Formation of phosphaethyne dimers: a mechanistic study

High-level ab initio (CCSD(T), CBS-QB3 and CASSCF, CASPT2, MR-ACPF, MR-ACPF-2) and density functional theory (B3LYP) calculations were carried out to study the dimerization of phosphaacetylene or phosphaethyne (HCP). Seventeen low energy closed-shell and five open-shell phosphaacetylene dimers were found on the potential energy surface. Two head-to-head, one head-to-tail and three other dimerization reaction pathways were determined, all with high activation barriers, suggesting that closed-shell minima are usually kinetically stable. An open-shell head-to-head reaction pathway has also been found with moderate initial barrier (95.0 kJ mol(-1)) leading to 1,2- and 1,3-diphosphacyclobutadiene, suggesting that polymerization of HCP and oligomerization of its derivatives have open-shell mechanism. Formation of 1,2-diphosphacyclobutadiene is both thermodynamically and kinetically favored over 1,3-diphosphacyclobutadiene. A head-to-head reaction involving LiBr as a catalyst was also studied. It has been pointed out that LiBr catalyze the closed-shell mechanism. All the four possible reaction channels of this reaction yield 1,4-diphosphatriafulvene with a fairly low activation Gibbs-free energy (44.8 kJ mol(-1)), suggesting that this compound could be synthesized. This finding fully supports the experimental results.     

Heteroatom-substituted rhodamine dyes: Structure and spectroscopic properties

Rhodamine is one class of most popular dyes used in fluorescence imaging due to the outstanding photoproperties including high brightness and photostability. In recent years, replacement the xanthene oxygen with other elements, especially silicon, has attracted great attentions in the development of new rhodamine derivatives. This review summarized the structures and photophysical properties of heteroatom-substituted rhodamines. We hope this review can help to understand the structure-property relationships of rhodamine dyes and then elucidate the way to create derivatives with improved photoproperties.     

Heteroatom-substituted rhodamine dyes: Structure and spectroscopic properties

This review summarized the structures and photophysical properties of heteroatom-substituted rhodamines.     

Ab initio study of optical properties of rhodamine 6G molecular dimers

Equilibrium atomic geometries of rhodamine 6G (R6G) dye molecule dimers are studied using density-functional theory. Electron-energy structure and optical properties of R6G H and J dimers are calculated using the generalized gradient approximation method with ab initio pseudopotentials. Our theory predicts substantial redshifts or blueshifts of the optical absorption spectra of R6G dye molecules after aggregation in J or H dimers, respectively. Predicted optical properties of R6G dimers are interpreted in terms of interatomic and intermolecular interactions. Results of the calculations are discussed in comparison with experimental data.     

Infrared spectroscopic and density functional theory studies on the CO dissociation by scandium and yttrium dimers

Reactions of laser-ablated scandium and yttrium atoms with dilute carbon monoxide molecules in solid argon have been investigated using matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy. On the basis of the results of the isotopic substitution, the change of laser power and CO concentration and the comparison with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the absorption at 1193.4 cm(-1) is assigned to the C-O stretching vibration of the Sc(2)[eta(2)(mu(2)-C,O)] molecule, which has a single bridging CO that is tilted to the side. This CO-activated molecule undergoes ultraviolet-visible photoinduced rearrangement to the CO-dissociated molecule, c-Sc(2)(mu-C)(mu-O). The cyclic c-Sc(2)(mu-C)(mu-O) molecule has a bridging carbon on one side of the Sc(2) unit and a bridging oxygen on the other. The analogous Y(2)[eta(2)(mu(2)-C,O)] molecule has not been observed, but the CO-dissociated c-Y(2)(mu-C)(muO) molecule has been observed in the Y + CO experiments. DFT calculations of the geometry structures, vibrational frequencies, and IR intensities strongly support the assignments. The CO activation mechanism has also been discussed. Our experimental and theoretical results schematically depict an activation process to CO dissociation.     

