A DFT study of molecular structures and tautomerizations of 2-benzoylpyridine semicarbazone and picolinaldehyde N-oxide thiosemicarbazone and their complexations with Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II)

The structure optimizations of picolinaldehyde N-oxide thiosemicarbazone (Hpiotsc), 2-benzoylpyridine semicarbazone (H2BzPS), their imino tautomers and their complexes with Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) were carried out using DFT calculations. The structures of Hpiotsc and H2BzPS ligands, transition states of their tautomerizations were obtained at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level and their thermodynamic properties were derived from the frequency calculations at the same level of theory. The B3LYP/LANL2DZ-optimized structures of Hpiotsc and H2BzPS complexes with Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II), and the thermodynamic properties of their complexations derived from the B3LYP/LANL2DZ-frequency calculations were obtained. The B3LYP/LANL2DZ-optimized geometrical parameters for the [Ni(Hpiotsc)₂]²⁺, [Cu(Hpiotsc).Cl₂], and [Zn(Hpiotsc).Cl₂] complexes show good agreement with their corresponding X-ray crystallographic data.     

碳氢化合物燃烧中间体Lennard-Jones系数的计算

在已有的基团贡献法公式的基础上,提出了一种新的基团贡献法公式,并通过拟合250种化合物(包括185种稳定化合物临界性质的实验值和65种自由基临界性质的计算值)的临界性质得到了40种基团的贡献值,并用于预测未知化合物的临界性质.选取了训练集以外的、有临界性质实验值的30种化合物作为独立测试集,用于验证所建模型对临界性质的预测能力,T_C和P_C平均绝对偏差分别为8.52%和16.83%.结果表明,预测结果和实验值相吻合,该模型可以用于大分子化合物及自由基的临界性质预测.根据临界性质与Lennard-Jones(L-J)系数的经验关系式,预测了碳氢化合物燃烧中间体的L-J系数,得到独立测试集46种碳氢化合物的L-J系数,与文献值接近,T_C和P_C的平均绝对偏差分别为9.88%和9.96%.比较了训练集中烷烃自由基·C_6H_(13)、烯烃自由基·C_5H_9和炔烃自由基·C_5H_7同分异构体的L-J系数,同时,将己烷自由基·C_6H_(13)与相似的邻近烷烃C_6H_(14)的L-J系数进行比较,发现同分异构体之间或相似化合物之间L-J系数有较大偏差.此外,对缺少L-J系数的114种常见碳氢化合物自由基进行了预测.这对于碳氢化合物的燃烧模拟及基元反应中压强相关的速率常数计算有重要意义.     

A DFT investigation on molecular structures of semicarbazone complexes with Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) and reaction energies of their complexation

The structure optimizations of 2-formylpyridine (H2FoPyS), 3-formylpyridine (H3FoPyS), and 4-formylpyridine (H4FoPyS) semicarbazone complexes with Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) were carried out using DFT calculations at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level of theory. The B3LYP/LANL2DZ-optimized geometry parameters for the H2FoPyS and H3FoPyS complexes show good agreement with their corresponding X-ray crystallographic data. Due to the X-ray crystallographic structures of the [Zn(H3FoPyS)₂]²⁺ complex and the H4FoPyS complexes with Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) and have not yet been observed, their B3LYP/LANL2DZ-optimized structures are therefore theoretically proposed. The reaction energies and thermodynamic properties of complexation for these complexes computed at the same level of theory are reported.     

