Control of Regioselectivity over Gold Nanocrystals of Different Surfaces for the Synthesis of 1,4‐Disubstituted Triazole through the Click Reaction

Gold nanocubes, octahedra, and rhombic dodecahedra were examined for facet‐dependent catalytic activity in the formation of triazoles. Rhombic dodecahedra gave 100 % regioselective 1,4‐triazoles. The product yield was increased by decreasing the particle size. However, a mixture of 1,4‐ and 1,5‐triazoles was obtained in lower yields when cubes and octahedra of similar sizes were used. The lowest Au‐atom density on the {110} surface and largest unsaturated coordination number of surface Au atoms may explain their best catalytic efficiency and product regioselectivity. Various spectroscopic techniques were employed to verify the formation of the Au–acetylide intermediate and establish the reaction mechanism, in which phenylacetylene binds to the Au {110} surface through the terminal‐binding mode to result in the exclusive formation of 1,4‐triazoles. The smallest rhombic dodecahedra can give diverse 1,4‐disubstituted triazoles in good yields by coupling a wide variety of alkynes and organic halides.     

Atomically Thin Arsenene and Antimonene: Semimetal–Semiconductor and Indirect–Direct Band‐Gap Transitions

The typical two‐dimensional (2D) semiconductors MoS₂, MoSe₂, WS₂, WSe₂ and black phosphorus have garnered tremendous interest for their unique electronic, optical, and chemical properties. However, all 2D semiconductors reported thus far feature band gaps that are smaller than 2.0 eV, which has greatly restricted their applications, especially in optoelectronic devices with photoresponse in the blue and UV range. Novel 2D mono‐elemental semiconductors, namely monolayered arsenene and antimonene, with wide band gaps and high stability were now developed based on first‐principles calculations. Interestingly, although As and Sb are typically semimetals in the bulk, they are transformed into indirect semiconductors with band gaps of 2.49 and 2.28 eV when thinned to one atomic layer. Significantly, under small biaxial strain, these materials were transformed from indirect into direct band‐gap semiconductors. Such dramatic changes in the electronic structure could pave the way for transistors with high on/off ratios, optoelectronic devices working under blue or UV light, and mechanical sensors based on new 2D crystals.     

DFT assessment of the spectroscopic constants and absorption spectra of neutral and charged diatomic species of group 11 and 14 elements

The spectroscopic constants and absorption spectra of neutral and charged diatomic molecules of group 11 and 14 elements formulated as [M₂]^+/0/? (M = Cu, Ag, Au), and [E₂]^+/0/? (E = C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) have been calculated at the PBE0/Def2‐QZVPP level of theory. The electronic and bonding properties of the diatomics have been analyzed by natural bond orbital analysis approach and topology analysis by the atoms in molecules method. Particular emphasis was given on the absorption spectra of the diatomic species, which were simulated by time‐dependent density functional theory calculations employing the hybrid Coulomb‐attenuating CAM‐B3LYP density functional. The simulated absorption spectra of the [M₂]^+/0/? (M = Cu, Ag, Au) and [E₂]^+/0/? (E = C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) species are in close resemblance with the experimentally observed spectra whenever available. The neutral M₂ and E₂ diatomics strongly absorb in the ultraviolet region, given rise to UVC, UVA and in a few cases UVB absorptions. In a few cases, weak absorbion bands also occur in the visible region. The absorption bands have thoroughly been analyzed and assignments of the contributing principal electronic transitions associated to individual excitations have been made. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Sub‐cycle Dynamics of High Harmonic Generation of Ne Atoms Excited by Attosecond Pulses and Driven by Near‐infrared Laser Fields: A Self‐Interaction‐Free TDDFT Approach

In the framework of the self‐interaction‐free time‐dependent density‐functional theory (TDDFT), we have performed three‐dimensional ab initio calculations of Ne atoms in near‐infrared (NIR) laser fields subject to excitation by a single extreme ultraviolet (XUV) attosecond pulse (SAP). The TDDFT equations are solved accurately and efficiently by means of the time‐dependent generalized pseudo spectral (TDGPS) method. We have explored the transient dynamical behavior of the sub‐cycle high harmonic generation (HHG) for transitions from the excited states to the ground state and found oscillation structures with respect to the time delay between the SAP and NIR fields. We investigate the harmonic emission spectrum from singly excited state 2p3s, 2p4s, 2p3d, 2p5s, 2p4d and 2p6s, 2p5d and the virtual states 2p3p‐, 2p4f‐ and 2p4p+ as the function of time delay. We explore the sub‐cycle Stark shift phenomenon in NIR fields and its influence on the photon emission process. Our analysis reveals several novel features of the sub‐cycle transient HHG dynamics and spectra, the quantum interference pattern between different multiphoton excitation pathways, and we identify the mechanisms responsible for the observed peak splitting in the photon emission spectra.     

