The elliptical Penning trap: Experimental investigations and simulations

The application of an additional azimuthal quadrupolar electrostatic field to a Penning trap leads to a field configuration referred to as an elliptical Penning trap. The resulting changes of the radial ion motions have been investigated experimentally and by use of simulations. The eigenfrequencies, i.e., the magnetron frequency and the reduced cyclotron frequency , are found to be shifted with respect to those of the standard Penning trap ω₋, ω₊, respectively. As the shift of the magnetron frequency is larger than that of the reduced cyclotron frequency their sum is also a function of the ellipticity and no longer equal to the cyclotron frequency in the absence of an electric trapping field ω_c=qB/m. The frequency shifts were investigated for argon and fullerene ions. The experimental studies were performed by time-of-flight (ToF) analysis of the ion cyclotron resonance and by Fourier-transform ion-cyclotron-resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS). The experimental and simulated values are in agreement with theoretical predictions [M. Kretzschmar, this issue] when the influence of higher multipole terms is taken into account.     

Ab initio electronic and rovibrational structure of

The electronic structure of the ground state of has been investigated using relativistically-corrected CCSD(T) in conjunction with ANO-RCC (Mg) and aug-cc-pVQZ (H) basis sets. The molecular potential energy surface possessed minima corresponding to both ¹A₁ and equilibrium structures (with a ¹Σ⁺ transition state). The ¹A₁ structure possessed R_e and θ_e values of 2.0297 Å and of 22.09°, respectively. The higher-energy structure exhibited an R_e value of 2.1658 Å. Property surfaces were constructed to calculate rovibrational energies and spectral line intensities for the ground states of , (¹A′) MgHD²⁺ and . For the vibration ground state of , the vibration-averaged R_e and θ_e values were calculated to be 2.0209 Å and 22.53°, respectively. The A, B and C rotational constants were calculated to be 58.0, 2.21 and 2.11 cm⁻¹, respectively.     

Is Cd2 truly a van der Waals molecule? Analysis of rotational profiles recorded at the , transitions

Rotational profiles of the ²²⁸Cd₂ isotopomer recorded in the (υ′, υ″) = (26, 0), (27, 0), (42, 0), (45, 0), (46, 0), (48, 0) vibrational bands of the transition were analysed. As a result, the , , , , and excited- as well as the ground-state rotational constants of the (¹¹⁴Cd)₂ were determined. The analysis allowed determining the absolute values for the and excited- and ground-state bond lengths, respectively. The obtained result – the – distinctly shorter than that obtained with assumption of pure ground-state van der Waals bonding, supports a theoretical prediction of a covalent admixture to the bonding. Analysis of the partially-resolved rotational profile recorded in the (υ′, υ″) = (38, 0) band of the same isotopomer recorded at the transition allowed estimating the rotational constant in the B1_u state.     

Geometries, stability and aromaticity of , [M(Al2P2)] (M = Li, Na, K, Cu) and N(Al2P2) (N = Be, Mg, Ca, Zn) clusters

Geometrical structure, aromaticity and other properties of , [M(Al₂P₂)]⁻ (M = Li, Na, K, Cu) and N(Al₂P₂) (N = Be, Mg, Ca, Zn) species are theoretically investigated with density functional theory (DFT) methods. Calculation results show that for species, the planar structure, with D_2h symmetry at the ¹A_g state, is the global minimum at the B3LYP/6-311+G_* level. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis indicates the existence of delocalization in the most stable species and its pyramidal complexes. Nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) and molecular orbital (MO) analysis further reveal that that pyramidal [M(Al₂P₂)]⁻ and N(Al₂P₂) species preserve the aromatic nature of the most stable unit.     

Nucleophilic and electrophilic radical attack on maleic and fumaric acids in aqueous solution

Rate coefficients (k) of CH₂OH, , and radical addition to maleic and fumaric acids were investigated between pH 1 and 8. Strong pH dependences observed were attributed to changes in protonation states of acids: H₂X, HX⁻ and X²⁻. k of CH₂OH, , addition to fumaric acid decreased in the order k_H2F>k_HF^->k_F^2- in agreement with the nucleophilic character of reaction. The electrophilic radical showed opposite tendency. With maleic acid the monoanion had the highest reactivity towards nucleophilic and the lowest one towards electrophilic radicals. This is attributed to a prevalence of steric over polar effects for HM⁻.     

