Quantum chemical studies of three-photon absorption of some stilbenoid chromophores

Three-photon absorption of a series of donor-acceptor trans-stilbene derivatives is studied by means of density functional theory applied to the third-order response function and its residues. The results obtained by using different functionals are compared with experimental data for similar systems obtained from the literature. With a Coulomb attenuated, asymptotically corrected functional, the excitation energy to the first resonance state is much improved. Comparison with experiment indicates that this is the case for the three-photon cross section as well. In particular, the overestimation of the cross sections and underestimation of excitation energies offered by the density functional theory using common density functionals is corrected for. It is argued that a reliable theory for three-photon absorption in charge transfer and other chromophore systems thereby has been obtained. Further elaboration of the theory and its experimental comparison call for explicit inclusion of solvent polarization and pulse propagation effects.     

Reactivity of molecular oxygen with aluminum clusters: Density functional and Ab Initio molecular dynamics simulation study

Dissociative adsorption of molecular oxygen (O₂) on aluminum (Al) clusters has attracted much interest in the field of surface science and catalysis, but theoretical predictions of the reactivity of this reaction in terms of barrier height is still challenging. In this regard, we systematically investigate the reactivity of O₂ with Al clusters using density functional theory (DFT) and atom‐centered density matrix propagation (ADMP) simulations. We also calculate potential energy surfaces (PESs) of the reaction between O₂ and Al clusters to estimate the barrier energy of this reaction. The M06‐2X functional gives the barrier energy in agreement with the one calculated by coupled cluster singles and doubles with perturbed triples (CCSD(T)) while the TPSSh functional significantly underestimates the barrier height. The ADMP simulation using the M06‐2X functional predicts the reactivity of O₂ with the Al cluster in agreement with the experimental findings, that is, singlet O₂ readily reacts with Al clusters but triplet O₂ is less reactive. We found that the ability of a DFT functional to describe the charge transfer appropriately is critical for calculating the barrier energy and the reactivity of the reaction of O₂ with Al clusters. The M06‐2X functional is relevant for investigating chemical reactions involving Al and O₂. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Addition of carbon-centered radicals to double bonds: influence of the alkene structure

The radical addition reaction to the double bond is well-recognized in organic chemistry as a powerful tool for C-C bond formation.The reactivity of three selected carbon centered radicals (aminoalkyl, methyl, and cyanomethyl) toward five double bonds, also representative of widespread monomers (vinyl ether, vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile, methyl acrylate, and ethylene), was examined in detail by using molecular orbital calculations. The observed reactivity is strongly influenced by the reaction exothermicity demonstrating that the energy barrier is governed in large part by the enthalpy term. The polar effect, as computed by molecular orbital calculations from the transition state structures, can drastically enhance the reactivity. A clear separation and quantification of the relative role of the polar and enthalpy effects in the different radical/double bond systems are obtained and the observed trend of reactivity is discussed. In addition to the effect of the charge-transfer configurations on the barrier, a large influence on the transition state geometry was evidenced.     

水蒸气对褐煤原位气化半焦反应性能及微观结构的影响

为了揭示水蒸气对半焦反应性和微观结构的影响,在自制两段新型反应器上依次进行了褐煤干燥、热解及"热"焦的水蒸气原位气化研究。利用TGA、BET和Raman光谱仪,对原位气化半焦进行反应性和微观结构解析。结果表明,在反应温度为600 ℃时,水蒸气对半焦转化率、反应性及微观结构影响很小。温度达到700~900 ℃,在半焦与水蒸气接触的前2 min,虽然半焦转化率变化不大,但其反应性、小环(3~5个芳环)与大环(≥6个环)体系之比及含氧官能团却急剧降低;大于2 min,半焦转化率逐渐增大,反应性、小环与大环之比及含氧官能团缓慢降低;而半焦孔结构在2 min 前后却具有基本一致的变化趋势。半焦与水蒸气接触的前2 min,小环与大环之比和含氧官能团急剧降低是导致反应性显著降低的重要因素,大于2 min,芳环体系的变化是导致反应性进一步降低的原因。     

