P‐Heterocyclic silylenes: a survey of stability with density functional theory

The effects of phosphorous atom on the stability, multiplicity, and reactivity of six‐member cyclic silylenes are investigated at B3LYP/AUG‐cc‐pVTZ//B3LYP/6‐31+G* and MP2/6‐311++G**//B3LYP/6‐31+G* coupled with appropriate isodesmic reactions. From a thermodynamic point of view, 1H‐2‐silaphosphinine‐2‐ylidene ( 1_a ) and 1H‐4‐silaphosphinine‐4‐ylidene ( 2_a ) are relatively the most stable with singlet–triplet energy gaps (ΔE_S–T) of 37.0 and 28.1 kcal/mol, respectively. The calculated energy barrier for the 1,2‐H shift of 1_a to the corresponding 2‐silapyridine ( 1 ) is 26.5 kcal/mol, which is lower than the 28.8 kcal/mol required for the 1,4‐H shift of 2_a to the corresponding 4‐silapyridine ( 2 ). In contrast to the previous reports, isodesmic reactions indicate that π‐donor/σ‐donor phosphorous destabilizes the singlet while stabilizes the triplet state. Both 1_a and 2_a silylenes appear invulnerable to the head‐to‐head as well as the head‐to‐tail dimerization, inviting experimental explorations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Graph-theoretical parameters for π-MO calculation of phenols from DFT-calculated energies: application to charge-transfer complexes

By representing phenols in terms of vertex- and edge-weighted graphs, expressions for the highest-occupied π-molecular orbitals of phenols have been derived in terms of the vertex weight h _Ö (for phenolic oxygen) and edge-weight k _C–Ö (for the C–Ö bond). Graph-theoretical methods have been used to evaluate the quantities involved in such expressions. The HOMO energies of the phenols calculated by density functional theory using the 6-31++G** and 6-311+G(2d,p) basis sets have been correlated with these expressions to estimate the parameters h _Ö and k _C–Ö. The acceptability of the estimated values was tested by their ability to explain the experimentally observed trends in CT transition energies of charge-transfer complexes of phenols with p-chloranil.     

DFT study on the influence of electric field on surface‐enhanced Raman scattering from pyridine–metal complex

The influence of a static external electric field on surface‐enhanced Raman scattering is investigated by calculating the Raman spectra and excited state properties of pyridine–Au₂₀ complex with the density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory method. The external electric field with orientation parallel (positive) or antiparallel (negative) to the permanent dipole moment is respectively applied on the complex. This field slightly changes the equilibrium geometry and polarizabilities, which results in shifted vibration frequencies and selectively enhanced Raman intensities. The changes of charge transfer (CT) excited states in response to the electric field are visualized by employing the charge difference densities. Further, the energy of charge transfer transition is tuned by electric field to be resonant or not with the incident light, leading to the Raman intensities are enhanced or not enhanced. At the same time, the intensities of vibration modes are sensitive to the orientation of the field. The positive electric field enhances the totally symmetric ring breathing mode (~1009 cm⁻¹) but suppresses the trigonal ring breathing mode (~1051 cm⁻¹). On the contrary, the mode at 1051 cm⁻¹ is more enhanced than the mode at 1009 cm⁻¹ when the negative electric field is applied on the complex. The Raman spectra could be modulated by tuning the strength and direction of the electric field. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DFT studies of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy of 1,4‐benzenedithiol–Au2 complex under the effect of static electric fields

