A theoretical study of electronic and vibrational properties of neutral,cationic, and anionic B24 clusters

The equilibrium geometries, electronic and vibrational properties, and static polarizability of B₂₄, B, and B clusters are reported here. First‐principles calculations based on density functional theory predict the staggered double‐ring configuration to be the ground state for B₂₄, B, and B, in contrast to the quasi‐planar structure observed in small neutral and ionized B_n clusters with n ≤ 15. Furthermore, the (4 × B₆) tubular structure is found to be relatively stable in comparison to the 3D cage structure. The presence of delocalized π and multicentered σ bonds appears to be the cause of the stability of the double‐ring and tubular isomers. For the ground state of B₂₄, the lower and upper bound of the electron affinity is 2.67 and 2.81 eV, respectively, and the vertical ionization potential is 6.88 eV. Analysis of the frequency spectrum of the double‐ring and tubular isomers reveals the characteristic vibrational modes typically observed in carbon nanotubes. The corresponding IR spectrum also reflects the presence of some of these characteristic modes in the neutral and ionized B₂₄, suggesting that double‐ring and tubular structures can be considered as the building blocks of boron nanotubes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Structure and stability of high‐spin Aun(n = 2–8) clusters

The structures and relative stability of the maximum‐spin ⁿ⁺¹Au_n and ⁿAu (n = 2–8) clusters have been determined by density‐functional theory. The structure optimizations and vibrational frequency analysis are performed with the gradient‐corrections of Perdew along with his 1981 local correlation functional, combined with SBKJC effective core potential, augmented in the valence basis set by a set of f functions. We predicted the existence of a number of previously unknown isomers. The energetic and electronic properties of the small high‐spin gold clusters are strongly dependent on sizes. The high‐spin clusters tend to holding three‐dimensional geometry rather than planar form preferred in low‐spin situations. In whole high‐spin Au_n (n = 2–8) neutral and cationic species, ⁵Au₄, ²Au, and ⁴Au are predicted to be of high stability, which can be explained by valence bond theory. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Density functional theory study of geometry and stability of small Zrn (n = 2–10) clusters

Geometric structures, electronic properties, and stabilities of small Zr_n and Zr (n = 2–10) clusters have been investigated using density functional theory with effective core potential LanL2DZ basis set. For both neutral and charged systems, several isomers and different multiplicities were studied to determine the lowest energy structures. Many most stable states with high symmetry were found for small Zr_n clusters. The most stable structures and symmetries of Zr clusters are the same as the neutral ones except n = 4 and 7. We found that the clusters with n > 3 possess highly compact structures. The clusters are inclined to form the caged‐liked geometry containing pentagonal structures for n > 8, which is in favor of energy. From the formation energy and second‐order energy difference, we obtained that 2‐, 5‐, 7‐atoms of neutral and 4‐, 7‐atoms cationic clusters are the magic numbers. Furthermore, the highest occupied molecular orbital‐lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gaps display that the Zr₃, Zr₆, Zr, and Zr are more stable in chemical stability. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Structure and stability of B6, B,and B clusters

We investigated various isomers of B₆, B, and B clusters with ab initio [Hartree–Fock (HF), MP2)] and density functional theory (DFT) methods. Ten B₆ isomers, 6 B isomers, and 6 B isomers are determined to be local minima on their potential energy hypersurfaces by the HF, B3LYP, B3PW91, and MP2 methods. Fourteen of these structures are first reported. The most stable neutral B₆ cluster is the capped pentagonal pyramid (C_5v), in agreement with the results reported previously. Hexagon B (C_2h) isomer and fan‐shaped B (C_2v) isomer are found to be the most stable on the cationic and anionic energy hypersurfaces, respectively. Natural bond orbital analysis suggests that there are three‐centered bonds in the most stable B₆ neutral and ionic clusters. The multicentered bonds are responsible for the special stability of the lowest‐energy isomer. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 94: 269–278, 2003     

Mass spectrometric evidence for collisionally induced removal of H2 from monoanions of 10B nido‐carborane derivatives investigated by electrospray ionization quadrupole linear ion trap and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