Reactions of hydrogen atom with hydrogen peroxide

Rate coefficients are calculated using canonical variational transition state theory with multidimensional tunneling (CVT/SCT) for the reactions H + H2O2 --> H2O + OH (1a) and H + H2O2 --> HO2 + H2 (1b). Reaction barrier heights are determined using two theoretical approaches: (i) comparison of parametrized rate coefficient calculations employing CVT/SCT to experiment and (ii) high-level ab initio methods. The evaluated experimental data reveal considerable variations of the barrier height for the first reaction: although the zero-point-exclusive barrier for (1a) derived from the data by Klemm et al. (First Int. Chem. Kinet. Symposium 1975, 61) is 4.6 kcal/mol, other available measurements result in a higher barrier of 6.2 kcal/mol. The empirically derived zero-point-exclusive barrier for (1b) is 10.4 kcal/mol. The electronic structure of the system at transition state geometries in both reactions was found to have "multireference" character; therefore special care was taken when analyzing electronic structure calculations. Transition state geometries are optimized by multireference perturbation theory (MRMP2) with a variety of one-electron basis sets, and by a multireference coupled cluster (MR-AQCCSD) method. A variety of single-reference benchmark-level calculations have also been carried out; included among them are BMC-CCSD, G3SX(MP3), G3SX, G3, G2, MCG3, CBS-APNO, CBS-Q, CBS-QB3, and CCSD(T). Our data obtained at the MRMP2 level are the most complete; the barrier height for (1a) using MRMP2 at the infinite basis set limit is 4.8 kcal/mol. Results are also obtained with midlevel single-reference multicoefficient correlation methods, such as MC3BB, MC3MPW, MC-QCISD/3, and MC-QCISD-MPWB, and with a variety of hybrid density functional methods, which are compared with high-level theory. On the basis of the evaluated experimental values and the benchmark calculations, two possible recommended values are given for the rate coefficients.     

Calorimetric and computational study of 3-buten-1-ol and 3-butyn-1-ol. Estimation of the enthalpies of formation of 1-alkenols and 1-alkynols

The enthalpies of combustion and vaporization of 3-buten-1-ol and 3-butyn-1-ol have been measured by static bomb combustion calorimetry and correlation gas chromatography techniques, respectively, and the gas-phase enthalpies of formation, Delta(f)H degrees (m)(g), have been determined, the values being -147.3 +/- 1.8 and 16.7 +/- 1.6 kJ mol(-1), for 3-buten-1-ol and 3-butyn-1-ol, respectively. High level calculations at the G2 and G3 levels have also been carried out. Relationships between the enthalpies of formation of 1-alkanols, 1-alkenols and 1-alkynols and with the corresponding hydrocarbons have been discussed. From the calculated contributions to Delta(f)H degrees (m)(g) for the substitutions of CH(3) by CH(2)OH, CH(3)CH(2) by CH(2)=CH and CH(3)CH(2) by CH triple bond C, we have estimated the Delta(f)H degrees (m)(g) values for 3-buten-1-ol and 3-butyn-1-ol, in excellent agreement with the experimental ones. Delta(f)H degrees (m)(g) values for 1-alkenols and 1-alkynols up to 10 carbon atoms have also been estimated.     

Interaction of metal ions with biomolecular ligands: how accurate are calculated free energies associated with metal ion complexation?

To address fundamental questions in bioinorganic chemistry, such as metal ion selectivity, accurate computational protocols for both the gas-phase association of metal-ligand complexes and solvation/desolvation energies of the species involved are needed. In this work, we attempt to critically evaluate the performance of the ab initio and DFT electronic structure methods available and recent solvation models in calculations of the energetics associated with metal ion complexation. On the example of five model complexes ([M(II)(CH(3)S)(H(2)O)](+), [M(II)(H(2)O)(2)(H(2)S)(NH(3))](2+), [M(II)(CH(3)S)(NH(3))(H(2)O)(CH(3)COO)], [M(II)(H(2)O)(3)(SH)(CH(3)COO)(Im)], [M(II)(H(2)S)(H(2)O)(CH(3)COO)(PhOH)(Im)](+) in typical coordination geometries) and four metal ions (Fe(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), and Cd(2+); representing open- and closed-shell and the first- and second-row transition metal elements), we provide reference values for the gas-phase complexation energies, as presumably obtained using the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ method, and compare them with cheaper methods, such as DFT and RI-MP2, that can be used for large-scale calculations. We also discuss two possible definitions of interaction energies underlying the theoretically predicted metal-ion selectivity and the effect of geometry optimization on these values. Finally, popular solvation models, such as COSMO-RS and SMD, are used to demonstrate whether quantum chemical calculations can provide the overall free enthalpy (ΔG) changes in the range of the expected experimental values for the model complexes or match the experimental stability constants in the case of three complexes for which the experimental data exist. The data presented highlight several intricacies in the theoretical predictions of the experimental stability constants: the covalent character of some metal-ligand bonds (e.g., Cu(II)-thiolate) causing larger errors in the gas-phase complexation energies, inaccuracies in the treatment of solvation of the charged species, and difficulties in the definition of the reference state for Jahn-Teller unstable systems (e.g., [Cu(H(2)O)(6)](2+)). Although the agreement between the experimental (as derived from the stability constants) and calculated values is often within 5 kcal·mol(-1), in more complicated cases, it may exceed 15 kcal·mol(-1). Therefore, extreme caution must be exercised in assessing the subtle issues of metal ion selectivity quantitatively.     

