperature. Analysis of the increasing amount of paramagnetic 1 (T₁) at temperatures between 300 and 500 K yields the exchange interaction J_ex/h c=3351 cm⁻¹ and a singlet–triplet energy splitting of 9.6 kcal mol⁻¹, which is in excellent agreement with calculations (9.3 kcal mol⁻¹ at the UKS BP86/B3LYP/revPBE level of theory). In contrast, the zero‐field splitting parameter D is very small (calculated value −0.018 cm⁻¹) and unmeasurable.     

A Thermally Populated,Perpendicularly Twisted Alkene Triplet Diradical

Variable‐temperature NMR and ESR spectroscopic studies reveal that bis(dibenzo[a,i]fluorenylidene) 1 possesses a singlet ground state, 1 (S₀), while the 90° twisted triplet 1 (T₁) is populated to a small extent already at room temperature. Analysis of the increasing amount of paramagnetic 1 (T₁) at temperatures between 300 and 500 K yields the exchange interaction J_ex/h c=3351 cm^?1 and a singlet–triplet energy splitting of 9.6 kcal mol^?1, which is in excellent agreement with calculations (9.3 kcal mol^?1 at the UKS BP86/B3LYP/revPBE level of theory). In contrast, the zero‐field splitting parameter D is very small (calculated value ?0.018 cm^?1) and unmeasurable.     

Polyelectrolyte complexes. VI. Polycation structure,polyanion molar mass,and polyion concentration effects on complex nanoparticles based on poly(sodium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonate)

The formation and characterization of some interpolyelectrolyte complex (IPEC) nanoparticles based on poly(sodium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonate) (NaPAMPS), as a function of the polycation structure, polyanion molar mass, and polyion concentration, were followed in this work. Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and two polycations (PCs) containing (N,N‐dimethyl‐2‐hydroxypropyleneammonium chloride) units in the backbone (PCA₅ and PCA₅D₁) were used as starting polyions. The complex stoichiometry, (n^?/n⁺)_iso, was pointed out by optical density at 500 nm (OD₅₀₀), polyelectrolyte titration, and dynamic light scattering. IPEC nanoparticle sizes were influenced by the polycation structure and polyanion molar mass only before the complex stoichiometry, which was higher for the more hydrophilic polycations (PCA₅ and PCA₅D₁) and for a higher NaPAMPS molar mass, and were almost independent of these factors after that, at a flow rate of the added polyion of about 0.28 mL × (mL PC)^?1 × h^?1. The IPEC nanoparticle sizes remained almost constant for more than 2 weeks, both before and after the complex stoichiometry, at low concentrations of polyions. NIPECs as stable colloidal dispersions with positive charges in excess were prepared at a ratio between charges (n^?/n⁺) of 0.7, and their storage colloidal stability, as a function of the polycation structure and polyion concentration (from 0.8 to ca. 7.8 mmol/L), was demonstrated. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2495–2505, 2004     

Tetracyclopenta[def,jkl,pqr,vwx]tetraphenylene: A Potential Tetraradicaloid Hydrocarbon

A tetramesityl derivative of hitherto unknown tetracyclopenta[def,jkl,pqr,vwx]tetraphenylene (TCPTP), which is a potential tetraradicaloid hydrocarbon, was synthesized. Theoretical calculations based on spin‐flip time‐dependent density functional theory predict that the closed‐shell D_2h form of TCPTP is more stable than the open‐shell D_4h form with its slightly tetraradical character. The tetramesityl derivative (Mes)₄‐TCPTP exhibits remarkable antiaromaticity as a result of the peripheral 20‐π‐electron circuit, which causes an absorption maximum at a long wavelength and a small HOMO–LUMO gap. In solution, (Mes)₄‐TCPTP most likely adopts rapidly equilibrating D_2h structures that interconvert via the D_4h transition state. X‐ray crystallographic analysis showed (Mes)₄‐TCPTP as an approximate D_2h structure.     

Isolation and Structure Determination of a Missing Endohedral Fullerene La@C70 through In Situ Trifluoromethylation

D_5h‐symmetric fullerene C₇₀ (D_5h‐C₇₀) is one of the most abundant members of the fullerene family. One longstanding mystery in the field of fullerene chemistry is whether D_5h‐C₇₀ is capable of accommodating a rare‐earth metal atom to form an endohedral metallofullerene M@D_5h‐C₇₀, which would be expected to show novel electronic properties. The molecular structure of La@C₇₀ remains unresolved since its discovery three decades ago because of its extremely high instability under ambient conditions and insolubility in organic solvents. Herein, we report the single‐crystal X‐ray structure of La@C₇₀(CF₃)₃, which was obtained through in situ exohedral functionalization by means of trifluoromethylation. The X‐ray crystallographic study reveals that La@C₇₀(CF₃)₃ is the first example of an endohedral rare‐earth fullerene based on D_5h‐C₇₀. The dramatically enhanced stability of La@C₇₀(CF₃)₃ compared to La@C₇₀ can be ascribed to trifluoromethylation‐induced bandgap enlargement.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of BaAgTbS3, BaCuGdTe3, BaCuTbTe3, BaAgTbTe3, and CsAgUTe3

