Solvent effects on the electronic transitions of p-nitroaniline: a QM/EFP study

Solvatochromic shifts of the electronic states of a chromophore can be used as a measure of solute-solvent interactions. The shifts of the electronic states of a model organic chromophore, p-nitroaniline (pNA), embedded in solvents with different polarities (water, 1,4-dioxane, and cyclohexane) are studied using a hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular-mechanics-type technique in which the chromophore is described by the configuration interaction singles with perturbative doubles (CIS(D)) method while the solvent is treated by the effective fragment potential (EFP) method. This newly developed CIS(D)/EFP scheme includes the quantum-mechanical coupling of the Coulomb and polarization terms; however, short-range dispersion and exchange-repulsion terms of EFP are not included in the quantum Hamiltonian. The CIS(D)/EFP model is benchmarked against the more accurate equation of motion coupled cluster with singles and doubles (EOM-CCSD)/EFP method on a set of small pNA-water clusters. CIS(D)/EFP accurately predicts the red solvatochromic shift of the charge-transfer π → π* state of pNA in polar water. The shift is underestimated in less polar dioxane and cyclohexane probably because of the omission of the explicit quantum-mechanical treatment of the short-range terms. Different solvation of singlet and triplet states of pNA results in different probabilities of intersystem crossing (ISC) and internal conversion (IC) pathways of energy relaxation in solvents of different polarity. Computed singlet-triplet splittings in water and dioxane qualitatively explain the active ISC channel in dioxane and predict almost no conversion to the triplet manifold in water, in agreement with experimental findings.     

典型醇类物质超临界水氧化反应途径研究

采用自主设计的连续流动气封壁超临界水氧化反应装置,研究了典型醇类物质甲醇、乙醇和异丙醇在超临界水中氧化的反应途径,并归纳了醇类物质超临界水氧化反应的规律及特点。研究结果表明,甲醇超临界水氧化反应的主要中间产物为甲醛,同样条件下转化率较乙醇和异丙醇低;乙醇和异丙醇超临界水氧化反应的主要中间产物为丙酮、乙酸、乙醛和甲醇等。三种醇超临界水氧化过程中均涉及到大量活性自由基的相互作用,表现为脱氢、裂解和聚合等反应形式;产物包括碳链增长、不变、降低三种类型。总体来看,醇类物质超临界水氧化反应的趋势是向碳链降低的方向进行,即通过一系列中间产物最后生成CO₂和水。     

Solvent density effects on the solvation behavior and configurational structure of bare and passivated 38-atom gold nanoparticle in supercritical ethane

In exploring the effects of solvent density on the mode and the degree of solvation of the bare and passivated 38-atom gold particle in supercritical ethane, we have extended the molecular dynamics simulations of the system, reported previously,(34) to cover a range of isotherms in the T > T(c) regime, where T(c) is the critical temperature of the solvent. Consonant with our previous observations, the modes of solvation of the bare and the passivated particle, deduced from the radial distribution of the solvent about the metal core center of mass, are found to be vastly different from each other at all solvent densities: while the molecules solvating the bare particle form a well-defined, two-region layer around it, those solvating the passivated particle are loosely dispersed in the passivating layer. For the bare particle, the degree of solvation (vartheta) as a function of solvent density passes through a maximum occurring in the close vicinity of the critical point, consistent with our previous results and in agreement with Debenedetti's theoretical analysis,(22,23) which predicts a solvation enhancement effect in the critical region for systems where the unlike solvent/solute interaction is much stronger than the solvent/solvent interaction. Taking the degree of solvation (vartheta) as a measure of solvent quality, we have investigated how the solvent quality would vary along the solvent-density isotherms. In the solvent-density regime rho > rho(c), the solvent quality is found to be a decreasing function of the density as a result of progressive dominance of the excluded volume effect over the attractive particle/solvent interactions. The particle/solvent affinity is greatly reduced in the presence of the passivating layer, resulting in considerable shrinkage of the good-solvent-quality domain in the supercritical regime. The solvent environment and the presence of the passivating chains produce significant disorder in the equilibrium structure assumed by the nanoparticle core.     