Lipophilic derivative of rhodamine 19: characterization and spectroscopic properties

A new octadecylamide derivative of rhodamine 19 was synthesized by reaction of rhodamine 19 ethyl ester (rhodamine 6 G) with octadecylamine. This lipophilic dye exists in two forms: as a cationic species containing a secondary amide group and as an electrically neutral molecule containing an additional ring closed between the oxygen of the amide group and the central carbon of the xanthene part. Both forms were isolated and characterized in detail by means of elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, IR, NMR and UV-VIS spectroscopy. Depending on the hydrogen ion activity in solution and the availability of solvent hydrogen for hydrogen bond formation, the cationic form easily converted into a neutral one and vice versa. On the basis of absorption and emission UV-VIS spectroscopic data, the equilibrium of the two forms was studied in various solvents. An increase in dye concentration in acidified methanol/water mixture (volume fraction of water, ?=80%) led to aggregation of the cationic molecules. Using the UV-VIS absorption data, a corresponding dimerization constant was evaluated.     

Theoretical study of spectroscopic parameters of alkali -Al and alkaline earth-Al dimers

The ground states of alkali-Al dimers (AlLi, AlNa, AlK, AlRb and AlCs) and alkaline earth-Al dimers (AlBe, AlMg, AlCa, AlSr and AlBa) along with their monovalent anions and cations were assigned based on the results of calculations. Bond lengths r _e , harmonic vibrational frequencies ω _e and dissociation energies D ₀ of these species were obtained. For neutral dimers, we also calculated adiabatic electron affinities (EA) and adiabatic ionization energies (IE). The present results are in agreement with the available experimental and other theoretical data. The ground state symmetry of AlLi, AlNa, AlK, AlRb and AlCs is ¹ Σ⁺. The ground state symmetry of AlBe⁺, AlMg⁺, AlCa⁺, AlSr⁺ and AlBa⁺ is also ¹Σ⁺. The ground state of AlLi^?, AlNa^?, AlK^?, AlRb^? and AlCs^? is ² Π, and is the same as in the isoelectronic neutral Al-alkaline-earth dimers. For both the alkali-Al and alkaline earth-Al neutral AlX species, the bond length increases monotonously with increasing atomic number of X. For the alkali-Al ions, energies of dissociation via the channels AlX^? → Al + X^? and AlX⁺ → Al + X⁺ are smaller than the energies of dissociation via the channel AlX^? → X + Al^? andAlX⁺ → X + Al⁺, respectively. While the opposite dissociation manner is found for alkaline earth-Al anions.     

2-Naphthyl(carbomethoxy)carbene revisited: combination of ultrafast UV-vis and infrared spectroscopic study

Ultrafast laser flash photolysis (310 nm) of methyl 2-napthyldiazoacetate (2-NpCN2CO2CH3) in acetonitrile or cyclohexane produces a diazo excited state which absorbs broadly in the visible region (tau = 300 fs). The decay of the excited diazo compound is accompanied by growth of the vibrationally excited singlet 2-naphthyl(carbomethoxy)carbene ((1)NpCCO2CH3). The singlet carbene absorbs at 360 and 470 nm. In acetonitrile these bands do not decay over 3 ns, but they do decay by approximately 50% of their original intensity in cyclohexane in 3 ns. It is concluded that (1)NpCCO2CH3 has a singlet ground state in acetonitrile but a triplet ground state in cyclohexane. Related experiments reveal a singlet ground state in Freon-113 and chloroform. This interpretation is supported by ultrafast IR spectroscopy, which confirms that only (1)NpCCO2CH3 is formed within 50 ps of the laser pulse rather than a singlet-triplet equilibrium mixture of carbene. The planar singlet relaxes to the preferred perpendicular singlet over a few tens of picoseconds, as evidenced by a red shift of the carbonyl stretching vibration. Although our data agrees with previous studies, its interpretation is somewhat altered.     

