Reaction mechanism of platinum dimer cation with ammonia based on the relativistic density functional study

The gas‐phase reactions between Pt and NH₃ have been investigated using the relativistic density functional approach (ZORA‐PW91/TZ2P). The quartet and doublet potential energy surfaces of Pt + NH₃ have been explored. The minimum energy reaction path proceeds through the following steps: Pt(⁴Σ_u) + NH₃ → q‐1 → d‐2 → d‐3 → d‐4 → d‐Pt₂NH⁺ + H₂. In the whole reaction pathway, the step of d‐2 → d‐3 is the rate‐determining step with a energy barrier of 36.1 kcal/mol, and exoergicity of the whole reaction is 12.0 kcal/mol. When Pt₂NH⁺ reacts with NH₃ again, there are two rival reaction paths in the doublet state. One is degradation of NH and another is loss of H₂. In the case of degradation of NH, the activation energy is only 3.4 kcal/mol, and the overall reaction is exothermic by 8.9 kcal/mol. Thus, this reaction is favored both thermodynamically and kinetically. However, in the case of loss of H₂, the rate‐determining step's energy barrier is 64.3 kcal/mol and the overall reaction is endothermic by 8.5 kcal/mol, so it is difficult to take place. Predicted relative energies and barriers along the suggested reaction paths are in reasonable agreement with experimental observations. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Integral Hellmann-Feynman computations on H3ABHn—H2ABHn+1 rearrangements

Extensively optimized Lewis orbital (Frost model) structures are reported for CH₃N, CH₃NH⁺, CH₃CH, CH₃CH, CH₃BH₂, CH₂NH, and CH₂NH (spiro and planar). Electronic energy differences between these isoelectronic species were estimated by the integral Hellmann-Feynman (iHF ) formula, with the hope that satisfaction of the Hellmann-Feynman conditions would lead to accurate iHF values of energy changes. We observed a strongly nonlinear relation between the iHF error and the departure of the overlap of wave-functions of the structures from unity. MO computations in common orbital (not determinantal) basis sets for CH₃NH⁺? CH₂NH (planar), CH₃N? CH₂NH, and CH₃CH? CH₂CH₂ produced greatly improved iHF estimates of energy changes, reducing errors by as much as 80 times. Certain features of the static optimum structures and the transition densities suggested that the syn path for rearrangement of methyl carbene to ethylene is a general feature of rearrangements in these systems.     

Theoretical predictions of the structures and electronic spectra of C60NH with comparisons with the isoelectronic molecules C60O and C60CH2

Intermediate neglect of differential overlap (INDO ) calculations were used to study two structures of C₆₀NH: one of C_2ν, geometry with a bridging NH across the bond between two fused six-membered rings in C₆₀ and the other of C_s geometry with a bridging NH across the bond between a five- and a six-membered ring. We calculated the most stable isomer of C₆₀NH to be of C_2ν, symmetry. It was found that the C_2ν isomer has a protonated aziridine structure with a bridging C? C bond length of 0.1520 nm. The electronic spectra of both isomers of C₆₀NH were calculated. Comparisons were made with the isoelectronic molecules C₆₀O and C₆₀CH₂, cases in which the calculated electronic spectra for the most stable isomers C₆₀O (C_2ν) and C₆₀CH₂ (C_2ν) are in good agreement with recent experimental results. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The proton affinity and the structure of protonated species of methylsilane

An ab initio LCAO-MO-SCF calculation was made on the proton affinity (PA ) of methylsilane (CH₃SiH₃) by using STO -3G, MIDI -1, and MIDI -1* basis sets. Three types of protonated methylsilane are taken into account, and their geometrical parameters are optimized. The calculated PA of CH₃SiH₃ is 160.5 kcal/mol, which exceeds that of SiH₄ by 11.5 kcal/mol. The protonated species (I) which refers to Si—C bond protonation is shown to be most favorable, and to be a weak σ-complex between CH₄ and SiH. Other two species are also σ-complexes between H₂ molecule and SiH₃CH or CH₃SiH, and similar to CH, SiH, GeH, and C₂H.     