Solvent effects on OH stretching frequencies for 1-arylallyl alcohols

A series of 1-arylallyl alcohols were prepared and its OH stretching frequencies measured in 20 different non-HBD solvents at room temperature. It is noticed that the observed stretching bands were highly sensitive to the nature of the solvents. Multiple parameter equations were applied to investigate the solvent effects on the O-H stretching frequency. The most significant solvent parameters were the nucleophilicity measuring parameter (B) and Gutmann donor number (DN), whilst the electrophilicity measuring parameter (E) is not significant.     

Size and structure of molecular clusters in supercritical water

The type and topology of hydrogen-bonded molecular clusters of water are investigated by the molecular dynamics method for five models of water in supercritical conditions. Small clusters (of the order of 10 molecules) are present in all models, even at densities of less than 0.2g/cm³. When the density increases, a phase transition occurs from vapor-like to fluid-like state. Among small clusters, linear structures are predominant.     

Ion-exchange resins in non-aqueous solvents-I Sorption rates of p-nitroaniline and the effects of small amounts of water

The rates of sorption of p-nitroaniline onto three hydrogenform resins in methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, acetonitrile, benzene, acetic acid and dioxan are reported. Two of the resins are typical gel-type, microreticular, sulphonated resins and the third is a new, highly porous and rigid, macroreticular, sulphonated resin, Amberlyst 15. There appears to be a correlation between viscosity or dielectric constant and the time for maximum sorption or maximum distribution coefficient when the alcohols are used, but no correlation for all the solvents is apparent. The macroreticular resin still functions when dry, even in the presence of non-polar solvents, but the microreticular resin does not. Small amounts of water present in the solvent or resin aid the sorption of the amine onto both types of resin. The effect of mesh size and cross-linkage are examined.     

Solvent effect on the kinetics of carbamoylation of alcohols

Solvent effect on the rate of the reaction of phenyl isocyanate with alcohols may be described by multiparameter linear equations. Correlation analysis of the effects of various factors showed that specific solvation inhibits the reaction and that increased solvent polarity favors the process.     

The structure of H-bonded clusters in sub- and supercritical water

The structure of H-bonded complexes in sub- and supercritical water in regions close to and remote from the saturation curve was studied. The Car-Parrinello method was used to calculate water dipole moment distributions in 11 thermodynamic states. The dependence of the mean dipole moment of water molecules on the size of clusters and number of H-bonds was obtained.     

离子对内电子转移型染料阴离子-翁盐阳离子光敏体系中的溶剂效应和结构效应

本文研究了溶剂效应和结构效应对染料碘翁盐光物理, 光化学性质的影响。观察到在溶剂中离子对可以各种形式存在, 如紧密离子对、溶剂分隔离子对或溶剂化的自由离子, 溶剂的极性不仅影响各种存在形式的光谱性质, 而且影响它们之间的平衡关系, 进而影响离子对体系的物理化学性质。染料母核和碘翁阳离子的结构均对离子对体系的性质有影响。光诱导电子转移反应的热力学驱动力越大, 反应速度越快。用分子模拟技术(Molecular Modeling)对离子对体系的立体结构进行了研究, 为理解离子对体系的各种物理化学行为提供了重要的参考。     

Conversion of phenylacetonitrile in supercritical alcohols within a system containing small volume of water

The reaction of phenylacetonitrile in supercritical methanol and ethanol in a system containing a small volume of water was studied. The effects of various operating conditions, such as reaction temperature, reaction time, the mole ratio of phenylacetonitrile/water/methanol or ethanol on the product yield were systematically investigated. The optimal yield of methyl phenylacetate for phenylacetonitrile in supercritical methanol in a system containing a small volume of water was 70 % at 583 K and 2.5 h. The optimal yield of ethyl phenylacetate for phenylacetonitrile in supercritical ethanol with a small volume of water was 80 % at 583 K and 1.0 h. At the same time, a feasible mechanism was proposed for phenylacetonitrile in supercritical methanol and ethanol in a system containing a small volume of water.     