Fluorescent dimers of rhodamine 6G in concentrated ethylene glycol solution

Aggregation of rhodamine 6G in concentrated ethylene glycol solutions is studied as a function of temperature. The measurements of absorption and fluorescence spectra evidence that the system of interest consists of two fluorescent species: monomers and dimers. Strong overlaps between all absorption and fluorescence bands in this system enable forward and reverse energy transport between monomers and dimers. The quantitative analysis of the effect of nonradiative energy transport (NET) on the fluorescence spectra as well as on the fluorescence quantum yields of monomers and dimers explains the temperature and concentration regularities observed. In particular, it is shown that in the concentrated solution the calculated monomer quantum yield is underrated compared to that measured, if the reverse NET is neglected. The lack of information on the value of the dimer quantum yield does not allow for full analysis of the forward and reverse NET in the system. However, it is shown that if that quantum yield is determined as the best fit parameter, an excellent agreement between the experimental and calculated values is obtained.     

Tuning from pi,pi to charge-transfer excited states in styryl-substituted terthiophenes: an ultrafast and steady-state emission study

The steady-state and transient emission properties of unsubstituted terthiophene and a series of 3'-[E-2-(4-R-phenyl)ethenyl]-2,2':5',2' '-terthiophenes (where R = H, MeO, NH(2), CN, NMe(2), NO(2)) have been examined. The R = NO(2) compound is nonemissive at room temperature in all solvents but cyclohexane. All of the other compounds show measurable steady-state emission in a variety of solvents. The behavior of these spectra may be split into two groups. The first group, those substituted compounds with R = CN, NH(2) and NMe(2), show solvatochromic behavior, where their Lippert-Mataga plots suggest changes in dipole upon photoexcitation ranging from 12.5 to 16.0 D. For the second group, where R = H and MeO (and unsubstituted terthiophene as well), the Lippert-Mataga plots indicate dipole moment changes ranging from 0 to 7.9 D. The difference in behavior between the two groups of emissive compounds can be attributed to a charge-transfer character of the emitting state in the first group. This conclusion is supported by density functional theory calculations, which show that the frontier MOs in the group one compounds are spatially separated whereas those of group two have frontier MOs that are delocalized over both the styryl and terthiophene moieties. Picosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy reveals that unsubstituted terthiophene has the shortest emission lifetime of 140 ps in acetonitrile. For the styryl substituted terthiophenes, the lifetimes are much longer and range from 320 to 670 ps for R = CN and NMe(2) respectively, a result that can be explained in terms of a smaller rate of intersystem crossing in these compounds.     

Glass transition in pure and doped amorphous solid water: an ultrafast microcalorimetry study

Using an ultrafast scanning microcalorimetry apparatus capable of heating rates in excess of 10(5) Ks, we have conducted the first direct measurements of thermodynamic properties of pure and doped amorphous solid water (also referred to as low density amorphous ice) in the temperature range from 120 to 230 K. Ultrafast microcalorimetry experiments show that the heat capacity of pure amorphous solid water (ASW) remains indistinguishable from that of crystalline ice during rapid heating up to a temperature of 205+/-5 K where the ASW undergoes rapid crystallization. Based on these observations, we conclude that the enthalpy relaxation time in pure ASW must be greater than 10(-5) s at 205 K. We argue that this result contradicts the assignment of glass transition temperature to 135 K and that ASW may undergo fragile to strong transition at temperatures greater than 205 K. Unlike pure ASW, we observe an approximately twofold rise in heat capacity of CH3COOH doped ASW at 177+/-5 K. We discuss results of past studies taking into account possible influence of impurities and confinement on physical properties of ASW.     

