Novel superalkali superhalogen compounds (Li3)+(SH)- (SH=LiF2, BeF3, and BF4) with aromaticity: new electrides and alkalides.

Optimized structures, with all real frequencies, of superalkali superhalides (Li(3))(+)(SH)(-) (SH=LiF(2), BeF(3), and BF(4)), are obtained, for the first time, at the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ and MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ computational levels. These superalkali superhalides possess three characteristics that are significantly different from normal alkali halides. 1) They have a variety of structures, which come from five bonding mode types: edge-face, edge-edge, face-face, face-edge, and staggered face-edge. We find that the bonding mode type closely correlates with the Li(3)-SH bond energy. 2) The valence electrons on the Li(3) ring are pushed out by the (SH)(-) anion, and become excess electrons, conferring alkalide or electride characteristics on these Li(3)-SH species, depending on the bonding mode type. 3) The highest occupied molecular orbital of each Li(3)-SH species is a doubly occupied delocalized sigma bonding orbital on the Li(3) ring, which indicates its aromaticity. It is noticeable that the maximum negative nucleus-independent chemical shift value (about -10 ppm) moves out from the center of the Li(3) ring, owing to repulsion by the SH(-) anion. We find that these superalkali superhalides are not only complicated "supermolecules", but are also a new type of alkalide or electride, with aromaticity.     

Nonlinear optical properties of alkalides Li+(calix[4]pyrrole)M- (M = Li, Na, and K): alkali anion atomic number dependence

A new type of alkalide compound, Li+(calix[4]pyrrole)M- (M = Li, Na, and K), is presented in theory, which may be stable at room temperature. It has been shown by our calculations that the first hyperpolarizability (beta) is considerably large by means of the density functional theory method. The beta values are determined at the B3LYP/6-311++G level (for the alkali atoms the 6-311++G(3df) basis set is employed) as 8.9 x 103, 1.0 x 104, and 2.4 x 104 au for M = Li, Na, and K, respectively. These beta values are much larger than that of electride Li+(calix[4]pyrrole)e- (beta = 7.3 x 103 au) by a factor of 1.2 to 3.4. Comparing to the cryptand calix[4]pyrrole, the beta values of Li+(calix[4]pyrrole)M- are enhanced by 20-60 times. It is revealed, for the first time, that the beta value of alkalide compounds depends on the atomic number of the alkali anion, and it can be enhanced by choosing the akali anions with larger atomic numbers. The alkali anion in the alkalide compound decreases the transition energy and also increases the oscillator strength of the main transition, consequently the beta value is enhanced. This study proposes such a novel way to synthesize and design new NLO materials by using the alkali atom with a larger atomic number to create an anion in alkalide compounds.     

One-dimensional zigzag chains of Cs-: the structures and properties of Li+ (cryptand[2.1.1])Cs- and Cs+ (cryptand[2.2.2])Cs-

The crystal structure and properties of lithium (cryptand[2.1.1]) ceside, Li+ (C211)Cs-, are reported. Li+ (C211)Cs- is the second ceside and third alkalide with a one-dimensional (1D) zigzag chain of alkali metal anions. The distance between adjacent Cs- anions, 6 A, is shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii, 7 A. Optical, magic angle spinning NMR, two-probe alternating and direct current conductivity, and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements reveal unique physical properties that result from the overlap of adjacent Cs- wave functions in the chain structure. The properties of cesium (cryptand[2.2.2]) ceside, Cs+ (C222)Cs-, were also studied to compare the effects of the subtle geometric changes between the two 1D zigzag chain structures. Li+ (C211)Cs- and Cs+ (C222)Cs- are both low-band-gap semiconductors with anisotropic reflectivities and large paramagnetic 133Cs NMR chemical shifts relative to Cs- (g). An electronic structure model consistent with the experimental data has sp2-hybridized Cs- within the chain and sp-hybridized chain ends. Ab initio multiconfiguration self-consistent field calculations on the ceside trimer, Cs3(3-), support this model and indicate a net bonding interaction between nearest neighbors. The buildup of electron density between adjacent Cs- anions is visualized through an electron density difference map constructed by subtracting the density of three cesium atoms from the short Cs3(3-) fragment.     

