The externally contracted CI method applied to N2

An approximate multireference CI method is presented. By grouping together configurations with the same internal parts and freezing their relative weights by the use of perturbation theory, the number of variational parameters is drastically reduced. The loss of correlation energy is shown to be usually less than 2%, and the timing is less than one ordinary CI iteration. Examples from calculations on some states of the nitrogen atom and nitrogen molecule are given. The basis set convergence for the lowest excitation energy in the atom is very slow. Less than 50% of the correlation effect is obtained at the s, p, d limit. After the inclusion of ? functions this value is improved to 83%. The dissociation energies of the molecule also show slow basis set convergence with errors of 0.5 eV even after addition of ? functions. The bond distances are, howeever, accurately reproduced with errors of less than 0.005 Å for all the states. A qualitative discussion of predissociation in the a ¹Π_g and B ³Π_gstates caused by spin–orbit interaction with the ⁵Σ_g⁺ state, is finally presented. Rapidly oscillating lifetimes between the different vibrational states are predicted.     

Automatic NAA: Saturation activities

A system for Automatic NAA is based on a list of specific saturation activities determined for one irradiation position at a given neutron flux and a single detector geometry. Originally compiled from measurements of standard reference materials, the list may be extended also by the calculation of saturation activities from k ₀ and Q ₀ factors, and f and a values of the irradiation position. A systematic improvement of the SRM approach is currently being performed by pseudo-cyclic activation analysis, to reduce counting errors. From these measurements, the list of saturation activities is recalculated in an automatic procedure.     

Stereoselektive Synthesen vons-Decahydropyrenen

Incomplete catalytic hydrogenation of [2.2]metacyclophane (1) or 5,13-dimethyl[2.2]metacyclophane (2) yields (1,2,3,3arH, 4,5,9,10,10acH, 10btH)-decahydropyrene (9) and the dimethylanalogue10, resp.via atransanular cyclisation between positions 8 and 16. Under the same reaction conditions catalytic deuteration (D₂, acetic acid-d₁) affords a selectively deuterated10 (10-d₅).9 is identical with as-decahydropyrene, obtained by high pressure hydrogenation of pyrene. The configurations of9 and10 were established by means of¹³C and¹H-NMR spectroscopy and by comparison with10-d₅.A compound formerly believed to be as-decahydropyrene isomer is shown to be (±)-(1,2,3,3a,4,5,9,10)-octahydropyrene (4).

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Mit 4 Abbildungen

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Herrn Prof. Dr.F. Hecht zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.

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Auszugsweise vorgetragen bei der Tagung des Vereins Österreichischer Chemiker in Linz am 27. September 1973.     

Differential Pulse Polarography for a First‐Order EC Process and Its Diagnostic Parameters

Theoretical expressions for differential pulse polarography (DPP) for a reversible electron transfer coupled with an irreversible follow‐up first‐order chemical reaction (E_rC_i) is derived approximately. The peaks as given by the current expressions are analyzed in terms of several parameters such as a ratio of anodic‐to‐cathodic peak‐currents (i_p^a/i_p^c), a separation of peak‐potentials (E_p^c?E_p^a), and a ratio of anodic‐to‐cathodic half‐peak‐widths (W_1/2^a/W_1/2^c) in order to characterize the E_rC_i process and distinguish it from other types of electrode processes. The anodic peak is found to be more susceptible to the post kinetics than the cathodic peak. The new parameter of W_1/2^a/W_1/2^c ratio is much more sensitive to the post kinetics than the peak separation (E_p^c?E_p^a). The peak current ratio (i_p^a/i_p^c) and the peak‐width ratio (W_1/2^a/W_1/2^c) have comparable sensitivities to the kinetics. Hence, W_1/2^a/W_1/2^c ratio is a better diagnostic parameters than (E_p^c?E_p^a) which has a poor sensitivity. This phenomenon is different from cyclic voltammetry (CV) in which E_p^c?E_p^a is as sensitive as i_p^a/i_p^c. The new criteria for EC with DPV is tested and successfully applied to several Co(III) complex systems, including coenzyme B₁₂. The homogeneous rate constant (k) for the follow‐up step is estimated from the measurements of the experimental values of the parameters. The present treatment is valid quantitatively at lower values of k, yielding relatively larger errors for higher k values (k>10 s^?1).     