Thermochemistry of 2- and 3-thiopheneacetic acids: calorimetric and computational study

The enthalpies of formation in the condensed and gas states, Delta f H m degrees (cd) and Delta f H m degrees (g), of 2- and 3-thiopheneacetic acids were derived from their respective enthalpies of combustion in oxygen, measured by a rotating bomb calorimeter, and the variation of vapor pressure with temperature determined by the Knudsen effusion technique. Theoretical calculations at the G3 level were performed, and a study on molecular and electronic structure of the compounds has been carried out. Calculated Delta f H m degrees (g) values using atomization and isodesmic reactions are compared with the experimental data. Experimental and theoretical results show that the 3-thiopheneacetic acid is thermodynamically more stable than the 2-isomer.     

Interaction of Co(m)O(-) (m = 1-3) with water: anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional calculations

We investigated the reactions between cobalt-oxides and water molecules using photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional calculations. It has been confirmed by both experimental observation and theoretical calculations that dihydroxide anions, Co(m)(OH)(2)(-) (m = 1-3), were formed when Co(m)O(-) clusters interact with the first water molecule. Addition of more water molecules produced solvated dihydroxide anions, Co(m)(OH)(2)(H(2)O)(n)(-) (m = 1-3). Hydrated dihydroxide anions, Co(m)(OH)(2)(H(2)O)(n)(-), are more stable than their corresponding hydrated metal-oxide anions, Co(m)O(H(2)O)(n+1)(-).     

Radiative lifetimes of the B1Π state of LiH and LiD

The lifetimes of the B¹Π vibrational levels of LiH and LiD were measured in a molecular beam apparatus using the method of delayed coincidences. The results for LiH are: τ(υ′ = 0) = 11.4 ns, τ(υ′ = 1) = 17.0 ns, τ(υ′ = 2) = 24 ns and for LiD τ(υ′ = 0) = 11.0 ns, τ(υ′ = 1) = 14.0 ns, τ(υ′ = 2) = 21 ns. These values are in good agreement with theoretical calculations. Three new brans of the A-X system were identified.     

Interaction of Ag(I), Hg(II), and Cu(II) with 1,2-ethanedithiol immobilized on chitosan: thermochemical data from isothermal calorimetry

The nature of interactions between metal ions Ag(I), Hg(II), Cu(II) and chitosan derivative of 1,2-ethanedithiol, QTDT, was investigated by isothermal calorimetry using the membrane breaking technique. Simultaneous determination of thermal effects, Q(int), and amount of cation that interacts, n(int), are described. The experimental data have been interpreted in terms of the Langmuir equation to determine the maximum adsorption capacity to form a monolayer, N(mon), and the energy of interaction for a saturated monolayer per gram of QTDT, Q(mon). With N(mon) and Q(mon), the molar enthalpy of interaction for formation of a monolayer of anchored cations per gram of QTDT, Delta(mon)H(m), was determined. The Delta(mon)H(m) values for Ag(I), Hg(II), and Cu(II) were -60.56, -58.05, and -84.36 kJ mol(-1), respectively. Negative values of DeltaG show the spontaneity of the interaction processes. The least entropically favourable processes, i.e., those which present more negative DeltaS values, seem to be compensated by the more favourable enthalpic parameter.     