The electronic states of but-2-yne studied by VUV absorption, near-threshold electron energy-loss spectroscopy and ab initio configuration interaction methods

The photoabsorption spectrum of but-2-yne in the range 5.5–11 eV (225–110 nm) has been recorded using a synchrotron radiation source. The spectrum is dominated by three d-type Rydberg series, converging to the first ionisation energy (IE) (π⁻¹, 9.562 eV). Origins of the π3d members are 7.841, 7.977 and 8.018 eV, respectively. Transitions of low intensity, arising from excitation of the π3s state (origin, 6.35 eV) and two π3p Rydberg states (7.38 and 7.51 eV, respectively) have also been identified in the spectrum. Near-threshold electron energy-loss spectra reveal valence excited triplet states at about 5.2 and 5.8 eV, respectively.Electronic excitation energies for valence and Rydberg-type states have been computed using ab initio multi-reference multi-root CI methods. These studies used a triple zeta + polarisation basis set, augmented by diffuse (Rydberg) orbitals, to generate the theoretical singlet and triplet energy manifolds. The correlation of theory and experiment shows the nature of the more intense Rydberg state types, and identification of the main valence and Rydberg bands. Calculated energies for Rydberg states are close to those expected, and there is generally a good correlation between the theoretical and experimental envelopes. It was possible to generate singlet Rydberg states which relate to the 5-lowest IEs of but-2-yne; furthermore, the separation of these sequences shows that the IE order (under D_3h symmetry) is: , also supported by direct calculation of the IEs by CI.The lowest valence singlet states are ππ^*, optically forbidden, and calculated to lie near 7.3 and 7.6 eV. The states which contribute strongly to the observed spectrum are πσ^* near 7.9 eV having excitation, followed by several ππ^* and πσ^* states between 10.0 and 10.5 eV; an ¹E′ antisymmetric combination(2e′2e″ − 2e′2e″) is by far the strongest in intensity. A further group of symmetry-allowed valence states are calculated to lie near 12.3 and 12.9 eV. The two lowest triplet states, both of E′ symmetry (ππ^*), have vertical excitation energies of 5.7 and 6.2 eV, but are strongly bent with a trans-CCCC unit (C_S and C_2h). The theoretical work confirms that, on intensity grounds, valence excited states do not contribute significantly to the spectrum. CI calculations of the ionic states give the ionisation energy sequence (D_3h): . Adiabatic structures for the first cation, two triplets, and a singlet (C_2h) were obtained; these show shortening of C–C, and lengthening of CC, in a trans-CCCC, as is found with ethyne.     

Surface properties and aggregate morphology of partially fluorinated carboxylate-type anionic gemini surfactants

Three anionic homologues of a novel partially fluorinated carboxylate-type anionic gemini surfactant, N,N′-di(3-perfluoroalkyl-2-hydroxypropyl)-N,N′-diacetic acid ethylenediamine (2 edda, where n represents the number of carbon atoms in the fluorocarbon chain (4, 6, and 8)) were synthesized. In these present gemini surfactants, the relatively small carboxylic acid moieties form hydrophilic head groups. The surface properties or structures of the aggregates of these surfactants are strongly influenced by the nonflexible fluorocarbons and small head groups; this is because these surfactants have a closely packed molecular structure. The equilibrium surface tension properties of these surfactants were measured at 298.2 K for various fluorocarbon chain lengths. The plot of the logarithm of the critical micelle concentration (cmc) against the fluorocarbon chain lengths for 2 edda (n = 4, 6, and 8) showed a minimum for n = 6. Furthermore, the lowest surface tension of 2 edda at the cmc was 16.4 mN m⁻¹. Such unique behavior has not been observed even in the other fluorinated surfactants. Changes in the shapes and sizes of these surfactant aggregate with concentration were investigated by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The TEM micrographs showed that in an aqueous alkali solution, 2 edda mainly formed aggregates with stringlike (n = 4), cagelike (n = 6), and distorted bilayer structures (n = 8). The morphological changes in the aggregates were affected by the molecular structure composed of nonflexible fluorocarbon chains and flexible hydrocarbon chains.     

