Synthesis,Structure, and Properties of Scandium Dysprosium Antimonide ScDySb

Scandium dysprosium antimonide ScDySb was synthesized from scandium metal and DySb in an all‐solid state reaction at 1770 K. According to X‐ray analysis of the crystal structure [P4/nmm, Z = 4, a = 430.78(1) pm, c = 816.43(4) pm, R₁ = 0.0238, wR(all) = 0.0688, 268 independent reflections], ScDySb adopts the anti‐PbFCl type of structure, but with pronounced deviations in structural details, which are related to specific bonding interactions between the atoms involved. ScDySb shows antiferromagnetic ordering below 35.4 K, which was verified by susceptibility, heat capacity, and resistivity measurements. X‐ray structure determination, performed at 30 K, showed no significant structural changes to occur during the magnetic phase transition. The band structure was calculated in the framework of Density Functional Theory. The bonding properties are comparable to those of Sc₂Sb. Pronounced basins of the Electron Localization Function (ELF) appear in the tetragonal pyramidal Sc₄Dy voids.     

Bournonite PbCuSbS3: Stereochemically Active Lone‐Pair Electrons that Induce Low Thermal Conductivity

An understanding of the structural features and bonding of a particular material, and the properties these features impart on its physical characteristics, is essential in the search for new systems that are of technological interest. For several relevant applications, the design or discovery of low thermal conductivity materials is of great importance. We report on the synthesis, crystal structure, thermal conductivity, and electronic‐structure calculations of one such material, PbCuSbS₃. Our analysis is presented in terms of a comparative study with Sb₂S₃, from which PbCuSbS₃ can be derived through cation substitution. The measured low thermal conductivity of PbCuSbS₃ is explained by the distortive environment of the Pb and Sb atoms from the stereochemically active lone‐pair s² electrons and their pronounced repulsive interaction. Our investigation suggests a general approach for the design of materials for phase‐change‐memory, thermal‐barrier, thermal‐rectification and thermoelectric applications, as well as other functions for which low thermal conductivity is purposefully sought.     

Aromaticity and electron affinity of Carbo(k)-[3]radialenes, k=0, 1, 2

Aromaticity enhancement is a possible driving force for the low reduction potentials of buta-1,3-diynediyl-expanded [N]radialenes: this hypothesis is theoretically analyzed for the expanded [3]radialene prototype. This study is undertaken within a more general prospect, namely the evaluation of the variation of aromaticity with endocyclic and peripheral carbomeric expansion of [3]radialene and its mono- and dianions. The structures, denoted as [C-H](6) (h)[C-C](3) (k)carbo-[3]radialene(q) (h=0, 1; k=0, 1, 2; q=0, -1, -2), were optimized in relevant singlet, doublet, or triplet spin states at the B3PW91/6-31G** level. They were found to be all planar. The structural aromaticity was measured through the average bond length d(av) over the [C-C](3) (k)carbo-[3]radialene core, and by the corresponding bond-length equalization parameter sigma(d), related to Krygowski's GEO. The magnetic aromaticity was measured by Schleyer's NICS values at the center of the rings. Regarding the relative variation of NICS and sigma(d), two classes of species can be distinguished according to their endocyclic expansion level. The species with a nonexpanded (k=0) or doubly expanded (k=2) ring constitute the first class: they exhibit D(3h) symmetry and a strong correlation of NICS with sigma(d). The species with a singly expanded ring (k=1) fall far from the correlation line, and constitute the second class. This class distinction is related to the degeneracy scheme of the frontier orbitals of the neutral representative. A finer appraisal of the electron (de)localization is brought by the ELF (Electron Localization Function) analysis of the electron density. It allows for a weighting of relevant resonance forms. Unsubstituted species are well described by the superimposition of two or three resonance forms. For (doublet spin state) monoanionic species, their respective weights are validated by comparison with AIM spin density. The weighted mean, n, of the formal numbers of paired pi(z) electrons in the resonance forms was calculated and compared with the closest even integer of either forms 4m+2 or 4m. A density-based continuous generalization of the orbital-based discrete Hückel rule is then heuristically proposed through an analytical correlation of NICS versus sigma(d), n, and S, the spin of the species. The frontier-orbital-degeneracy pattern of neutral species is discussed with respect to structural and magnetic aromaticity criteria. A decreasing HOMO-LUMO gap versus endocyclic expansion is obtained, but [C-C](3) (1)carbo-[3]radialene possesses the highest HOMO and LUMO energies. Vertical and adiabatic electron affinities of neutral and monoanionic species were also computed and compared with related experimental data.     