Quasi-degenerate perturbation theory with general multiconfiguration self-consistent field reference functions

The quasi-degenerate perturbation theory (QDPT) with complete active space (CAS) self-consistent field (SCF) reference functions is extended to the general multiconfiguration (MC) SCF references functions case. A computational scheme that utilizes both diagrammatic and sum-over-states approaches is presented. The second-order effective Hamiltonian is computed for the external intermediate configurations (including virtual or/and core orbitals) by the diagrammatic approach and for internal intermediate configurations (including only active orbitals) by the configuration interaction matrix-based sum-over-states approach. The method is tested on the calculations of excitation energies of H(2)O, potential energy curves of LiF, and valence excitation energies of H(2)CO. The results show that the present method yields very close results to the corresponding CAS-SCF reference QDPT results and the available experimental values. The deviations from CAS-SCF reference QDPT values are less than 0.1 eV on the average for the excitation energies of H(2)O and less than 1 kcal/mol for the potential energy curves of LiF. In the calculation of the valence excited energies of H(2)CO, the maximum deviation from available experimental values is 0.28 eV.     

Toward a DFT-based molecular dynamics description of Co(II) binding in sulfur-rich peptides

In this paper, we investigated the reliability of a Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics (CPMD) approach to characterize the binding of Co(II) metal cation to peptide molecules containing cysteine. To this end, we compared pseudo-potentials and DFT plane wave expansion, which are used as key ingredients in the CPMD method, with standard all-electron Gaussian basis set DFT calculations. The simulations presented here are the first attempts to characterize interactions and dynamics of Co(II) metal with the building blocks of phytochelatin peptide molecules. Benchmark calculations are performed on [Co(Cys-H)]+ and [Co(Glutathione-H)]+ complexes, since they are the main fragments of the Co(II)-Cys and Co(II)-glutathione systems found in gas phase electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) experiments done in our laboratory. We also present benchmark calculations on the [Co(H2O)6)]2+ cluster with direct comparisons to highly correlated ab initio calculations and experiments. In particular, we investigated the dissociation path of one water molecule from the first hydration shell of Co(II) with CPMD. Overall, our molecular dynamics simulations shed some light on the nature of the Co(II) interaction and reactivity in Co(II)-phytochelatin building block systems related to the biological and environmental activity of the metal, either in the gas or liquid phase.     

Copper(II) complexes with new polypodal ligands presenting axial-equatorial phenoxo bridges {2-[(bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino)methyl]-4-methylphenol, 2-[(bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino)methyl]-4-methyl-6-(methylthio)phenol}: examples of ferromagnetically coupled bi- and trinuclear copper(II) complexes

Two new ligands, 2-[(bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino)methyl]-4-methylphenol (HL) and 2-[(bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino)methyl]-4-methyl-6-(methylthio)phenol (HSL), were synthesized and were used to prepare the trinuclear copper(II) complex {[CuSL(Cl)]2Cu}(PF6)2.H2O (1) and the corresponding binuclear complexes [Cu2(SL)2](PF6)2 (2) and [Cu2L2](PF6)2 (3). The crystal structure of 1 shows two different coordination environments: two square base pyramidal centers (Cu1 and Cu1a, related by a C2 axes), acting as ligands of a distorted square planar copper center (Cu2) by means of the sulfur atom of the SCH3 substituent and the bridging phenoxo oxygen atom of the ligand (Cu2-S = 2.294 A). Compounds 2 and 3 show two equivalent distorted square base pyramidal copper(II) centers, bridged in an axial-equatorial fashion by two phenoxo groups, thus defining an asymmetric Cu2O2 core. A long copper-sulfur distance measured in 2 (2.9261(18) A) suggests a weak bonding interaction. This interaction induces a torsion angle between the methylthio group and the phenoxo plane resulting in a dihedral angle of 41.4(5) degrees. A still larger distortion is observed in 1 with a dihedral angle of 74.0(6) degrees. DFT calculations for 1 gave a ferromagnetic exchange between first neighbors interaction, the calculated J value for this interaction being +11.7 cm-1. In addition, an antiferromagnetic exchange for 1 was obtained for the second neighbor interaction with a J value of -0.05 cm-1. The Bleaney-Bowers equation was used to fit the experimental magnetic susceptibility data for 2 and 3; the best fit was obtained with J values of +3.4 and -16.7 cm-1, respectively. DFT calculations for 2 and 3 confirm the nature and the values of the J constants obtained by the fit of the experimental data. ESR and magnetic studies on the reported compounds show a weak exchange interaction between the copper(II) centers. The low values obtained for the coupling constants can be explained in terms of a poor overlap between the magnetic orbitals, due to the axial-equatorial phenoxo bridging mode observed in these complexes.     