Determination of acid dissociation constants of histidine-containing peptides by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The acid dissociation constant of the imidazolium ring of the decapeptide luliberin has been determined by ¹H NMR-followed titration in D₂O. The normal procedure for the analysis of the titration curve, i.e. direct use of the Henderson-Haselbalch equation, is still applicable in this case, but for more complex peptides a modified calculation procedure is proposed. Results obtained when both methods were applied to luliberin are compared. The influence of D₂O when used as the solvent in this type of determination has been studied using N^α-acetyl-L -histidine methyl ester as a model compound. The difference between the acid dissociation constant of this molecule determined in H₂O and in D₂O implies that a correction of ?.25 unit is needed for those pK_a values calculated by plotting the chemical shifts in D₂O vs the apparent pH meter readings. The pK_a found for N^α-acetyl-L-histidine methyl ester, 6.30 ± 0.04, can be taken as a standard value for histidine-containing peptides.     

NMR determination of pKa values of indoloquinoline alkaloids

Malaria is one of the most serious global health problems. Isolating new therapeutic agents with potential antimalarial activity from natural sources or preparing such agents either semisynthetically or synthetically is one strategy for solving the problem of resistance constantly evolving to the drugs currently in use. For alkaloids, the acid–base dissociation constant, pK_a, is an important characteristic, thought to be associated with biological activity. In this contribution, pK_a values for several indoloquinoline alkaloids were determined by using ¹H NMR spectroscopy in a mixture of solvents. The data were recalculated for water solutions using the correction factors reported previously. The structural dependence of the pK_a values for cryptolepine and its isomers neocryptolepine, isocryptolepine and isoneocryptolepine as well as some substituted neocryptolepine derivatives is discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Facile and Reliable Emission-Based Nanomolar Anion Sensing by Luminescent Iridium Receptors Featuring Chelating Halogen-Bonding Sites

An anion sensor is presented that combines a bidentate hydrogen- (HB) or halogen-bonding (XB) site with a luminescent monocationic Ir fragment for strong binding of common anions (K_a up to 6×10⁴ m ⁻¹) with diagnostic emission changes. A new emission-based protocol for fast and reliable detection was derived on the basis of correction for systematic but unspecific background effects. Such a simple correction routine circumvents the hitherto practical limitations of systematic emission-based analysis of anion binding with validated open-source software (BindFit). The anticipated order of K_a values was obeyed according to size and basicity of the anions (Cl>Br=OAc) as well as the donor atom of the receptor (XB: 6×10⁴ m ⁻¹ > HB: 5×10³ m ⁻¹), and led to submicromolar limits of detection within minutes. The results were further validated by advanced NMR techniques, and corroborated by X-ray crystallographic data and DFT analysis, which reproduced the structural and electronic features in excellent agreement. The results suggest that corrected emission-based sensing may become a complementary, reliable, and fast tool to promote the use of XB in various application fields, due to the simple and fast optical determination at high dilution.     

