SERS studies of the adsorption of guanine derivatives on gold colloidal nanoparticles

Surface enhanced Raman scattering spectra of guanine, guanosine and 2'-deoxyguanosine adsorbed on gold colloidal nanoparticles were obtained. From the striking similarity of the SERS spectra of these compounds, it can be evidenced that guanosine and 2'-deoxyguanosine adsorb on gold nanoparticles through the guanine moiety. The molecular sites involved in the interaction with the gold surface are the same for the 3 compounds: the oxygen of the carbonilic group and the N(7) atom. Guanine, guanosine and 2'-deoxyguanosine adsorb on the gold substrates with a tilted orientation with respect to the metal surface. SERS data were interpreted taking into account density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations of guanine.     

Molecular Mechanics Study of Cyclic and Unsymmetrical Diborane(4) Compounds

The results of a theoretical study on the structure of some diborane(4) compounds are presented in order to analyze the ralative stabilities of the 1,1- and 1,2-isomers. Using the molecular mechanics method, characteristic distances and angles have been calculated and compared with available experimental data. In order to rationalize the results, different energy components are discussed in a comparative fashion. A fairly satisfactory agreement between the theoretical and experimental data have been found. Some possible extensions are pointed out to complement this kind of analysis.     

A briefing on aurophilicity

There is now compelling experimental evidence for the existence of specific intra- and intermolecular bonding between seemingly closed-shell gold(i) centers (5d(10)) which manifests itself in all areas of gold chemistry. This "aurophilic interaction", which had not been predicted by conventional valence theory, was found to be associated with binding energies in some cases exceeding even those of strong hydrogen bonds and therefore to be highly significant in co-determining molecular structure and dynamics. In high-level theoretical treatments the attraction is rationalized as a "super van der Waals bonding" based on particularly strong relativistic, dispersion and correlation effects (critical review, 265 references).     

Salen complexes of zirconium and hafnium: synthesis, structural characterization, controlled hydrolysis, and solvent-free ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters and lactides

Dinuclear salen compounds of zirconium and hafnium are efficient initiators for the solvent-free ring-opening polymerization of cyclic ester monomers and lactides. There is a correlation between the theoretical and experimental number-average molecular weights (M(n)'s) in these polymerizations. Polymerization of β-butyrolactone gives poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) with a good M(n) and molecular weight distribution.     

Surface plasmon resonance as a time-resolved probe of structural changes in molecular films: considerations for correlating resonance shifts with adsorbate layer parameters

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy is an efficient probe of transient structural changes in molecular films. To analyze kinetic SPR data for such systems, generally it is necessary to adapt an adequate theoretical framework that would allow one to express the measured optical quantities (time-dependent shifts of the resonance angle or wavelength) in terms of the structural parameters (layer thickness, mass density, or surface coverage) of the sample molecules. We present here theoretical calculations and illustrative experimental results to address certain essential elements of this type of data analysis for transient SPR systems. The phenomenological framework we consider here is based on multilayer reflectivity calculations, and can be applied to a broad class of systems involving ordered molecular layers on supporting gold films. A typical application of these calculations is demonstrated through the analysis of specific SPR experiments designed to probe the kinetics of pH-induced structural changes in a molecular film of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) on a thin gold film.     

Copper(II) and cobalt(II) complexes of 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-methyloxime): A theoretical investigation

The molecular geometries and vibrational frequencies of the title compounds in the ground state are calculated using the Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP) methods with the LANL2DZ basis set and compared with the experimental data. The calculated results show that the optimized geometries can well reproduce the crystal structural parameters, and the theoretical vibrational frequencies show good agreement with the experimental values. The energetic behavior of the title compounds in solvent media is examined using the B3LYP method with the LANL2DZ basis set by applying the Onsager and polarizable continuum model (PCM). In addition, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) and frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analyses of the title compounds are investigated by theoretical calculations.     

