Vibrational spectroscopic studies,conformations and ab initio calculations of 1,2‐bis(trifluorosilyl)ethane (SiF3CH2CH2SiF3)

Infrared spectra of 1,2‐bis(trifluorosilyl)ethane (SiF₃CH₂CH₂SiF₃) were obtained in the vapour and liquid phases, in argon matrices and in the solid phase. Raman spectra of the compound as a liquid were recorded at various temperatures between 293 and 270 K and spectra of an apparently crystalline solid were observed. The spectra revealed the existence of two conformers (anti and gauche) in the vapour, liquid and in the matrix. When the vapour was chock‐frozen on a cold finger at 78 K and annealed to 150 K, certain weak Raman bands vanished in the crystal. The vibrational spectra of the crystal demonstrated mutual exclusion between IR and Raman bands in accordance with C_2h symmetry. Intensity variations between 293 and 270 K of pairs of various Raman bands gave ΔH(gauche—anti) = 5.6 ± 0.5 kJ mol⁻¹ in the liquid, suggesting 85% anti and 15% gauche in equilibrium at room temperature. Annealing experiments indicate that the anti conformer also has a lower energy in the argon matrices, is the low‐energy conformer in the liquid and is also present in the crystal. The spectra of both conformers have been interpreted, and 34 anti and 17 gauche bands were tentatively identified. Ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed giving optimized geometries, infrared and Raman intensities and anharmonic vibrational frequencies for both conformers. The conformational energy difference derived in CBS‐QB3 and in G3 calculations was 5 kJ mol⁻¹. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inclusion compounds of phenol derivatives with cyclodextrins: a combined spectroscopic and thermal analysis

Inclusion compounds involving α‐, β‐ and γ‐cyclodextrins (α‐, β‐ and γCD) and phenol derivatives, namely 3‐methoxyphenol (3MeOPh), 2‐methoxyphenol (2MeOPh) and 3‐methylphenol (3MePh), were investigated and characterized by combining Raman spectroscopy, ab initio calculations, DSC and TG analysis. The effects of the inclusion process on the guest molecules and on the hydrogen bond interactions of the guests were studied by monitoring sensitive modes, such as C C and C H ring stretching modes. Moreover, the combined use of the data available from Raman spectra, computational methods and the known x‐ray structures of similar compounds, allowed the proposal of most probable structures for the αCD inclusion compounds. Both inclusion compounds of meta‐substituted guests in αCD present unusual 1:2 or 2:3 stoichiometries. The Raman spectra of these inclusion compounds reveal the split of several modes, spread over the entire spectral range, indicating the presence of guest molecules inside and outside the CD cavity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vibrational spectroscopic study of Sr2ZnTeO6 double perovskites

Sr₂ZnTeO₆ ceramics were prepared by the solid‐state route and their vibrational phonon modes were investigated using optical spectroscopic techniques, for the first time. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman and infrared spectroscopies were employed to investigate the structures of these perovskite materials and the results analysed together with group‐theoretical predictions. The number and behaviour of the first‐order modes observed in both spectroscopic techniques are in agreement with the calculations for a tetragonal I4/m space group. The complete set of the optical phonon modes was determined, and the intrinsic dielectric properties of the materials were evaluated, allowing us to discuss their potential application in microwave (MW) circuitry. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solvent dependent study of carbonyl vibrations of 3‐phenoxybenzaldehyde and 4‐ethoxybenzaldehyde by Raman spectroscopy and ab initio calculations

