Substituent effects on cyclonona‐3,5,7‐trienylidenes: a quest for stable carbenes at density functional theory level

Nine boat‐shaped cyclonona‐3,5,7‐trienylidenes are compared and contrasted with respect to their multiplicity, nucleophilicity, electrophilicity, band gap (ΔE_{HOMO ? LUMO}), Natural bond orbital (NBO) atomic charge, force constant, as well as the aptitude for dimerization, and rearrangement through proper isodesmic reactions at B3LYP/AUG‐cc‐pVTZ and B3LYP/6‐311++G**//B3LYP/6‐31+G* levels of theory. The nine cyclic carbenes include unsubstituted (1_CH2) plus eight α‐cyclopropylcyclonona‐3,5,7‐trienylidenes, which are substituted with ?‐SiMe₂, ?‐NMe, ?‐PMe, ?‐O, ?‐S, ?‐CH₂, ?‐cyclopropyl, and ?‐CMe₂ (2_SiMe2, 2_NMe, 2_PMe, 2_O, 2_S, 2_CH2, 2_cyclopropyl, and 2_CMe2, respectively). The latter eight species enjoy the stabilizing interaction of the occupied Walsh orbital of cyclopropyl with the vacant p_π orbital of the carbene center (Walsh_cyclopropyl → p_{π carbene}). Among them, the singlet closed shell 2_NMe appears the most promising for exhibiting the highest relative singlet–triplet energy gap (ΔE_{s ? t} = 27.1 kcal mol^?1). In contrast, the least stable derivative is triplet 2_SiMe2, which exhibits the lowest relative ΔE_{s ? t} of ?5.5 kcal mol^?1. The overall trend of ΔE_s‐t is 2_NMe > 2_PMe > 2_S > 2_O > 2_cyclopropyl > 2_CMe2 > 2_CH2 > 1_CH2 > 2_SiMe2. With one negative force constant, the unsubstituted 1_CH2 turns out to be a transition state, whereas the rest emerge as minima. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

2,2,9,9‐Tetramethylcyclonona‐3,5,7‐trienylidene vs. its heterocyclic analogues: A quest for stable carbenes at DFT

Replacement of α‐methylenes with BH, AlH, CMe₂, SiH₂, NH, NMe, N^tButyl, NPh, PH, O, and S in non‐planar cyclonona‐3,5,7‐trienylidene (CH₂) alters its status from an unstable transition state to rather stable minima, at B3LYP/6‐311++G**//B3LYP/6‐31 + G* levels of theory. All species appear with singlet closed shell (S_cs) global minima, except for SiH₂ and CH₂ which exhibit triplet electronic ground states. The order of stability based on singlet–triplet energy gap (ΔE_s–t / kcalmol^?1) is: CMe₂ (45.8) > NH (35.8) > NMe (32.3) > O (31.5) > N^tButyl (27.7) ≥ NPh (27.5) ≥ BH (27.4) > S (21.9) > PH (17.0) > CH₂ (?4.4) > SiH₂ (?12.5). In contrast to many reports on N‐heterocyclic carbenes, here alkyl groups appear to exert a higher stabilizing effect than heteroatoms, making CMe₂ the most stable. In addition bulky NMe, N^tButyl, and NPh appear more nucleophilic than their synthesized imidazol‐2‐ylidene congeners. Excluding SiH₂, isodesmic reactions reveal that all substituents stabilize singlet state considerably more than the corresponding triplet. Finally, this work is hoped to pave the path for future matrix isolations and IR studies of these rather stable cyclic non‐planar carbenes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

From acyclic dialkylcarbene to the unsaturated cyclic heteroatom substituted ones: a survey of stability

