Theoretical studies of electronic structure and structural properties of anhydrous alkali metal oxalates

Nanocrystalline LiMn₂O₄ was synthesized by calcining LiMn₂(CO₃)_2.5·0.8H₂O above 600 °C in air. The precursor and its calcined products were characterized by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The result showed that highly crystallization LiMn₂O₄ with cubic structure [space group Fd-3m(227)] was obtained when the precursor was calcined at 600 °C in air for 1.5 h. The thermal process of the precursor in air experienced three steps which involved, at first, the dehydration of 0.8 water molecules, then decomposition of MnCO₃ into Mn₂O₃, at last, reaction of Mn₂O₃ and Li₂CO₃ into cubic LiMn₂O₄. Based on Starink equation, the values of the activation energies associated with the thermal process of LiMn₂(CO₃)_2.5·0.8H₂O were determined. Besides, most probable mechanism functions and thermodynamic functions (ΔS ^≠, ΔH ^≠, and ΔG ^≠) of thermal processes of LiMn₂(CO₃)_2.5·0.8H₂O were also determined.     

Theoretical studies of electronic and crystal structure properties of anhydrous mercury oxalate

The results of theoretical analysis of the crystal structure and bonding in relation to thermal decomposition process in anhydrous mercury oxalate are presented. The methods used Bader’s Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules formalism with bond order model (by Cioslowski and Mixon), applied to electron density obtained from ab initio calculations carried out with FP-LAPW Wien2k package (Full Potential Linearized Augmented Plane Wave Method) and Brown’s Bond Valence Model are described. The analysis of the obtained results shows that most probably the thermal decomposition process of mercury oxalate should lead to metal and CO₂ as products (as it is experimentally observed). Presented results (as well as the results of our similar calculations carried out previously for zinc, cadmium silver, cobalt and calcium oxalates) allow us to state that such methods (topological and structural), used simultaneously in analysis of the crystal structure and bonding properties, provide us with the additional insight into given compound’s behavior during thermal decomposition process. As a result, these methods can be considered as valuable supporting tool in the analysis of thermal decomposition process in given compound.     

Theoretical analysis of electronic and structural properties of anhydrous calcium oxalate

The results of theoretical analysis of the electronic and crystal structural properties and bonding in relation to thermal decomposition process in anhydrous calcium oxalate are presented. The methods used in this analysis—topological analysis of electron density (Bader’s Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules approach) obtained from DFT calculations performed by Wien2k package (Full Potential Linearized Augmented Plane Wave Method); bond order model (Cioslowski&Mixon), applied to topological properties of the electron density; as well as Brown’s Bond Valence Model (bonds valences and strength’, and bond and crystal strains, calculated from crystal structure and bonds lengths data) are described. The analysis of the obtained results shows that these methods allow us to explain the way of thermal decomposition process of anhydrous calcium oxalate to calcium carbonate as a decomposition product, and to describe the structural transition taking place during such process (from monoclinic anhydrous CaC₂O₄ to rhombohedral calcite structure). In the light of the results of our similar calculations performed previously for other anhydrous oxalates (zinc, cadmium silver, cobalt, and mercury) the proposed theoretical approach can be considered as promising and reliable tool, which allow analyzing the properties of the structure and bonding and hence predicting the most probable way of thermal decomposition process for given crystal structure.     

Theoretical studies of thermal decomposition of anhydrous cadmium and silver oxalates

The results of first principles calculations of band structure, density of states and electron density topology of CdC₂O₄ and Ag₂C₂O₄ crystals are presented. The calculations have been performed with WIEN2k ab initio program, using highly precise full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP LAPW) method within Density Functional Theory formalism. The obtained SCF electron density has been used in calculations of Bader’s AIM (atoms in molecules) topological properties of the electron density in crystal. The obtained results show important similarities in electronic structure and electron density topology of both compounds and allow supposing, that during the thermal decomposition process these compounds should behave similarly, which is in agreement with the experiment.     

Theoretical studies of thermal decomposition of anhydrous cadmium and silver oxalates

Detailed analysis of the results of full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP LAPW) ab initio calculations for anhydrous silver and cadmium oxalates, reported in first part of this paper [1] has been presented. Additional calculations of Bader’s AIM (Atoms in Molecules) topological properties of the electron density, bond orders (Pauling, Bader, Cioslowski and Mixon) and bond valences according to bond valence model have been done. The obtained results show the similarities in electronic structure of both compounds and support the conclusion, that during the thermal decomposition process, these compounds should most probably decompose to metal and carbon dioxide, in agreement with the experiment.     

