The electronic gas-phase spectrum of B3 radical revisited

The gas-phase electronic spectrum of cyclic-B₃ (D_3h) radical has been remeasured in a supersonic molecular beam using a mass-selective resonant 2-color 2-photon technique, leading to a revision of previously reported spectroscopic constants. The species was prepared by ablation of a boron nitride rod in the presence of helium. Ab intio calculations on the geometries and vertical electronic excitation energies, as well as mass identification, indicate that the detected band, centered at 21848.77(2) cm⁻¹, is the origin of the cyclic-¹¹B₃ system. A spectral fit yields the rotational constants as B″ = 1.2246(45) and C″ = 0.62131(72) cm⁻¹ in the ground state, and B′ = 1.1914(44) and C′ = 0.61173(69) cm⁻¹ in the excited 2 ²E′ state.     

A simple colorimetric sensor for biologically important anions based on intramolecular charge transfer (ICT)

A sensitive colorimetric sensor (1) based on 4,5-dinitrobenzene-1,2-diamine was designed and synthesized. Binding of anions such as AcO⁻, F⁻ and results in a notable change in the visible region of spectrum (an approximately 90 nm red shift), which can be detected by the ‘naked-eye’. Furthermore, the binding ability was evaluated by UV–vis titration experiments as following: AcO⁻ > F⁻ >   Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻. The nature of the color change of 1 induced by AcO⁻ was due to the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) which was confirmed by X-ray crystal structure and ¹H NMR titration spectra.     

Semi-empirically derived petrophysical and thermodynamical coefficients of permselective shales—Implications on ore mineralization

Phenomenological coefficients of shale–electrolyte systems may offer a glimpse into probable matrix-permeability and solute-exclusionary relationships. Shales from unexposed Upper Cretaceous Period Mancos Shale and from Permian Period Abo Formation were cut into thin wafers, placed in custom built osmometers and a chemical potential applied across them giving rise to induced osmotic flow. This in turn spawned matrix unique constants namely mechanical filtration coefficient L_P (m³ N⁻¹ s⁻¹), diffusional mobility per unit osmotic pressure L_PD (m³ N⁻¹ s⁻¹), osmotic flow coefficient; L_D (m³ N⁻¹ s⁻¹), reflection coefficient σ (dimensionless) at zero gradients of temperature and hydrostatic pressure. Considering intrinsic relationships between these constants where and L_PD = −σL_P, we have ascertained that the bentonitic fossiliferous Mancos shale had a lower L_P and a higher σ compared to the kaolinitic and siliceous shale from Abo Formation indicating a higher degree of compaction post-diagenesis (lower porosity) and higher filtration efficiency. Mechanistic processes involved in solute transport and matrix morphology indicate key multi-scale transformations, ionic- and atomic-exchange competitions on high energy sites like cation-exchange sites, isomorphic substitution at argillaceous mineral edges, atomic-clipping within basal spacing, preferential pathway migration, dead-end pores that give rise to localized solute exclusionary processes and solute attenuation giving rise to anomalous osmotic gradients.     

First principles study of microscopic structures and layer-anion interactions in layered double hydroxides intercalated various univalent anions

Density functional theory has been used to investigate microscopic structures and electronic properties of LDHs containing F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, OH⁻, , , . Both electrovalent bonds and covalent bonds were found in the layer. For halogen anions, the strength of interaction was accorded with electronegative intensity. And the LUMOs dispersed throughout the interlayer region. While for complicated anions, the strength was accorded with the discrepancy of electronegative intensity between center atom and bonding atoms, the LUMOs almost localized in interlayer anions. p Orbital of metal cations and s orbital of anions provided major contributions to electrovalent parts of system, while s orbital of metal cations and p orbital of anions provided major contributions to covalent parts. This has the further significance in Forcefield design for LDHs simulation. Multiple hydrogen bonds were existed in LDHs-X system. The more the number of multiple hydrogen bonds formed, the weaker the strength of single multi-hydrogen bonds was. Multiple hydrogen bonds will bring stronger interaction between interlayer guest anion and host LDHs-layer than single hydrogen bond.     