In regard to the worldwide interest in synthesis and application of stable carbenes, ab initio and DFT calculations (CCSD(T)/6‐311G*//QCISD/6‐31G* and B3LYP/AUG‐cc‐pVTZ//B3LYP/6‐31 + G* levels) are employed to reach at a series of symmetrically substituted diheteroatom carbenes. In this way the multiplicity, stability, and reactivity of diethylcarbene and its saturated and unsaturated cyclic congeners are compared and contrasted to the corresponding disilyl‐, diamino‐, diphosphino‐, dioxy‐, and dithiocarbenes. The investigations reveal the enlargement of the singlet–triplet energy gaps (ΔE_S‐T) in the order of (amino ≈ oxy) > thio > phosphino > alkyl > silyl. The observed trend is thoroughly analyzed applying appropriate isodesmic reactions which differentiate the substituent effects on each of the singlet and triplet states of all the carbenes. In contrast to previous reports, it is found that π‐donor/σ‐acceptor amino substituents stabilize not only the singlet but also the triplet states. The effects of cyclization and unsaturation are also probed in each series of the symmetrically substituted carbenes. The reactivity of the species is discussed in terms of nucleophilicity, electrophilicity, and proton affinity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of α‐cyclopropyl on heterocyclic carbenes stability at DFT

α‐Cyclopropyl stability impacts on singlet and triplet heterocyclic carbenes with acyclic, cyclic, and cyclic‐unsaturated structures are compared and contrasted to di‐t‐butyl as well as t‐butylcyclopropylcarbenes through appropriate isodesmic reactions at B3LYP/AUG‐cc‐pVTZ level. Substitution of one of the t‐butyl groups of di‐t‐butylcarbene with a cyclopropyl alters the ground state multiplicity from triplet to singlet with a singlet–triplet energy separation (ΔE_s–t) of 7.2 kcal/mol. Additional heteroatom substitution increases ΔE_s–t values for the resulting α‐heteroatom cyclopropylcarbenes in the following order: amino > oxy > thio > phophino. α‐Cyclopropyl group stabilizes singlet states of all our carbenes two to three times more than their corresponding triplet states. The ΔE_s–t values of all the carbenes are increased through cyclization, while the introduction of unsaturation in the rings causes small and rather random changes. To probe the kinetic stability of the species, we calculated the transition states for the opening of cyclopropyl through 1,2‐C shift. Interestingly, the 4.1 kcal/mol energy barrier in cyclopropylcarbene is significantly increased in the presence of heteroatoms to 31.2 kcal/mol for aminocyclopropylcarbene. The reactivity of the species is discussed in terms of nucleophilicity and electrophilicity issues showing our carbenes, especially acyclic ones, more nucleophilic than the common N‐heterocyclic carbenes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The polarisability of atoms and molecules: a comparison between a conceptual density functional theory approach and time-dependent density functional theory

We investigate the local polarisability or polarisability density using both a conceptual density functional theory approach based on the linear response function and time-dependent density functional theory. Using a zero frequency in the latter, we can immediately compare both approaches. Using an analytical expression for the linear response kernel, we are able to systematically analyse α(r) throughout the periodic table. An extension to molecules is also made with a study of the CO molecule retrieving the connection between local softness and local polarisability.     

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering and density functional theory studies of bis(4‐aminophenyl)sulfone

Raman and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of dapsone by using colloidal silver nanoparticles have been recorded. Density functional theory was used for the optimization of ground state geometries and simulation of the vibrational spectrum of this molecule. The SERS spectrum with a large silver cluster as a model metallic surface was simulated for the first time. Taking into account the experimental and calculated Raman as well as the SERS normal modes and the corresponding assignments, along with the modeling of the free dapsone and the one in the presence of the colloidal silver nanoparticles, the importance of the sulfone group on the SERS effect in dapsone was inferred. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Time‐resolved spectroscopic and density functional theory investigation of the photochemistry of suprofen

The photochemistry of suprofen (SPF) was investigated by femtosecond transient absorption (fs‐TA), resonance Raman (RR) and nanosecond time‐resolved resonance Raman (ns‐TR³) spectroscopic methods to gain additional information so as to better elucidate the possible photochemical reaction mechanism of suprofen in several different solvents. In neat acetonitrile (MeCN), the fs‐TA and ns‐TR³ experimental data indicated that the lowest lying excited singlet state S₁ (nπ*) underwent an efficient intersystem crossing process (ISC) to the excited triplet state T₃ (ππ*), followed by an internal conversion (IC) process to T₁ (ππ*). In the aqueous solution, a triplet biradical species (³ETK‐1) was obtained as the product of a decarboxylation process from triplet suprofen anion (³SPF⁻) and the reaction rate of the decarboxylation process was determined by the concentration of H₂O. A protonation process for ³ETK‐1 leads to formation of a neutral species (³ETK‐3) that was directly observed by ns‐TR³ spectra, then this ³ETK‐3 species decayed via ISC process to generate final product. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vibrational spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations of poly‐D‐mannuronate and heteropolymeric fractions from sodium alginate