金(Ⅰ)化合物中的亲金相互作用

In the 1980s, interaction between gold atoms in gold (Ⅰ) species was discovered, which is afterwards named "aurophilicity". Based on in-depth researches conducted on these compounds, chemists are able to explain the reason for formation, the interacting mechanism and the theoretical foundation of them. This article reviews on the discovery of "aurophilicity", its historical development with typical examples, and its fresh applications in branches of physics and chemistry.     

Vibrational spectroscopic study of o-, m- and p-hydroxybenzylideneaminoantipyrines

Three structurally similar antipyrine derivatives of o-hydroxybenzylideneaminoantipyrine (o-HBAP), m-hydroxybenzylideneaminoantipyrine (m-HBAP) and p-hydroxybenzylideneaminoantipyrine (p-HBAP) were characterized by FT-IR, FT-Raman experimental techniques and density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations. The comparisons between the calculated and experimental results covering molecular structures, assignments of fundamental vibrational modes and thermodynamic properties were investigated. The optimized molecular geometries agree well with the corresponding experimental values by comparing with the XRD data. The comparisons and assignments of the vibrational frequencies indicate that the experimental spectra also coincide satisfactorily with those of theoretically simulated spectrograms except the hydrogen-bond coupling infrared vibrations, and compounds can be distinguished by the IR and Raman spectra due to the differences of the hydroxyl-substituted positions and molecular packing, and the strong Raman scattering activities of the compounds are tightly relative to the molecular conjugative moieties linked through the Schiff base imines. The thermodynamic functions and their correlations with temperatures were also obtained from the theoretical harmonic frequencies.     

Synthesis and photoswitching studies of difurylperfluorocyclopentenes with extended π-systems

In an attempt to design molecular optoelectronic switches functioning in molecular junctions between two metal tips, we synthesized a set of photochromic compounds by extending the π-system of 1,2-bis-(2-methyl-5-formylfuran-3-yl)perfluorocyclopentene through suitable coupling reactions involving the formyl functions, thereby also introducing terminal groups with a binding capacity to gold. Avoiding the presence of gold-binding sulphur atoms in the photoreactive centre, as they are present in the frequently used analogous thienyl compounds, the newly synthesized compounds should be more suitable for the purpose indicated. The kinetics of reversible photoswitching of the new compounds by UV and visible light was quantitatively investigated in solution. The role of conformational flexibility of the π-system for the width of the UV/Vis spectra was clarified by using quantum chemical calculations with time-dependent (TD)-DFT. As a preliminary test of the potential of the new compounds to serve as optoelectronic molecular switches, monolayer formation and photochemical switching on gold surfaces was observed by using surface plasmon resonance.     

Conductivity of island metal films covered with organic molecules

Experimental data were obtained on the effect of adsorbed organic molecules (naphthalene, stearone, benzene, xylene, aluminum oxyquinoline and mixtures of some aliphatic compounds) on the conductivity of gold island films. Nanoisland structures were realized which exhibit non-linear conduction current–voltage characteristics and a sharp switching effect in the presence of adsorbed organics. The conditions for the occurrence of the voltage-controlled negative resistance in such nanocomposite systems are discussed. Some data are also given on electroluminescence of the nanocomposites. Two theoretical models are suggested to describe the conduction current–voltage characteristics of organic molecular structures under various conditions.     

Infrared spectroscopic study of stereo-controlled poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) with an extended chain conformation induced by adsorption on a gold surface

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNiPAM) compounds with various diad tacticities were prepared, and the molecular interaction properties in a thin film deposited on a gold surface were analyzed using infrared spectroscopy. The intramolecular and intermolecular interactions were found to depend on the tacticity, and only atactic (diad ratio 46 %) PNiPAM exhibits poor molecular interaction even in the bulk sample. On the other hand, the same series of compounds dissolved in an acetone solution were spread on a gold surface to form a thin film. In the dissolution process, the polymer molecules are relaxed via solvation, and they are bound to the gold surface by a molecular interaction to form a submonolayer thin film. In the thin film, the molecular interaction with the gold surface via the N–H group was monitored in the infrared spectra only for a nearly isotactic (m?=?90) PNiPAM by an apparent shift of the N–H stretching vibration band. This shift was confirmed by changing the degree of hydrophilicity of the gold surface: a larger shift is found on a gold surface with stronger hydrophilicity. As a result, the conformation of a nearly isotactic molecule is found to be extended by the interaction with the gold surface, which works to immobilize the molecule.     

