Theoretical study on the aromaticity of the bimetallic clusters X2M2 (X=Si, Ge, M=Al, Ga)

Four neutral bimetallic clusters X₂M₂ (X=Si, Ge, M=Al, Ga) are investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and post-HF methods. The calculated results show that each of four X₂M₂ species has two energetically close stable isomers with rhombic structure (D_2h symmetry) and trapezoidal structure (C_2v symmetry) respectively. For the Ge₂Al₂ species the rhombic (D_2h) isomer is the ground state, whereas for other three species Ge₂Ga₂, Si₂Al₂, and Si₂Ga₂, the trapezoidal (C_2v) isomers are the ground states. The calculated magnetic susceptibility anisotropy (χ_anis) and nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) indicate that a strong diatropic ring current exists in the two heterocyclic planar isomers, suggesting they are highly aromatic. A detailed molecular orbital analysis further reveals that both heterocyclic isomers possess multiple aromaticity derived from one delocalized π MOs and two delocalized σ MOs.     

A density functional study on hydrated clusters of orthoboric acid, B(OH)3(H2O)n (n=1–5)

We have calculated the optimized structures and stabilization energies for hydrated clusters of orthoboric acid molecule, B(OH)₃(H₂O)_n (n=1–5), with a hybrid density functional approach. Although some ion-pair structures are revealed in the case of n=4 and 5 clusters, the most stable structure is found to be a non-proton-transferred form up to n=5 hydrated clusters. The calculated IR spectra of the stable B(OH)₃(H₂O)_n of n=3–5 clusters predict small red shifts of hydrogen-bonded OH frequencies. These geometry and IR results are related to the weak acidity nature of orthoboric acid.     

Nonorthogonal Tight-binding Study of the Geometries and Electronic Properties of Ge_n(n=2—20)Clusters

ＩｎｔｒｏｄｕｃｔｉｏｎＳｔｕｄｉｅｓｏｎｃｌｕｓｔｅｒｓｏｆｇｒｏｕｐⅣｅｌｅｍｅｎｔｓ（Ｃ,Ｓｉ,Ｇｅ,ＳｎａｎｄＰｂ）ｈａｖｅｒｅｃｅｉｖｅｄｍｕｃｈａｔｅｎｔｉｏｎｉｎｔｈｅｌａｓｔｄｅｃａｄｅｆｏｒｔｈｅｉｒｐｏｔｅｎｔｉａｌａｐｐｌｉｃａ...     

Theoretical investigation on the adsorption of lithium atom on the Sin cluster (n=2–7)

Ab initio calculations are carried out to study the adsorption of Lithium atom on the Si_n cluster with n ranging from 2 to 7. At the MP2/6-31G(d) level, the structures of the neutral Si_n clusters and the Si_nLi clusters (n=2–7) are optimized. The single-point energy at QCISD/6-311+G(d,p) level for the optimized isomers are further performed. Harmonic vibrational frequency analysis at the MP2/6-31G(d) level is also undertaken to confirm that the optimize geometries are stable. Based on our results, the most favorable sites for Li adsorption on the Si_2–7 clusters are the bridge sites. In addition, the vertical ionization energies of the Si_nLi clusters and the electron affinities of the Si_n clusters are also calculated. The clear parallelism between the vertical ionization energies of Si_nLi and the electron affinities of Si_n is found. This is consistent with the fact that the framework of the Si_n in the Si_nLi cluster is similar to the structure of the corresponding negative ion .     

The performance of B3-LYP density functional theory in describing SN2 reactions at saturated carbon

The performance of the B3-LYP variant of density functional theory when used in conjunction with the 6-31G(d) and 6-311 + G(3df, 2p) basis sets in describing the prototypical gas-phase S_N2 reactions of Cl⁻ + CH₃Cl and CH₃Br has been examined in detail. Reasonable values of the complexation energies (ΔH_comp) for the ion-molecule complexes formed in these reactions are obtained. However, the overall (ΔH_ovr^#) and central (ΔH_cent^#) barriers for these reactions calculated using the B3-LYP functional are significantly underestimated when compared with G2(+) or experimental results. This implies that the B3-LYP energies for the Cl(H₃C)Cl⁻ (D_3h) and Cl(H₃C)Br⁻ (C_3v) transition structures are relatively too low. The B3-LYP errors appear to be systematic, with similar errors being found for corresponding quantities for the two reactions examined.     