Is Cd2 truly a van der Waals molecule? Analysis of rotational profiles recorded at the , transitions

Rotational profiles of the ²²⁸Cd₂ isotopomer recorded in the (υ′, υ″) = (26, 0), (27, 0), (42, 0), (45, 0), (46, 0), (48, 0) vibrational bands of the transition were analysed. As a result, the , , , , and excited- as well as the ground-state rotational constants of the (¹¹⁴Cd)₂ were determined. The analysis allowed determining the absolute values for the and excited- and ground-state bond lengths, respectively. The obtained result – the – distinctly shorter than that obtained with assumption of pure ground-state van der Waals bonding, supports a theoretical prediction of a covalent admixture to the bonding. Analysis of the partially-resolved rotational profile recorded in the (υ′, υ″) = (38, 0) band of the same isotopomer recorded at the transition allowed estimating the rotational constant in the B1_u state.     

Ab initio electronic and rovibrational structure of

The electronic structure of the ground state of has been investigated using relativistically-corrected CCSD(T) in conjunction with ANO-RCC (Mg) and aug-cc-pVQZ (H) basis sets. The molecular potential energy surface possessed minima corresponding to both ¹A₁ and equilibrium structures (with a ¹Σ⁺ transition state). The ¹A₁ structure possessed R_e and θ_e values of 2.0297 Å and of 22.09°, respectively. The higher-energy structure exhibited an R_e value of 2.1658 Å. Property surfaces were constructed to calculate rovibrational energies and spectral line intensities for the ground states of , (¹A′) MgHD²⁺ and . For the vibration ground state of , the vibration-averaged R_e and θ_e values were calculated to be 2.0209 Å and 22.53°, respectively. The A, B and C rotational constants were calculated to be 58.0, 2.21 and 2.11 cm⁻¹, respectively.     

Theoretical determination of absolute free energy of reduction of plastoquinone-9 in photosystem II and of plastoquinone-n in DMF

We employed static continuum electrostatics and multi-conformation continuum electrostatics (MCCE) methods to determine the reduction potential () of PQ-9 in a section of Photosystem II (PSII). Both methods relied on the finite difference Poisson–Boltzmann (FDPB) solution. The static method brings out a value (0.01 V) that is close to the experimental one (0.05 V), thereby demonstrating that the surrounding environment critically decides the net free energy change. The value obtained from MCCE (0.04 V) is even closer to the observed value, thereby indicating the importance of protein side-chain and proton motions in the electron transfer process. Furthermore, density functional theory-dielectric polarisable continuum model (DFT-DPCM) was employed to calculate the absolute free energy of reduction of plastoquinone-n (PQ-n, where n is the number of isoprenoid units) in N,N dimethyl formamide (DMF) solvent. The DFT-DPCM method produced reduction potential values of −0.59 and −0.65 V for PQ-1 and PQ-9, respectively. These are more or less in agreement with the experimentally reported values of −0.64 and −0.62 V, respectively.     

Nucleophilic and electrophilic radical attack on maleic and fumaric acids in aqueous solution

Rate coefficients (k) of CH₂OH, , and radical addition to maleic and fumaric acids were investigated between pH 1 and 8. Strong pH dependences observed were attributed to changes in protonation states of acids: H₂X, HX⁻ and X²⁻. k of CH₂OH, , addition to fumaric acid decreased in the order k_H2F>k_HF^->k_F^2- in agreement with the nucleophilic character of reaction. The electrophilic radical showed opposite tendency. With maleic acid the monoanion had the highest reactivity towards nucleophilic and the lowest one towards electrophilic radicals. This is attributed to a prevalence of steric over polar effects for HM⁻.     

Molecular fine structure and transition dipole moment of NO2 using an external cavity quantum cascade laser

Rotational vibrational fine structure and transition dipole moment of NO₂ is measured using Doppler free saturation spectroscopy with an external grating cavity quantum cascade laser (QCL). The QCL wavelength is calibrated using a 310 cm long internally coupled Fabry–Perot interferometer. We obtain a frequency splitting of 139.68 ± 0.06 MHz (0.0047 cm⁻¹) between the spin doublets (17) of 000 → 001 transition of NO₂. The resolution of the QCL based saturation spectrometer is limited by the QCL linewidth of 3.99 MHz ( 0.00013 cm⁻¹) deduced from the half width of the Lamb dips. The Lamb dip spectroscopy is utilized to obtain a vibrational dipole moment of 0.37 Debye for the (17) transitions.     