药物水溶解度的QSAR研究和VolSurf参数

药物的水溶解度与其吸收密切相关。本文利用一种新的计算方法,VolSurf,预测药物的水溶解度并测定有利于药物水溶解度的主要分子特征。被测化合物包括26个结构不同的药物,通过偏最小二乘分析法,对药物水溶解度实验值与分子特征进行相关,得到较好的模型(r2=0.90,q2=0.77)。将化合物分为训练集和预测集进行相关分析,结果表明以18个化合物所建立的训练集模型对其余8个化合物有较好的预测能力,预测的标准偏差(SDEP)为0.59。参数分析表明分子与水相互作用的3个局部能量最小值越小,且它们之间的距离越大,对其水溶解度越有利;亲水性占主导因素的分子有高的水溶解度;分子的疏水性越强,在水中的溶解性越弱;大分子的溶解度较小分子溶解度低。     

The molecular, electronic structures and vibrational spectra of metal-free, N,N'-dideuterio and magnesium tetra-2,3-pyridino-porphyrazines: Density functional calculations

A theoretical investigation of the fully optimized geometries and electronic structures of the metal-free (TPdPzH(2)), N,N'-dideuterio (TPdPzD(2)), and magnesium (TPdPzMg) tetra-2,3-pyridino-porphyrazine has been conducted based on density functional theory. The optimized geometries at density functional theory level for these compounds are reported here for the first time. A comparison between the different molecules for the geometry, molecular orbital, and atomic charge is made. The substituent effect of the N atoms on the molecular structures of these compounds is discussed. The IR and Raman spectra for these three compounds have also been calculated at density functional B3LYP level using the 6-31G(d) basis set. Detailed assignments of the NH, NM, and pyridine ring vibrational bands in the IR and Raman spectra have been made based on assistance of animated pictures. The simulated IR spectra of TPdPzH(2) are compared with the experimental absorption spectra, and very good consistency has been found. The isotope effect on the IR and Raman spectra is also discussed.     

Argentophilic Interactions

The decade 1990–2000 saw a growing interest in aurophilic interactions in gold chemistry. These interactions were found to influence significantly a variety of structural and other physical characteristics of gold(I) compounds. The attention paid to this unusual and counterintuitive type of intra‐ and intermolecular bonding between seemingly closed‐shell metal centers has rapidly been extended to also include silver chemistry. Hundreds of experimental and computational studies have since been dedicated to the argentophilicity phenomenon. The results of this development are reviewed herein focusing on molecular systems where two or more silver(I) centers are in close contact leading to specific structural characteristics and a variety of novel physical properties. These include strongly modified ligand‐to‐metal charge‐transfer processes observed in absorption and emission spectroscopy, but also colossal positive and negative thermal expansion on the one hand and unprecedented negative linear compressibility of crystal parameters on the other.     

Theoretical study of the electronic and optical properties of photochromic dithienylethene derivatives connected to small gold clusters