Understanding solid-state reactions of organic crystals with density functional theory-based concepts

Solid-state reactions are commonly observed in organic crystals, including pharmaceutical and agricultural materials, fine chemicals, dyes, explosives, optics, and many other substances. The fact that these reactions are in general highly anisotropic with regard to the initiation and propagation in a crystal has led to this study for investigating the effect of crystal packing on the reaction mechanism and kinetics of organic crystals. We have used electron density-based concepts, including nuclear Fukui function, developed from density functional theory, for elucidating the effect of electronic structures of different polymorphs on the difference in their chemical reactivity. Two polymorphs of flufenamic acid were studied. The calculation results on major reacting faces of the two forms support their reactivity difference with ammonia gas. In addition, we calculated surface energies of reacting faces to discuss how the mechanical difference may affect the propagation of solid-state reaction.     

Impact of C=C/B−N Replacement on the Diels–Alder Reactivity of Curved Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

The influence of the replacement of C=C bonds by isoelectronic B−N moieties on the reactivity of π-curved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons has been computationally explored by means of density functional theory calculations. To this end, we selected the Diels–Alder cycloaddition reactions of the parent corannulene and its BN-doped counterparts with either cyclopentadiene or maleic anhydride. In addition, the analogous reactions involving larger buckybowls, such as BN-hemifullerene, BN-circumtrindene, and BN-fullerene, have been also considered. It has been found that whereas corannulene behaves as a dienophile, its BN counterpart better acts as a diene. In contrast, the larger BN-curved systems cannot be used as dienes in Diels–Alder reactions, but undergo facile (i.e., low barrier) cycloaddition reactions with cyclopentadiene. The observed trends in reactivity, which cannot be directly explained by using typical frontier molecular orbital arguments, are quantitatively described in detail by means of state-of-the-art computational methods, namely the activation strain model of reactivity combined with the energy decomposition analysis method. The results of our calculations highlight the crucial role of the curvature of the system on the reactivity and its influence on the strength of the orbital interactions between the deformed reactants during their transformations.     

Surface modification of III–V semiconductors: chemical processes and electronic properties

The possibilities of controlling the surface electronic properties of III–V semiconductors by varying the adsorption chemistry are analyzed. Variations of the adsorption process parameters and the adsorbate reactivity are able to affect the surface atomic and electronic structure of the semiconductor. The adsorbate reactivity is considered within the framework of the density functional theory using the reactivity indices. The easiest way to affect the reactivity of a particular adsorbate is to create a solvation shell around it, as is possible in both liquid solutions and the gas phase (microsolvation). Solvation of ions before their adsorption by different solvents affects considerably the relative nucleophility of the central atom in the ion, which results in a different charge transfer mechanism from the surface states on adsorption, and thus, in a different modification of the surface electronic structure of the semiconductor. The effect of halogen, sulfur and metal atoms reactivity on the electronic structure of the resulting adsorbate-covered surface of III–V semiconductor is discussed.     

An NHC-Mediated Metal-Free Approach towards an NHC-Coordinated Endocyclic Disilene

A convenient metal-free approach towards an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-coordinated disilene 2 is described. Compound 2 , featuring the disilene incorporated in cyclopolysilane framework, was obtained in good yield and characterized using NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the reaction mechanism provide a rationale for the observed reactivity and give detailed information on the bonding situation of the base-stabilized disilene. Compound 2 undergoes thermal or light- induced (λ=456 nm) NHC loss, and a dimerization process to give a corresponding dimer with a Si₁₀ skeleton. In order to shed light on the dimerization mechanism, DFT calculations were performed. Moreover, the reactivity of 2 was examined with selected examples of transition metal carbonyl compounds.     