The tetrasaccharide of 1 → 4β‐D‐mannopyranuronate (MM) and the alternating tetrasaccharide of 1 → 4 b‐D‐mannopyranuronate and 1 → 4α‐L‐gulopyranuronate (MG) were analyzed based on density functional theory (DFT) by employing the Gaussian 03 W package. The molecular geometries were fully optimized by using the Becke's three‐parameter hybrid exchange functional combined with Lee–Yang–Parr correlation functional (B3LYP) and using a 6‐31G(d,p) basis set. The calculated IR spectrum of MM presents a band at 1093 cm⁻¹ for C C stretching vibration, which is in good agreement with the experimental observation (1096 cm⁻¹) for the polymannuronate fraction obtained by partial hydrolysis of sodium alginate extracted from the hybrid brown seaweed Lessonia–Macrocystis. The calculated value at 826 cm⁻¹for MM is in close agreement with the experimental value and confirms that this band is characteristic of polymannuronate blocks. Most of the bands in the IR spectrum are also present in the observed Raman spectrum of the polymannuronate fraction. The experimental IR spectrum of heteropolymeric fraction obtained by partial hydrolysis of sodium alginate shows absorbances similar to those calculated for the model tetrasaccharide (MG). Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) allows differentiation between the homopolymeric and heteropolymeric fractions of sodium alginate. The SERS spectrum of the heteropolymeric fraction shows an enhanced signal at 731 cm⁻¹which is present in the calculated Raman spectrum of the tetrasaccharide MG at 729 cm⁻¹. This band is assigned to the ring‐breathing deformation of the β‐D‐mannopyranuronate and α‐L‐gulopyranuronate residues. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mechanism and regioselectivity of the 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of thiocarbonyl S‐imide with cyclopent‐3‐ene‐1,2‐dione and methoxyethene: a density functional theory approach

A theoretical study on the regioselectivity of 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction between an uncommon dipole (thiocarbonyl S‐imide) with cyclopent‐3‐ene‐1,2‐dione (DPh1) and methoxyethene (DPh2) has been carried out by means of several theoretical approaches, namely, activation energy, Houk's rule based on the frontier molecular orbital theory and density functional theory (DFT) reactivity indices. The calculations were performed at the DFT‐B3LYP/6‐31G(d) level of theory using GAUSSIAN 09. The present analysis shows that the 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of thiocarbonyl S‐imide with DPh1 and DPh2 has normal‐electron demand and inverse‐electron demand character, respectively. Moreover, the results obtained from energetic point view are in agreement with electronic approaches, and the Houk's rule is capable to predict true regioselectivity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

密度泛函理论计算掺杂团簇Be_nLi(n=1~12)的基态结构和稳定性

采用密度泛函理论的B3LYP方法,获得了BenLi(n=1~12)掺杂团簇的基态结构.同时计算相应的平均结合能、离解能、能量二阶有限差分和能隙.结合最高分子占据轨道的电子密度分析了掺杂团簇的成键特性,并与单一组元的BeN(N=2~13)团簇进行对比.结果表明n=4和9是团簇的幻数;随着尺寸n的增加,BenLi团簇中Be-Li间的相互作用由类共价键过渡到类离子键.     

Density functional theory and time-dependent density functional study a series of iridium complexes with low-efficiency roll-off properties

ABSTRACT

A series of blue phosphorescent heteroleptic cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes with mesitylphenyl-imidazole ligands for organic light-emitting devices have been theoretically studied. We want to find their electronic structures, spectroscopic properties, and application value for organic light-emitting devices. (fppz)₂Ir(acac), (fppz)₂Ir(tpip), (dfbdp)₂Ir(fppz), (F-fppz)₂Ir(acac), (F-fppz)₂Ir(tpip), and (dfbdp)₂Ir(F-fppz) are investigated with DFT and TD-DFT approaches, where, for (fppz)₂Ir(acac), (fppz denotes 2-(5-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine, and acac denotes acetylacetonate); for (fppz)₂Ir(tpip), tpip denotes tetraphenylimido-diphosphinate; and, for (F-fppz)₂Ir(acac) and (F-fppz)₂Ir(tpip), F-fppz denotes 2-(5-fluoro-4H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine.     