Some newly synthesized ¹⁰B nido‐carborane derivatives, i.e., 7,8‐dicarba‐nido‐undecaborane monoanions ([7‐Me‐8‐R‐C₂B₉H₁₀]^‐K⁺, R = H, butyl, hexyl, octyl and decyl), have been fully characterised and examined by electrospray ionization and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry with liquid chromatographic separation (LC/ESI‐FTICR‐MS). These boron‐containing compounds exhibit abundant molecular ions ([M]^?) at m/z 140.22631 [CB₉H₁₄]^?, m/z 196.28883 [CB₉H₂₂]^?, m/z 224.32032 [CB₉H₂₆]^?, m/z 252.35133 [CB₉H₃₀]^? and m/z 280.38354 [CB₉H₃₄]^? at the normal tube lens voltage setting of ?90 V, which was an instrumental parameter value selected in the tuning operation. Additional [M–nH₂]^? (n = 1?4) ions were observed in the mass spectra when higher tube lens voltages were applied, i.e., ?140 V. High‐resolution FTICR‐MS data revealed the accurate masses of fragment ions, bearing either an even or an odd number of electrons. Collision‐induced dissociation of the [M–nH₂]^? ions (n = 0–4) in the quadrupole linear ion trap (LTQ) analyzer confirmed the loss of hydrogen molecules from the molecular ions. It is suggested that the loss of H₂ molecules from the alkyl chain is a consequence of the stabilization effect of the nido‐carborane charged polyhedral skeleton. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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     

Structural and electronic study of neutral,positive, and negative small rhodium clusters [Rhn,Rh, and Rh]

We have carried out a systematic study for the determination of the structure and the fundamental state of neutral and ionic small rhodium clusters [Rh_n, Rh, Rh (n = 5–10)] using ab initio Hartree‐Fock methods with a LANL2DZ basis set. A range of spin multiplicities is studied for each cluster. We present the bond lengths and angles and geometric configuration adopted for the clusters in its minimum energy conformation showing the differences when the clusters have different number of unpaired electrons. In addition, we report the vertical ionization potential and the adiabatic potential calculated by the Koopman's theorem. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 110:2541–2547, 2010     

Ab initio calculations of many-body energy expansion in LiF− clusters

The effects of the basis-set size on many-body energy expansion in LiF^? clusters are investigated and correlated with previously reported values on LiCl^? analogs. Coulomb and non-Coulomb energies in LiF^? at different configurations are also examined. Although at the minimal STO -3G basis V^na(3, 4) and V^na(4, 4) nonadditivity terms were the smallest in the D₃h configuration, they were the largest at the extended 6-311 ++G basis. V(m, n) terms where m = n ≥ 3 were found to be playing a small role in the chemistry and physics of LiF^? clusters compared with V(3, n) terms in LiCl^? clusters.     

Bridging gold: B‐Au‐B three‐center‐two‐electron bonds in electron‐deficient B2Aun−/0 (n = 1, 3, 5) and mixed analogues

A systematic density functional theory and wave function theory investigation on the geometrical and electronic structures of the electron‐deficient diboron aurides B₂Au (n = 1, 3, 5) and their mixed analogues B₂H_mAu (m + n = 3, 5) has been performed in this work. Ab initio theoretical evidences strongly suggest that bridging gold atoms exist in the ground states of C_2v B₂Au^?(¹A₁), C₂ B₂Au(¹A), C_2v B₂Au₃(²B₁), C_2v B₂Au(¹A₁), and C_s B₂Au₅(²A″), which all prove to possess a B? Au? B three‐center‐two‐electron (3c‐2e) bond. For B₂H_mAu (m + n = 3, 5) mixed anions, bridging B? Au? B units appear to be favored in energy over bridging B? H? B, as demonstrated by the fact that the Au‐bridged C_2v B₂H₂Au^? (¹A₁), C_s B₂HAu (¹A′), and C₁ B₂HAu (¹A) lie clearly lower than their H‐bridged counterparts C_s B₂H₂Au^? (¹A′), C₂ B₂HAu (¹A), and C_2v B₂HAu (¹A₁), respectively. Orbital analyses indicate that Au 6s makes about 92–96% contribution to the Au‐based orbitals in these B‐Au‐B 3c‐2e interactions, whereas Au 5d contributes 8–4%. The adiabatic and vertical detachment energies of the concerned anions have been calculated to facilitate their future experimental characterizations. The results obtained in this work establish an interesting 3c‐2e bonding model (B? Au? B) for electron‐deficient systems in which Au 6s plays a major role with non‐negligible contribution from Au 5d. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011     

Quantum chemistry study on B14, B,and B14H

The structure of B₁₄, B, and B₁₄H in octahedral symmetry has been investigated by ab initio calculations at the STO-3G and 4–31G levels. The relationship of molecular orbitals among them has been analyzed and it can be found that the number of valence bonding orbitals of high borane obeys the Wade rule. The similarities and difference between boron clusters and carbon clusters are also discussed. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Theoretical study on AlnO2 (n = 1–10) clusters and O2 adsorption on the Al(111) surface