A Raman spectroscopy investigation of the carbonyl stretching vibrations of 3‐phenoxybenzaldehye (3Phbz) and 4‐ethoxybenzaldeheyde (4Etob) was carried out in binary mixtures with different polar and nonpolar solvents. The purpose of this study was twofold: firstly, to describe the interaction of the carbonyl groups of two solute molecules in terms of a splitting in the isotropic and anisotropic components and secondly, to analyze their spectroscopic signatures in a binary mixture. Changes in wavenumber position, variation in the anisotropic shift and full width half maximum were investigated for binary mixtures with different mole fractions of the reference systems. In binary mixtures, the observed increase in wavenumber with solvent concentration does not show linearity, indicating the significant role of molecular interactions on the occurrence of breaking of the self‐association of the solute. In all the solvents, a gradual decrease in the anisotropic shift reflects the progressive separation of the coupled oscillators with dilution. Γ_i(η_c), 3Phbz—solvent mixtures, exhibit a gradual decrease with decrease in the concentration of the solute which is an evidence on the influence of micro viscosity on linewidth. For 4Etob, the carbonyl stretching vibration shows two well‐resolved components in the Raman spectra, attributed to the presence of two distinct carbonyl groups: hydrogen‐bonded and free carbonyl groups. The intensity ratio of the carbonyl stretching vibration of these two types of carbonyl groups is studied to understand the dynamics of solute/solvent molecules owing to hydrogen bond interactions. Ab initio calculations were employed for predicting relevant molecular structures in the binary mixtures arising from intermolecular interactions, and are related to the experimental results. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conformational equilibria in dihaloheptasilanes X2Si[SiMe(SiMe3)2]2 with X = F,Cl, Br,I: A Raman spectroscopic and quantum chemical DFT study

Equilibrium geometries, stabilities and vibrational wavenumbers for conformers of the dihaloheptasilanes X₂Si[SiMe(SiMe₃)₂]₂ with X = F, Cl, Br and I were calculated at the density functional B3LYP level employing 6‐311G(d) basis sets and SDD pseudopotentials for Br and I. Two spectroscopically distinct low‐energy conformers were located for all four heptasilanes with energy differences of 5.5, 4.7, 1.9 and 1.2 kJ mol⁻¹ for X = F, Cl, Br and I, respectively. Five more conformers were found for difluoroheptasilane and four for X = Cl, Br and I. They all have relative energies larger than 7.5 and up to 17 kJ mol⁻¹ and are negligibly populated at room temperature. Variable temperature solution Raman spectra (−70 to + 100 °C) in a wavenumber range typical for Si Si stretching vibrations (280‐350 cm⁻¹) confirm these results. For X = Br and I, no temperature effects at all could be observed as a very rapid inter‐conversion between the two low‐energy conformers, which is fast even on the time scale of Raman spectroscopy, occurs. For X = Cl, rapid inter‐conversion also occurs, and a third conformer could be detected at higher temperatures (50–100 °C). For X = F, intensity changes with temperature are consistent with the presence of two low‐energy conformers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman and infrared spectra,conformational stability,ab initio calculations and vibrational assignment of dimethylsilylisocyanate

The Raman (3200‐30 cm⁻¹) and/or infrared spectra (3500 to 400 cm⁻¹) of gaseous, liquid and solid dimethylsilylisocyanate, (CH₃)₂ Si(H)NCO, have been recorded. The MP2(full) calculations, employing a variety of basis sets with and without diffusion functions, have been used to predict the structural parameters, conformational stability, vibrational fundamental wavenumbers, Raman activities, depolarization values and infrared intensities to support the vibrational assignment. The low wavenumber Raman spectrum of the gas with a significant number of Q‐branches for the SiNC(O) bend is consistent with an essentially linear SiNCO moiety. The ab initio calculations supported this conclusion as all possible orientations of the NCO moiety lead to nearly the same energy. This result is at variance with the conclusion from the electron diffraction study that the heavy atom skeleton was bent with an angle of 152(5)° with one stable cis conformer. It is believed that this reported angle difference from 180° is due to the shrinkage effect. The SiH distance of 1.486 Å has been obtained from the isolated SiH stretching wavenumber. From the adjustment of the ab initio MP2(full)/6‐311+G(d,p) predicted structural parameters, a proposed structure is reported, which is expected to give rotational constants within a few megahertz of the actual ones. These experimental and theoretical results are compared with the corresponding quantities of similar molecules. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vibrational spectroscopic studies and ab initio calculations of phenyl phosphate disodium salt

The Fourier‐transform infrared and Fourier‐tranform Raman spectra of phenyl phosphate disodium salt were recorded and analyzed. The surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectrum was recorded in a silver colloid. The vibrational wavenumbers of the compound were computed using the Hartree–Fock/6‐31G* basis and compared with the experimental values. The molecule is adsorbed on the silver surface with the benzene ring in a tilted orientation. The presence of the phenyl ring and the phosphate group vibrations in the SERS spectrum reveal the interactions between the phenyl ring and the phosphate group with the silver surface. The first hyperpolarizability is calculated, and the calculated molecular geometry is compared with those of similar reported structures. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gas‐phase structure and new vibrational study of methyl trifluoroacetate (CF3C(O)OCH3)