The dissociation of fluoroaluminates in FLiNaK and CsF-KF molten mixtures: a Raman spectroscopic and solubility study

By using a new furnace design, M(3)AlF(6) (M = Na, K, Cs) and mixtures of small amounts of AlF(3) in FLiNaK (46.5 mol % LiF, 11.5 mol % NaF, 42 mol % KF) and CsF-KF eutectic have been investigated over a wide temperature range (25-1050 degrees C) by Raman spectroscopy. The peak positions and their relative intensities have been measured as a function of temperature. In FLiNaK, up to 750 degrees C, the bands shift gradually to lower wavenumbers, and their halfwidths increase in agreement with published data. However, it is shown from solubility measurements and Raman data that, in these conditions, the mixture is not totally molten and the spectra correspond mainly to AlF(6)(3-) in the solid state. When the mixture is completely molten, a new band appears clearly on the high-frequency side of the main band of the spectrum, and its intensity grows up when the temperature is increased. The present results are a clear confirmation of the dissociation of AlF(6)(3-) into AlF(5)(2-) and AlF(4)(-) that our study of the Raman bands of the fully melted systems MF-AlF(3) (M = Na, K, Li) previously suggested. On these systems, it is then important to know if the spectra belong mainly to solid or liquid fluoroaluminates before drawing any conclusion concerning the liquid phase structure.     

Stability,spectroscopic constants,and dissociation of CO2+: A theoretical study

Stability, spectroscopic constants, and dissociation of CO²⁺ have been studied in detail using ab initio MP2, CCSD and CCSD(T) methods, and density functional B3LYP method. The stability and the ambiguity between the ground and metastable state of the molecular dication have been discussed. The spectroscopic constants of the molecular dication have been compared with the experimental and theoretical values wherever available. Various charge symmetric and charge asymmetric dissociation pathways of CO²⁺ have been investigated. After dissociation, the fragmented atoms and ions are considered to be either in their ground or in their metastable state. Interesting results have been obtained for the charge symmetric and charge asymmetric dissociation of the diatomic dication. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Letter: intercluster chemistry of protonated and sodiated betaine dimers upon collision induced dissociation and electron induced dissociation

The collision induced dissociation and electron induced dissociation spectra of the [2M + H](+) and [2M + Na](+) clusters of the zwitterionic amino acid, betaine (M), have been examined in a hybrid linear ion trap Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. Intercluster reactions are observed in the collision induced dissociation spectra of [2M + H](+) and [2M + Na](+) and in the electron induced dissociation spectrum of [2M + H](+).     

Formation of dimers in lipid monolayers

In this work, we analyse theoretically the hypothesis that zwitterionic lipids form dimers in adsorption monolayers on water/ hydrocarbon phase boundary. A dimer can be modelled as a couple of lipid molecules whose headgroup lateral dipole moments have antiparallel orientation. Properties including surface pressure, chemical potentials and activity coefficients are deduced from a general expression for the free energy of the monolayer. The theoretical model is in a good agreement with experimental data for surface pressure and surface potential of lipid monolayers. The results favour the hypothesis about formation of dimers in equilibrium with monomers, with the amount of the species depending on the area per molecule and temperature. The reaction of dimerisation turns out to be exothermic with a heat of about 2.5kT per dimer. The results may be applied to the molecular models of membrane structures and mechanisms.     

Photoelectron spectroscopic study of simple hydrogen-bonded dimers. II. The methanol dimer

HeI photoelectron spectra of a supersonic jet of methanol vapor have been obtained by using the temperature-controlled supersonic nozzle beam photoelectron spectrometer recently constructed in our laboratory. A HeI spectrum attributable to the methanol dimer (CH₃OH)₂ has been deduced by spectrum stripping. The first ten vertical ionization energies and the first adiabatic ionization energy of (CH₃OH)₂ have been determined from the stripped spectrum. Ab initio SCF MO calculations of ionization energies have also been carried out for (CH₃OH)₂ on the basis of Koopmans' theorem. The lower bound of the dissociation energy of (CH₃OH)₂⁺ has been estimated to be 1.2 ± 0.2 eV from the adiabatic ionization energies of the monomer and dimer. The equilibrium structure of (CH₃OH)₂ is also discussed.     