Franck–Condon simulation of photoelectron spectroscopy of HOO: Including Duschinsky effects

Geometry optimization and harmonic vibrational frequency calculations were performed on the and states of HOO and state of HOO⁻. The electron affinity and the term energy () of HOO were calculated at various theory levels. Franck–Condon analyses and spectral simulations were carried out on the and photodetachment processes. The spectral simulations of vibrational structures based on the computed Franck–Condon factors are in excellent agreement with the observed spectra. In addition, the equilibrium geometrical parameters of the state of HOO⁻ and state of HOO were obtained in the spectral simulations.     

The electronic states of but-2-yne studied by VUV absorption, near-threshold electron energy-loss spectroscopy and ab initio configuration interaction methods

The photoabsorption spectrum of but-2-yne in the range 5.5–11 eV (225–110 nm) has been recorded using a synchrotron radiation source. The spectrum is dominated by three d-type Rydberg series, converging to the first ionisation energy (IE) (π⁻¹, 9.562 eV). Origins of the π3d members are 7.841, 7.977 and 8.018 eV, respectively. Transitions of low intensity, arising from excitation of the π3s state (origin, 6.35 eV) and two π3p Rydberg states (7.38 and 7.51 eV, respectively) have also been identified in the spectrum. Near-threshold electron energy-loss spectra reveal valence excited triplet states at about 5.2 and 5.8 eV, respectively.Electronic excitation energies for valence and Rydberg-type states have been computed using ab initio multi-reference multi-root CI methods. These studies used a triple zeta + polarisation basis set, augmented by diffuse (Rydberg) orbitals, to generate the theoretical singlet and triplet energy manifolds. The correlation of theory and experiment shows the nature of the more intense Rydberg state types, and identification of the main valence and Rydberg bands. Calculated energies for Rydberg states are close to those expected, and there is generally a good correlation between the theoretical and experimental envelopes. It was possible to generate singlet Rydberg states which relate to the 5-lowest IEs of but-2-yne; furthermore, the separation of these sequences shows that the IE order (under D_3h symmetry) is: , also supported by direct calculation of the IEs by CI.The lowest valence singlet states are ππ^*, optically forbidden, and calculated to lie near 7.3 and 7.6 eV. The states which contribute strongly to the observed spectrum are πσ^* near 7.9 eV having excitation, followed by several ππ^* and πσ^* states between 10.0 and 10.5 eV; an ¹E′ antisymmetric combination(2e′2e″ − 2e′2e″) is by far the strongest in intensity. A further group of symmetry-allowed valence states are calculated to lie near 12.3 and 12.9 eV. The two lowest triplet states, both of E′ symmetry (ππ^*), have vertical excitation energies of 5.7 and 6.2 eV, but are strongly bent with a trans-CCCC unit (C_S and C_2h). The theoretical work confirms that, on intensity grounds, valence excited states do not contribute significantly to the spectrum. CI calculations of the ionic states give the ionisation energy sequence (D_3h): . Adiabatic structures for the first cation, two triplets, and a singlet (C_2h) were obtained; these show shortening of C–C, and lengthening of CC, in a trans-CCCC, as is found with ethyne.     

Scavenging of and OH radicals in concentrated HCl and NaCl aqueous solutions

In neutral and acidic aqueous solutions containing 2 mol L⁻¹ of Cl⁻, the decay of the solvated electron and the formation of ClOH⁻ and were studied by picosecond pulse radiolysis experiment. The rate constant for the reaction of and H₃O⁺ is 1.3 × 10¹⁰ L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. The yield of the OH radical at 100 ps is estimated to be 5.0 × 10⁻⁷  mol  J⁻¹.     

Surface properties and aggregate morphology of partially fluorinated carboxylate-type anionic gemini surfactants