Interaction of Cu(II) and Ni(II) with the 63-93 fragment of histone H2B

Chromatin proteins are believed to represent reactive sites for metal ion binding. We have synthesized the 31 amino acid peptide Ac-NSFVNDIFERIAGEASRLAHYNKRSTITSRE-NH2, corresponding to the 63-93 fragment of the histone H2B and studied its interaction with Cu(II) and Ni(II). Potentiometric and spectroscopic studies (UV-vis, CD, NMR and EPR) showed that histidine 21 acts as an anchoring binding site for the metal ion. Complexation of the studied peptide with Cu(II) starts at pH 4 with the formation of the monodentate species CuH2L. At physiological pH values, the 3N complex (N(Im), 2N(-)), CuL is favoured while at basic pH values the 4N (N(Im), 3N(-)) coordination mode is preferred. Ni(II) forms several complexes with the peptide starting from the distorted octahedral NiH2L at about neutral pH, to a square planar complex where the peptide is bound through a (N(Im), 3N(-)) mode in an equatorial plane at basic pH values. These results could be important in revealing more information about the mechanism of metal induced toxicity and carcinogenesis.     

Interaction of hydrated protons with octyl-phenyl-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethyl phosphine oxide (CMPO): NMR and theoretical study

Interaction of octyl-phenyl-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (CMPO, the 'classical' rare metal extraction agent) with fully ionized hydrated protons (HP) was studied in acetonitrile-d(3) using (1)H, (13)C, (31)P NMR, PFG NMR and magnetic relaxation. The experimental results were confronted with high-precision ab initio DFT calculations. Relative chemical shifts of NMR signals of CMPO (0.01 mol/L) under the presence of HP in the molar ratio β = 0-2.0 mol/mol show binding between CMPO and HP. Self-diffusion measurements using (1)H PFG NMR demonstrate that larger complexes with higher content of CMPO are generally formed at β < 0.75. Analyzing the collective dependence of (13)C and (31)P NMR chemical shifts on β by the use of program LETAGROP, we obtained very good fitting for the assumed coexistence of two complexes (CMPO)(2)·HP (C(2)) and CMPO.HP (C(1)). The logarithms of the respective stabilization constants log K(i) were found to be 7.518 (C(2)) and 4.581 (C(1)). The system dynamics was studied by measuring the transverse (1)H NMR relaxation using CPMG sequence with varying delays t(p) between the π pulses in the mixtures with β = 0.4-0.8. The following exchange correlation times were obtained: τ(10) = 2.35 × 10(-5), τ(20) = 0.82 × 10(-4), τ(21) = 0.45 × 10(-3) s. The DFT calculations support the conclusion that the complexes C(1) and C(2) are the main species in the mixtures of CMPO with HP. They also agree with the NMR and FTIR observation that the main site to which H(3) O(+) is bound is the P=O group, whereas the amide group does not form a strong bond with the ion when excess water molecules are present.     