Binding energies and electronic structures of Cu(OH2)n and Cu(NH3)n (n=1–4): anomaly of the two ligand Cu complexes

Ab initio calculations up to MP4(SDTQ) level and density functional theory have been used to estimate binding energies and electronic structures of Cu⁺(L)_n (L=OH₂, NH₃, n=1–4) complexes using TZP basis set types. The computed binding energies agree well with experimental values. General trends in structures and energetics are recorded for both Cu⁺(OH₂)_n and Cu⁺(NH₃)_n systems. The first two ligands are more strongly bound to Cu⁺ than the third and fourth molecules. The 4s–3dσ hybridization and electrostatic interactions are the main factors behind the higher binding energies for the first two ligands. Analysis of HOMO mixed orbitals in the copper ion as well as in complexes indicates shrinking of the orbital lobes directed to the ligand with shrinking more effective in the two ligand system. The lower binding energies for the third and fourth ligands were attributed to the attenuation of sdσ hybridization and decreasing of Cu–L attraction at long separation which is necessary to relieve Cu–L and L–L exchange repulsions. NBO analysis and charge-model calculations support the presence of sdσ hybridization and electron transfer to the copper ion in case of the first two ligands.     

The coordinatively unsaturated cluster cations [Pt3{M(CO)3}(μ-Ph2PCH2PPh2)3] (M = Re, Mn)

The coordinatively unsaturated cluster [Pt₃(μ₃-CO)(μ-dppm)₃]²⁺ (1, dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) reacts with Na⁺[M(CO)₅]⁻ to give the mixed metal clusters [Pt₃{M(CO)₃}(μ-dppm)₃]⁺ (M = Re, 2; Mn, 3). The new clusters are characterized by spectroscopic methods and, for M = Re, by an X-ray structure determination. The Pt₃Re core in 2 is tetrahedral with particularly short metal-metal distances.     

O- versus F-protonation in (CF3CF2)2O and CF3OCF(CF3)2: a preliminary theoretical study

The relative modifications induced in the structure of perfluorodiethyl ether (CF₃CF₂)₂O and perfluoroisopropyl methyl ether CF₃OCF(CF₃)₂ by oxygen and fluorine protonation are studied at the RHF level with the 3–21G basis and correlated with their proton affinities and dissociation energies.     

Theoretical investigation of adenine–BX3 (X=F,Cl) complex

Geometries and binding energies are predicted at B3LYP/6-311+G* level for the adenine–BX₃ (X=F,Cl) systems and four conformers with no imaginary frequencies have been obtained for both adenine–BF₃ and adenine–BCl₃, respectively, and single energy calculations using much larger basis sets (6-311+G(2df,p)) and aug-cc-pVDZ were carried out as well. The most stable conformer is BF₃ or BCl₃ connected to N₃ of adenine and with the stabilization energy of 22.55 or 20.59 kcal/mol at B3LYP/6-311+G* level (BSSE corrected). The analyses for the combining interaction between BX₃ and adenine with natural bond orbital method (NBO) and the atom-in-molecules theory (AIM) have been performed. The results indicate that all the conformers were formed with σ–p type interactions between adenine and BX₃, in which pyridine-type nitrogen or nitrogen atom of amino group offers its lone pair electron to the empty p orbital of boron atom and the concomitances of charge transference from adenine to BX₃ were occurred. Frequency analysis suggested that the stretching vibration of BX₃ underwent a red shift in complexes. Adenine–BF₃ complex was more stable than adenine–BCl₃ although the distance of B–N is shorter in the later.     

Ab initio and DFT computer studies of complexes of trimethylphosphine and products of substituted phosphonium cations with hydroxide, chloride and fluoride anions: Phosphorus analogues of choline and acetylcholine

Theoretical calculations (DFT, MP2) are reported for up to four sets of reaction products of trimethylphosphine, (CH₃)₃P, each with H₂O, HCl and HF together with DFT calculations on up to three sets of reaction products of substituted phosphonium cations, (CH₃)₃P–R⁺. These products comprise (a) P(III) normal complexes (CH₃)₃PHY, (b) P(IV) ‘reverse’ complexes Y(H–CH₂)₃P–R, (c) P(IV) ylidic complexes YHCH₂(CH₃)₂P–R and (d) P(V) covalent compounds Y–P(CH₃)₃–R for Y=HO, Cl and F and R=H, CH₃, C₂H₅, C₂H₄OH and C₂H₄OC:OCH₃. Calculations are carried out at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level in all cases and also at the MP2/6-31+G(d,p) level for systems in which R=H. Minimum energy structures are determined for predicted complexes or structures and geometrical properties, harmonic vibrations and BSSE corrected binding energies are reported and compared with the limited experimental information available. Potential energy scans predict equilibria between covalent trigonal bipyramidal P(V) forms and reverse complexes comprising hydrogen bonded or ion pair, tetrahedral P(IV) forms separated by low potential energy barriers. Similar scans are also reported for equilibria between reverse complexes and ylidic complexes for Y=OH and R=CH₃, C₂H₅, C₂H₄OH and C₂H₄OC:OCH₃. Corrected binding energies, structures and values of harmonic modes are discussed in relation to bonding The names ‘pholine’ and ‘acetylpholine’ are suggested for phosphorus analogues to choline and acetylcholine.     