The role of local structure on formic acid decomposition in supercritical water: A hybrid quantum mechanics/Monte Carlo study

We explored water-assisted decompositions of formic acid in supercritical water in terms of local structure near reactant. A hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) simulation used in this paper includes QM part as first solvation shell members around the reactant. A present QM/MM approach can simulate supercritical water solution with a reasonable computational load while keeping the simulation preciseness because a density functional theory of B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level was iterated at every 1000 Monte Carlo solute moves. The formic acid converts mainly decarboxylation by water-assisted mechanism, and the coordinated water molecules play an important role for understanding supercritical water density dependence of the reaction. We analyzed a contour map based on the solute–solvent interaction energy along with the reaction pathway. Coordinated water molecule restricted the dehydration pathway by means of hydrogen bond with formic acid, however, the coordinated water promotes the decarboxylation pathway by means of stabilization of the transition state structure with one catalytic water molecule. The contour map of the pair interaction energy along the reaction path elucidates the role of local structure on reactions in supercritical water.     

Solvent sorption effects on the structure and properties of PP/Rodrun blends

Toluene, carbon tetrachloride, and tetrahydrofuran sorption and desorption by polypropylene (PP) and PP/thermotropic liquid crystal polymer (Rodrun) blends with 20 and 40% Rodrun contents were studied as well as the effects of the solvent presence on the structure and mechanical properties. The rate of sorption and desorption and the solvent content at the equilibrium were higher in the blends than in pure PP. This was attributed to microcracking in the PP matrix induced by the presence of Rodrun. Taking into account the very low permeability of Rodrun to the solvents of this work, and the increase in specific volume of the blends as a result of sorption, sorption‐induced additional microcracking, partially in the form of debonding of the dispersed Rodrun phase, is also believed to occur. Plasticization was the main effect on mechanical properties. The partially irreversible effect of sorption on the mechanical properties agrees with the proposed partial debonding and weak solvent resistance of these blends. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 1090–1100, 2000     

Thermolysis of α-pinene in supercritical lower alcohols

Thermal isomerization of α-pinene in supercritical solvents, viz., ethanol, methanol, and propan-1-ol, was carried out, and differences in the rate and selectivity of the process were revealed. In supercritical ethanol the reaction rate increases sharply and the selectivity remains unchanged with an increase in the temperature (from 290 to 390 °C) or pressure (from 90 to 270 atm). The main reaction products are limonene, isomeric alloocimenes, and pyronenes. The selectivity for limonene in propan-1-ol is higher than in other alcohols when the conversion of α-pinene not higher than 50%. In supercritical ethanol (430 °C, 120 atm, 140 s) limonene is more stable than α-pinene (conversion 8%).     

Many-body effects in the structure of water

The effect of the many-body potential on the structure of water is deduced assuming the MCY pair potential is a good approximate potential.     

Solvent effects on the structure of N-methylpyrrole as studied by nmr in nematic solvents

The proton NMR spectra of N-methylpyrrole oriented in the nematic phases of liquid crystals with positive and negative diamagnetic anisotropies and their mixtures are reported. Geometrical parameters derived from the spectra at the critical point in the mixture of liquid crystals with positive and negative diamagnetic anisotropies, where macroscopic diamagnetic anisotropy vanishes, are similar to those obtained in the solvent with negative diamagnetic anisotropy. However, significant distortions in the molecular structure attributed to solvent effects have been observed in liquid crystals with positive diamagnetic anisotropy. The minimum energy conformation has one CH of the methyl perpendicular to the ring.     

Solvent effects on internal conversions and intersystem crossings: the radiationless de-excitation of acrolein in water

An extended version of the averaged solvent electrostatic potential from molecular dynamics data (ASEP/MD) method oriented to the study of the solvent effects on internal conversion and intersystem crossing processes is presented. The method allows for the location of crossing points between free energy surfaces both in equilibrium and in frozen solvent conditions. The ground and excited states of the solute molecule are described at the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) level while the solvent structure is obtained from molecular dynamics simulations. As an application, we studied the nonradiative de-excitation of s-trans-acrolein 1(n --> pi*) in aqueous solution. We found that the solvent modifies the relative stability of the different crossing points but not enough as to alter the relative order of stability with respect to the in vacuo situation. The relaxation through an equilibrium path involves a strong solvent reorganization. On the contrary, the nonequilibrium path does not involve solvent motion and the de-excitation could proceed with the same speed as in vacuo.     