A quantum chemical study of interchain hopping model of negatively charged solitons in polyacetylene

Phonon-assisted interchain hopping of negatively charged solitons in polyacetylene has been studied using a local chemical reaction model CH + CH₄ → CH₄ + CH. Quantum chemical characteristics of the electron transfer process have been analyzed in terms of the dynamic electron density and the mutual polarization moment. The CH stretching vibrational motion of CH₄, which is a local model of the sp³ defect, has been found to play a significant role for the electron transfer. The excitation of the corresponding vibrational mode of the sp³ defect would promote the interchain hopping of the charged soliton. The electron transfer process has also been studied in terms of the “regional” density functional theory. It has been shown that the driving force of the electron transfer is represented by the regional chemical potentials.     

D∞h B2(BS)2−/2− and Td B(BS)4−: Boron sulfide clusters containing BB multiple bonds and B− tetrahedral centers

A density functional theory investigation on the geometrical and electronic properties of B₄S (B₂(BS)) and B₅S (B(BS)) clusters has been performed in this work. Both the doublet B₂(BS) ([S?B? BB? B?S]^?) (D_∞h, ²Π_u) and the singlet B₂(BS) ([S?B? B?B? B?S]^2?) (D_∞h, ¹Σ) proved to have perfect linear ground‐state structures containing a multiply bonded BB core (BB or B?B) terminated with two BS groups, while T_d B(BS) turned out to possess a perfect B^? tetrahedral center directly corrected to four BS groups, similar to the corresponding boron hydride molecules of D_∞h B₂H, D_∞h B₂H, and T_d BH, respectively. B₄S₂ and B₅S₄ neutrals, however, appeared to be much different: they favor a planar fan‐shaped C_2v B₄S₂ (a di‐S‐bridged B₄ rhombus) and a planar kite‐like C_2v B₅S₄ (a di‐S‐bridged B₃ triangle bonded to two BS groups), respectively. One‐electron detachment energies and symmetrical stretching vibrational frequencies are calculated for D_∞h B₂(BS) and T_d B(BS) monoanions to facilitate their future characterizations. Neutral salts of B₂(BS)₂Li₂ with an elusive B?B triple bond and B(BS)₄Li containing a tetrahedral B^? center are predicted possible to be targeted in experiments. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

The spin-density-functional formalism for quantum mechanical calculations: Test on diatomic molecules with an efficient numerical method

We have applied the spin-density-functional (SDF ) formalism with the local-spin-density (LSD ) approximation to a number of small molecules with the primary aim of testing the approximation for molecular applications. A new numerical method to solve the one-electron wave equation is developed, utilizing the special features of the SDF formalism. We have calculated energy curves, dissociation energies, and equilibrium distances for some diatomic molecules [H (²Σ, ²Σ), H₂(¹Σ, ³Σ), He (¹Σ), and He₂(¹Σ)] and the vibrational frequencies of H₂. The deviations from the experimental results are typically 1/2 eV for the energies and ≤ 0.1 Å for the distances. We discuss the LSD approximation using the concept of an exchange-correlation hole and make predictions about the applicability to other molecules. The LSD approximation is compared with the Hartree-Fock and multiple-scattering-Xα methods and some difficulties in the latter methods are pointed out. It is argued that the SDF formalism within the LSD approximation has physical advantages compared to the Hartree-Fock and Xα methods and that it should provide a simple and useful method for a broad range of applications.     