Five new quaternary chalcogenides of the 1113 family, namely BaAgTbS₃, BaCuGdTe₃, BaCuTbTe₃, BaAgTbTe₃, and CsAgUTe₃, were synthesized by the reactions of the elements at 1173–1273 K. For CsAgUTe₃ CsCl flux was used. Their crystal structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. The sulfide BaAgTbS₃ crystallizes in the BaAgErS₃ structure type in the monoclinic space group C³,_2h‐C2/m, whereas the tellurides BaCuGdTe₃, BaCuTbTe₃, BaAgTbTe₃, and CsAgUTe₃ crystallize in the KCuZrS₃ structure type in the orthorhombic space group D¹_,2⁷_,h‐Cmcm. The BaAgTbS₃ structure consists of edge‐sharing [TbS₆^9–] octahedra and [AgS₅^9–] trigonal pyramids. The connectivity of these polyhedra creates channels that are occupied by Ba atoms. The telluride structure features ²_∞[MLnTe₃^2–] layers for BaCuGdTe₃, BaCuTbTe₃, BaAgTbTe₃, and ²_∞[AgUTe₃^1–] layers for CsAgUTe₃. These layers comprise [MTe₄] tetrahedra and [LnTe₆] or [UTe₆] octahedra. Ba or Cs atoms separate these layers. As there are no short Q ··· Q (Q = S or Te) interactions these compounds achieve charge balance as Ba²⁺M⁺Ln³⁺(Q^2–)₃ (Q = S and Te) and Cs⁺Ag⁺U⁴⁺(Te^2–)₃.     

Synthesis and Characterization of the D5h Isomer of the Endohedral Dimetallofullerene Ce2@C80: Two‐Dimensional Circulation of Encapsulated Metal Atoms Inside a Fullerene Cage

Herein we show the synthesis and characterization of the second known Ce₂@C₈₀ isomer. A ¹³C NMR spectroscopic study revealed that the structure of the second isomer has D_5h symmetry. Paramagnetic NMR spectral analysis and theoretical calculation display that the encapsulated Ce atoms circulate two‐dimensionally along a band of ten contiguous hexagons inside a D_5h‐C₈₀ cage, which is in sharp contrast to the three‐dimensional circulation of two Ce atoms in an I_h‐C₈₀ cage. The electronic properties were revealed by means of electrochemical measurements. The D_5h isomer of Ce₂@C₈₀ has a much smaller HOMO–LUMO gap than cluster fullerenes (M₃N@C₈₀, M=Sc, Tm, and Lu) with the same D_5h‐C₈₀ cages. The chemical reactivity was investigated by using disilirane as a chemical probe. The high thermal reactivity toward 1,1,2,2‐tetramesityl‐1,2‐disilirane is consistent with the trends of the redox potentials and the lower LUMO level of the D_5h isomer of Ce₂@C₈₀ compared with that of C₆₀.     

Optical Spectroscopy of the Au4+ Cluster: The Resolved Vibronic Structure Indicates an Unexpected Isomer

Knowledge of the geometric and electronic structure of gold clusters and nanoparticles is vital for understanding their catalytic and photochemical properties at the molecular level. In this study, we report the vibronic optical photodissociation spectrum of cold and mass‐selected Au₄⁺ clusters measured at a resolution high enough to allow for comparison with Franck–Condon simulations of the excited state transitions based on time‐dependent density functional theory calculations. The three vibrational frequencies identified for the lowest‐lying optically accessible excited state at 2.17 eV stem from the Y‐shaped isomer (C_2v) and not from the rhombic isomer (D_2h) considered to be the ground state structure of Au₄⁺. This study demonstrates that an analysis of low‐resolution electronic spectra by calculations of vertical transitions alone is not sufficient for a reliable isomer assignment of such metal clusters.     

An unexpected dinuclear Cu(II) complex with a bis(Salamo) chelating ligand: synthesis,crystal structure,and photophysical properties

An unexpected dinuclear Cu(II) complex, [Cu₂(L²)₂], has been synthesized via complexation of Cu(II) acetate monohydrate with a bis(Salamo) ligand H₂L¹. Catalysis of Cu(II) ions results in unexpected cleavage of two N–O bonds in H₂L¹, giving a dialkoxo-bridged dinuclear Cu(II) complex. Each Cu(II) complex possesses a Cu–O–Cu–O four-membered ring instead of the usual bis(Salamo) [Cu₂L¹] complex with H₂L¹. The H₂L¹ molecule is stabilized by intramolecular O1–H1?N1 hydrogen bonds and π?π stacking interactions linking adjacent molecules into a 1-D infinite zigzag chain. In the structure of the Cu(II) complex, intermolecular hydrogen bonds have stabilized the Cu(II) complex to form a self-assembling infinite 1-D linear chain. Furthermore, the H₂L¹ ligand shows intense photoluminescence with two emissions at ca. 370 and 464 nm upon excitation at 310 nm. The Cu(II) complex shows photoluminescence with maximum emission at ca. 423 nm upon excitation at 370 nm.     

Nonempirical calculations of the one‐bond 29Si–13C spin–spin coupling constants taking into account relativistic and solvent corrections

The computational study of the one‐bond ²⁹Si–¹³C spin–spin coupling constants has been performed at the second‐order polarization propagator approximation (SOPPA) level in the series of 60 diverse silanes with a special focus on the main factors affecting the accuracy of the calculation including the level of theory, the quality of the basis set, and the contribution of solvent and relativistic effects. Among three SOPPA‐based methods, SOPPA(MP2), SOPPA(CC2), and SOPPA(CCSD), the best result was achieved with SOPPA(CCSD) when used in combination with Sauer's basis set aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J characterized by the mean absolute error of calculated coupling constants against the experiment of ca 2 Hz in the range of ca 200 Hz. The SOPPA(CCSD)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J method is recommended as the most accurate and effective computational scheme for the calculation of ¹J(Si,C). The slightly less accurate but essentially more economical SOPPA(MP2)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J and/or SOPPA(CC2)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J methods are recommended for larger molecular systems. It was shown that solvent and relativistic corrections do not play a major role in the computation of the total values of ¹J(Si,C); however, taking them into account noticeably improves agreement with the experiment. The rovibrational corrections are estimated to be of about 1 Hz or 1–1.5% of the total value of ¹J(Si,C). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.