Low-temperature heat capacities and standard molar enthalpy of formation of the solid-state coordination compound trans-Cu(Ala)2(s) (Ala = l-α-alanine)

Low-temperature heat capacities of the solid coordination compound trans-Cu(Ala)₂(s) have been measured by a precision automated adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range from T = 78 K to 390 K. The experimental values of the molar heat capacities in the temperature region were fitted to a polynomial equation of heat capacities (C_p,m) with the reduced temperatures (X), [X = f (T)], by a least square method. The smoothed molar heat capacities and thermodynamic functions of the complex trans-Cu(Ala)₂(s) were calculated based on the fitted polynomial. The smoothed values of the molar heat capacities and fundamental thermodynamic functions of the sample relative to the standard reference temperature 298.15 K were tabulated with an interval of 5 K. Enthalpies of dissolution of {Cu(Ac)₂·H₂O(s) + 2Ala (s)} and 2:1 HAc (aq) in 100 ml of 2 mol dm⁻³ HCl, respectively, and trans-Cu(Ala)₂(s) in the solvent [2:1 HAc (aq) + 2 mol dm⁻³ HCl] at T = 298.15 K were determined to be , , and by means of an isoperibol solution-reaction calorimeter. The standard molar enthalpy of formation of the compound was determined as from the enthalpies of dissolution and other auxiliary thermodynamic data using a Hess thermochemical cycle.     

Photoelectron spectroscopic study of iron–benzene cluster anions

Iron–benzene cluster anions, (n = 1–7, m = 1–4), were generated via laser vaporization and studied using mass spectrometry, anion photoelectron spectroscopy and in one case by density functional theory. Based on these studies, we propose that and Fe₁Bz₁ as well as and Fe₂Bz₁ exhibit half-sandwich structures, that and Fe₁Bz₂, and Fe₂Bz₂, as well as Fe₃Bz₂ and Fe₄Bz₂ are sandwich structures, and that and Fe₂Bz₃ and larger species form ‘rice-ball’ structures which in each case consist of benzene molecules surrounding an iron cluster core.     

Self-assembly, crystal structure and photoluminescent properties of a novel organic–inorganic hybrid coordination polymer: [CdCl3(CH3)3NH]

A novel organic–inorganic coordination polymer [CdCl₃(CH₃)₃NH] 1 was synthesized by the reaction of CdCl₂ with trimethylamine (TMA) at 170 °C for 5 days in ethanol and structurally characterized by means of X-ray single diffraction. The title compound affords a one-dimensional chain structure. It crystallizes in hexagonal system space group P6(3)/m with , , , γ=120.00°, , Z=2, , F(000)=266, Mr=277.86, , the final R=0.0420 and ωR=0.1020 for 355 observed reflections with I>2σ(I). The title compound consists of cation [(CH₃)₃NH]⁺ and anion chain , and they are combined by static attracting forces in the crystal. TG–DTA, XRD and IR data for the title compound are reported and discussed. The photoluminescent properties of the compound 1 were also investigated.     

A TEM investigation of the (Bi1−xSrx)FeO3−x/2, 0.2≤x≤0.67, solid solution and a suggested superspace structural description thereof

A careful transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigation of an incommensurately modulated member of the (Bi_1−xSr_x)Fe³⁺O_3−x/2□_x/2, 0.2≤x≤0.67, solid solution has been carried out. High resolution (HR) TEM imaging is used to show the presence of at least 6-fold twinning on a rather fine (5 nm) scale. The (3+1)-d superspace group symmetry is suggested to be or one of the non-centrosymmetric sub-groups thereof, namely , , and . A superspace construction is then used to propose the nature of the local compositional ordering and, hence, of the oxygen-deficient slab that intergrows with the perovskite slab to produce the observed solid solution phase. The proposed compositional superspace atomic surfaces can be used to produce model structures at any composition within the solid solution range.     

Theoretical study of the reaction of CF3O radicals with CO

The potential energy surface for the reaction of the CF₃O radicals with CO was investigated. The geometries and vibrational frequencies of the reactants, transition states, intermediates, and products were calculated at the UB3LYP/6-311+G(2d,p), UB3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) and UMP2/6-311+G(2d,p) levels of theory. The energies were improved by using the G2M(CC2) and G3B3 methods. The calculation suggests the reaction proceeds via either the fluorine abstraction of CF₃O by CO to produce FCO + CF₂O with a high energy barrier or the barrierless association of the reactants to form the trans-CF₃OCO intermediate. The trans-CF₃OCO is predicted to undergo subsequent isomerization to cis-CF₃OCO or dissociate directly to the products FCO + CF₂O and CF₃ + CO₂. The collisional stabilization of trans-CF₃OCO is dominant at room temperature, while trans-CF₃OCO isomerizing to cis-CF₃OCO followed by dissociating to CF₃ + CO₂ is accessible when temperature rises. The reason for only trans-CF₃OCO without cis-CF₃OCO observable in Ashen’s experiment [S.V. Ahsen, J. Hufen, H. Willner, J.S. Francisco, Chem. Eur. J. 8 (2002) 1189] is cis-CF₃OCO can be produced only via the isomerization of trans-CF₃OCO, and its yield is inappreciable at a low experimental temperature. The enthalpies of formation for the two conformations of CF₃OCO have been deduced: (trans-CF₃OCO) = −196.25 kcal mol⁻¹, (trans-CF₃OCO) = −197.46 kcal mol⁻¹, (cis-CF₃OCO) = −193.64 kcal mol⁻¹, and (cis-CF₃OCO) = −194.90 kcal mol⁻¹.     

