Discrete,dynamic polymer modeling: A pseudo-diatomic model of lignin

We have developed a novel simulation strategy based on cellular automata methods which can be used to simulate a variety of physicochemical processes, including those involved in polymerization. Our approach leads to dynamic, parallel models. This strategy can address several classes of questions in technologically or scientifically important systems for which only limited structural or dynamical information is available by current experimental techniques. We illustrate the use of our methods by creating a model of lignification in vivo. The monomers are represented by pseudo-diatomic molecules as a refinement to the usual point-particle geometry normally used in such models. Our lignification model captures the essence of the underlying physical processes, as evidenced by the fact that it reproduces satisfactorily many experimentally determined properties of lignin. Due to the inherent efficiency of parallel cellular automata, our simulation strategy shows great promise, particularly for modeling species of very high molecular weight (over 10⁶ daltons). © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Predissociation in the HNO molecule

The line broadening in the A¹ A″ -X¹ A′ absorption spectrum of HNO has been studied at high resolution. An accidental predissociation route via the X¹ A′ state is suggested as the predominant mechanism for the predissociation in the A¹ A″ state.     

Predissociation of tif by tunneling

The UV spectra of the B ³Π₁-X ¹Σ⁺ transition in TIF were recorded applying frequency-doubled laser radiation and fluorescence or direct absorption detection. The observed J' -dependent predissociation in the upper levels v' = 2 and v' = 3 is explained quantitatively by invoking tunneling through a potential hump. The line positions and widths are fitted to a potential curve of the B ³Π₁ state using the semiclassical approximation for bound and quasibound levels.     

Theory of Vibrational Predissociation Spectroscopy

A theory of vibrational predissociation spectroscopy is developed based on the adiabatic approximation that separates the oscillations of the high frequency vibron and low frequency phonon. We find that some properties such as dissociation energy and the number of phonon modes have significant influence on the temperature dependent spectra. Thus a comparison between the present theory and experiment would be a useful approach in determining these properties.     

A nonempirical anisotropic atom-atom model potential for chlorobenzene crystals

A nearly nonempirical, transferable model potential is developed for the chlorobenzene molecules (C6ClnH6-n, n = 1 to 6) with anisotropy in the atom-atom form of both electrostatic and repulsion interactions. The potential is largely derived from the charge densities of the molecules, using a distributed multipole electrostatic model and a transferable dispersion model derived from the molecular polarizabilities. A nonempirical transferable repulsion model is obtained by analyzing the overlap of the charge densities in dimers as a function of orientation and separation and then calibrating this anisotropic atom-atom model against a limited number of intermolecular perturbation theory calculations of the short-range energies. The resulting model potential is a significant improvement over empirical model potentials in reproducing the twelve chlorobenzene crystal structures. Further validation calculations of the lattice energies and rigid-body k = 0 phonon frequencies provide satisfactory agreement with experiment, with the discrepancies being primarily due to approximations in the theoretical methods rather than the model intermolecular potential. The potential is able to give a good account of the three polymorphs of p-dichlorobenzene in a detailed crystal structure prediction study. Thus, by introducing repulsion anisotropy into a transferable potential scheme, it is possible to produce a set of potentials for the chlorobenzenes that can account for their crystal properties in an unprecedentedly realistic fashion.     

Microwave-enhanced dechlorination of chlorobenzene

- Heterogeneous liquid-phase dechlorination of chlorobenzene over supported palladium-based catalysts to form benzene was examined using microwave and conventional heating methods. The reaction was carried out in a solution of NaOH in 2-propanol at atmospheric pressure and reflux temperature (approx. 83°C). Two types of commercial aluminium-silicate and -alumina-supported catalysts have been tested. The results obtained under microwave (MW) and conventional (CH) conditions were compared with respect to the rate enhancement, selectivity and catalyst activity. The sole product of the chlorobenzene dehalogenation was benzene. The effect of the addition of NaOH has been analysed for the neutralisation of HCl.     

丙烯酸分子的激发态超快预解离动力学

利用飞秒泵浦-探测技术结合飞行时间质谱(TOF-MS),研究了丙烯酸分子被200nm泵浦光激发到第二电子激发态(S2)后的超快预解离动力学.采集了母体离子和碎片离子的时间分辨质谱信号,并利用动力学方程对时间分辨离子质谱信号进行拟合和分析,揭示了预解离通道的存在.布居在S2激发态的分子通过快速的内转换弛豫到第一电子激发态(S1),时间常数为210fs,随后再经内转换从S1态弛豫到基态(S0)的高振动态,时间常数为1.49ps.分子最终在基态高振动态势能面上发生C-C键和C-O键的断裂,分别解离生成H2C=CH和HOCO、H2C=CHCO和OH中性碎片,对应的预解离时间常数分别约为4和3ps.碎片离子的产生有两个途径,分别来自于母体离子的解离和基态高振动态势能面上中性碎片的电离.     