Half Antiperovskites: IV. Crystallographic and Electronic Structure Investigations on A2Rh3S2 (A = In,Sn, Tl,Pb, Bi)

The crystal and electronic structures of ordered half antiperovskites A₂Rh₃S₂ = ARh_3/2S (A = In, Sn, Tl, Pb, Bi) are investigated. From powder and single crystal data superstructures, rhodium site ordering, trends in bonding and coordination are analysed with respect to the A site atom. Comparisons address isotypic and isoelectronic relations to monoclinic parkerite (Bi₂Ni₃S₂) type superconductors, the trigonal half‐metal ferromagnet Sn₂Co₃S₂, and rhodium‐containing antiperovskites. Local structure and bonding is analysed with respect to the ordered occupation of half of S₂A₄ sites (= perovskite oxygen sites) and interlinking to 2D networks [Rh₃S₂]_∞^δ– by face‐, edge‐ and corner‐sharing. The theoretical part includes DFT band structure and ELF calculations, systematic comparisons to rhodium and antiperovskites, as well as spin‐polarised calculations on Sn₂Rh₃S₂ and Pb₂Rh₃S₂.     

Syntheses and Structures of the Germanides CaNiGe and MgCoGe as well as Chemical Bonding in CaNiGe and CaNi2Ge2

The intermetallic germanides CaNiGe and MgCoGe have been synthesized from the elements in sealed tantalum tubes in a high‐frequency furnace. The compounds were investigated by X‐ray diffractions both on powders and single crystals: CeFeSi structure type, P4/nmm, a = 4.19341(3), c = 6.6264(1) Å, wR2 = 0.030, 124 F² values, 10 variable parameters for CaNiGe and a = 3.8960(4), b = 6.1929(11) Å, wR2 = 0.048, 104 F² values, 10 variable parameters for MgCoGe. In CaNiGe and MgCoGe the transition metal and germanium atoms build [TGe] layers (T = Ni, Co), which are separated by the calcium and magnesium atoms, respectively. The crystal structures of CaNiGe and MgCoGe as well as chemical bonding in CaNiGe and CaNi₂Ge₂ are discussed in terms of LMTO bond structure calculation and analysis using the Electron Localization Function (ELF). The Ge–Ge bond formation in polyanionic network of CaNi₂Ge₂ can formally be regarded as oxidative coupling product of layers of CaNiGe.     

Topology and Equilibrium Analysis of the Monovalent Aluminum Compound Al4Cp*Ph4

The theoretical structure and thermochemistry of the tetrameric, low‐valence aluminum compound Al₄Cp*^Ph₄ (Cp*^Ph = C₅Me₄Ph) is discussed. The first synthesis of this compound was reported in 2005, but the compound failed to crystallize and experimental ²⁷Al NMR results were inconclusive in regard to the degree of association. Here density functional theory combined with a genetic algorithm is used to predict the expected structure and properties for Al₄Cp*^Ph₄. Synthesis efforts were repeated for this compound, resulting in a product with a ²⁷Al NMR chemical shift that differed from the previous report by nearly 20 ppm. However, calculated ²⁷Al NMR chemical shifts for the theoretically predicted structure are within one ppm of these new experimental results, strongly suggesting the tetrameric form has been synthesized. Previous work on five Al₄R₄ (R = C₅H₅, C₅Me₄H, C₅Me₅, C₅Me₄iPr, C₅Me₄Pr) compounds showed a general trend towards an increased likelihood of disassociation into monomeric species in solution as ligand bulk increased. Analysis of Al₄Cp*^Ph₄, the sixth and bulkiest compound in this series, indicates a departure from this trend. Bonding characteristics for monomer and tetramer forms in this series are examined in detail via topological analysis to understand this trend.     