Defect models of the three trigonal Ti3+ centers in LiF:Ti3+ and LiF:Ti3+:Mg2+ crystals

The EPR g factors of the trigonal Ti3+ center A in LiF:Ti3+ and two additional trigonal Ti3+ centers B and C in LiF:Ti3+:Mg2+ crystals are calculated from the third-order perturbation formulas based on the cluster approach. From the calculations and by considering the Ti3+ displacement along 111 axis obtained by ENDOR experiment, the defect models for the three Ti3+ centers are suggested. For center A, there are two possible models: (i) [Ti3+F3-O3(2-)] cluster and (ii) [Ti3+F6-] cluster with the Ti3+ off-center caused by a neighboring Li+ vacancy (VLi+) at <111> axis. The latter seems the more likely. The defect models of centers B and C are the [Ti3+F3-O(3)2-] clusters associated with a neighboring: Mg2+ ion at the Li+ site along 111 axis in the vicinity of three F- ions and three O2- ions, respectively. The reasonableness of these models is discussed.     

Structures and considerable static first hyperpolarizabilities: new organic alkalides (M+@n6adz)M'- (M, M'=Li, Na, K; n=2, 3) with cation inside and anion outside of the cage complexants

Eighteen structures of new organic alkalides (M+@n6adz)M'- (M, M'=Li, Na, K; n=2, 3) with the alkali-metal cation M+ lying near the center of the adz cage and the alkali-metal anion M'- located outside are obtained with all real frequencies. They exhibit very large static first hyperpolarizabilities (beta0) up to 3.2x10(5) au, which exceeds the record value of beta0=1.7x10(5) au for nonlinear optical compounds [Chem.-Eur. J. 1997, 3, 1091]. All potassides (M+@n6adz)K- (M=Li, Na, K; n=2, 3) have considerably large beta0 values (1.6x10(5)-3.2x10(5) au) much larger than the beta0 value (3.6x10(4) au) of the previously designed cuplike alkalide Li+(calix[4]pyrrole)K- [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 1072]. This shows that the 26adz and 36adz cage complexants are preferable to cuplike calix[4]pyrrole complexant in enhancing the first hyperpolarizability. The effect of cage size of the complexant on the first hyperpolarizability is also presented here: in most cases, the smaller cage complexant corresponds to the larger beta0 value. Moreover, the crucial role by the alkali-metal anion in the large first hyperpolarizability of these alkalides is revealed. These results may provide new means for designing high-performance nonlinear optical materials.     

Alkali metals in ethylenediamine: a computational study of the optical absorption spectra and NMR parameters of [M(en)3(δ+)·M(δ-)] ion pairs

The optical absorption spectra of alkali metals in ethylenediamine have provided evidence for a third oxidation state, -1, of all of the alkali metals heavier than lithium. Experimentally determined NMR parameters have supported this interpretation, further indicating that whereas Na(-) is a genuine metal anion, the interaction of the alkali anion with the medium becomes progressively stronger for the larger metals. Herein, first-principles computations based upon density functional theory are carried out on various species which may be present in solutions composed of alkali metals and ethylenediamine. The energies of a number of hypothetical reactions computed with a continuum solvation model indicate that neither free metal anions, M(-), nor solvated electrons are the most stable species. Instead, [Li(en)(3)](2) and [M(en)(3)(δ+)·M(δ-)] (M = Na, K, Rb, Cs) are predicted to have enhanced stability. The M(en)(3) complexes can be viewed as superalkalis or expanded alkalis, ones in which the valence electron density is pulled out to a greater extent than in the alkali metals alone. The computed optical absorption spectra and NMR parameters of the [Li(en)(3)](2) superalkali dimer and the [M(en)(3)(δ+)·M(δ-)] superalkali-alkali mixed dimers are in good agreement with the aforementioned experimental results, providing further evidence that these may be the dominant species in solution. The latter can also be thought of as an ion pair formed from an alkali metal anion (M(-)) and solvated cation (M(en)(3)(+)).     