In this work, we demonstrate that the applied electric‐field strength and orientation can multiply modulate the Raman intensity and vibrational wavenumber of small molecule–metal complex, 1,4‐benzenedithiol–Au₂ (1,4BDT–Au₂), by density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory simulations. The polarizabilities are changed by the applied electric fields, leading to enhanced specific vibrational intensity and shifted vibrational wavenumber of the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering effect. The applied electric fields perturb the bonds and angles of the 1,4BDT–Au₂ complex. Owing to this reason, the peaks of Raman spectra related to these structures exhibit distinguishable responses in quasi‐static field (low‐frequency oscillating electric field). We use the visualized method of charge difference density to show that the electric fields tune the traditional excited state to pure charge‐transfer excited state. The charge‐transfer resonance transition produces enhanced Raman intensities for non‐totally symmetric modes and totally symmetric modes. These simulation results of the function of static electric field provide new guidance for the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering measurements. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Density functional theoretical studies on photoswitching and charge migration dynamics of thio and selenoureidopeptides

Density functional theoretical calculations have been performed to investigate the changes in electronic structure at ground and excited states of ureidopeptides on substitution with higher chalcogens like sulphur and selenium for oxygen. This replacement results in a reduced preference towards the intramolecular hydrogen bonding interaction, thus linear conformers are found to be stable at both states. Nevertheless, conformational switching observed during this process is mainly due to n to π* transition that leads to the dihedral angle ω change from trans to cis with a rotational barrier of 10 to 17 kcal mol^‐1. The computed barrier is lesser than that reported for oxopeptides (20 kcal mol^‐1). And, the hole migration dynamics after immediate ionization illustrates that the hole originated at ureido end evolves in time (2?4 fs) while the hole generated at the carboxylate end will not evolve as reported for ureidopeptides. The usage of these candidates as photoswitches has also been explored.     

Theoretical study on the mono and multiply oxygenated Si60H60 fullerene

We have applied density functional theory (DFT) calculations to study the structures, stabilities, electronic and magnetic properties of mono and multiply oxygenated Si₆₀H₆₀ fullerenes (Si₆₀H_60–2nO_n, n = 1, 3, 6, 9, 10, 12, 18, 20, 21, 27 and 30). DFT results show that rearrangement between the closed [6,6] and [5,6] isomers of Si₆₀H₅₈O follows a two-step pathway involving an intermediate and two transition states. Preserving the C₃ symmetry in the cage structure, extra epoxidation of Si₆₀H₆₀ has been accomplished. Based on our results, formation energies per oxygen atom for the multiple additions of oxygen atoms on Si₆₀H₆₀ cage are positive (endothermic character), and increase with the increasing of the number of oxygen atoms. In general, the oxygenation of Si₆₀H₆₀ cage leads to an increase in the electrophilicity of the Si₆₀H_60–2nO_n oxides. The oxygenation of Si–Si bonds not only introduces a substantial broadening of the NMR pattern but also yield individual peaks, indicating different electrostatic environments of silicon nuclei in the Si₆₀H_60–2nO_n oxides.     

Graph-theoretical parameters for π-MO calculation of a series of aromatic amines in the light of DFT theory: comparison with experimental CT transition energies

Expressions for the energies of the highest occupied π-molecular orbitals of a series of aromatic amines have been derived in terms of the vertex weight h _N (for amine nitrogen) and edge weight k _C–N (for the C–N bond) by representing the amine molecule in terms of vertex- and edge-weighted graphs. Graph-theoretical methods have been used to evaluate the quantities involved in such expressions. The HOMO energies of the amines calculated by density functional theory using the 6-31++G** basis set have been correlated with these expressions to estimate the perturbational parameter h _N and the Coulomb integral α. The acceptability of the estimated values of α and h _N has been tested by their ability to explain the experimentally observed trends in the CT transition energies of a series of charge-transfer complexes of amines with tetracyanoethylene. An important structural feature, namely rotation of the –NH₂ group about the C–N bond due to steric repulsion with the nearest H-atom in the case of 1-amino compounds, has been observed by such a correlation. The result agrees well with the DFT-optimized geometries of the structures.     