Vibrational spectroscopy investigation using density functional theory on 7‐chloro‐3‐methyl‐2H‐1,2,4‐ benzothiadiazine 1,1‐dioxide

The solid phase Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Fourier transform (FT) Raman spectral analysis of 7‐chloro‐3‐methyl‐2H‐1,2,4‐benzothiadiazine 1,1‐dioxide (diazoxide), an antihypertensive agent was carried out along with density functional computations. The optimized geometry, wavenumber and intensity of the vibrational bands of diazoxide were obtained by DFT‐B3LYP level of theory with complete relaxation in the potential energy surface using 6‐31G(d,p) basis set. A complete vibrational assignment aided by the theoretical harmonic frequency analysis has been proposed. The harmonic vibrational wavenumbers calculated have been compared with experimental FTIR and FT Raman spectra. The observed and the calculated wavenumbers are found to be in good agreement. The experimental spectra coincide satisfactorily with those of calculated spectra. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fourier‐transform infrared and Raman spectra,vibrational assignment and density functional theory calculations of 1,4,5‐triazanaphthalene

The Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) (4000–50 cm⁻¹) and Raman spectra (3500–100 cm⁻¹) of 1,4,5‐triazanaphthalene in polycrystalline state were measured. Comparison between the spectra by two techniques, a series of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and the spectral behaviour upon deuteration were used for the assignment of the vibrational spectra of the title compound. The calculated vibrational wavenumbers by the B3LYP density functionals are generally consistent with the observed spectra. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bayesian approach to electron correlation in density functional theory

In the present communication we applied the Bayesian conditional probability approach to the wave function of a many‐electron system that resulted in the appearance of a quantum vector potential in the DFT Schrödinger equation due to electron correlation, apart from the correlation energy term. Mathematically, the effect of this vector potential is equivalent to a magnetic field that corresponds in particular to a conservative irrotational one if it is considered in connection with the correlation potential. An analysis of the effect of the correlation momentum on the electronic transitions suggested that the electron correlation increases the transition probability.     

Adsorption of aniline on silver mirror studied by surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations

The adsorption of aniline on a silver mirror was studied by surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculation methods. The normal Raman and SERS spectra of pure aniline liquid and its solutions were recorded by a micro‐Raman spectrometer with excitation at 514.5 nm. Orientation of the aniline molecule adsorbed on the Ag mirror is discussed. The results indicate that pure aniline is adsorbed on the surface of the Ag mirror with a tilted orientation. The conformer with the nitrogen atom interacting with the metal surface would be dominant. DFT calculations further confirm the experimental results that charge transfer (CT) takes place from the highest occupied molecular orbital(HOMO) of aniline to the singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) of the silver surface. In this paper, the frontier molecular orbital theory has been successfully used to explore the interaction between the aniline molecule and the silver surface. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

氧化镁纳米管团簇电子结构的密度泛函研究

用密度泛函理论（DFT）的杂化密度泛函B3LYP方法在6-31G（d）基组水平上对MgO纳米管团簇的二元环双管、三元环、三元环双管三种构型共21个团簇进行优化,对各构型的平均结合能、能隙、平均原子电荷以及总电荷密度进行了理论研究. 结果表明,平均结合能和配位数呈线性关系;随着纳米管的生长,团簇的稳定性增加,其中以三元环纳米管最为稳定;生长过程中发生原子间的电荷转移现象,预测出至无限长时的平均原子电荷分别为1298,1270,1306;混合离子共价键始终存在于MgO纳米管团簇之中. 关键词： 氧化镁 纳米管团簇 密度泛函理论 电子结构     

Periodic density functional theory study of the high‐pressure behavior of crystalline 7,2′‐anhydro‐β‐d‐arabinosylorotidine