The molecular structure of methyl trifluoroacetate (CF₃C(O)OCH₃) has been determined in the gas phase from electron‐diffraction data supplemented by ab initio (MP2) and DFT calculations using different basis sets. Experimental data revealed an anti conformation with a dihedral angle θ (CCOC) = 180°. Quantum mechanical calculations indicate the possible existence of two conformers, differing by a rotation about the C(O) O bond. The global minimum represents a C_s‐symmetric structure in which the CF₃ group has the anti orientation with respect to the CH₃ group, but there is another potential minimum, much higher in energy, representing a C_s‐symmetric structure with a cis conformation. The preference for the anti conformation was studied using the total energy scheme and the natural bond orbital (NBO) partition scheme. Additionally, the total potential energy has been deconvoluted using a six‐fold decomposition in terms of a Fourier‐type expansion, showing that the electrostatic and steric contributions are dominant in stabilizing the anti conformer. Infrared spectra of CF₃C(O)OCH₃ were obtained for the gaseous and liquid phases, while the Raman spectrum was recorded for the liquid phase. Harmonic vibrational frequencies and a scaled force field have been calculated, leading to a final root mean‐square deviation of 9 cm⁻¹ when comparing experimental and calculated frequencies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High resolution infrared spectra of the ν1-ν4 bands of BiH3, and ab initio calculations of the spectroscopic parameters

The infrared spectrum of short-lived BiH₃ has been studied by Fourier transform technique. The BiH stretching bands ν₁/ν₃ at 1733.2546/1734.4671 cm⁻¹ and the bending fundamentals ν₂/ν₄ at 726.6992/751.2385 cm⁻¹ have been measured with a resolution of 5.5 and 6.6 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹, respectively. The spectra were analyzed using different reductions of the rovibrational Hamiltonian accounting for the numerous resonance interactions in particular within the strongly Coriolis-coupled bending dyad. About 1150 and 980 transitions belonging to the ν₁/ν₃ and ν₂/ν₄ bands were fitted with an rms deviation of 0.62 and 0.53 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹, respectively. High-level ab initio calculations at the coupled cluster CCSD(T) level with an energy-consistent small-core pseudopotential and large basis sets were carried out to determine the equilibrium structure, the anharmonic force field, and the associated spectroscopic constants of BiH₃. The theoretical results are in good agreement with the available experimental data.     

On the relative intensities of the Raman active fundamentals,r0 structural parameters,and pathway of chair–boat interconversion of cyclohexane and cyclohexane‐d12

Raman spectra of liquid cyclohexane, C₆H₁₂, and deuterated cyclohexane, C₆D₁₂, were recorded with both parallel and perpendicular polarizations. The observed vibrational wavenumbers, depolarization ratios, and their intensities were measured and compared with the corresponding predicted values as well as the experimental values previously reported. The conformational energetics were obtained with the Møller–Plesset perturbation method to the second order [MP2(full)] as well as with density functional theory by the B3LYP method utilizing a variety of basis sets. The average ab initio predicted difference in energy between the more stable chair form (D_3d) and the less stable twisted‐boat form (D₂) is 2213 cm⁻¹ (26.47 kJ/mol), with a similar value of 2223 cm⁻¹ (26.59 kJ/mol) from the density function theory calculations. By using two dihedral angles as variables, we calculated the chair–boat interconversion pathway for cyclohexane at the MP2(full)/6‐31G(d) level. The harmonic force constants, Raman intensities, depolarization values, and the potential energy distribution were predicted from both MP2(full) and B3LYP calculations with the 6‐31G(d) basis set and compared with the experimental values for the chair form when available. The ‘adjusted’ r₀ structural parameters were obtained from MP2/6‐311 + G(d,p) calculations and previously reported microwave rotational constants of five isotopomers of cyclohexane: i.e. 1,1‐d₂, ¹³C‐1,1‐d₂, 1,1,2,2,3,3‐d₆, and d₁ (equatorial and axial). The determined distances in Å are: r(CC) = 1.536(3), r(CH)_ax = 1.098(1); r(CH)_eq = 1.095(1); and the angles in degrees: ∠CCH_ax = 108.8(3); ∠CCH_eq = 110.2(3); ∠CCC = 111.1(3); and ∠HCH = 107.6(3) with dihedral angle ∠CCCC = 55.7(3). These values are compared with those previously reported and it is found that the difference in the r₀ distances (0.003 Å) between the two CH values is much smaller than the difference (0.008 Å) previously reported for the r_s values. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High-pressure theoretical and experimental study of HgWO4