Theoretical elucidation of the origin of surface‐enhanced Raman spectra of PCB52 adsorbed on silver substrates

To better understand experimentally observed surface‐enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) adsorbed on nanoscaled silver substrates, a systematic theoretical study was performed by carrying out density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory calculations. 2,2′,5,5′‐tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB52) was chosen as a model molecule of PCBs, and Ag_n (n = 2, 4, 6, and 10) clusters were used to mimic active sites of substrates. Calculated normal Raman spectra of PCB52–Ag_n (n = 2, 4, 6, and 10) complexes are analogical in profile to that of isolated PCB52 with only slightly enhanced intensity. In contrast, the corresponding SERS spectra calculated at adopted incident light are strongly enhanced, and the calculated enhancement factors are 10⁴ ~ 10⁵. Thus, the experimentally observed SERS phenomenon of PCBs supported on Ag substrates should correspond to the SERS spectra rather than the normal Raman spectra. The dominant enhancement in Raman intensities origins from the charge transfer resonance enhancement between the molecule and clusters. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

2,2,9,9‐Tetramethylcyclonona‐3,5,7‐trienylidene vs. its heterocyclic analogues: A quest for stable carbenes at DFT

Replacement of α‐methylenes with BH, AlH, CMe₂, SiH₂, NH, NMe, N^tButyl, NPh, PH, O, and S in non‐planar cyclonona‐3,5,7‐trienylidene (CH₂) alters its status from an unstable transition state to rather stable minima, at B3LYP/6‐311++G**//B3LYP/6‐31 + G* levels of theory. All species appear with singlet closed shell (S_cs) global minima, except for SiH₂ and CH₂ which exhibit triplet electronic ground states. The order of stability based on singlet–triplet energy gap (ΔE_s–t / kcalmol^?1) is: CMe₂ (45.8) > NH (35.8) > NMe (32.3) > O (31.5) > N^tButyl (27.7) ≥ NPh (27.5) ≥ BH (27.4) > S (21.9) > PH (17.0) > CH₂ (?4.4) > SiH₂ (?12.5). In contrast to many reports on N‐heterocyclic carbenes, here alkyl groups appear to exert a higher stabilizing effect than heteroatoms, making CMe₂ the most stable. In addition bulky NMe, N^tButyl, and NPh appear more nucleophilic than their synthesized imidazol‐2‐ylidene congeners. Excluding SiH₂, isodesmic reactions reveal that all substituents stabilize singlet state considerably more than the corresponding triplet. Finally, this work is hoped to pave the path for future matrix isolations and IR studies of these rather stable cyclic non‐planar carbenes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fully conjugated push–pull dendrons with high dipole moments in excited state; synthesis and theoretical rationalization

Novel fully conjugated push–pull dendrons were synthesized by a divergent approach to evaluate the performance of non‐conventional architectures like dendritic one in charge separation processes associated with photovoltaic events. The dipole moments in excited state were estimated by the solvatochromic method, to be related to the charge separation efficiency. A 1:2 ratio of donor–acceptor groups (methoxy and nitro groups respectively) promotes the largest dipole moment in both ground and excited state (up to 17 D), due to the efficient electron density transfer over the entire molecule, through the π‐electron system. The synthesized dendrons induce charge transfer on excitation as follows from UV–vis absorption–emission analysis and theoretical calculations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Computational study of chiral molecules with high intrinsic hyperpolarizabilities

We have investigated the electronic transition, chiroptical properties, and the second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of eight novel chiral diborate compounds and elucidated structure–property relationships from the micromechanism. These compounds show calculated first hyperpolarizabilities (β) ranging from 2738.52 to 83976.45?×?10^?33?esu, which means that subtle structural modifications can substantially enhance the first hyperpolarizability. The cooperativity of intramolecular charge transfer and an effective way to enhance the NLO response were also systemically investigated. The linear correlation between the first hyperpolarizability and the inverse of the electronic transition energy suggests that the electronic transition energy plays a key role in determining the NLO response. These compounds have the potential to be excellent second-order NLO materials from the standpoint of the large β values, high transparency and the intrinsic non-centrosymmetry. The electronic transition and chiroptical properties have been assigned and analysed. The main UV–visible absorption features are best described as π?→?π* transitions. Moreover, the effects of different functionals and basis sets on the first hyperpolarizability were investigated.     