Theoretical Study of Stability and Electronic Characteristics in Various Complexes of Psoralen as an Anticancer Drug in Gas Phase,Water and CCl4 Solutions

The present research employs density functional theory(DFT) computations to analyze the structure and energy of complexes formed by psoralen drug with alkali(Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺) and alkaline earth(Be²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺) metal cations. The computations are conducted on M06-2X/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory in the gas phase and solution. The Atoms in Molecules(AIM) and natural bond orbital(NBO) analyses are applied to evaluating the characterization of bonds and the atomic charge distribution, respectively. The results show that the absolute values of binding energies decrease with going from the gas phase to the solution. Furthermore, the considered complexes in the water(as a polar solvent) are more stable than the CCl₄(as a non-polar solvent). The DFT based chemical reactivity indices, such as molecular orbital energies, chemical potential, hardness and softness are also investigated. The outcomes show that the considered complexes have high chemical stability and low reactivity from the gas phase to the solution. Finally, charge density distributions and chemical reactive sites of a typical complex explored in this study are obtained by molecular electrostatic potential surface.     

Bismut(II)-chalkogenometallate(III) Bi2M4X8, Verbindungen mit Bi24+-Hanteln (M = Al,Ga; X = S,Se)

Bismuth(II) Chalcogenometallates(III) Bi₂M₄X₈, Compounds with Bi₂⁴⁺ Dumbbells (M = Al, Ga and X = S, Se) The ternary bismuth(II) chalcogenometallates(III) Bi₂M₄X₈ (with M = Al, Ga and X = S, Se) were synthesized from the binary chalcogenides M₂X₃ and Bi₂X₃ and elementary bismuth. All compounds are diamagnetic semiconductors with E_g (opt.) = 1.8–2.7 eV. The phases (except Bi₂Al₄Se₈) are thermodynamically stable and decompose peritectically above 965–1020 K. Bi₂Al₄Se₈ is metastable below 825 K and is obtained only by rapid quenching from T > 825 K. The isotypic compounds crystallize in a new tetragonal tP28 structure type (P4/nnc). The characteristic unit is the hitherto unknown clustercation Bi₂⁴⁺, with the mean bond length d(Bi–Bi) = 314.2 pm, the Raman frequency 102 cm^–1 ≤ ν_s ≤ 108 cm^–1, and the mean force constant of f = 0.68 N · cm^–1. The Electron Localization Function, ELF, shows the covalent Bi–Bi bond, the lone electron pairs of the ψ-octahedrally coordinated Bi(II) cations, and the polar character of the Bi–X bonds.     

Li3[ScN2]: the first nitridoscandate(III)-tetrahedral Sc coordination and unusual MX2 framework

Li(3)[ScN(2)] was prepared from Li(3)N with Sc or ScN in a nitrogen atmosphere at 1020 K as a light yellow powder with an optical band gap of about 2.9 eV. The crystal structure was refined based on X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data (Ia$\bar 3$, Z=16, X-ray diffraction: R(profile)=0.078, R(Bragg)=0.070; Neutron diffraction: R(profile)=0.077, R(Bragg)=0.074; Rietfeld: a=1003.940(8) pm, Guinier: a=1004.50(3) pm). Li(3)[ScN(2)] is an isotype of Li(3)[AlN(2)] and Li(3)[GaN(2)] and crystallizes in an ordered superstructure of the Li(2)O structure type, leading to a three-dimensional framework of all-vertex-sharing tetrahedra 3[infinity[ScN[4/2][3-]]. Li is displaced from the center of a tetrahedron of N atoms in the direction of one trigonal face. Li(3)[ScN(2)] decomposes above 1050 K to form ScN and Li(3)N. Calculations of the periodic nodal surface (PNS) and of the electron localization function (ELF) support the picture of a covalent Sc-N network separated from isolated Li cations, whereby scandium d orbitals are involved in the chemical bonding.     