Solvent effects on peroxynitrite structure and properties from QM/MM simulations

We have investigated the structure and the vibrational spectrum of peroxynitrite anion in aqueous solution by means of combined quantum-classical (QM/MM) molecular dynamics simulations. In our QM/MM scheme, the reactant was modeled using density functional theory with a Gaussian basis set and the solvent was described using the mean-field TIP4P and the polarizable TIP4P-FQ force fields. The choice of basis sets, functionals and force field parameters has been validated by performing calculations on isolated peroxynitrite and on small peroxynitrite-water complexes. Poor values for isolated peroxynitrite structural properties and vibrational frequencies are found for most ab initio methods, particularly regarding the ON-OO(-) bond distance and the harmonic stretching frequency, probably due to the singlet-triplet instability found in the HF wave function. On the other hand, DFT methods yield results in better agreement with high level CCSD(T) ab initio calculations. We have computed the vibrational spectrum for aqueous peroxynitrite by calculating the Fourier transform of the velocity autocorrelation function extracted from the QM-MM molecular dynamics simulations. Our computational scheme, which allows for the inclusion of both anharmonicity and solvent effects, is able to clarify previous discrepancies regarding the experimental spectra assignments and to shed light on the subtle interplay between solvation and peroxynitrite structure and properties.     

NMR studies on effects of temperature, pressure, and fluorination on structures and dynamics of alcohols in liquid and supercritical states

We measured 1H NMR chemical shifts (delta H) and 1H and 2H NMR spin-lattice relaxation times (1H- and 2H-T1) of methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol in the temperature range from 298 to 673 K at reduced pressures ( Pr = P/ Pc) of 1.22 and 3.14. The delta H values showed that the degree (X HB) of hydrogen bonding decreased in the order of methanol > ethanol >2-propanol > H2O, and that the hydrogen bonding was much affected by fluorination, because of the intramolecular H-F interactions in supercritical (sc) states. Moreover, 1H- T 1 measurements revealed that the relaxation processes of OH groups in nonfluoroalcohols are controlled by dipole-dipole (DD) and spin-rotation (SR) mechanisms below and above the critical temperature (Tc), while the cross-correlation effects connected with intramolecular DD interactions between a carbon atom and an adjacent proton played an important role for hydrocarbon groups (CHn, n = 1-3) under sc conditions. This interpretation was also supported by two other results. The first is that the intramolecular H-F interactions strongly inhibit the internal rotation of CH and CH2 groups of sc fluoroalcohols, and the second is that the molecular reorientational correlation times (tauc(D)) obtained from 2H- T 1 values of deuterated hydrocarbon groups (CDn ) at temperatures above T c have significantly less temperature dependence than those of OD groups. Actually, the apparent activation energy (DeltaEa) for molecular reorientational motions in sc alcohols was smaller compared with liquid alcohols, being about 1 order of magnitude.     

State of manganese ions in the structure of corundum synthesized in supercritical water fluid

The kinetics and formation mechanism of doped corundum (α-Al₂O₃) from hydrargillite (γ-Al(OH)₃) in supercritical water fluid (SCWF) in the presence of manganese ions are studied. It was ascertained that due to the reversible dehydroxylation in an aqueous medium, solid-phase transformation of hydrargillite into boehmite (γ-AlOOH) and then into corundum occurs with the formation of well-faceted corundum micro-crystals that are uniformly doped with manganese. It was found that when Mn²⁺ or MnO₄⁻ ions are introduced into the reaction medium, Mn⁵⁺, Mn⁴⁺, Mn³⁺, and Mn²⁺ ions are observed in the synthesized corundum. Meanwhile, the manganese ions form a complex defect in the corundum structure, which comprises oxygen vacancies and hydroxyl groups. The defects in corundum that emerge upon doping with manganese in SCWF are different from those in corundum doped during high-temperature synthesis.