Simultaneous analysis of three avermectins in soils by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A simple and sensitive method has been developed and validated for the determination of abamectin B_1a (ABA B_1a), emamectin B_1a (EMA B_1a) benzoate and ivermectin H₂B_1a (IVM H₂B_1a) in soils. The avermectins (AVMs) residues were extracted from soils with acetonitrile/water (9?:?1, v/v) and then were purified on C₁₈ solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge. After being derivatised by N-methylimidazole (N-MIM) and trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA), the residues of three AVMs were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). The method was validated in terms of system suitability, linearity, selectivity, precision, recovery, specificity and stability. There was a good linear relationship (R ^2?>?0.99) for three AVMs ranged from 0.01 to 5?µg?mL^?1. The LOD and LOQs of ABA B_1a, EMA B_1a benzoate and IVM H₂B_1a for standard solutions were 1.1–1.7 and 3.6–5.7?µg?L^?1 respectively. The accuracy of AVMs in soils was from 83.7 to 115.5% with precision less than or equal to 12.4%. Using the developed method, 9 soil samples with 9.3–12806.3?µg?kg^?1 of AVMs residues had been detected.     

Experimentation with different thermodynamic cycles used for pKa calculations on carboxylic acids using complete basis set and Gaussian‐n models combined with CPCM continuum solvation methods

Complete basis set and Gaussian‐n methods were combined with Barone and Cossi's implementation of the polarizable conductor model (CPCM) continuum solvation methods to calculate pK_a values for six carboxylic acids. Four different thermodynamic cycles were considered in this work. An experimental value of ?264.61 kcal/mol for the free energy of solvation of H⁺, ΔG_s(H⁺), was combined with a value for G_gas(H⁺) of ?6.28 kcal/mol, to calculate pK_a values with cycle 1. The complete basis set gas‐phase methods used to calculate gas‐phase free energies are very accurate, with mean unsigned errors of 0.3 kcal/mol and standard deviations of 0.4 kcal/mol. The CPCM solvation calculations used to calculate condensed‐phase free energies are slightly less accurate than the gas‐phase models, and the best method has a mean unsigned error and standard deviation of 0.4 and 0.5 kcal/mol, respectively. Thermodynamic cycles that include an explicit water in the cycle are not accurate when the free energy of solvation of a water molecule is used, but appear to become accurate when the experimental free energy of vaporization of water is used. This apparent improvement is an artifact of the standard state used in the calculation. Geometry relaxation in solution does not improve the results when using these later cycles. The use of cycle 1 and the complete basis set models combined with the CPCM solvation methods yielded pK_a values accurate to less than half a pK_a unit. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2001     

RESOLUTION OF THE FLUORESCENCE EXCITATION SPECTRUM OF INDOLE INTO THE 1La AND 1Lb EXCITATION BANDS*

Abstract— The fluorescence excitation spectrum and the excitation polarization spectrum of indole in propylene glycol were measured at — 58°C, after selecting by optical filters the emission originating from the ¹L_a electronic level. From the analysis of these spectra, the excitation spectrum was resolved into the ¹L_a and ¹L_a excitation bands. A similar resolution of the excitation spectrum of tryptophan is given. This method can also be applied to the resolution of the emission spectrum in cases of dual emission.     

Supramolecular Binding Thermodynamics by Dispersion‐Corrected Density Functional Theory

The equilibrium association free enthalpies ΔG_a for typical supramolecular complexes in solution are calculated by ab initio quantum chemical methods. Ten neutral and three positively charged complexes with experimental ΔG_a values in the range 0 to ?21 kcal mol^?1 (on average ?6 kcal mol^?1) are investigated. The theoretical approach employs a (nondynamic) single‐structure model, but computes the various energy terms accurately without any special empirical adjustments. Dispersion corrected density functional theory (DFT‐D3) with extended basis sets (triple‐ζ and quadruple‐ζ quality) is used to determine structures and gas‐phase interaction energies (ΔE), the COSMO‐RS continuum solvation model (based on DFT data) provides solvation free enthalpies and the remaining ro‐vibrational enthalpic/entropic contributions are obtained from harmonic frequency calculations. Low‐lying vibrational modes are treated by a free‐rotor approximation. The accurate account of London dispersion interactions is mandatory with contributions in the range ?5 to ?60 kcal mol^?1 (up to 200 % of ΔE). Inclusion of three‐body dispersion effects improves the results considerably. A semilocal (TPSS) and a hybrid density functional (PW6B95) have been tested. Although the ΔG_a values result as a sum of individually large terms with opposite sign (ΔE vs. solvation and entropy change), the approach provides unprecedented accuracy for ΔG_a values with errors of only 2 kcal mol^?1 on average. Relative affinities for different guests inside the same host are always obtained correctly. The procedure is suggested as a predictive tool in supramolecular chemistry and can be applied routinely to semirigid systems with 300–400 atoms. The various contributions to binding and enthalpy–entropy compensations are discussed.     