Molecular structure and spectroscopic studies on novel complexes of coumarin-3-carboxylic acid with Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II) and Mn(II) ions based on density functional theory

Novel Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II) and Mn(II) complexes of coumarin-3-carboxylic acid (HCCA) were studied at experimental and theoretical levels. The complexes were characterised by elemental analyses, FT-IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy and by magnetic susceptibility measurements. The binding modes of the ligand and the spin states of the metal complexes were established by means of molecular modelling of the complexes studied and calculation of their IR, NMR and absorption spectra at DFT(TDDFT)/B3LYP level. The experimental and calculated data verified high spin Ni(II), Co(II) and Mn(II) complexes and a bidentate binding through the carboxylic oxygen atoms (CCA2). The model calculations predicted pseudo octahedral trans-[M(CCA2)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] structures for the Zn(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes and a binuclear [Mn(2)(CCA2)(4)(H(2)O)(2)] structure. Experimental and calculated (1)H, (13)C NMR, IR and UV-Vis data were used to distinguish the two possible bidentate binding modes (CCA1 and CCA2) as well as mononuclear and binuclear structures of the metal complexes.     

Absolute photoionization cross-section of the propargyl radical

Using synchrotron-generated vacuum-ultraviolet radiation and multiplexed time-resolved photoionization mass spectrometry we have measured the absolute photoionization cross-section for the propargyl (C(3)H(3)) radical, σ(propargyl) (ion)(E), relative to the known absolute cross-section of the methyl (CH(3)) radical. We generated a stoichiometric 1:1 ratio of C(3)H(3):CH(3) from 193 nm photolysis of two different C(4)H(6) isomers (1-butyne and 1,3-butadiene). Photolysis of 1-butyne yielded values of σ(propargyl)(ion)(10.213 eV)=(26.1±4.2) Mb and σ(propargyl)(ion)(10.413 eV)=(23.4±3.2) Mb, whereas photolysis of 1,3-butadiene yielded values of σ(propargyl)(ion)(10.213 eV)=(23.6±3.6) Mb and σ(propargyl)(ion)(10.413 eV)=(25.1±3.5) Mb. These measurements place our relative photoionization cross-section spectrum for propargyl on an absolute scale between 8.6 and 10.5 eV. The cross-section derived from our results is approximately a factor of three larger than previous determinations.     

Complex formation of isocytosine tautomers with PdII and PtII

Isocytosine (ICH) exists in solution as two major tautomers, the keto form with N1 carrying a proton (1a) and the keto form with N3 being protonated (1b). In water, 1a and 1b exist in equilibrium with almost equal amounts of both forms present. Reactions with a series of Pd(II) and Pt(II) am(m)ine species such as (dien)Pd(II), (dien)Pt(II), and trans-(NH(3))(2)Pt(II) reveal, however, a distinct preference of these metals for the N3 site, as determined by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Individual species have been identified by the pD dependence of the ICH resonances. pK(a) values (calculated for H(2)O) for deprotonation of the individual tautomers complexes are 6.5 and 6.4 for the N3 linkage isomers of dienPd(II) and dienPt(II), respectively, as well as 6.2 and 6.0 for the N1 linkage isomers. The dimetalated species [(dienM)(2)(IC-N1,N3)](3+) (M = Pd(II) or Pt(II)) are insensitive over a wide range of pD. The crystal structure analysis of [(dien)Pd(ICH-N3)](NO(3))(2) is reported. Ab initio calculations have been performed for tautomer compounds of composition [(NH(3))(3)Pt(ICH)](2+), cis- and trans-[(NH(3))(2)PtCl(ICH)](+), as well as trans-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(ICH)(2)](2+). Without exception, N3 linkage isomers are more stable, in agreement with experimental findings. As to the reasons for this binding preference, an NBO (natural bond orbital) analysis for [(NH(3))(3)Pt(ICH-N3)](2+)strongly suggests that intramolecular hydrogen bonding between trans-positioned NH(3) ligands and the two exocyclic groups of the ICH is of prime importance. The calculations furthermore show a marked pyramidalization of the NH(2) group of ICH in the complex once the heterocyclic ligand forms a dihedral angle <90 degrees with the Pt coordination plane.     