An Ab initio theoretical investigation on the geometrical and electronic structures of BAun−/0 (n = 1–4) clusters

An ab initio theoretical investigation on the geometrical and electronic structures and photoelectron spectroscopies (PES) of BAu_n^?/0 (n = 1–4) auroboranes has been performed in this work. Density functional theory and coupled cluster method (CCSD(T)) calculations indicate that BAu (n = 1–4) clusters with n‐Au terminals possess similar geometrical structures and bonding patterns with the corresponding boron hydrides BH. The PES spectra of BAu (n = 1–4) anions have been simulated computationally to facilitate their future experimental characterizations. In this series, the T_d BAu anion appears to be unique and particularly interesting: it possesses a perfect tetrahedral geometry and has the highest vertical electron detachment energy (VDE = 3.69 eV), largest HOMO‐LUMO gap (ΔE_gap = 3.0 eV), and the highest first excitation energy (E_ex = 2.18 eV). The possibility to use the tetrahedral BAu unit as the building block of Li⁺[BAu₄]^? ion‐pair and other [BAu₄]^?‐containing inorganic solids is discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

An insight into optical and EPR properties of AgCl and AgF complexes through MS–Xα and SCCEH calculations

MS-Xα and SCCEH calculations on the Ag²⁺ complexes AgF and AgCl (displaying an elongated D_4h symmetry) have been carried out for a better understanding of their experimental optical and EPR properties. As salient features, the present work supports that the unpaired electron in AgCl spends a little more time on ligands than on Ag²⁺, in agreement with the previous analysis of EPR and optical data for KCl:Ag²⁺. Furthermore, the five experimental optical transitions observed in that case are reasonably assigned. The first transition (observed at 12,500 cm^?1) is assigned to a jump involving the 5a_1g orbital built mainly (∽70%) from 3p orbitals of axial ligands, a fact that reflects the distinct level scheme for AgCl when compared to that for more ionic complexes. Calculations on AgF and AgF performed as a function of the equatorial Ag²⁺ –F^? distance led to a reasonable understanding of experimental gyromagnetic and superhyperfine tensors displayed by Ag²⁺ in fluorides. The different relative decrease undergone by g‖– go (8%) and g ? – go (28%) on passing from CsCdF₃:Ag²⁺ to RbCdF₃:Ag²⁺ is shown to be consistent with the formation of AgF and AgF complexes, respectively, related to the different substitutional position of Ag²⁺ in such lattices. The decrement of about 8.5% experienced by both g‖ – go and g? – go values on going from CsCdF₃:Ag²⁺ to NaF:Ag²⁺ is pointed out to reflect the different electrostatic potential (exerted by the rest of the lattice upon the complex) seen by AgF embedded in NaCl or perovskite-type lattices. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Field‐assisted dissociative ionization of CH2I2 induced by femtosecond laser field

The field‐assisted dissociative ionization of CH₂I irradiated by a 60‐fs 800‐nm laser with different laser intensities (1–4 × 10¹⁴ W/cm²) is studied both experimentally and theoretically. The different fragmentation patterns are observed in the experiment with a time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer. In the theoretical aspect, the Gaussian 03 program is applied to calculate the potential energies of CH₂I as functions of the C? I and C? H bond distances and I? C? I bond angle under external field with different intensities. The calculations explain our experimental observations well. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006     

Reorganization of highly preorganized hosts upon cation complexation: Ab initio study of fluorospherands

Fluorospherands (F‐spherands) are highly preorganized hosts composed of fluorobenzene or 4‐methylfluorobenzene units attached to one another at their 2,6‐positions. To understand the intrinsic factors affecting cation complexation, we investigated the complexation behavior between F‐spherands and cations using density functional theory (DFT) at the level of B3LYP/6‐31G**. The F6‐spherand (C₆H₃F)₆, ( 1 ) has a highly preorganized spherical cavity, which can encapsulate Li⁺ and Na⁺. Its cavity is not big enough for K⁺ and NH, which prefer external binding. Plausible conformations were studied for F8‐spherand (C₆H₃F)₈. Conformer of D_2d symmetry ( 2b ) is more stable than that of D_4d ( 2a ), in agreement with NMR experiments. The cavity size of F8‐spherand is big enough to encapsulate all cations studied. However, the cavity size of 2b is smaller than that of 2a , which resulted in the guest selectivity. Upon complexation, 2b conformation is more stable for Li⁺ and Na⁺, while 2a conformation is preferred for larger cations such as K⁺ and NH. Thus, the ab initio calculations over these highly preorganized fluorospherands give important insights into their host–guest chemistry. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Mechanistic investigation of vibrational fine structure in e‐H2 scattering using local complex potential‐based time dependent wave packet approach