The photophysics of 7H-adenine: A quantum chemical investigation including spin–orbit effects

Vertical and adiabatic electronic spectra have been investigated by means of combined density functional and multi-reference configuration interaction methods. Spin–orbit coupling has been determined employing a non-empirical spin–orbit mean-field operator. In the vertical absorption spectrum of isolated 7H-adenine, the transitions to the lowest ¹ state, the optically bright ¹ state, and a so far unknown ¹(π_H → (Ryd, σ^*)) state are predicted to lie very close to each other. The strong ¹ transition at 4.8 eV is the lowest excitation of ¹(π → π^*) type in 7H-adenine. It is red shifted by about 0.3 eV with respect to the corresponding excitation in the 9H-tautomer. We find the global minimum on the S₁ potential energy hypersurface at about 4.2 eV for a ¹ electronic structure. A potential well with a minimum at 4.3 eV exhibits mixed ¹ character. A planar ¹ structure with a potential energy of 4.6 eV constitutes a stationary point on the S₁ surface. At the present stage it is unclear whether it corresponds to a minimum or a saddle-point. The lowest-lying ¹(π → (Ryd, σ^*)) state is metastable with respect to N₇–H₁₄ bond dissociation. Its inner (Rydberg) potential well with an adiabatic excitation energy of 4.6 eV represents another minimum on the S₁ PEH. From the theoretical results presented in this work, we conclude that isolated 7H-adenine will be able to emit photons for excitation energies below 4.7 eV(264 nm). Above this threshold singlet excited 7H-adenine can undergo ultrafast non-radiative relaxation to the electronic ground state, either by hydrogen detachment via the ¹(π → (Ryd, σ^*)) channel or via a conical intersection of the ¹ state along a ring puckering mode. The ³ T₁ state can be efficiently populated via intersystem crossing from one of the S₁ potential energy wells. Large-amplitude motions in the T₁ state along an out-of-plane distortional coordinate lead to significant configuration interaction of the ¹ and ¹ structures which lend intensity to the phosphorescence.     

Effect of pressure and temperature on structural stability of potential hydrogen storage compound Li3AlH6

The crystal structure of Li₃AlH₆ was investigated at high pressures upto 27 GPa using a diamond anvil cell with synchrotron radiation in addition to high temperature X-ray diffraction. Density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations were performed simultaneously. While the structure of Li₃AlH₆ is stable on increasing temperature, the results of high pressure experiments show a pressure induced phase transition from the ambient phase to a high pressure cubic phase around 10.6 GPa. The transition pressure of 10.6 GPa and the bulk modulus value B₀ = 32(2) GPa for the phase obtained are in good agreement with the theoretical results.     

Carbon- and nitrogen-centered radicals produced from l-lysine by radiation-induced oxidation: A pulse radiolysis study

Radical species generated from the reactions of a basic amino acid, l-lysine (Lys), with hydroxyl radicals (OH) and sulfate radical anion () have been detected by the method of pulse radiolysis. On the basis of electron transfer reactivities toward tetranitromethane (TNM), it was demonstrated that reducing carbon-centered radicals are generated as a result of hydrogen abstraction from CH₂ of Lys with a G-value of 1.9 × 10⁻⁷ mol J⁻¹. On the other hand, direct oxidation of l-Lys by formed a transient species with different spectroscopic properties, most likely, the ε-N-centered Lys radical.     

Structures and properties of the tin-doped carbon clusters

A systemic density functional theory study of the tin-doped carbon clusters has been carried out using B3LYP method with TZP+ basis set. For each species, the electronic states, relative energies and geometries of various isomers are reported. Except for smaller SnC₂ and the largest , the Sn-terminated linear or quasi-linear isomer is the most stable structure for clusters. The electronic ground state is alternate between ³Σ (for n-odd member) and ¹Σ (for the n-even member) for linear SnC_n and invariably ²Π for linear and , except for SnC/SnC⁺/SnC⁻,, and . The incremental binding energy diagrams show that strong even–odd alternations in the cluster stability exist for both neutral SnC_n and anionic , with their n-even members being much more stable than the corresponding odd n − 1 and n + 1 ones, while for cationic , the alternation effect is less pronounced. These parity effects also reflect in the ionization potential and electron affinity curves. By comparing with the fragmentation energies accompanying various channels, the most favorable dissociation channel for each kind of the clusters are given. All these results are very similar to those obtained previously for the clusters.     