Effect of tritium on hydrogen isotope exchange reaction in a heterogeneous system

In order to reveal the effect of tritium (³H or T) on hydrogen isotope exchange, the exchange reaction between a certain compound (solid or liquid) and a tritiated one (gas or solid) was observed in gas-solid or liquid-solid systems. The reaction was analyzed using the data obtained and theA-McKay plot method, and it has been quantitatively clarified that the effect of T on the reactivity of a material is changed with (1) the degree of polymerization of the material, (2) the kind of functional groups in the material, and (3) the reaction system.     

Reactivity of biarylazacyclooctynones in copper-free click chemistry

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of cyclooctynes with azides, also called "copper-free click chemistry", is a bioorthogonal reaction with widespread applications in biological discovery. The kinetics of this reaction are of paramount importance for studies of dynamic processes, particularly in living subjects. Here we performed a systematic analysis of the effects of strain and electronics on the reactivity of cyclooctynes with azides through both experimental measurements and computational studies using a density functional theory (DFT) distortion/interaction transition state model. In particular, we focused on biarylazacyclooctynone (BARAC) because it reacts with azides faster than any other reported cyclooctyne and its modular synthesis facilitated rapid access to analogues. We found that substituents on BARAC's aryl rings can alter the calculated transition state interaction energy of the cycloaddition through electronic effects or the calculated distortion energy through steric effects. Experimental data confirmed that electronic perturbation of BARAC's aryl rings has a modest effect on reaction rate, whereas steric hindrance in the transition state can significantly retard the reaction. Drawing on these results, we analyzed the relationship between alkyne bond angles, which we determined using X-ray crystallography, and reactivity, quantified by experimental second-order rate constants, for a range of cyclooctynes. Our results suggest a correlation between decreased alkyne bond angle and increased cyclooctyne reactivity. Finally, we obtained structural and computational data that revealed the relationship between the conformation of BARAC's central lactam and compound reactivity. Collectively, these results indicate that the distortion/interaction model combined with bond angle analysis will enable predictions of cyclooctyne reactivity and the rational design of new reagents for copper-free click chemistry.     

Artificial Photoaging of Triterpenes Studied by Graphite‐Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Seven triterpenes were selected for study of their photoaging behavior by graphite‐assisted laser‐desorption/ionization mass spectrometry as the primary analytical tool. The triterpenes serve as simplified reference systems for complex triterpenoid resins, which are used as varnishes on paintings. Some of the triterpenes are main components of such natural resins; others were chosen for their particular functional groups or carbon skeleton to evaluate specific influences on the aging process. Progressive aging resulted in incorporation of oxygen and simultaneous loss of hydrogen, recognizable in the mass spectra by the appearance of signals with mass increments of 14 and 16 Da. Degradation of aging products also led to compounds with lower masses than the initial triterpenes. The general aging behavior of the triterpenes studied was found to be rather similar, although differences in reactivity, and, therefore, in the extent of oxidation were found, depending on the functional groups. Compounds with aliphatic ketone groups were much more reactive under the test conditions than others. A mixture of five triterpenes showed the highest reactivity. Yellowing, an important aspect of aging with regard to varnishes on paintings, was found to be related to a general breakdown of the initial triterpenes and was not caused by a single compound.     

Quantum Chemistry: A Powerful Tool in Polymer Reaction Engineering

Summary: The potentials of computational techniques based on quantum mechanics, to support and complement the experimental analysis, are examined. Mechanisms and reaction paths involved in the free radical polymerization of widely used monomers are studied through a computational approach based on Density Functional Theory (DFT). First, the attention is focused on the initiation kinetics in order to evaluate the role of the initiators in the polymerization process. Methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, and styrene homopolymerization using different initiators are studied. Then, propagation kinetics is investigated. In particular, the propagation kinetic rate constants for different kinds of acrylates, methacrylates and acetates are calculated and compared with experimental data reported in the literature. The same computational approach is applied to the study of secondary reactions (backbiting, beta-scission) occurring during free radical polymerizations. Finally, the same methodologies are applied to copolymer systems, with emphasis on the evaluation of the role of penultimate effect. The copolymers vinyl acetate/methyl methacrylate and styrene/methyl methacrylate are investigated as system characterized by weak and strong penultimate effect, respectively.