Ab initio investigation on a new class of binuclear superalkali cations M2Li(2k+1)+ (F2Li3+, O2Li5+, N2Li7+, and C2Li9+)

Superalkalies with low ionization potentials (IPs) can exhibit behaviors reminiscent of alkali atoms and hence be considered as potential building blocks for the assembly of novel nanostructured materials. A new series of binuclear superalkali cations M(2)Li(2k+1)(+) (M = F, O, N, C) has been studied using ab initio methods. The structural features of such cations are found to be related to the central atoms. In the preferred structures of F(2)Li(3)(+), O(2)Li(5)(+), and N(2)Li(7)(+), two central atoms are bridged by lithium atoms. While in the global minima of C(2)Li(9)(+), two central carbon atoms directly link each other and the C-C unit extends to the surface of the whole system. These M(2)Li(2k+1)(+) species exhibit very low vertical electron affinities of 2.74-4.61 eV at the OVGF/6-311+G(3df) level and hence should be classified as superalkali cations.     

Li3-O-Li3 molecule: a metal-nonmetal-metal sandwichlike compound with a distending electron cloud

The D3d and D2d isomers of the Li3-O-Li3 molecule are metal-nonmetal-metal sandwichlike structures that contain two Li3 superalkali atoms. Their geometries and the real frequencies are obtained at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVDZ level. They are different from the traditional types of the nonmetal-metal-nonmetal sandwich compounds. The natural bond orbital calculation and the topological property nabla2rho(r) calculation indicate that they are typical ionic compounds. In two isomers, the O2- anion is sandwiched in between two Li3+ cation rings. However, the different orientations of two Li3+ planes give the D3d isomer its own special characteristics. Under the action of the O2- anion in the center, the valence electrons of the D3d isomer are pushed out from two Li3+ triangle rings. This special interaction causes three phenomena. First, the valence electron clouds are distended. Second, the vertical ionization energy of the D3d isomer is considerably low, 4.39 eV, so that it may also be viewed as a superalkali atom. Third, we find that the D3d isomer owns the out-of-plane aromaticity and the largest negative nucleus-independent chemical shift value (-10.8 ppm) exists at 2.5 A above the center of the Li3+ ring, not at the center of the Li3+ ring like the isolated aromatic Li3+ cation.     

碱金属化物M+aza222M′- (M,M′=Li,Na, K)的结构及非线性光学性质

采用密度泛函理论(DFT)B3LYP方法得到具有有机穴状配体的碱金属化物M+aza222M′-(M,M′=Li,Na,K)的几何结构.并使用了BHandHLYP方法计算了此体系的非线性光学(NLO)性质.结果表明:该体系具有很大的一阶超极化率(β0),对于Li+aza222K-体系,β0值达到1.0×106a.u.;体系的β0值及配体aza222内外的碱金属之间距离与碱金属的原子序数均存在着依赖关系.通过与其它碱金属化物的β0值对比发现,aza222配体能够显著增大碱金属化物的一阶超极化率.     

金属离子Na+,Li+及Mg2+与C1O4-和NO3-形成的无水离子缔合物种的从头算量子化学研究

采用量子化学计算方法在B3 LYP/6-311++G**水平下对Na+,Li+和Mg2+与ClO4-和NO3-形成的离子缔合物种的结构以及v1-频率进行了研究,并将结果与SO42-和上述3种阳离子形成的物种进行了对比.在缔合物种结构方面,当阳离子数目≤2时,与SO42-体系相似,ClO4-和NO3-主要与阳离子形成双齿缔合结构,而当阳离子数目＞2时,特别是具有2个正电荷的Mg2+离子数目较多时,由于阳离子间的斥力更大,与阳离 子结合能力较弱的ClO4-和NO3-较难与其形成稳定的离子团簇,而在SO42-体系中,则易形成单齿缔合结构.在v1-频率的变化趋势方面,3种阴离子形成的缔合物种大体相同,说明无水离子团簇的频率变化主要受阳离子性质和缔合结构影响.虽然阴离子性质也有部分影响,但不占主要地位.     