The structural features of vibrational excitation cross‐sections in resonant e‐H₂ scattering have been investigated using a time dependent wave packet approach and a local complex potential to describe the ²Σ H anion. An analysis of the partial contributions to the vibrational excitation cross‐sections reveals that all features of the excitation profile result from simple interference between bound vibrational levels of H₂ and H. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

The generalized separated electron pair model. II. An application to NH,NH3, NH,NH2− and N3−

The Separated Electron Pair (SEP) model (Strongly Orthogonal Geminals) and methods for its systematic extension has been applied to the series: NH, NH₃, NH, NH^2? and N^3?. On going from NH to N^3?, the SEP model, in its most general form, recovers 85–75% of the intrapair correlation energy and 60–55% of the interpair correlation energy obtainable with the given basis set. The best wave functions for each species recovered about 45–50% of the total empirical correlation energy which is expected to be very close to the basis set limit. It was apparent that the SEP model yields a set of one-electron functions that are very useful for further improvement of the wave function. This fact apparently remains true even when the SEP model itself gives very poor energies.     

The structures,thermochemistry, and electron affinities of hydrogenated silicon clusters Si6Hn/Si6H (n = 3–14)

The hydrogenated silicon clusters structures, electron affinities, and dissociation energies of the Si₆H_n/Si₆H (n = 3?14) species have been systematically investigated by means of three density functional theory (DFT) methods. The basis set used in this work is of double‐ζ plus polarization quality with additional diffuse s‐ and p‐type functions, denoted DZP++. The geometries are fully optimized with each DFT method independently. Three different types of energy separations presented in this work are the adiabatic electron affinity (EA_ad), the vertical electron affinity (EA_vert), and the vertical detachment energy (VDE). The first Si? H dissociation energies D_e (Si₆H_n→ Si₆H_n?1+H) for the neutral Si₆H_n and D_e (Si₆H→Si₆H+H) for the anionic Si₆H species have also been reported. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Theoretical study on the gas‐phase reactivity of halogenated alkylperoxyl radicals toward alkenes

The electrophilic additions of hydroperoxyl (HO ${}_{\text{2}}^{\text{⋅}}$), alkylperoxyl (RO ${}_{\text{2}}^{\text{⋅}}$), and halogenated alkylperoxyl radicals to ethylene were studied using the AM1 and PM3 semiempirical MO methods at the SCF/UHF level. Reactantlike transition states were predicted for the title additions. The AM1 activation enthalpies (ΔH ${}_{\text{f}}^{\text{*}}$) were found to be increased in the order HO ${}_{\text{2}}^{\text{⋅}}$<CH₃O ${}_{\text{2}}^{\text{⋅}}$<C₂H₅O ${}_{\text{2}}^{\text{⋅}}$<i‐C₃H₇O ${}_{\text{2}}^{\text{⋅}}$. The reactivity of an alkylperoxyl radical toward ethylene was found to be increased as the degree of halogen substitution on the alkyl group increased. A good correlation was established between ΔH ${}_{\text{f}}^{\text{*}}$ and the Taft polar substituent constants, σ*. The Evans–Polanyi correlation between ΔH ${}_{\text{f}}^{\text{*}}$ and ΔH ${}_{\text{r}}^{\text{°}}$ was justified and the validity of the Hammond postulate was indicated. The calculated results were compared with the available experimental findings. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 71: 273–283, 1999     

Maximum carbonyl‐coordination number of scandium Computational study of Sc(CO)n (n = 1–7), Sc(CO)7− and Sc(CO)63−