Direct observation of competitive ultrafast CO dissociation and relaxation of an MLCT excited state: picosecond time-resolved infrared spectroscopic study of [Cr(CO)(4)(2,2'-bipyridine)

Early excited-state dynamics of [Cr(CO)(4)(bpy)] were studied in a CH(2)Cl(2) solution by picosecond time-resolved IR spectroscopy, which made it possible to characterize structurally the individual species involved and to follow separately the temporal evolution of the IR bands due to the bleached ground-state absorption, the fac-[Cr(CO)(3)(Sol)(bpy)] photoproduct, and two (3)MLCT states. It was found that the fac-[Cr(CO)(3)(Sol)(bpy)] photoproduct is formed alongside population of two (3)MLCT states during the first picosecond after excitation at 400 or 500 nm by a branched evolution of the optically populated excited state. Vibrationally relaxed (3)MLCT excited states are unreactive, decaying directly to the ground state on a picosecond time scale. The photoproduct is long-lived, persistent into the nanosecond time domain. Changing the excitation wavelength from 400 to 500 nm strongly increases the extent of the bleach recovery and decreases the yield of the photoproduct formation relative to the initial yield of the population of the unreactive (3)MLCT states. The photochemical quantum yield of CO dissociation also decreases with increasing excitation wavelength (Víchová, J.; Hartl, F.; Vlcek, A., Jr. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1992, 114, 10903). These observations demonstrate the relationship between the early dynamics of optically populated excited states and the overall outcome of a photochemical reaction and identify the limiting role of the branching of the initial excited-state evolution between reactive and relaxation pathways as a more general principle of organometallic photochemistry.     

Photochemistry of 2-naphthoyl azide. An ultrafast time-resolved UV-vis and IR spectroscopic and computational study

The photochemistry of 2-naphthoyl azide was studied in various solvents by femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy with IR and UV-vis detection. The experimental findings were interpreted with the aid of computational studies. Using polar and nonpolar solvents, the formation and decay of the first singlet excited state (S(1)) was observed by both time-resolved techniques. Three processes are involved in the decay of the S(1) excited state of 2-naphthoyl azide: intersystem crossing, singlet nitrene formation, and isocyanate formation. The lifetime of the S(1) state decreases significantly as the solvent polarity increases. In all solvents studied, isocyanate formation correlates with the decay of the azide S(1) state. Nitrene formation correlates with the decay of the relaxed S(1) state only upon 350 nm excitation (S(0) → S(1) excitation). When S(n) (n ≥ 2) states are populated upon excitation (λ(ex) = 270 nm), most nitrene formation takes place within a few picoseconds through the hot S(1) and higher singlet excited states (S(n)) of 2-naphthoyl azide. The data correlate with the results of electron density difference calculations that predict nitrene formation from the higher-energy singlet excited states, in addition to the S(1) state. For all of these experiments, no recovery of the ground state was observed up to 3 ns after photolysis, which indicates that both internal conversion and fluorescence have very low efficiencies.     

The repassivation kinetics study of Alloy 800 in high-temperature pressurized water

The repassivation kinetics of Alloy 800 is studied in high-temperature pressurized water with different dissolved hydrogen (DH) and dissolved oxygen (DO) at 300 °C. The results demonstrate that under DO conditions, the cBV value increases with the rise of DO concentration; and under DH conditions, the cBV value passes through a local maximum at DH = 1.0 ppm. In addition, the repassivation results in the present work confirm the applicability of the slip-dissolution model for explaining stress corrosion cracking in high-temperature pressurized water by means of electrochemical measurement. Compared with other methods of evaluating stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of engineering materials, studying the repassivation kinetics by rapid scratch technique is a more economical and time-efficient evaluation method for nuclear materials in high-temperature pressurized water.