HMX/TATB复合材料弹性性能的MD模拟

用分子动力学(MD)方法COMPASS力场, 分别在正则系综(NVT)和等温等压系综(NPT)下, 模拟计算了著名常用高能炸药HMX(环四甲撑四硝胺)与著名钝感炸药TATB (1,3,5-三氨基-2,4,6三硝基苯)所构成的混合体系在室温时的弹性性能和结合能. 结果表明, 在NVT和NPT两种系综下模拟所得结果呈平行一致的趋势; 与纯HMX相比, HMX/TATB复合材料的拉伸模量、体模量和剪切模量均有所下降; 在NVT系综下, 还完成了HMX/TATB混合体系的不同温度的MD模拟. 发现当温度在245～345 K范围时, 体系的刚性和弹性变化很小; 但当温度达到395 K时, 材料的刚性减弱, 柔性增强.     

Charge-shift bonding--a class of electron-pair bonds that emerges from valence bond theory and is supported by the electron localization function approach

This paper deals with a central paradigm of chemistry, the electron-pair bond. Valence bond (VB) theory and electron-localization function (ELF) calculations of 21 single bonds demonstrate that along the two classical bond families of covalent and ionic bonds, there exists a class of charge-shift bonds (CS bonds) in which the fluctuation of the electron pair density plays a dominant role. In VB theory, CS bonding manifests by way of a large covalent-ionic resonance energy, RE(CS), and in ELF by a depleted basin population with large variances (fluctuations). CS bonding is shown to be a fundamental mechanism that is necessary to satisfy the equilibrium condition, namely the virial ratio of the kinetic and potential energy contributions to the bond energy. The paper defines the atomic propensity and territory for CS bonding: Atoms (fragments) that are prone to CS bonding are compact electronegative and/or lone-pair-rich species. As such, the territory of CS bonding transcends considerations of static charge distribution, and involves: a) homopolar bonds of heteroatoms with zero static ionicity, b) heteropolar sigma and pi bonds of the electronegative and/or electron-pair-rich elements among themselves and to other atoms (e.g., the higher metalloids, Si, Ge, Sn, etc), c) all hypercoordinate molecules. Several experimental manifestations of charge-shift bonding are discussed, such as depleted bonding density, the rarity of ionic chemistry of silicon in condensed phases, and the high barriers of halogen-transfer reactions as compared to hydrogen-transfers.     

Cationic Symmetrically and Unsymmetrically Substituted Diboranes and Bis(diboranes) with Direct Boron-Boron Bond: Synthesis by Substitution,Stability and Properties

Starting with diboranes with two electron-rich bridging bicyclic guanidinate substituents, we report in this work the rational synthesis of new dicationic symmetrically- and unsymmetrically-substituted diboranes in S_N1-type substitution reactions in which triflato or bromo substituents are replaced by neutral Lewis bases. The scope of such substitution reactions and their rate are analyzed with different pyridine derivatives of variable Lewis basicity. The first substitution step, leading to a monocationic diborane with one anionic substituent (triflate or bromide) and one neutral Lewis base, proceeds much faster than the second substitution step leading to a dicationic diborane with two neutral Lewis bases. The different time scales for the substitution steps could be used to conveniently synthesize in one-pot reactions several dicationic, unsymmetrically-substituted diboranes with two different neutral Lewis bases.     

Charge decomposition analysis of the electron localizability indicator: a bridge between the orbital and direct space representation of the chemical bond

The novel functional electron localizability indicator is a useful tool for investigating chemical bonding in molecules and solids. In contrast to the traditional electron localization function (ELF), the electron localizability indicator is shown to be exactly decomposable into partial orbital contributions even though it displays at the single-determinantal level of theory the same topology as the ELF. This approach is generally valid for molecules and crystals at either the single-determinantal or the explicitly correlated level of theory. The advantages of the new approach are illustrated for the argon atom, homonuclear dimers N2 and F2, unsaturated hydrocarbons C2H4 and C6H6, and the transition-metal-containing molecules Sc(2)2+ and TiF4.