Three anionic homologues of a novel partially fluorinated carboxylate-type anionic gemini surfactant, N,N′-di(3-perfluoroalkyl-2-hydroxypropyl)-N,N′-diacetic acid ethylenediamine (2 edda, where n represents the number of carbon atoms in the fluorocarbon chain (4, 6, and 8)) were synthesized. In these present gemini surfactants, the relatively small carboxylic acid moieties form hydrophilic head groups. The surface properties or structures of the aggregates of these surfactants are strongly influenced by the nonflexible fluorocarbons and small head groups; this is because these surfactants have a closely packed molecular structure. The equilibrium surface tension properties of these surfactants were measured at 298.2 K for various fluorocarbon chain lengths. The plot of the logarithm of the critical micelle concentration (cmc) against the fluorocarbon chain lengths for 2 edda (n = 4, 6, and 8) showed a minimum for n = 6. Furthermore, the lowest surface tension of 2 edda at the cmc was 16.4 mN m⁻¹. Such unique behavior has not been observed even in the other fluorinated surfactants. Changes in the shapes and sizes of these surfactant aggregate with concentration were investigated by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The TEM micrographs showed that in an aqueous alkali solution, 2 edda mainly formed aggregates with stringlike (n = 4), cagelike (n = 6), and distorted bilayer structures (n = 8). The morphological changes in the aggregates were affected by the molecular structure composed of nonflexible fluorocarbon chains and flexible hydrocarbon chains.     

Low-temperature heat capacities and standard molar enthalpy of formation of the solid-state coordination compound trans-Cu(Ala)2(s) (Ala = l-α-alanine)

Low-temperature heat capacities of the solid coordination compound trans-Cu(Ala)₂(s) have been measured by a precision automated adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range from T = 78 K to 390 K. The experimental values of the molar heat capacities in the temperature region were fitted to a polynomial equation of heat capacities (C_p,m) with the reduced temperatures (X), [X = f (T)], by a least square method. The smoothed molar heat capacities and thermodynamic functions of the complex trans-Cu(Ala)₂(s) were calculated based on the fitted polynomial. The smoothed values of the molar heat capacities and fundamental thermodynamic functions of the sample relative to the standard reference temperature 298.15 K were tabulated with an interval of 5 K. Enthalpies of dissolution of {Cu(Ac)₂·H₂O(s) + 2Ala (s)} and 2:1 HAc (aq) in 100 ml of 2 mol dm⁻³ HCl, respectively, and trans-Cu(Ala)₂(s) in the solvent [2:1 HAc (aq) + 2 mol dm⁻³ HCl] at T = 298.15 K were determined to be , , and by means of an isoperibol solution-reaction calorimeter. The standard molar enthalpy of formation of the compound was determined as from the enthalpies of dissolution and other auxiliary thermodynamic data using a Hess thermochemical cycle.     

Theoretical calculations of energetics, structures, and rate constants for the H + CH3OH hydrogen abstraction reactions

Barrier heights, structures, reaction energies, and rate constants are calculated with the DFT, MP2, and CCSD(T) methods for the first two channels of the H + CH₃OH reactions. The best estimate results based on CCSD(T) calculations give reaction enthalpies () for the first (−8.4 kcal/mol) and second (0.8 kcal/mol) reactive channels, which are comparable to the experimental values, −8.8 ± 0.9 and −0.3 ± 0.9 kcal/mol, respectively. Rate constants and activation energies calculated with the IVTST-0 method using CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ geometries and frequencies are also in excellent agreement with experiment data.     

High stable sandwich-type polyoxometallates based on . Synthesis, chemical properties and characterization of [(A-β-SiW9O34)2(MOH2)3CO3] (M = Y and Yb)

Highly hydrolytic and thermally stable sandwich-type polyoxometallates of [(A-β-SiW₉O₃₄)₂(MOH₂)₃CO₃]¹³⁻ (M = Y³⁺ and Yb³⁺) have been synthesized at room temperature by stoichiometric reactions of the trilacunary ligand with M³⁺ in 0.1 M carbonate solution. The new complexes were isolated as sodium and mixed sodium/potassium salts and were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, TGA, DSC and single crystal structure analysis. The crystal structure of the complexes consist of two lacunary Keggin moieties which are linked by a (H₂OMO)₃C belt into an assembly of virtual C₂ symmetry. Each M³⁺ ion adopts a mono-capped trigonal-prismatic coordination. The C₂ axis of the complexes and the local 3-fold axis of the MO₆ group lies in the (H₂OMO)₃C belt plane. The trigonal prismatic geometry is achieved by the two terminal oxygen atoms of an edge shared pair of WO₆ octahedra from each moiety and two oxygen from the belt, and the cap by one external water ligand. The hydrolytic and thermal stabilities of the complexes and the reasons that prove the retention of the isomeric form of the trilacunary ligand upon complexation are discussed.     