Predissociation mechanism for the lowest 1 Pi u states of N2

Separate coupled-channel Schr?dinger-equation (CSE) models of the interacting (1)Pi(u) (b,c,o) and (3)Pi(u) (C,C(')) states of N(2) are combined, through the inclusion of spin-orbit interactions, to produce a five-channel CSE model of the N(2) predissociation. Comparison of the model calculations with an experimental database, consisting principally of detailed new measurements of the vibrational and isotopic dependence of the (1)Pi(u) linewidths and lifetimes, provides convincing evidence that the predissociation of the lowest (1)Pi(u) levels in N(2) is primarily an indirect process, involving spin-orbit coupling between the b (1)Pi(u)- and C (3)Pi(u)-state levels, the latter levels themselves heavily predissociated electrostatically by the C(') (3)Pi(u) continuum. The well-known large width of the b(v=3) level in (14)N(2) is caused by an accidental degeneracy with C(v=9). This CSE model provides the first quantitative explanation of the predissociation mechanism for the dipole-accessible (1)Pi(u) states of N(2), and is thus likely to prove useful in the construction of realistic radiative-transfer and photochemical models for nitrogen-rich planetary atmospheres.     

The interaction of ozone with chlorobenzene

The reaction of ozone with chlorobenzene was studied over the temperature range 77–305 K. Ozone was found to oxidize chlorobenzene starting with 77 K to produce a complex mixture of ozonides and peroxides of various compositions. The products of the reaction between chlorobenzene and ozone formed over the temperature range 77–305 K were analyzed by IR Fourier transform spectroscopy.     

Predissociation via conformational change: photodissociation of N,N-dimethylnitrosamine in the S(1) state

We investigated the photodissociation mechanism of N,N-dimethylnitrosamine (CH(3))(2)NNO (DMN) by ab intio quantum chemical methods. Inspired by an earlier study we calculated two-dimensional potential energy surfaces of the S(1) state of DMN in its planar and pyramidal conformations. While the planar molecular geometry appears to possess no direct dissociation channel, the pyramidal configuration is dissociative yielding the products NO + (CH(3))(2)N. Using wave packet dynamics on the planar S(1) potential energy surface the experimental absorption spectrum was well reproduced which gives indirect but strong support for the nondissociative nature of this surface. The transition from the planar to the pyramidal conformation of DMN was then investigated by an ab initio molecular dynamics method which revealed the time evolution of the geometrical parameters of the molecule up to the dissociation of the N-N bond. This occurs about 90 fs after photon excitation. The calculated minimum energy path along the N-N coordinate and the structural changes of the molecule along this coordinate provided a detailed picture of this indirect dissociation or, more specific, predissociation process via conformational change.     

Predissociation and autoionization of triplet Rydberg states in molecular hydrogen

We present single-photon spectroscopy in molecular hydrogen starting from the metastable c3Piu- state to a number of triplet nd-Rydberg states (v = 0 - 4, n = 12 - 20). Using fast beam spectroscopy both the autoionization channel and the predissociation channel are quantified, field free, as well as with small electric fields. Coupling with the i3Pig state is assumed to be responsible for field-free predissociation of the v = 0 Rydberg levels. The stronger observed predissociation channel of the v = 1 Rydberg levels is due to the nonadiabatic interaction with the h3Sigmag+ state in combination with l mixing due to an external electric field. No direct evidence is found for possible electric field induced predissociation of the gerade Rydberg states by low lying ungerade states. The competition between autoionization and predissociation is discussed in terms of possible consequences for dissociative recombination involving low energy electron collisions with the H2+ molecular ion.     

Multireference calculations of the phosphorescence and photodissociation of chlorobenzene

Multireference complete active space self-consistent-field (CASSCF) and multireference CASSF second-order perturbation theory (MSCASPT2) calculations were performed on the ground state and a number of low-lying excited singlet and triplet states of chlorobenzene. The dual phosphorescence observed experimentally is clearly explained by the MSCASPT2 potential-energy curves. Experimental findings regarding the dissociation channels of chlorobenzene at 193, 248, and 266 nm are clarified from extensive theoretical information including all low-energy potential-energy curves.     

Predissociation dynamics of Ã-state ammonia probed by two-photon excitation spectroscopy

Electronically excited ND₃(A¯) molecules have been prepared by laser two-photon excitation on theA¯¹A″₂—X¯¹′₁ transition and monitored via their resulting short-lived emission. The earlier observation of Douglas that ND₃(A¯) molecules carrying one quantum of out-of-plane bending vibration ν′₂ are least susceptible to predissociation, is confirmed. ND₃(A¯) predissociation rates are found to be both vibronic and rovibronic level dependent. Both observations may be understood by considering the likely form of the potential energy surface for ND₃(A¯) molecules in the region of the D₂N—D dissociation coordinate. At short D₂N—D separations this surface exhibits a barrier. The presence of a conical intersection (involving the ND₃ ground state surface) further out along the dissociation coordinate has a crucial influence on the magnitude of this barrier. The envisaged form of theA¯-state potential energy surface also provides a qualitative rationale for all previous experimental findings concerning electronic branching ratios and energy disposal amongst the primary photofragments arising in the photodissociation ofA¯-state ammonia.     