Quantitative Relationships of Structure-Activity and Volume Fraction For Selected Nonpolar and Polar Narcotic Chemicals

Abstract

The relative toxicity of selected industrial organic chemicals was secured from the literature for the static 48-h Tetrahymena pyriformis 50% population growth impairment and the flow-through 96-h Pimephales promelas 50% mortality endpoints. Chemicals were selected to represent the nonpolar narcosis (aliphatic alcohols and aliphatic ketones) and polar narcosis (anilines and phenols) mechanisms of toxic action. molar volume (MV) and 1-octanol/water partition coefficient (log K _ow) data were generated for each chemical. High-quality, log K _ow dependent quantitative structure-activity relationships were observed for each chemical class and mechanism of action for both endpoints. The volume fraction (V _t) for each chemical in the target phase was determined from the toxicant concentration in the water (toxicity data), the MV, and the target/water partition coefficient (K _tw) with K _tw considered equal to K _ow ^(1-a). Analyses of target sites, by way of “a” revealed that “a” was constant for a mechanism of action regardless of chemical class, but distinct for a given test system. Mean V _t was constant for each mechanism of action regardless of chemical class or test system. These results suggest, at least for reversible physical mechanisms, that volume fraction analyses are significant in determining the mechanism of toxic action of a chemical.     

Synthesis and structural elucidation of a phthalide analog using NMR analysis and DFT calculations

Phtalides are secondary metabolites found in several fungi with a wide range of biological activities. A novel phthalide analog was synthesized by Diels–Alder reaction between cyclopentadiene and 3,4-dichlorofuran-2(5H)-one. Quantum mechanical calculations were used in conjunction with the spectrometric methods to determine the structure of the title compound. The calculated NMR chemical shifts for eight candidate pairs of enantiomers were compared with the experimental NMR chemical shifts applying the DP4 probability and mean absolute errors methodology. DP4 analysis using ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shifts without assignment of the signals presented 100% probability for the correct candidate structure 3d , proving the consistency of the method even without spectra interpretation. Results from theoretical calculation and NMR spectra interpretation were in agreement to the structure of rac-(3aR,4S,4aS,5R,8S,8aR,9R,9aS)-3a,9a-dichloro-3a,4,4a,5,8,8a,9,9a-octahydro-4,9:5,8-dimethanonaphtho[2,3-c]furan-1(3H)-one.     

Theoretical study and rate constants calculation for the reactions X + CF3CH2OCF3 (X = F,Cl, Br)

The multiple‐channel reactions X + CF₃CH₂OCF₃ (X = F, Cl, Br) are theoretically investigated. The minimum energy paths (MEP) are calculated at the MP2/6‐31+G(d,p) level, and energetic information is further refined by the MC‐QCISD (single‐point) method. The rate constants for major reaction channels are calculated by canonical variational transition state theory (CVT) with small‐curvature tunneling (SCT) correction over the temperature range 200–2000 K. The theoretical three‐parameter expressions for the three channels k_1a(T) = 1.24 × 10^?15T^1.24exp(?304.81/T), k_2a(T) = 7.27 × 10^?15T^0.37exp(?630.69/T), and k_3a(T) = 2.84 × 10^?19T^2.51 exp(?2725.17/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 are given. Our calculations indicate that hydrogen abstraction channel is only feasible channel due to the smaller barrier height among five channels considered. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2012     