密度泛函理论研究有机太阳能电池界面的激子分离及电荷转移速率:DR3TBDT/PC60BM 体系

本文选择DR3TBDT/PC60BM体系为模型,采用量子化学中的密度泛函理论方法,分别计算了孤立的给受体分子以及复合物的基态结构性质、吸收性质、激发态电荷转移,并通过Rehm-Well表达式,Marcus理论的双势阱、双球棍模型以及广义的Mulliken-Hush (GMH)模型分别计算了电子转移和电荷重组过程中的Gibbs自由能变、内外重组能以及电子耦合,最后通过Marcus电子转移速率方程得出了界面的电荷转移和重组速率,从动力学角度为新材料的设计提供了理论表征手段.     

Theoretical investigation of CoTa2O6/graphene heterojunctions for oxygen evolution reaction

Water electrolysis is to split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity as the driving force. To obtain low-cost hydrogen in a large scale, it is critical to develop electrocatalysts based on earth abundant elements with a high efficiency. This computational work started with Cobalt on CoTa₂O₆ surface as the active site, CoTa₂O₆/Graphene heterojunctions have been explored as potential oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts through density functional theory (DFT). We demonstrated that the electron transfer (δ) from CoTa₂O₆ to graphene substrate can be utilized to boost the reactivity of Co-site, leading to an OER overpotential as low as 0.30 V when N-doped graphene is employed. Our findings offer novel design of heterojunctions as high performance OER catalysts.     

基于密度泛函理论的多环芳烃硝基衍生物的生物毒性预测

采用密度泛函理论（DFT）中的B3LYP方法,在6-311++G（d,p）基组水平下对16种多环芳烃（PAHs）及6种多环芳烃硝基衍生物进行了拉曼光谱、极化率、偶极矩、热力学、结构优化及能量等40种参数进行计算。以13种PAHs对发光菌的－lgEC₅₀值做因变量,以另外3种多环芳烃数据作为验证,构建了基于量子化学参数的PAHs毒性定量结构-活性相关（QSAR）模型,预测PAHs硝基衍生物的毒性。经验证,所建立的QSAR模型的模拟系数为0.816,模型预测的PAHs硝基衍生物毒性排序与文献报道的PAHs硝基衍生物对鼠伤寒沙门氏菌的毒性排序一致,表明所建模型可用于PAHs及其硝基衍生物的生物毒性预测,从而为控制和预测PAHs及硝基衍生物毒性提供理论依据。     

Electronic and spectral properties of ametal-organic super container molecule by single point DFT

ABSTRACT

Metal-organic super container (MOSC) molecules are ideal candidates for photocatalysis due to their construction with transition metal centres and tuneable cavity sizes that could house catalytic sites. The basic electronic structure for a model of extremely large size (more than 2000 ions) is explored by single point calculation using unrestricted density functional theory, and Perdue–Burke–Ernzerhof functional in Vienna ab initio simulation package software. The information obtained through these calculations (such as density of states, absorbance spectra, and charge density) will allow for analysis of a MOSC's catalytic ability. Electronic characteristics of the nanostructures (MOSCs and their building blocks) in the ground and photoexcited electronic configurations are examined. We explore if the presence of transition metal ions with open shells in such close proximity to one another may result in high spin configurations and show any arrangement into ferromagnetic ordering. Spin-unrestricted computation was applied to evaluate how optical properties could be affected by d–d transitions. A scan of a spin-polarisation parameter allows one to resolve spin configuration and obtain a connection between theory and experiment. Analysis of Kohn–Sham orbitals of interest provides insight into charge transfer mechanisms, which were found to contribute to multiple low-energy charge transfer states to the electronic structure.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic, and computational studies of charge‐transfer complexation between benzidine with 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐p‐benzoquinone and chloronil