HgWO₄ at ambient pressure is characterized using a combination of ab initio calculations, X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering measurements. The effect of low pressure and temperature on the structural stability is analysed. Extending our ab initio study to the range of higher pressures, a sequence of stable phases up to 30 GPa is proposed.     

Vibrational spectroscopic and force field studies of copper(II) chloride and bromide compounds,and crystal structure of KCuBr3

Vibrational spectroscopic and force field studies have been performed of 15 related copper(II) chloride and copper(II) bromide compounds, including hydrated salts crystallizing in ternary aqueous systems with alkali and ammonium halides. For halocuprates with distorted octahedral coordination characteristic stretching Raman wavenumbers, corresponding to symmetric stretching Cu^II X modes in the equatorial plane, were found in the ranges 247–288 cm⁻¹ for X = Cl, and 173–189 cm⁻¹ for X = Br, while the low‐wavenumber stretching modes for the weaker axial Cu X interactions varied considerably. The tetrahedral coordination for Cs₂CuCl₄ and Cs₂CuBr₄ leads to somewhat lower Cu X symmetric stretching wavenumbers, 295 and 173 cm⁻¹, respectively. The assignments of the copper–ligand stretching vibrations were performed with the aid of normal coordinate calculations. Correlations between force constants, averaged Cu X stretching wavenumbers and bond distances have been evaluated considering the following aspects: (1) Jahn–Teller tetragonal distortion (axial elongation) of the octahedral copper(II) coordination environment, (2) differences between terminal and bridging halide ligands (3) effects of coordinated water and the influence of outer‐sphere cations. Force constant ratios for terminal and bridging metal–halide bonds reveal characteristic differences between planar and tetrahedrally coordinated M₂X₆ species. In the hydrated copper(II) halide complexes, the halide ligands are more strongly bound than coordinated water molecules. The crystal structure of KCuBr₃ (K₂Cu₂Br₆), which was determined to provide structural information for the force field analyses, contains stacks of planar dimeric [Cu₂Br₆]²⁻ complexes held together by weak axial Cu Br interactions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vibrational and optical properties of a one‐dimensional organic–inorganic crystal [C6H14N]PbI3

Self‐assembled organic–inorganic [C₆H₁₄N]PbI₃ crystals were synthesized. The crystal structure consists of one‐dimensional semiconductor chains formed by infinite PbI₆ face‐sharing octahedra aligned along the a‐axis. The organic cations are linked to the inorganic chains by N H· · ·I hydrogen bonds and act as insulator barriers. The vibrational properties of [C₆H₁₄N]PbI₃ were studied using polarized Raman scattering and infrared (IR) absorption. The observed Raman and IR spectral features were identified by comparison with the vibrational properties of homologous compounds and with the vibrational wavenumbers calculated using the ab initio PM3 method. Moreover, the photoluminescence and diffuse reflectance of [C₆H₁₄N]PbI₃ single crystals, along with the UV‐Vis absorption of spin‐ coated films, were measured. A strong green‐blue luminescence due to radiative recombinations of 1D excitons is observed. The Stokes shift is estimated at 70 meV. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conformational stability from Raman spectra,r0 structural parameters,and vibrational assignment of methylcyclohexane