Ab initio study on the kinetics and mechanisms of the formation of Agn (n = 2–6) clusters

The CCSD(T)/11e-RECP//MP2/11e-RECP method was used to explore the potential energy surfaces (PESs) of the formation of Ag_n (n = 2–6) clusters. Two kinds of reaction mechanisms were revealed in the formation of Ag_n clusters, the association mechanism for the formation of Ag₂, Ag₅, and Ag₆ clusters and the association–isomerization mechanism for the formation of Ag₃ and Ag₄ clusters. Based on the canonical transition state theory, the calculated rate constants of the formation of Ag_n clusters displayed an odd–even effect: the rate constants of formation of Ag_n clusters with odd number were larger than those with even number. The rate constant of formation of Ag₄ was the lowest, whereas that of Ag₅ was the highest among Ag_n (n = 2–6) clusters. The formation of Ag₄ was the most difficult step in the aggregation process of the silver clusters. The formation of Ag₄ may be related with the critical point in the silver aggregation process.     

A Gaussian-3 investigation on the stabilities and bonding of the nine N10 clusters

A Gaussian-3 investigation has been performed to examine the stabilities of the nine N₁₀ isomers. G3 energies at 0K, enthalpies and heats of formation at 298K have been calculated. The most stable structure is VIII, which consists of three five-membered rings with a bowl-shape structure. The thermodynamic stability trend of the nine N₁₀ clusters is VIII > V > IX > VII > IV > VI > III > I > II, which is different from the previous theoretical results. Natural bond orbital (NBO) and atom in molecules (AIM) analysis have been carried out to study the bonding of these isomers.     

Beryllocene, (C5H5)2Be. The He(I) photoelectron spectrum and ab initio molecular orbital calculations

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations with a double-ζ basis have been carrried out on five models of beryllocene, Cp₂Be, with fixed geometries. The lowest energies are obtained for the π-Cp, σ-Cp and D_5d models.

The He(I) photoelectron spectrum of Cp₂Be was recorded and the ionization potentials of the first bands were compared with the orbital energies obtained from the molecular orbital calculations. A satisfactory fit between experiment and calculations was obtained for a slip sandwich model of C_s symmetry. A model of C_5v symmetry is only compatible with the PE spectrum if the Jahn—Teller splitting of the lowest ²E₁ state of the molecular ion is exceptionally large, 1.0 eV.     

Thermochemistry of the higher chlorine oxides ClOx (x=3, 4) and Cl2Ox (x=3–7)†

Heats of formation for ClO₃, ClO₄, Cl₂O₃, Cl₂O₄, Cl₂O₅, Cl₂O₆ and Cl₂O₇ molecules are determined at the B3LYP, B3PW91, mPW1PW91 and B1LYP levels of the density functional theory employing a series of extended basis sets, and using Gaussian-3 model chemistries. Modified Gaussian-3 calculations, which employ accurate B3LYP/6-311+G(3d2f) molecular geometries and vibrational frequencies, were also performed. Heats of formation were calculated from both total atomization energies and isodesmic reaction schemes. The latter method in conjunction with Gaussian-3 models leads to the most reliable results. The best values at 298 K for ClO₃, ClO₄, Cl₂O₃ and Cl₂O₄ as derived from an average of G3//B3LYP and G3//B3LYP/6-311+G(3d2f) calculations are 43.1, 54.8, 31.7 and 37.4 kcal mol⁻¹. From calculations carried out at the G3(MP2)//B3LYP and G3(MP2)//B3LYP/6-311+G(3d2f) levels, heats of formation for Cl₂O₅, Cl₂O₆ and Cl₂O₇ are predicted to be 53.2, 52.2 and 61.5 kcal mol⁻¹. All best values are reproduced within 1 kcal mol⁻¹ by using mPW1PW91/6-311+G(3d2f) isodesmic energies. Enthalpy changes for relevant Cl–O bond fission reactions are reported. Comparisons with previous thermodynamics data are made.     

Structure and stability of thioureate anions with water, DFT calculations

Structure and stability of thioureate anion with the water clusters CSNH₂NH⁻-(H₂O)_n = 1–7, are studied, using density functional theory. Molecular structures and the stability of the clusters are discussed based on the calculation results of the stable conformers and their relative energies. All the clusters are stable thermodynamically in gas phase with respect to separate monomers. The clusters are stabilized progressively with an increasing number of water molecules, as indicated by the increasing of the binding energies. The binding energies of CSNH₂NH⁻ and a water molecule are 14.34 and 16.36 kcal/mol for cis CSNH₂NH⁻ and trans CSNH₂NH⁻, respectively. As the reaction in aqueous solution progresses, the CS bond distance increases monotonically, indicating that the CS bond of the thioureate anion unit in the clusters is de-stabilized with an increasing number of water molecules.     