In this work, a detailed study of the structural, electronic, and absorption properties of crystalline 7,2′‐anhydro‐β‐d ‐arabinosylorotidine (Cyclo ara‐O) in the pressure range of 0–350 GPa is performed by density functional theory calculations. The detail analysis of the crystal with increasing pressure shows that complex transformations occur in Cyclo ara‐O under compression. In addition, the b‐direction is much stiffer than the a‐ and c‐axis at 0–330 GPa, suggesting that the Cyclo ara‐O crystal is anisotropic in the certain pressure region. In the pressure range of 110–290 GPa, repeated formations and disconnections of covalent bonds in O7–O6* and C3–C6* occur several times, resulting in a new six‐atom ring that forms at 220, 270, and 290 GPa, while a five‐atom ring and seven‐atom ring form between two adjacent molecules at 300 and 340 GPa, respectively. Then, the analysis of the band gap and DOS (PDOS) of Cyclo ara‐O indicates that its electronic character has changed at 300 GPa into an excellent insulator, but the electron transition is much easier at 350 GPa. Moreover, the relatively high optical activity with the pressure increases of Cyclo ara‐O is seen from the absorption spectra, and two obvious structural transformations are also observed at 180 and 230 GPa, respectively. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

糠醛分子表面增强拉曼光谱的密度泛函理论研究

采用密度泛函理论(density functional theory,DFT),在B3LYP/6-31+G**(C,H,O)/LANL2DZ(Ag)水平上,对糠醛(furfural,FUR)分子进行了几何结构优化,并计算了FUR分子的常规拉曼散射(normal Raman scattering,NRS)光谱和FUR与Ag原子以及Ag2和Ag4团簇吸附的表面增强拉曼散射(surface-enhanced Raman scattering,SERS)光谱。结果表明,理论值与已有的实验值符合得较好,采用FUR-Ag4吸附构型的计算结果比FUR-Ag和FUR-Ag2吸附构型的计算结果更符合已有实验值。最后,通过Gauss View可视化软件,对FUR分子的振动频率进行了更为全面地归属。通过FUR分子SERS与NRS的比较,可得出FUR分子与Ag原子发生了相互作用,且被吸附的糠醛分子的杂五环是与银表面垂直的。     

A comparative study on the Ge6C14 heterofullerene nanocages: a density functional survey

Ten C₁₄Ge₆ heterofullerene isomers of C₂₀ have been investigated by density functional theory (DFT) methods with Becke 3‐Parameter (Exchange), Lee, Yang and Parr (B3LYP) functional at the 6‐311 + G*, 6‐311++G** and AUG‐cc‐pVTZ levels. In contrast to identical bonds in the latter, contractions of C═C double bonds are encountered at the expense of longer C―Ge bonds in the former. Vibrational frequency analysis confirms that all of the nanocages are true minima. In contrast to the common belief, for obtaining highly silicon‐doped stable heterofullerenes, that the silicon dopants must be completely isolated from each other by means of strong C═C double bonds. Here, linking the germanium substitutions together is an applicable strategy for obtaining highly doped stable isolated heterofullerenes since it avoids weak heteroatom─heteroatom bonds. Therefore, none of the computed heterofullerenes collapses to open, to deform, or to segregate fullerenic cages. As to band gaps (ΔE_HOMO‐LUMO), and nucleus‐independent chemical shifts at cage centers (NICS (0)), C₁₄Ge₆‐2 immerges with the highest value. Hence, it is predicted to be the most stable against electronic excitation. It contains 2 Ge─Ge single bonds at the cap‐equatorial positions. On the other hand, as to zero‐point vibrational energy and heat of atomization (ΔH_at), C₁₄Ge₆‐8 appears with the lowest and highest value, respectively. It contains 6 alternating germanium atoms in the equatorial and cap positions. Thus, it is predicted to be the most thermodynamically stable. So, germanium substitution leads to a high charge distribution on the surfaces of all the isomers specially C₁₄Ge₆‐9 with +1.496 charged germanum atoms. C₁₄Ge₆ isomers seem to be a good candidate for the hydrogen storage material.