The Raman spectra (3500–50 cm⁻¹) of the liquid and solid methylcyclohexane and the infrared spectra of the gas and solid methylcyclohexane have been recorded. The Raman band at 754 cm⁻¹ in the liquid has been confidently assigned to the less stable axial conformer and its intensity was recorded as a function of temperature from 25 to −95 °C. By the utilization of 15 different temperatures, the enthalpy difference between the more stable chair‐equatorial conformer and the chair‐axial form was determined to be 712 ± 71 cm⁻¹ (8.50 ± 0.84 kJ/mol). The ab initio predicted value of 710 cm⁻¹ (8.50 kJ/mol) from the MP2(full)/6‐311G(2d,2p) calculations with and without diffuse functions is in excellent agreement. The harmonic force fields, infrared intensities, Raman activities, depolarization ratios, and vibrational wavenumbers have been obtained for both conformers from MP2(full)/6‐31G(d) ab initio calculations. With two scaling factors of 0.88 for the C‐H stretches and 0.9 for the remaining ones, the fundamental wavenumbers have been predicted and along with the depolarization values and infrared band contours (B‐type for A″ modes) a complete vibrational assignment has been made for the chair‐equatorial conformer. Predicted r₀ structural parameters have been provided from adjusted parameters from ab initio MP2(full)/6‐311+G(d,p) calculations. The results are discussed and compared with the corresponding properties of some similar molecules. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vibrational spectroscopy and DFT calculations of di‐amino acid cyclic peptides. Part I: cyclo(Gly‐Gly), cyclo(L‐Ala‐L‐Ala) and cyclo(L‐Ala‐Gly) in the solid state and in aqueous solution

Investigations of the vibrational spectra of cyclo(Gly‐Gly), cyclo(L‐Ala‐L ‐Ala) and cyclo(L ‐Ala‐Gly) are reported. Raman scattering and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of solid‐state and aqueous protonated samples, as well as their corresponding N‐deuterated isotopomers, have been examined. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) (B3‐LYP/cc‐pVDZ) calculations of molecular structures and their associated vibrational modes were carried out. In each case, the calculated structures of lowest energy for the isolated gas‐phase molecules have boat conformations. Assignments have been made for the observed Raman and FTIR vibrational bands of the cyclic di‐amino acid peptides (CDAPs) examined. Raman polarization studies of aqueous phase samples are consistent with C₂ and C₁ symmetries for the six‐membered rings of cyclo(L‐Ala‐L‐Ala) and cyclo(L‐Ala‐Gly), respectively. There is a good correlation between experimental and calculated vibrational bands for the three CDAPs. These data are in keeping with boat conformations for cyclo(L‐Ala‐L‐Ala) and cyclo(L‐Ala‐Gly) molecules, predicted by the ab initio calculations, in both the solid and aqueous solution states. However, Raman spectroscopic results might infer that cyclo(L‐Ala‐Gly) deviates only slightly from planarity in the solid state. The potential energy distributions of the amide I and II modes of a cis‐peptide linkage are shown to be significantly different from those of the trans‐peptides. For example, deuterium shifts have shown that the cis‐amide I vibrations found in cyclo(Gly‐Gly), cyclo(L‐Ala‐L‐Ala), and cyclo(L‐Ala‐Gly) have larger N‐H contributions compared to their trans‐amide counterparts. Compared to trans‐amide II vibrations, cis‐amide II vibrations show a considerable decrease in N H character. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inhibition of urinary calculi—a spectroscopic study

Although herbal medicine is widely employed in inhibition of urinary calculi as an alternative and complementary curative method, the lack of detailed scientific studies that could provide insights into this complex process weakens its validity. The present work targets multitechnique spectroscopic investigations by Raman, infrared absorption, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence on the effects of the herb Rotula Aquatica Lour (RAL) on the growth of synthetically prepared magnesium‐based calculi. In addition to the standard magnesium phosphate‐based sample, two other samples were prepared with incorporation of 1 and 2wt% RAL herbal extract. Both, Raman and infrared data show a newberyite structure for the crystals without and with inhibitor. The XPS measurements reveal an unexpected presence of Zn in the sample with bfRAL inhibitor, which, as suggested in the literature, may initiate rapid stone formation, and consequently, contribute to the inhibition process. Furthermore, the existence of metallic Zn can explain the reflectance of the incident light observed in the infrared transmission studies of the unground crystals. A significant increase in magnesium with addition of herbal extract is observed in the XPS data. Also, evidence for Mg O binding between the inhibitor and the phosphate units of urinary calculus is found in XPS and Raman results. Similarity between our photoluminescence measurements and those of in vivo chlorophyll a corroborates to provide additional evidence of Mg‐related inhibition. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman spectroscopic study of the uranyl carbonate mineral voglite