Direct dynamic study on the hydrogen abstraction reaction C2(Πu)+H2 → C2H+H

The ab initio direct dynamics method at the G2//UQCISD/6-311 + G(d,p) level is employed to study the hydrogen abstraction reaction C₂(³Π_u)+H₂ → C₂H+H over a wide temperature range 100–4650 K. The barrier heights obtained for the forward and reverse reactions are 7.78 and 17.53 kcal/mol, respectively. Comparing with one recent experiment, the calculated forward rate constants over the temperature range 2580–4650 K are about 4.4–13.5 times greater and show a steeper temperature-dependent effect. This indicates that further experimental investigation on this simple radical reaction may still be desired. Finally, G2//UQCISD/6-311 + G(2df,2p) calculations are performed to test the reliability of the G2//UQCISD/6-311 + G(d,p) results.     

Ab initio and DFT studies on tautomerism of indazole in gaseous and aqueous phases

Electronic structure of optimized Ge₅, Ge₁₇, Ge₅–O and Ge₅ embedded in SiO₂ nanoparticles have been studied by density functional theory to find out the effect of cluster size and Ge–O bond(s) on the optical energy gap between LUMO and HOMO. It was found that the optical energy gap depends on both cluster size and the number of Ge–O bonds nonlinearly. The optical energy gap was found to be in visible light range when the Ge₅ nanoparticle has been embedded in SiO₂ matrix.     

Crystalline calcium phenylphosphonate—thermodynamic data on n-alkylmonoamine intercalations

Lamellar crystalline calcium phenylphosphonate, as anhydrous Ca(HO₃PC₆H₅)₂ and hydrated Ca(HO₃PC₆H₅)₂·2H₂O compounds, were used as hosts for intercalation of polar n-alkylmonoamine molecules of the general formula CH₃(CH₂)_nNH₂ (n=0–4, 7) in water or 1,2-dichloroethane. An increase in the interlayer distance was observed. The exothermic enthalpic values for intercalation increased with the number of carbon atoms and with increasing concentration of the amines. The intercalation followed by a titration procedure in the solid/liquid interface with Ca(HO₃PC₆H₅)₂·2H₂O and Ca(HO₃PC₆H₅)₂ gave the enthalpy/number of carbons correlations: Δ_intH=−(1.74±0.43)–(1.30±0.13)n_c and Δ_intH=−(4.15±0.15)–(1.07±0.03)n_c, for water and 1,2-dichloroethane, respectively. A similar correlation Δ_intH=−(4.27±0.80)–(1.85±0.21)n_c was obtained in water by using the ampoule breaking procedure for Ca(HO₃PC₆H₅)₂·2H₂O. The increase in exothermic enthalpic values with the increase in n-aliphatic carbon atoms is more pronounced for the anhydrous compound and also when using the ampoule breaking procedure. The Gibbs free energies are negative. Positive entropic values favor intercalation in these systems.     

Adsorption of pyridine on the Lewis acid sites of microcrystalline γ-alumina: a quantum chemical cluster model study

Adsorption of pyridine on Lewis acid sites of microcrystalline γ-alumina was studied by quantum chemical cluster model approach at B3LYP and HF/6-31++G(d,p) levels of theory considering both the standard and the counterpoise-corrected potential energy surfaces (PESs). Harmonic vibrational frequency shifts of pyridine ν₈ and ν₁₉ internal mode components calculated at both levels of theory seem to excellently reproduce the experimental observations, the results for standard and counterpoise-corrected PESs being essentially identical. The interaction energies of pyridine with various clusters representing microcrystalline γ-Al₂O₃ were also calculated and the natural bond orbital and atoms in molecules analyses were performed.     

Structure of small TiCn clusters: A theoretical study

A theoretical study of the TiC_n (n = 1–8) clusters has been carried out at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d) level. Molecular properties for three different isomers, namely linear, cyclic, and fan species, have been determined. The fan isomers, where the titanium atom is essentially side-bonded to the entire C_n unit, are predicted to be more stable than both linear and cyclic isomers. Only for the largest studied species, TiC₈, the cyclic isomer is located lower in energy. An even–odd parity effect in the incremental binding energies is observed for the three isomers, n-even species being in general more stable for linear and fan isomers, whereas for the cyclic species n-odd clusters are favoured. A topological analysis of the electronic charge density shows that all cyclic isomers correspond to true monocyclic rings, whereas for the fan species a variety of different connectivities has been observed.