Reaction of bare VO+ and FeO+ with ammonia: a theoretical point of view

The potential energy surfaces corresponding to the dehydration reaction of NH(3) by VO(+) ((3)Sigma, (1)Delta, (5)Sigma) and FeO(+) ((6)Sigma, (4)Delta) metal oxide cations have been investigated within the framework of the density functional theory in its B3LYP formulation and by employing new optimized basis sets for iron and vanadium. The reaction is proposed to occur through two hydrogen shifts from the nitrogen to the oxygen atom giving rise to multicentered transition states. Possible spin crossing between surfaces at different spin multiplicities has been considered. The energy profiles are compared with the corresponding ones for the insertion of bare cations to investigate the influence on reactivity of the presence of the oxygen ligand. The topological analysis of the gradient field of the electron localization function has been used to characterize the nature of the bonds for all the minima and transition states along the paths.     

Cyclohexane as a Li+ selective ionophore

The M+[cyclohexane][Ar] (M = Li, Na, and K) cluster ions were investigated using infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in the C-H stretching region. The alkali metal cation binds to the cyclohexane ring above the ring on the S6 axis via eta3 coordination. The C-H stretching modes are perturbed due to binding of the metal cation and display a significant spread in frequency. The shifts are greatest for the Li+ and decrease for Na+ and K+ with increasing ionic radius. It has been observed that cyclohexane displays greater selectivity for Li+ over Na+ than the cyclic ether, 12-crown-4. The charge transfer interaction between Li+ and cyclohexane is believed to be responsible for the selectivity of Li+ over other alkali metal ions.     

Self-assembled organometallic [12]metallacrown-3 complexes

The reaction of [(arene)RuCl2]2 (arene = C6H6, cymene, C6H3Et3, or C6Me6) or [Cp*RhCl2]2 with 3-hydroxy-2-pyridone in the presence of Cs2CO3 gives trinuclear metallamacrocyclic complexes. The self-assembly process was shown to be completely diastereoselective, and a racemic mixture of complexes with M(R)M(R)M(R) or MsMsMs (M=Ru, Rh) configuration was obtained. Plausible mononuclear intermediates of the formula [(arene)RuCl(C5H4NO2)] (arene = cymene, C6Me6) have been isolated and characterized. A structurally related trimer was synthesized by using [(cymene)RuCl2]2 and 3-acetamido-2-pyridone instead of 3-hydroxy-2-pyridone. The macrocycles were shown to be highly potent ionophores for Na+ and/or Li+ with negligible affinities for the larger cation K+. The selectivities of the receptors depend on the pi-ligand present: whereas the (C6H6)Ru- and (cymene)Ru complexes bind both Li+ and Na+, the (C6Me6)Ru-, (C6H3Et3)Ru-, and Cp*Rh complexes bind exclusively Li+. For all receptors, the presence of alkali metal ions can be detected electrochemically: the peak potential is shifted by > 300 mV toward anionic potential upon binding. This behavior was utilized to detect Li+ and Na+ colorimetrically. Single crystal X-ray analyses have been carried out on eight complexes, four of which are bound to an alkali metal halide ion pair. Structural parameters, which affect the affinity and selectivity are discussed. A computational study on [[MX][12]crown-3] complexes (M =Li, Na; X=Cl, Br, I) was performed in order to compare relevant bond lengths and angles of the energy-minimized structures with those of the organometallic receptors.     