Predissociation of acetylene in à Au state

The fluorescence excitation spectrum, the MPI spectrum, and the absorption spectrum of acetylene due to the à ¹A_u← transition were observed in a gas and in a supersonic jet. A sudden decrease in the fluorescence quantum yield Φ_f was found above the V⁴ K² (46339 cm⁻¹) vibronic sublevel. The decrease is due to predissociation into C₂H + H. AK and J dependence on Φ_f was also found.     

Advancing beyond the atom-centered model in additive and nonadditive molecular mechanics

A computational approach to the inclusion of off-center charges in both additive and nonadditive molecular mechanics calculations is presented. The additional sites in the molecular skeleton are placed in the approximate locations of the chemically intuitive electron lone pair, and are treated as formal particles throughout the calculation. The increase in the number of charge sites results in overall improvement in the energy associated with the angular dependence of hydrogen bonds and improved statistical accuracy of the electrostatic potential derived charges. The addition of lone pairs also results in improved accuracy in relative solvation free energy calculation for the pyridine to benzene and methanol to methane mutations. Because the number of atoms that require lone pairs is small, the extra accuracy can be achieved with little computational overhead. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 18 : 1632–1646, 1997     

Transbilayer complementarity of phospholipids. A look beyond the fluid mosaic model

Lipid-lipid interactions across a phospholipid bilayer were probed by measuring the nearest-neighbor preferences of exchangeable phospholipid monomers derived from 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DMPE) and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DSPE) in the presence of nonexchangeable DMPE- or DSPE-based dimers. Each of these permanent dimers promoted homophospholipid association to the same extent, whereas the corresponding nonexchangeable monomers were without effect. These results support a model in which the longer phospholipids in one monolayer leaflet preferentially associate with shorter ones in the adjoining monolayer. Such transbilayer complementarity is likely to play an important role in stabilizing biological membranes and also in promoting a compositional interdependence of their two lipid leaflets.     

Hydrodechlorination of chlorobenzene over supported metal catalysts

The use of supported Pd catalysts, with low and high metal content, for the hydrodechlorination of chlorobenzene is presented in this article. Application of microwave irradiation during preparation of catalysts resulted in the synthesis of large Pd particles at moderate temperatures. The nature of the support played a key role in the formation of cationic Pd species. The extent of interaction of the Pd species with the support, the nature of metal precursor, particularly the residual chlorine on the surface were found to significantly affect the activity of the catalysts. In the case of bimetallic catalysts also microwave heating resulted in creation of bigger particles of Pd compared to those observed in conventionally heated catalysts. Besides, it minimized alloy formation as a result of which the activity of the catalysts in hydrodechlorination was found to be higher compared to that observed on conventionally prepared catalysts. Contrary to the general observation that low dispersed Pd catalysts are preferable for high stability, by means of the deposition-precipitation method adopted for catalyst preparation it was demonstrated that even highly dispersed (low Pd containing) catalysts can exhibit comparable activity and stability. An analysis of the nature of Pd species and its role in the stability of the catalysts is presented.IICT communication No. 051224     

Palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of chlorobenzene in the presence of lewis acids

Carbonylation of chlorobenzene to 4-chlorobenzophenone and/or benzoyl chloride may be catalyzed by PdCl₂ in the presence of Lewis acids MCl₃ (M=Al, Ga). Such a C−Cl bond carbonylation with a phosphine-free catalyst was previosly unknown.     

Sonolysis of chlorobenzene in the presence of transition metal salts

Sonolysis of aqueous solution of chlorobenzene at 200 kHz frequency in the presence of transition metals chlorides was investigated. Through analyzing the nature and distribution of the products detected in the reaction mixture, a new mechanism of sonodegradation is advanced. Depending on the metals used and their behavior during sonolysis, we were able to discriminate between inside and outside cavitation bubble mechanisms. Iron and cobalt chlorides, which could undergo redox reactions in the presence of HO radicals generated ultrasonically, give higher amounts of phenolic compounds compared with palladium chloride that undergoes a reduction to metal. Palladium reduction takes place in bulk solution and therefore all organic reactions that compete for hydrogen must occur also in bulk solution. Accordingly, palladium can be a useful tool in determining the reaction site and the decomposition mechanism of organic compounds under ultrasonic irradiation.