Coupled-cluster studies of the electronic excitation spectra of silanes

The electronic excitation spectra of unsubstituted linear silanes (n-Si(m)H(2m+2), m = 1-6), cyclopentasilane (c-Si5H10), and neopentasilane (neo-Si5H12) have been studied at the coupled-cluster approximate singles and doubles (CC2) level using Dunning's quadruple-zeta basis sets augmented with diffuse functions (aug-cc-pVQZ). Comparisons with measured ultraviolet spectra for Si2H6 and n-Si3H8 show that CC2 calculations using these basis sets yield excitation energies in good agreement with experiment. The calculated excitation thresholds for Si2H6 and n-Si3H8 of 7.61 and 6.68 eV are only 0.05 eV larger than the gas-phase values of 7.56 and 6.63 eV, respectively. For n-Si4H10, n-Si5H12, and neo-Si5H12, the calculated excitation thresholds of 6.51, 6.14, and 6.87 eV for the lowest dipole-allowed transitions are about 0.4 eV larger than the corresponding liquid-phase data of 6.05, 5.77, and 6.53 eV; the discrepancy can mainly be attributed to solvent effects. The obtained excitation thresholds for n-Si6H14 is 5.85 eV, whereas no experimental data are available for its optical gap. Calculations using the Karlsruhe triple-zeta valence basis sets augmented with single and double sets of polarization functions show that very large basis sets augmented with diffuse functions are needed for obtaining accurate excitation energies. The optical gaps for silanes obtained using the triple-zeta polarization basis sets were found to be 0.4 and 0.2 eV larger than those obtained using Dunning's quadruple-zeta basis sets. Excitation thresholds calculated at density functional theory levels using generalized gradient approximation are 0.7-1.0 eV smaller than the experimental values and by employing hybrid functionals they are 0.3-0.4 eV below the experimental thresholds. By adding the present basis-set correction and environmental effects to the previously calculated CC2 value for the excitation threshold of the Si29H36 silicon nanocluster, the extrapolated absorption threshold is 4.0 eV as compared to the recently reported experimental value of 3.7 eV.     

Thermodynamic scaling of α-relaxation time and viscosity stems from the Johari-Goldstein β-relaxation or the primitive relaxation of the coupling model

By now it is well established that the structural α-relaxation time, τ(α), of non-associated small molecular and polymeric glass-formers obey thermodynamic scaling. In other words, τ(α) is a function Φ of the product variable, ρ(γ)/T, where ρ is the density and T the temperature. The constant γ as well as the function, τ(α) = Φ(ρ(γ)/T), is material dependent. Actually this dependence of τ(α) on ρ(γ)/T originates from the dependence on the same product variable of the Johari-Goldstein β-relaxation time, τ(β), or the primitive relaxation time, τ(0), of the coupling model. To support this assertion, we give evidences from various sources itemized as follows. (1) The invariance of the relation between τ(α) and τ(β) or τ(0) to widely different combinations of pressure and temperature. (2) Experimental dielectric and viscosity data of glass-forming van der Waals liquids and polymer. (3) Molecular dynamics simulations of binary Lennard-Jones (LJ) models, the Lewis-Wahnstr?m model of ortho-terphenyl, 1,4 polybutadiene, a room temperature ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium nitrate, and a molten salt 2Ca(NO(3))(2)·3KNO(3) (CKN). (4) Both diffusivity and structural relaxation time, as well as the breakdown of Stokes-Einstein relation in CKN obey thermodynamic scaling by ρ(γ)/T with the same γ. (5) In polymers, the chain normal mode relaxation time, τ(N), is another function of ρ(γ)/T with the same γ as segmental relaxation time τ(α). (6) While the data of τ(α) from simulations for the full LJ binary mixture obey very well the thermodynamic scaling, it is strongly violated when the LJ interaction potential is truncated beyond typical inter-particle distance, although in both cases the repulsive pair potentials coincide for some distances.