Spin-forbidden c 3Sigma1+<--X 1Sigma+ band system of YF

Optical spectra of jet-cooled diatomic YF have been recorded using resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy. A vibrational progression corresponding to the c 3Sigma1+<--X 1Sigma+ system has been identified. The vibrational frequency omegae' and anharmonicity omegae'xe' of the c 3Sigma+ state are 546.70 and 2.45 cm-1, respectively. The 0-0, 1-0, and 2-0 bands of the c 3Sigma1+<--X 1Sigma+ system were rotationally resolved and analyzed, allowing the v'=0, 1, and 2 levels of the c 3Sigma1+ substate to be characterized. From these studies, Be'=0.269 81(3) cm-1, alphae'=0.001 72(3) cm-1, and re'=1.9979(1) A were obtained (1sigma error limits). For these levels the spin-spin coupling constant lambdav is identical within experimental error, as lambda=-22.5 cm-1. The spin-forbidden c 3Sigma1+<--X 1Sigma+ transition is made allowed by spin-orbit interaction between the c 3Sigma1+ and the B 1Pi states. Excited state lifetimes of the c 3Sigma1+ and the B 1Pi states have been measured as 7.11(41) and 0.133(15) micros, respectively. A spin-orbit analysis shows that the c 3Sigma1+ state is contaminated with 2% B 1Pi character, which is approximately sufficient to explain the 7 micros lifetime of the c 3Sigma1+ state.     

Fluorescence ratiometry of monomer/excimer emissions in a space-through PET system

[Reaction: see text]. Fluorogenic calix[4]arenes (1 and 2) bearing a pendent ethyleneamine on their triazacrown rings, respectively, were synthesized in the cone conformation. Compared with 4, free 1 and 2 display a relatively weak emission, reflecting that a PET process from the pendent amine group (-CH2CH2NH2) to the fluorogenic pyrenes is mainly operated. Addition of various metal ions or anions to the solution of 1 or 2 reduces the PET because the pendent alkylamine takes part in the complexation, causing their fluorescence spectra to be changed. When Pb2+, a quenching metal ion, is added to 1 or 2, their pyrene monomer emission is enhanced with their excimer emission quenched, which is due to conformational changes of the facing carbonyl groups as well as to the participation of the ethyleneamine into the three-dimensional Pb2+ ion encapsulation. In contrast, upon addition of alkali metal ions to the 1 and 2, both monomer and excimer emissions are observed to increase, which is attributable to the CHEF effect and the retained conformations. For anion sensing, both 1 and 2 show a high selectivity for F- ions over other anions tested. When the F- ion is bound to 1 or 2 by hydrogen bonding between the amide NH of the triazacrown ring and F-, both their monomer and excimer emissions are weakened due to PET from the bound F- to the pyrene units.     

Stability and Nonlinear Optical Response of Alkalides that Contain a Completely Encapsulated Superalkali Cluster

Guided by density functional theory (DFT) computations, a new series of superalkali‐based alkalides, namely FLi₂⁺(aza222)K^?, OLi₃⁺(aza222)K^?, NLi₄⁺(aza222)K^?, and Li₃⁺(aza222)K^? were designed with various superalkali clusters embedded into an aza222 cage‐complexant. These species possess diverse isomeric structures in which the encapsulated superalkalis preserve their identities and behave as alkali metal atoms. The results show that these novel alkalides possess larger complexation energies and enhanced hyperpolarizabilities (β₀) compared with alkali‐metal‐based and previous superalkali‐based clusters. Especially, a prominent structural dependence of β₀ is observed for these studied compounds. Hence, the geometric factors that affect the nonlinear optical (NLO) response of such alkalides is elucidated in detail in this work. This study not only provides novel candidates for alkalides, it also offers an effective way to enhance the NLO response and stability of alkalides.     

碱金属化物M+@H6Aza222M'-·2MeNH2(M,M'=Li,Na,K)一阶超极化率的理论研究

采用B3LYP/6-31G方法优化得到具有有机笼状配体的碱金属化物M+@H6 Aza222M'- ·2MeNH2(M, M'=Li,Na,K)的9个实频结构, 并发现配体内部的碱金属原子M的位置随其原子序数的逐渐减小而具有偏向笼状配体一侧的趋势. 在优化的结构基础上, 使用BHandHLYP方法计算了该体系的非线性光学性质. 结果表明, 该体系具有很大的一阶超极化率(β0), 其中Na+@H6Aza222K-·2MeNH2 的一阶超极化率高达1280342 a.u., 且体系的β0值随着配体外部的碱金属M'的原子序数的增大呈单调递增趋势.     