Unique charge ordering of manganese in a new mixed valent phosphate

A new mixed-valent manganese phosphate, , has been synthesized using hydrothermal method. Its monoclinic C2/c structure (a=12.5506(16) Å, b=10.4816(18) Å, c=13.6723(10) Å, β=103.758(11)°) forms a 3D framework of MnO₆ octahedra, MnO₅ trigonal bipyramids, PO₄ and PO₃OH tetrahedra. The main structural feature of this phosphate deals with its [Mn₄O₁₆]_∞ chains running along , which are interconnected through PO₄ and PO₃OH tetrahedra, forming intersecting tunnels running along [110], and [001]. The geometry of the [Mn₄O₁₆]_∞ chains and the charge ordering of manganese in the latter are unique: they consist of trimeric units of divalent manganese “” alternating with single trivalent Mn^IIIO₆ octahedra along . In each “” unit one central Mn^IIO₆ octahedron shares two opposite edges with two Mn^IIO₅ trigonal bipyramids. Along , one Mn(II) octahedron alternates with one Mn(III) octahedron by sharing one corner. The relationships between the structure of this unique charge ordered phosphate and other manganese phosphates are discussed.     

Thermochemical properties of the rare earth complexes with pyromellitic acid

Fourteen rare earth complexes with pyromellitic acid were synthesized and characterized by means of chemical and elemental analysis, and TG–DTG. The constant-volume combustion energies of complexes, Δ_cU, were measured by a precise rotating-bomb calorimeter (RBC-type II). Their standard molar enthalpies of combustion, , and standard molar enthalpies of formation, , were calculated at T = 298.15 K. The relationship of and with the atomic numbers of the elements in the lanthanide series was examined. The results show that a certain amount of covalence is present in the chemical bond between rare earth cations and the ligand.     

Ln2Sr2PtO7+δ (Ln=La, Pr, and Nd): Three new Pt-containing [AnBn−1O3n]-type hexagonal perovskites

Polycrystalline samples of Ln₂Sr₂PtO_7+δ (Ln=La, Pr, Nd) were prepared by conventional solid state synthesis. The three compounds are new examples for n=2 members of the [A_nB_n−1O_3n] family of hexagonal perovskites containing platinum as the B-type cation. XRD Rietveld refinements show the platinates to crystallize in space group and, in the case of Pr and Nd, revealed a complete ordering of Ln/Sr on the two distinct A-type positions, while for La a partial disorder was observed. By XANES investigations at the Pt-L_III threshold the oxidation state +4 for platinum was found. Thermogravimetry revealed a small oxygen excess for Ln=La and Pr (δ=0.13 and 0.07), pointing to the presence of peroxide ions as already observed for isostructural Ru- and Ir-based compounds. UV–Vis measurements were done for the yellow lanthanum and the green neodymium compound. They revealed two optical band gaps of 2.52 and 3.05 eV, respectively. Magnetic measurements showed La₂Sr₂PtO_7+δ to be diamagnetic as expected for Pt⁴⁺ with low-spin configuration. For Ln=Pr and Nd the observed strong paramagnetism can be explained solely by the magnetic moments of the rare earths.     

Theoretical determination of absolute free energy of reduction of plastoquinone-9 in photosystem II and of plastoquinone-n in DMF

We employed static continuum electrostatics and multi-conformation continuum electrostatics (MCCE) methods to determine the reduction potential () of PQ-9 in a section of Photosystem II (PSII). Both methods relied on the finite difference Poisson–Boltzmann (FDPB) solution. The static method brings out a value (0.01 V) that is close to the experimental one (0.05 V), thereby demonstrating that the surrounding environment critically decides the net free energy change. The value obtained from MCCE (0.04 V) is even closer to the observed value, thereby indicating the importance of protein side-chain and proton motions in the electron transfer process. Furthermore, density functional theory-dielectric polarisable continuum model (DFT-DPCM) was employed to calculate the absolute free energy of reduction of plastoquinone-n (PQ-n, where n is the number of isoprenoid units) in N,N dimethyl formamide (DMF) solvent. The DFT-DPCM method produced reduction potential values of −0.59 and −0.65 V for PQ-1 and PQ-9, respectively. These are more or less in agreement with the experimentally reported values of −0.64 and −0.62 V, respectively.