Raman spectroscopy, complemented with infrared spectroscopy, was used to study the uranyl carbonate mineral voglite. The mineral has the formula Ca₂Cu²⁺ [(UO₂)(CO₃)₃](CO₃)^•6H₂O, and bands attributed to these vibrating units are readily identified in the Raman spectrum. Symmetric stretching modes at 836 and 1094 cm⁻¹ are assigned to ν₁(UO₂)²⁺ and ν₁(CO₃)²⁻ units, respectively. The ν₃ antisymmetric stretching modes of (UO₂)²⁺ are not observed in the Raman spectrum but may be readily observed in the infrared spectrum at 898 cm⁻¹. The ν₃ antisymmetric stretching mode of (CO₃)²⁻ is observed in the Raman spectrum at 1369 cm⁻¹ as a low intensity band as is also the ν₃(CO₃)²⁻ infrared modes at 1362, 1425, 1509 and 1566 cm⁻¹. No ν₂(CO₃)²⁻ Raman bending modes are observed for voglite. The Raman band at 749 cm⁻¹ and the two infrared bands at 747 and 709 cm⁻¹ are assigned to the ν₄(CO₃)²⁻ bending modes. U O bond and O H…O bond lengths in the structure of voglite were inferred from the infrared and Raman spectra. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vibrational spectroscopy of articular cartilage

Articular cartilage is a connective tissue that is located at the ends of long bones. Type II collagen, proteoglycans, water, and chondrocytes are the main constituents of articular cartilage. Osteoarthritis, the most common joint disease in the world, causes degenerative changes in articular cartilage tissue. Fourier transform infrared, Raman, and near infrared spectroscopic techniques offer versatile tools to assess biochemical composition and quality of articular cartilage. These vibrational spectroscopic techniques can be used to broaden our understanding about the compositional changes during osteoarthritis, and they also hold promise in disease diagnostics. In this article, the current literature of articular cartilage spectroscopic studies is reviewed.     

Lattice dynamics of Al‐containing MAX‐phase carbides: a first‐principle study

A systematic study on lattice dynamics of M_{n + 1}AlC_n (n = 1–3) phases using first‐principle calculations is reported, where the Raman‐active and infrared‐active (IR) modes are emphasized. The highest phonon wavenumber is related to the vibration of C atoms. The ‘imaginary wavenumber’ in the phonon spectrum of Nb₃AlC₂ contributes to the composition gap in Nb‐Al‐C system (Nb₂AlC and Nb₄AlC₃ do appear in experiments, but there are no experimental reports on Nb₃AlC₂). The full set of Raman‐active and IR‐active modes in the 211, 312, and 413 M_{n + 1}AX_n phases is identified, with the corresponding Raman and IR wavenumbers. The 211, 312, and 413 M_{n + 1}AX_n phases have 4, 6, and 8 IR‐active modes, respectively. There is no distinct difference among the wavenumber ranges of IR‐active modes for 211, 312, and 413 phases, with the highest wavenumber of 780 cm⁻¹ in Ta₄AlC₃. The Raman wavenumbers of M₂AlC phases all decrease with increasing the d‐electron shell number of transition metal M. However, this case is valid only for the Raman‐active modes with low wavenumbers of M₃AlC₂ and M₄AlC₃. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ab initio path-integral molecular dynamics and the quantum nature of hydrogen bonds

The hydrogen bond(HB) is an important type of intermolecular interaction, which is generally weak, ubiquitous,and essential to life on earth. The small mass of hydrogen means that many properties of HBs are quantum mechanical in nature. In recent years, because of the development of computer simulation methods and computational power, the influence of nuclear quantum effects(NQEs) on the structural and energetic properties of some hydrogen bonded systems has been intensively studied. Here, we present a review of these studies by focussing on the explanation of the principles underlying the simulation methods, i.e., the ab initio path-integral molecular dynamics. Its extension in combination with the thermodynamic integration method for the calculation of free energies will also be introduced. We use two examples to show how this influence of NQEs in realistic systems is simulated in practice.