Doping-enhanced hyperpolarizabilities of silicon clusters: a global ab initio and density functional theory study of Si10 (Li, Na, K)n (n=1, 2) clusters

A global theoretical study of the (hyper)polarizabilities of alkali doped Si(10) is presented and discussed. First, a detailed picture about the low lying isomers of Si(10)Li, Si(10)Na, Si(10)K, Si(10)Li(2), Si(10)Na(2), and Si(10)K(2) has been obtained in a global manner. Then, the microscopic first (hyper)polarizabilities of the most stable configurations have been determined by means of ab initio methods of high predictive capability such as those based on the M?ller-Plesset perturbation and coupled cluster theory, paying extra attention to the (hyper)polarizabilities of the open shell mono-doped systems Si(10)Li, Si(10)Na, Si(10)K, and the influence of spin contamination. These results were used to assess the performance of methods of low computational cost based on density functional theory (DFT) in the reliable computation of these properties in order to proceed with an in-depth study of their evolution as a function of the alkali metal, the cluster composition, and the cluster structure. The most interesting outcomes of the performed (hyper)polarizability study indicate that while alkali doping leaves the per atom polarizability practically unaffected, influences dramatically the hyperpolarizabilities of Si(10). The lowest energy structures of the mono-doped clusters are characterized by significantly enhanced hyperpolarizabilities as compared to the analogue neutral or charged bare silicon clusters Si(10) and Si(11), while, certain patterns governed by the type and the number of the doping agents are followed. The observed hyperpolarizability increase is found to be in close connection with specific cluster to alkali metal charge transfer excited states and to the cluster structures. Moreover, an interesting correlation between the anisotropy of the electron density, and the hyperpolarizabilities of these systems has been observed. Finally, it is important to note that the presented method assessment points out that among the various DFT functionals used in this work, (B3LYP, B3PW91, BhandHLYP, PBE0, CAM-B3LYP, LC-BLYP, LC-BPW91) only B3PW91 and PBE0 out of the seven provided a consistent quantitative performance for both polarizabilities and hyperpolarizabilities with respect to the ab initio methods utilized here. On the other hand, the long range corrected functionals LC-(U)BLYP and LC-(U)BPW91 (μ = 0.47) failed to supply quantitatively accurate hyperpolarizability results in all the studied clusters while the CAM-(U)B3LYP functional performs satisfactory only in the case of the Na and K doped systems.     

Heteroditopic ferrocene-based ureas as receptors for anions and cations

The synthesis of structurally new types of ferrocene-based ureas, in which the ferrocene moiety is simultaneously attached to two urea groups, have been prepared directly from 1,1-bis(isocyanato)ferrocene 1. Receptors 2a, 2b, and 2d show spectral and electrochemical anion-sensing capability for hydrogenphosphate and fluoride anions, in addition 2d also shows a sensing capability for acetate anion. Heteroditopic receptor 2a, bearing a pyridine binding site, does not complex Cu2+ cations but instead an intramolecular redox reaction takes place to give the oxidized form 2a+. The results obtained by using the heteroditopic receptor 2b, containing two crown ethers units, demonstrate that K+ cations can only be electrochemically detected in the presence of hydrogenphosphate anion. Whereas the new structural motif 2d, in which the two urea groups are part of the macrocycle framework, is a selective electrochemical sensor for Li+ cation in the presence of alkali metal ions. The preferred binding modes and their extent are proposed for the most representative complexes by means of DFT-based theoretical calculations.     

配体数与电子化物的一阶超极化率的碱金属原子序数依赖性

用MP2方法得到单配位电子化物M—X(M=Li, Na, K; X=NH3, NCH, HF)和二配位电子化物M—(FH)2(M=Li, Na, K)的几何结构. 使用高水平的QCISD/6-311++G(3df, 3pd)计算了它们的一阶超极化率β0. 在单配位的电子化物中, 单调的一阶超极化率的碱金属原子序数依赖性未表现出来, 而二配位电子化物 M—(FH)2(M=Li, Na, K)的β0值随着碱金属原子序数的增加而增加, 这与文献报道的四配位相关体系的情况一致. 这表明, 电子化物中配位数与一阶超极化率碱金属原子序数依赖性相关.