Theoretical studies of structural and electronic properties of AlnAsn clusters

We present theoretical results of size dependent structural, electronic, and optical properties of ligand‐free stoichiometric Al_nAs_n clusters of zinc‐blende modification. The investigation is done using a simplified parametrized linear combination of atomic orbital–density functional theory‐local density approximation–tight‐binding (LCAO–DFT–LDA–TB) method and consider clusters with n up to around 100. Initial structures have assumed as spherical parts of infinite zinc‐blende structure and then allowed to relax to the closest local‐energy‐minimum structure. We analyze the radial distributions of atoms, Mulliken populations, electronic energy levels (in particular, HOMO and LUMO), bandgap, and stability as a function of size and composition. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006     

Novel modification of anhydrous transition metal oxalates from powder diffraction

The known metal–C₂O₄ structures may be divided into two modifications, α and β. The α‐modification has an order–disorder struxture, revealing one‐dimensional disordering of the metal–oxalate chains, and the β‐modification is ordered. The crystal structures of orthorhombic γ‐MnC₂O₄ {poly[μ‐oxalato‐manganese(II)]; space group Pmna , a = 7.1333 (1), b = 5.8787 (1), c = 9.0186 (2) Å, V = 378.19 (1) ų, Z = 4 and D_x = 2.511 Mg m⁻³} and γ‐CdC₂O₄ {poly[μ‐oxalato‐cadmium(II)]; space group Pmna , a = 7.3218 (1), b = 6.0231 (1), c = 9.2546 (2) Å, V = 408.13 (1) ų, Z = 4 and D_x = 3.262 Mg m⁻³} have been obtained from powder diffraction patterns. The structures are isostructural. Each metal atom in each structure is coordinated by seven O atoms which belong to five oxalate ions. The crystal packing, which contains noticeable cavities in the [101] and [001] directions, is not close packed and essentially differs from the known disordered α‐ and ordered β‐modifications of transition metal oxalates. This modification seems to be metastable. It was found that a spontaneous γ→β phase transition takes place for γ‐CdC₂O₄.     

Vibrational studies of anhydrous lithium,sodium and potassium oxalates

The IR and Raman spectra of sodium oxalate and the IR spectrum of lithium oxalate are re-examined. The Raman spectrum of lithium oxalate is presented for the first time. A recent structural study is used as the basis for the first detailed vibrational study of anhydrous potassium oxalate, phase II.     

General properties of the electronic structure of alkali metal clusters and Ia-IIa mixed clusters

The results of the systematic ab-initio CI investigation of neutral and charged Li _n , Na _n , BeLi _k and MgNa _k clusters are summarized and analyzed. The general characteristic features of the electronic structure are pointed out:a) The participation of the atomic orbitals, which are empty in Ia and IIa metal atoms, allows for a higher valency of these atoms in clusters.b) Jahn-Teller and pseudo-Jahn-Teller effects strongly influence the electronic and geometric structure of clusters.c) Deformations of cluster geometry can lead to biradicaloid structures with higher spin multiplicity in their ground states.d) The peculiarities of the electronic structures of clusters can be deduced from the presence of many “surface” atoms. The theoretical results agree with experimental data presently available and they are useful for interpretation of the experimental findings.     

Crystal structure, electronic structure, and bonding properties of anhydrous nickel oxalate

The results of crystal structure determination and theoretical analysis of electronic structure and bonding properties in relation to thermal decomposition process in anhydrous nickel oxalate are presented. The details of the methods used in this analysis i.e., the Bader’s quantum theory of atoms in molecules and bond order models (as defined by Pauling, Bader, Cioslowski and Mixon—modified by Howard and Lamarche), applied to topological properties of the electron density, obtained from ab initio calculations carried out by Wien2k FP-LAPW package (full potential linearized augmented plane wave method), as well as Brown’s bond valence model (bond valences and strengths, and bond and crystal strains, calculated from experimental crystal structure data) are described. Nickel oxalate dihydrate was prepared by precipitation from water solutions of nickel nitrate (V) with oxalic acid at about 60 °C. The crystalline powder was filtered, washed, and dried at 80 °C on air. Anhydrous nickel oxalate sample was measured by XRD method applying Philips X’Pert Pro MD diffractometer equipped with MRI high temperature cell. Structural as well as qualitative and quantitative phase analyses were made by Phillips X’Pert HighScore Plus version 2.1 software with implemented full-pattern fit by means of Rietveld method. The detailed analysis of the obtained results shows that anhydrous nickel oxalate has monoclinic crystal structure (P2₁/c, sg 14), the carbon–carbon bond is the weakest one, and the process of thermal decomposition of this structure should begin with the breaking of this particular bond followed by nickel-oxygen bonds, which will lead to metallic nickel and carbon dioxide as final products, in agreement with the experiment. These results, supported by our earlier ones show clearly that such methods (topological and structural), when used simultaneously in analysis of the crystal structure and bonding properties, provide us with the additional insight into the behavior of given compound during thermal decomposition process and thus allow predicting and explaining of its most probable pathway.     