Understanding the maximum bonding ability is very important with the potential both to design new compounds and to broaden chemists' imagination. While the coordination ability of the late transition metals has been richly understood, that of scandium is very poor. In this work, a detailed computational study on the equilibrium geometries, stability and vibrational frequencies of a series of Sc(CO)_n (n = 1–7), Sc(CO) and Sc(CO) is reported using density functional theory functionals and the coupled cluster (single‐point) method with 6‐311+G(3df) basis set. It was shown that the obtained sequential and average CO binding energies of Sc(CO)_n (n = 4–7), Sc(CO) and Sc(CO) are comparable to those of the experimentally known species, i.e., smaller Sc‐carbonyls (n ≤3) and the analog Ti(CO)₇⁺. Thus, the studied high scandium carbonyls could all be experimentally accessible. In addition, the studied Sc(CO)_n generally favor the low‐spin ground state (doublet) structures except ScCO and Sc(CO)₃ that are in the quartet states. The previously uncertain spectrum bands were assigned to Sc(CO)₄ and Sc(CO)₅ in this work. In all, the appreciable stability suggested that the last 18‐electron first‐row transition metal carbonyls, that is, Sc(CO) and Sc(CO), could be accessible in experiment. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Leading‐order behavior of the correlation energy in the uniform electron gas

We show that, in the high‐density limit, restricted Møller‐Plesset (RMP) perturbation theory yields E = π^?2(1 ? ln 2) ln r_s + O(r) for the correlation energy per electron in the uniform electron gas, where r_s is the Seitz radius. This contradicts an earlier derivation which yielded E = O(ln|ln r_s|). The reason for the discrepancy is explained. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012     

Is the FeC cluster linear? Theoretical study of the equilibrium structure and bonding of FeC

Ab initio electron correlation methods and density functional theory are used to investigate the structure, bonding, and stability of FeC. Theoretical calculations show that the ground state of the FeC anion strongly depends on the level of theory. The linear ⁴Σ^? state with an open configuration δ²σ¹ is predicted to be the ground state of FeC at the coupled‐cluster theory restricted to single, double, and noniterative triple excitations (CCSD[T])//CISD and multireference (MR) second‐order Moller–Plesset (MP2)//CAS self‐consistent field (SCF) levels. Next stable conformations are a C_2V ring structure II (⁴B₂) and a C_2V structure III (⁴A₂) in which Fe is bonded to one carbon atom of a triangular C₃. However, CISD and CCSD//CISD calculations show that the C_2V ring structure II and the C_2V structure III are more slightly stable than is the linear structure I of FeC. The harmonic vibrational frequencies and relevant vertical electron binding energies are reported. Possible detachment transitions in the photoelectron spectrum of FeC are discussed on the basis of current calculations. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 93: 275–279, 2003     

DFT and local MP2 study of switching process in a pH controllable molecular “shuttle”

A pH controllable molecular “shuttle,” comprising of dibenzo 24 crown‐8 (DB24C8) macroring bound to a “finger” molecule possessing two different recognition sites has been studied at the density functional theory (DFT) and Møller‐Plesset second‐order (MP2) levels of theory. The calculation confirmed experimental results that translational conformer with DB24C8 located around NH station has the lowest energy, while the conformer with DB24C8 located around NH station shows the highest energy. It has been found that Bpym2+ unit consists of two “substations” separated by an energy barrier of 3–17 kcal/mol depending on the state of the NH–NH station. The translational conformers are stabilized by NH…O, ⁺NH…O, ⁺NCH…OH‐bonds, and π–π stacking with different contributions, depending on the conformer type. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 2007     

Polysila analogs of aromatic hydrocarbon ions: Structures and energies of Si3H3+, Si4H,and Si5H5−

Silicon analogs of aromatic monocyclic ions, (SiH) ( 4 ), (SiH) ( 5 ), and (SiH) ( 6 ) have been studied ab initio at MP 2(full)/6-31G *. The D_3h structure of Si₃H₃⁺ is the global minimum, whereas other two ions are nonplanar. The D_2d structure of (SiH) is less folded than the carbon analog and possesses a higher stabilization energy. Stabilization energies for the monocharged ions are diminished with respect to the corresponding carbons © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.