Functional Corannulene: Diverse Structures,Enhanced Charge Transport,and Tunable Optoelectronic Properties

Chemical functionalization of various hydrocarbons, such as coronene, corannulene, and so forth, shows good promise in electronics applications because of their tunable optoelectronic properties. By using quantum chemical calculations, we have investigated the changes in the corannulene buckybowl structure, which greatly affect its electronic and optical properties when functionalized with different electron‐withdrawing imide groups. We find that the chemical nature and position of functional groups strongly regulate the stacking geometry, π‐stacking interactions, and electronic structure. Herein, a range of optoelectronic properties and structure–property relationships of various imide‐functionalized corannulenes are explored and rationalized in detail. In terms of carrier mobility, we find that the functionalization strongly affects the reorganization energy of corannulene, while the enhanced stacking improves hopping integrals, favoring the carrier mobility of crystals of pentafluorophenylcorannulene‐5‐monoimide. The study shows a host of emerging optoelectronic properties and enhancements in the charge‐transport characteristics of functionalized corannulene, which may find possible semiconductor and electronics applications.     

Graphitic Silicon Nitride: A Metal‐Free Ferromagnet with Charge and Spin Current Rectification

As a first example, herein we show that g‐Si₄N₃ is expected to act as a metal‐free ferromagnet featuring both charge and spin current rectification simultaneously. Such rectification is crucial for envisioning devices that contain both logic and memory functionality on a single chip. The spin coherent quantum‐transport calculations on g‐Si₄N₃ reveal that the chosen system is a unique molecular spin filter, the current‐voltage characteristics of which is asymmetric in nature, which can create a perfect background for synchronous charge and spin current rectification. To shed light on this highly unusual in‐silico observation, we have meticulously inspected the bias‐dependent modulation of the spin‐polarized eigenstates. The results indicate that, whereas only the localized 2p orbitals of the outer‐ring (OR) Si atoms participate in the transmission process in the positive bias, both OR Si and N atoms contribute in the reverse bias. Furthermore, we have evaluated the spin‐polarized electron‐transfer rate in the tunneling regime, and the results demonstrate that the transfer rates are unequal in the positive and negative bias range, leading to the possible realization of a simultaneous logic–memory device.     

Structural and Magnetic Properties of CoGen− (n=2–11) Clusters: Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Density Functional Calculations

A series of cobalt‐doped germanium clusters, CoGe_n^?/0 (n=2–11), are investigated by using anion photoelectron spectroscopy combined with density functional theory calculations. For both anionic and neutral CoGe_n (n=2–11) clusters, the critical size of the transition from exo‐ to endohedral structures is n=9. Natural population analysis shows that there is electron transfer from the Ge_n framework to the Co atom at n=7–11 for both anionic and neutral CoGe_n clusters. The magnetic moments of the anionic and neutral CoGe_n clusters decrease to the lowest values at n=10 and 11. The transfer of electrons from the Ge_n framework to the Co atom and the minimization of the magnetic moments are related to the evolution of CoGe_n structures from exo‐ to endohedral.     

Covalence and Ionicity in MgAgAs‐Type Compounds

MgAgAs‐type “half‐Heusler” compounds are known to realize two out of three possible atomic arrangements of this structure type. The number of transition metal components typically determines which of the alternatives is favored. On the basis of DFT calculations for all three variants of 20 eight‐ and eighteen‐valence‐electron compounds, the experimentally observed structural variant was found to be determined by basically two different bonding patterns. They are quantified by employing two complementary position‐space bonding measures. The Madelung energy ${E_{\rm{M}}^{{\rm{QTAIM}}} }$ calculated with the QTAIM effective charges reflects contributions of the ionic interactions to the total energy. The sum of nearest‐neighbor delocalization indices ?_nn characterizes the covalent interactions through electron sharing. With the aid of these quantities, the energetic sequence of the three atomic arrangements for each compound is rationalized. The resulting systematic is used to predict a scenario in which an untypical atomic arrangement becomes most favorable.     

TD‐DFT benchmarks: A review

Time‐Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD‐DFT) has become the most widely‐used theoretical approach to simulate the optical properties of both organic and inorganic molecules. In this contribution, we review TD‐DFT benchmarks that have been performed during the last decade. The aim is often to pinpoint the most accurate or adequate exchange‐correlation functional(s). We present both the different strategies used to assess the functionals and the main results obtained in terms of accuracy. In particular, we discuss both vertical and adiabatic benchmarks and comparisons with both experimental and theoretical reference transition energies. More specific benchmarks (oscillator strengths, excited‐state geometries, dipole moments, vibronic shapes, etc.) are summarized as well. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Possible pathways of CVD processes leading to III-V semiconductors via a two-dimensional growth.