Theoretical studies on the structure and electronic properties of aryl sulfides and sulfones

Molecular orbital calculations are reported on the structure and electronic properties of diphenyl sulfide using both semiempirical and ab initio methods. Neither the MNDO nor AM1 methods give satisfactory structures, but better results are obtained with the PM3 method. At the ab initio level, the 4-31G basis set with polarization functions on sulfur alone (4-31G/S*) gives comparable results to those obtained with the 6-31G** basis set. The corresponding bond lengths and angles at the sulfur atom of 4-aminophenyl-4′-nitrophenyl sulfide and related derivatives of diphenyl sulfone, diphenyl disulfide, and phenylthiosulfonate calculated at the 4-31 G/S* level show a good correlation with crystallographic data where available. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 66 : 141–147, 1998     

Structure and electronic properties of the surface of alkali metal peroxides

The CRYSTAL09 program with the implemented B3PW hybrid density functional in a localized basis of atomic orbitals is used to determine the atomic and electronic structure of the surface of lithium, sodium, and potassium peroxides. Geometric parameters, surface energies, partial densities of states, electron density distributions, overlap populations, and atomic charges are calculated. It is found that the geometry relaxation has a characteristic depth up to ～10 Å, while the surface states are located in the upper layers at a depth up to ～2.5 Å. Structural displacements of atoms do not exceed ～ 0.2 Å; the charge of the upper surface layers is positive, whereas the energy state shifts relative to the bulk ones can reach ～1 eV. The surface energy of peroxides decreases with an increase in the atomic number of the cation.     

FT-Raman spectroscopic studies of metal oxalates and their mixtures

The Raman spectra of a number of Group I and II metal oxalates are presented. From quantitative spectroscopic studies of the pure compounds and of mixtures of calcium, potassium and magnesium oxalates, it has been demonstrated that each component can be determined in the prepared mixtures to better than 2%. Comparisons made with the Raman spectra of lithium and sodium oxalates indicate that there are characteristic differences in the observed spectra of the Group I metal oxalates and that several vibrational bands of C₂O²⁻₄ are sensitive to the cation, being shifted to lower wavenumbers as the cation mass increases from Li to K.     

Theoretical studies on the structural,spectroscopic, thermodynamic,and electronic properties of zoledronic acid

The structure, spectroscopic, thermodynamic, and electronic properties of zoledronic acid (ZL, 1-hydroxy- 2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethane-1,1-diyldiphosphonic acid), typical third-generation nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs), have been investigated systematically. Six conformations are taken into account, including three unprotonated and three protonated structures. They are optimized by four different density functional theory (DFT) methods combined with four different basis sets to evaluate their performance in predicting the structural and spectral features of ZL. Thermodynamic properties are calculated based on the harmonic vibrational analysis, including the standard heat capacity (C _p,m ⁰ ), entropy (S _m ⁰ ), and enthalpy (S _m ⁰ ). The ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shifts are calculated using the GIAO method and compared with the experimental data. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) and frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analyses are also performed to study the electronic characteristics of the title compound.     

Formation of oxalates and carbonates in the thermal decompositions of alkali metal formates

The influences of gaseous and solid reactants on the yields of oxalates and carbonates in the thermal decompositions of alkali metal formates have been studied. A mechanism of formation of these products is proposed, which explains the influences of basic and acidic species formed in the medium on the thermal decompositions of the alkali metal formates.

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Zusammenfassung Der einfluß von gasförmigen und festen Reaktanten auf die Ausbeute von oxalaten und Karbonaten bei der thermischen Zersetzung von Alkalimetallformiaten wurde untersucht. Es wurde ein Mechanismus für die Bildung dieser Produkte vorgeschlagen, der den Einfluß der während der thermischen Zersetzung von Alkalimetallformiaten entstehenden Basen und Säuren erklärt.

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Comparative first-principles study of structural and optical properties of alkali metal azides

A comparative first-principles study of the structural and optical properties of the alkali metal azides has been performed with density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation. The crystal structures of the alkali azides compare well with experimental data. Their ionic character is manifested by the closeness of their internitrogen distances to the calculated N-N bond length for the free azide ion. An analysis of electronic structure, charge transfer, and bond order shows that the alkali azides are all wide-gap insulators and ionic compounds. The energy band and density of states for lithium azide and alpha-sodium azide are very similar, while these for potassium azide, alpha-rubidium azide, and alpha-cesium azide are alike, but some modifications are observed with the increment of alkali metals' electropositivity. These changes are closely related to the differences of the crystal structures. The general shapes of the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function, adsorption coefficient, and electron energy-loss spectra are quite similar. The peaks originate from the electron transitions from the alkali metal s and p states to the conduction band. Our calculated optical properties for the alkali azides are found to be in good agreement with available experimental data. The absorption spectra of the alkali azides show a number of absorption peaks, which are believed to be associated with different exciton states, in the fundamental absorption region. In general, the electron energy-loss spectra have two plasma frequencies.