Theoretical calculation of the electronic states with spin‐orbit effects of the molecule NaRb

The potential energy curves of the molecule NaRb have been calculated for the 60 low‐lying electronic states in the Ω‐representation. Using an ab‐initio method the calculation is based on nonempirical pseudo‐potential in the interval 3.0a_o ≤ R ≤ 44.0a_o of the internuclear distance. The spin‐orbit effects have been taken into account through a semiempirical spin‐orbit pseudo‐potential added to the electrostatic Hamiltonian with Gaussian basis sets for both atoms. The spectroscopic constants have been calculated for 42 states and the components of the spin‐orbit splitting have been identified for the states (1, 2, 5)³Π and (1, 2)³Δ. The comparison of the present results with those available in literature shows a good agreement, whereas the other results, to the best of our knowledge, are given here for the first time. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Zur Entmischung von kubischen Mehrstoffcarbiden

Zusammenfassung Die Mischungslücke in den Systemen: TiC–{ZrC, HfC} und VC-{NbC, TaC} wird im Bereich von 1200° C bis zur Temperatur des kritischen Punktes experimentell ermittelt und mit Hilfe der freien Exzeß-Enthalpie von der Form: G ^E =x(1–x) {(a ₀+a ₁ T)+(2x–1)(b ₀+b ₁ T)} berechnet.

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The miscibility gap within the systems: TiC–{ZrC, HfC} and VC—{NbC, TaC} has been experimentally determined in the region from 1200°C up to the temperature of the critical point. A calculation of the binodal curve has been carried out by means of an excess free enthalpy of the form: G ^E =x(1–x){(a ₀+a ₁ T)+(2x–1)(b ₀+b ₁ T)}.

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Mit 4 Abbildungen     

Determination of the Thermal Degradation Kinetic Parameters of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Using TG

In this work, a kinetic study on the thermal degradation of carbon fibre reinforced epoxy is presented. The degradation is investigated by means of dynamic thermogravimetric analysis (TG) in air and inert atmosphere at heating rates from 0.5 to 20°C min⁻¹ . Curves obtained by TG in air are quite different from those obtained in nitrogen. A three-step loss is observed during dynamic TG in air while mass loss proceeded as a two step process in nitrogen at fast heating rate. To elucidate this difference, a kinetic analysis is carried on. A kinetic model described by the Kissinger method or by the Ozawa method gives the kinetic parameters of the composite decomposition. Apparent activation energy calculated by Kissinger method in oxidative atmosphere for each step is between 40–50 kJ mol⁻¹ upper than E _a calculated in inert atmosphere. The thermo-oxidative degradation illustrated by Ozawa method shows a stable apparent activation energy (E _a ≈130 kJ mol⁻¹ ) even though the thermal degradation in nitrogen flow presents a maximum E _a for 15% mass loss (E _a ≈60 kJ mol⁻¹ ). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Yields of singlet nitrenes from halogen atom—azide molecule reactions

Chemiluminescence from the a¹Δ and b¹Σ⁺ excited electronic states of nitrogen halide diatomics is observed when HN₃ is allowed to react with mixtures of halogen atoms in a discharge-flow apparatus. Excited NF (a¹Δ) is produced by the F + HN₃ reaction, and NCl (a¹Δ, b¹Σ⁺) and NBr (a¹Δ, b¹Σ⁺) are produced by the F, Cl, + HN₃ and F, Br + HN₃ reactions, respectively. In the low-density limit, the yield of NF(a¹Δ) was found to be near unity. The yields of the b¹Σ⁺ states of NCl and NBr were determined to have a lower limit of ca. 10%. A number of results from these experiments, including direct observation of N₃ radicals in the flow, support a hypothetical mechanism in which N₃ acts as an intermediate. A second possible mechanism proceeding via an HNF intermediate cannot be ruled out.