The solid charge transfer (CT) complexes that have been formed from the reactions of donor benzidine (BZ) and the π‐acceptors such as 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐p‐benzoquinone (DDQ) and chloronil (CHL) have been studied and characterized experimentally and theoretically. The experimental work which includes the use of UV‐visible spectroscopy to identify the CT band of the CT‐complex. The composition of the complexes has been investigated successfully by using spectrophotometric titration and Job method of continuous variation to be 1:1. Furthermore, to calculate the formation constant and molar extinction coefficient, we have used the Benesi‐Hildebrand equation. Infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectral studies were used to characterize and confirm the formation of CT‐complex. The experimental studies were well supported by quantum chemical simulations by using density functional theory. The computational analysis of molecular geometry, Mulliken charges, and molecular electrostatic potential surfaces of reactants and complexes is very much helpful in assigning the CT route. The C═O bond length of DDQ and CHL increased upon complexation with BZ. We have also observed that the substantial amount of charge has been transferred from BZ to DDQ and CHL in the process of complexation. An excellent consistency has been achieved between experimental and theoretical results.     

Transfer ionization of the isocharge sequence ion and Ar collisions

The ratios of transfer ionization to single capture for isocharge C^{q+}, N^{q+}, O^{q+}, Ne^{q+} ions on Ar atoms are measured by using position-sensitive and time-of-flight techniques. It is found that the ratio R_{1} increases with nuclear charge Z in a q=4 sequence, and the ratio R_{1} sequences have the minimum values at Z=7 and Z=8 in q=5 and q=6 sequences, respectively, and the ratio R_{1} decreases with the increase in the nuclear charge Z in a q=7 sequence. The results may be explained within the frame of the statistical model. It may be concluded that the transfer ionization depends remarkably upon the electronic structure of the projectile. The projectiles used in this study have the same charge state and velocity, but different electronic structures. The dependence of the ratio R_{1} on q is studied for Ne^{q+}-Ar collisions. The ratio R_{1} is found to increase as q increases for Ne^{q+}－Ar collisions. The measured dependence of the ratio R_{1} on q is compared with the calculation using the molecular Coulomb over-barrier model.     

低维混合金属卤化物中的电荷转移机理

在混合卤素金属卤化物中,两种单体内的电子-声子和电子-电子相互作用的差异会导致电荷从一种单体转移到另一种单体内,进而影响到这种混合结构的电荷密度波(CDW)性质.计算发现电荷的自发转移是两单体能带发生相互作用的结果;这种电荷转移是导致混合系统稳定性的主要物理因素;简单的单体长短并不是决定电荷转移数量的主要因素,两种单体的相对配比x起着关键性的作用. 关键词： 电荷转移 电荷密度波     

NIR‐FT Raman,FT‐IR and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectra,with theoretical simulations on chloramphenicol

Chloramphenicol (CLM), originally derived from the bacterium Streptomyces venezuelae, is an inhibitor of bacterial ribosomal peptidyl transferase activity. The near infrared Fourier transform (NIR‐FT) Raman, surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectral analyses of CLM, a potential antibacterial drug for the treatment of typhoid fever, were carried out along with density functional computations. The vibrational spectral analysis reveals that the CH₂ asymmetric and symmetric stretching modes are shifted to higher wavenumbers than the computed values, owing to the electronic effects resulting from induction of methylene group with the adjacent electronegative atom. The lowering of CO stretching wavenumber is due to the presence of the strong electronegative atom, nitrogen, attached to the carbonyl carbon, causing large degree of molecular π‐electron delocalization and redistribution of electrons, which weakens the CO bond. The absence of a C H stretching vibration and the observed C H out‐of‐plane bending modes suggest that the CLM molecule may be adsorbed in a flat orientation with respect to the silver surface. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.