In the course of developing electronic devices on a molecular scale, dithienylethenes photochromic molecules constitute promising candidates for optoelectronic applications such as memories and switches. There is thus a great interest to understand and control the switching behavior of photochromic compounds deposited on metallic surfaces or nanoparticles. Within the framework of the density functional theory, we studied the effect of small gold clusters (Au3 and Au9) on the electronic structure and absorption spectrum of a model dithienylethene molecule. The molecular orbital interactions between the photochromic molecule and the gold cluster made it possible to rationalize some experimental findings (Dulic, D.; van der Molen, S. J.; Kudernac, T.; Jonkman, H. T.; de Jong, J. J. D.; Bowden, T. N.; van Esch, J.; Feringa, B. L.; van Wees, B. J. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2003, 91, 207402). For the closed-ring isomer, grafting a photochromic molecule on a small gold cluster does not change the characteristics of the electronic transition involved in the ring-opening reaction. On the opposite, the absorption spectrum of the photochromic open-ring isomer is strongly modified by the inclusion of the metallic cluster. In agreement with experimental results, our study thus showed that the cycloreversion reaction which involves the closed-ring isomer should be still possible, whereas the ring-closure reaction which involves the open-ring isomer should be inhibited. Connecting a dithienylethene molecule to a small gold cluster hence provides a qualitative comprehension of the photochromic activities of dithienylethenes connected to a gold surface.     

Structural Changes in 2‐Diarylthiophene‐Substituted Starburst Compounds upon Charging: A Theoretical and Spectroelectrochemical Study

The role of charging in structural changes of 2‐diarylaminothiophene‐substituted starburst compounds is clarified by combining theoretical and spectroelectrochemical studies. A systematic and comparative theoretical calculation based on density functional theory and semiempirical Austin Model 1 (AM1) calculations is performed on the neutral and charged states of four model tris(5‐diarylamino‐5‐thienyl)‐terminated starburst compounds with a central triphenylamine and 1,3,5‐triphenylbenzene moiety. Our results indicate that the charging of molecules leads to structural changes by quinoid‐type components mostly on the dendrimers terminated by phenothiazinyl fragments. Based on the optimal geometries, the spectroscopic properties were calculated using the semiempirical Zerner’s intermediate neglect overlap method. The presented theoretical results and the spin electron distributions of charged states and their spectra are supported by the spectroelectrochemical observations caused by the different electron localization within the studied molecules after charging. The satisfactory agreement between theoretical electronic transitions and experimental values indicates that a rational design of tunable molecular layers in organic devices based on the starburst compounds described is possible.     

Surface molecular relaxation in smectic C* phase as studied by dielectric spectroscopy

The molecular relaxation process of a ferroelectric liquid crystal with a high tilt angle and a high spontaneous polarization in a homeotropically aligned cell has been studied by the dielectric relaxation method in the frequency range 10 Hz to 10 MHz. The measurements have been done using thin (3.5μm) cells with gold coated electrodes and samples aligned by a magnetic field. It has been observed that the molecular relaxation around the short axis of the molecule is detected in the chiral nematic and smectic C* phases. The surface molecular process is observed in the S*_c phase down to nearly 6 to 7 K below the transition temperature of the N* to the S*_c phase. The experimental results of the surface molecular process are analysed by theoretical calculations. The experimental results agree with the theoretical predictions.     

Unraveling molecular transformations on surfaces: a critical comparison of oxidation reactions on coinage metals

The coinage metals, copper, silver, and gold, have unique characteristics for selective oxidation catalysis, particularly for partial oxidation of alcohols and olefins. A basic understanding of surface chemistry at the molecular level can help facilitate the improvement of current catalytic processes and the designing of new catalytic systems. In this critical review, the current state of knowledge of these reactions is reviewed. First, both the experimental and theoretical methods necessary for understanding surface reactivity are discussed with a specific set of examples directly related to these reactions. Next the state of understanding of the surface chemistry of the oxidation reactions of alcohols and olefins on these three coinage metals is reviewed and the reaction pathways are compared. Clear relationships between the low pressure surface science studies and more practical catalytic conditions are illustrated. Finally, recent theoretical advances in this area are discussed as well as possible future directions in this field (132 references).     

多元胺-甲醛加成物的分子分布

本文通过概率分析给出了在一级取代效应前提下多元胺-甲醛加成反应体系的分子分布公式及反应程度同反应动力学参数的关系。将理论计算结果同实验数据比较表明两者基本符合。