Quantum-chemical calculations were carried out to shed more light upon possible first intermediates formed during chemical vapour deposition (CVD) processes leading to III-V semiconductors. Information about possible structures of intermediates and about thermodynamic properties in dependence of the temperature were collected. Because some of the systems calculated herein contain a substantial number of atoms (up to 144), it is limited to intermediates on the way to solid AIN. According to our suggestion, the first intermediates are species with the overall formula AINH2, Al2N2H4, Al3N3H6, AI5N5H8, AI7N7H, and Al9N9H, AI12N12H12. In further calculations the growth of a second layer, on top of the first layer, which is modelled by the Al12N12H12 cluster, is simulated. The Al12N12H12 "surface" offers two places for the attachment of an Al3N3H6 ring. At temperatures of 1000 K, the deltaG value for this attachment is only slightly negative, which suggests that the molecules can move relatively freely on the surface. This might be of importance for a defect-free growth process. Up to four layers are built on top of the first Al12N12H12 layer leading to Al24N24H24 (two layers), Al36N36H36 (three layers) and Al48N48H48 (four layers). The structures are compared with that of solid AIN in its most stable Wurzit-type structure.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,Bonding, and Properties of (Ba6O)(OsN3)2

The new barium nitridoosmate oxide (Ba₆O)(OsN₃)₂ was prepared by reacting elemental barium and osmium (3:1) in nitrogen at 815–830 °C. The crystal structure of (Ba₆O)(OsN₃)₂ as determined by laboratory powder X‐ray diffraction ( , No 148: a=b=8.112(1) Å, c=17.390(1) Å, V=991.0(1) ų, Z=3), consists of sheets of trigonal OsN₃ units and trigonal‐antiprismatic Ba₆O groups, and is structurally related to the “313 nitrides” AE₃MN₃ (AE=Ca, Sr, Ba, M=V–Co, Ga). Density functional calculations, using a hybrid functional, likewise indicate the existence of oxygen in the Ba₆ polyhedra. The oxidation state 4+ of osmium is confirmed, both by the calculations and by XPS measurements. The bonding properties of the OsN₃^5? units are analyzed and compared to the Raman spectrum. The compound is paramagnetic from room temperature down to T=10 K. Between room temperature and 100 K it obeys the Curie–Weiss law (μ=1.68 μ_B). (Ba₆O)(OsN₃)₂ is semiconducting with a good electronic conductivity at room temperature (8.74×10^?2 Ω^?1 cm^?1). Below 142 K the temperature dependence of the conductivity resembles that of a variable‐range hopping mechanism.     

Cover Picture: Thiophene–Diazine Molecular Semiconductors: Synthesis,Structural, Electrochemical,Optical, and Electronic Structural Properties; Implementation in Organic Field‐Effect Transistors (Chem. Eur. J. 20/2009)

Molecular semiconductors in the guise of three diazine‐functionalized oligothiophenes have been synthesized and their structural, optical, vibrational, electrochemical, and semiconductor properties studied. In their Full Paper on page 5023 ff. , J. T. López Navarrete, A. Facchetti, T. J. Marks et al. describe how these diazine‐functionalized oligothiophenes are reasonably efficient hole transporters.

     

Solution‐Processable Donor–Acceptor Polymers with Modular Electronic Properties and Very Narrow Bandgaps

Bridgehead imine‐substituted cyclopentadithiophene structural units, in combination with highly electronegative acceptors that exhibit progressively delocalized π‐systems, afford donor–acceptor (DA) conjugated polymers with broad absorption profiles that span technologically relevant wavelength (λ) ranges from 0.7 < λ < 3.2 μm. A joint theoretical and experimental study demonstrates that the presence of the cross‐conjugated substituent at the donor bridgehead position results in the capability to fine‐tune structural and electronic properties so as to achieve very narrow optical bandgaps (E_g^opt < 0.5 eV). This strategy affords modular DA copolymers with broad‐ and long‐wavelength light absorption in the infrared and materials with some of the narrowest bandgaps reported to date.

     

Thiophene–Diazine Molecular Semiconductors: Synthesis,Structural, Electrochemical,Optical, and Electronic Structural Properties; Implementation in Organic Field‐Effect Transistors

New transportation : New thiophene‐based semiconductors have been produced and studied by electrochemistry, various spectroscopic methods, and structural and morphological techniques in conjunction with model chemistry. Their electrical properties have been analyzed by implementation in field‐effect transistor devices (see figure).

     

Electronic structure and spectroscopic properties of 6‐aminophenanthridine and its derivatives: Insights from density functional theory

6‐Aminophenanthridine (6AP) and its derivatives show important biological activities as antiprion compounds and inhibitors of the protein folding activity of the ribosome. Both of these activities depend on the RNA binding property of these compounds, which has been recently characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy. Hence, fundamental insights into the photophysical properties of 6AP compounds are highly important to understand their biological activities. In this work, we have calculated electronic structures and optical properties of 6AP and its three derivatives 6AP8CF₃, 6AP8Cl, and 6APi by density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). Our calculated spectra show a good agreement with the experimental absorption and fluorescence spectra, and thus, provide deep insights into the optical properties of the compounds. Furthermore, comparing the results obtained with four different hybrid functionals, we demonstrate that the accuracy of the functionals varies in the order B3LYP > PBE0 > M062X > M06HF. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.