Theoretical study on the reaction of the Δ ground state of ZrO with CS2 in the gas phase

The mechanisms for the three products ZrS⁺, and ZrOS⁺ of the title reaction have been studied by using B3LYP/6-311+G* and CCSD(T)/SDD+6-311+G* methods. It is found that both ZrS⁺ and formations involve the same O/S exchange process via a four-center transition state TS12 to form an intermediate IM2. Exception of that IM2 can dissociate into the ZrS⁺ product, a favorable intramolecular rearrangement mechanism associated with the formation has been identified, which explains why ZrS⁺ was excluded as a precusor for the formation and why the lower efficiency of the ZrS⁺ formation was observed in experiment. For the formation of ZrOS⁺, two parallel channels (path A and B) yielding their corresponding product isomer have been identified. Path B involving an insertion–elimination mechanism with a calculated barrier underestimated by ca. 25.0 kJ/mol should be attributed to the threshold of 114.8 ± 12.5 kJ/mol assigned in the experiment. But path A should make some contributions to the formation of ZrOS⁺ at elevated energy.     

Theoretical study of the reaction of CF3O radicals with CO

The potential energy surface for the reaction of the CF₃O radicals with CO was investigated. The geometries and vibrational frequencies of the reactants, transition states, intermediates, and products were calculated at the UB3LYP/6-311+G(2d,p), UB3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) and UMP2/6-311+G(2d,p) levels of theory. The energies were improved by using the G2M(CC2) and G3B3 methods. The calculation suggests the reaction proceeds via either the fluorine abstraction of CF₃O by CO to produce FCO + CF₂O with a high energy barrier or the barrierless association of the reactants to form the trans-CF₃OCO intermediate. The trans-CF₃OCO is predicted to undergo subsequent isomerization to cis-CF₃OCO or dissociate directly to the products FCO + CF₂O and CF₃ + CO₂. The collisional stabilization of trans-CF₃OCO is dominant at room temperature, while trans-CF₃OCO isomerizing to cis-CF₃OCO followed by dissociating to CF₃ + CO₂ is accessible when temperature rises. The reason for only trans-CF₃OCO without cis-CF₃OCO observable in Ashen’s experiment [S.V. Ahsen, J. Hufen, H. Willner, J.S. Francisco, Chem. Eur. J. 8 (2002) 1189] is cis-CF₃OCO can be produced only via the isomerization of trans-CF₃OCO, and its yield is inappreciable at a low experimental temperature. The enthalpies of formation for the two conformations of CF₃OCO have been deduced: (trans-CF₃OCO) = −196.25 kcal mol⁻¹, (trans-CF₃OCO) = −197.46 kcal mol⁻¹, (cis-CF₃OCO) = −193.64 kcal mol⁻¹, and (cis-CF₃OCO) = −194.90 kcal mol⁻¹.     

The elliptical Penning trap: Experimental investigations and simulations

The application of an additional azimuthal quadrupolar electrostatic field to a Penning trap leads to a field configuration referred to as an elliptical Penning trap. The resulting changes of the radial ion motions have been investigated experimentally and by use of simulations. The eigenfrequencies, i.e., the magnetron frequency and the reduced cyclotron frequency , are found to be shifted with respect to those of the standard Penning trap ω₋, ω₊, respectively. As the shift of the magnetron frequency is larger than that of the reduced cyclotron frequency their sum is also a function of the ellipticity and no longer equal to the cyclotron frequency in the absence of an electric trapping field ω_c=qB/m. The frequency shifts were investigated for argon and fullerene ions. The experimental studies were performed by time-of-flight (ToF) analysis of the ion cyclotron resonance and by Fourier-transform ion-cyclotron-resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS). The experimental and simulated values are in agreement with theoretical predictions [M. Kretzschmar, this issue] when the influence of higher multipole terms is taken into account.     

Effect of pressure and temperature on structural stability of potential hydrogen storage compound Li3AlH6

The crystal structure of Li₃AlH₆ was investigated at high pressures upto 27 GPa using a diamond anvil cell with synchrotron radiation in addition to high temperature X-ray diffraction. Density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations were performed simultaneously. While the structure of Li₃AlH₆ is stable on increasing temperature, the results of high pressure experiments show a pressure induced phase transition from the ambient phase to a high pressure cubic phase around 10.6 GPa. The transition pressure of 10.6 GPa and the bulk modulus value B₀ = 32(2) GPa for the phase obtained are in good agreement with the theoretical results.