The structural properties of neutral and ionic Al_nO₂ (n = 1–10) clusters have been systematically investigated using the density functional method B3LYP with a standard 6‐311+G(d) basis set. The calculated results show that in the Al_nO, Al_nO₂, and Al_nO (n ≥ 3) clusters, O atoms tend to penetrate into the aluminum clusters with some Al atoms moving outward. The binding energies and natural charges populations indicate that the oxygen‐etching is generally stronger in the order Al < Al_n < Al for n < 3, and Al > Al_n > Al for n ≥ 3. To further understand the mechanism of interaction between Al and O₂, the adsorption of O₂ on the Al(111) surface was studied using the density functional theory with plane wave pseudopotential method. The calculated results are consistent with the experimental observation that the O₂ molecule would dissociate on the Al(111) surface and be adsorbed in adjacent hollow sites, forming a local structure of Al₃O–Al₃O. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

CuTb[B5O10]: Das erste „Metaborat”︁ mit einem [B5O10]5− -Anion

CuTb[B₅O₁₀]: The first “Metaborate” with a [B₅O₁₀]^5? Anion Single crystals of the new compound CuTb[B₅O₁₀] were obtained by a B₂O₃ flux-technique. They crystallize in a so far unknown structure. X-ray investigations on single crystals led to the space group C–I ba2 (Nr. 45); a = 6.294(1) Å; b = 8.406(8) Å; c = 12.733(2) Å; Z = 4. The structure contains [B₅O₁₀]^5? chains isolated from each other. These chains include twelf membered rings of boron and oxygen. Each ring consists of two tetrahedral BO₄ and two planar B₂O₅ groups and is connected with the next one via the BO₄ units. Tb³⁺ is eightfold- and Cu²⁺ elongated octahedraly coordinated by oxygen.     

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     

Laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometric study of binary As‐Se glasses

Binary chalcogenide As‐Se glasses and their thin films are important for optics, computers, materials science and technological applications. To increase understanding of the properties of thin films fabricated by plasma deposition techniques, more information concerning the physics of plasma plume is needed. In this study the formation of clusters in plasma plume from different As‐Se glasses by laser desorption ionization (LDI) or laser ablation (LA) was studied by time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS) in positive and negative ion modes. Formation of a number of As_pSe_q singly charged clusters As₃Se (q = 1–5), AsSe (q = 1–3), As₂Se (q = 2–4), and As₃Se (q = 2–5) was found from As‐Se glasses with the molar ratio As:Se in the range from 1:2 to 7:3. The stoichiometry of the As_pSe_q clusters was determined via isotopic envelope analysis and computer modeling. The structure of the clusters is proposed and the relationship to the structure of the parent glasses, as also suggested by Raman scattering spectra, is discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conformational preferences of 34 valence electron A2X4 molecules: An ab initio Study of B2F4, B2Cl4, N2O4, and C2O

Ab initio molecular orbital structures and energies of B₂F₄, B₂Cl₄, N₂O₄, and C₂O have been calculated for both perpendicular D_2d and planar D_2h rotamers. The experimental trend toward greater preference for the D_2d forms in going from B₂F₄ to B₂Cl₄ is reproduced. N₂O₄ favors the planar conformation, although the rotation barrier is overestimated at the theoretical levels used. The oxalate dianion is calculated to be more stable in the D_2d conformation; the experimental planar arrangement in the solid may be due to crystal packing forces. The preferences for one conformation over another are small; analysis indicates that different effects may predominate in each case: π stabilization for B₂F₄, hyperconjugation for B₂Cl₄, lone-pair interactions for N₂O₄, and electrostatic repulsions for C₂O.     

Theoretical study of one‐electron bonds in a series of high‐spin lithium–beryllium–hydrogen clusters: “Valence shell single‐electron repulsion” rule and electron localization function analysis

A series of high‐spin clusters containing Li, H, and Be in which the valence shell molecular orbitals (MOs) are occupied by a single electron has been characterized using ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. A first type (⁵Li₂, ⁿ⁺¹LiH_n+ (n = 2–5), ⁸Li₂H) possesses only one electron pair in the lowest MO, with bond energies of ～3 kcal/mol. In a second type, all the MOs are singly occupied, which results in highly excited species that nevertheless constitute a marked minimum on their potential energy surface (PES). Thus, it is possible to design a larger panel of structures (⁸LiBe, ⁷Li₂, ⁸Li, ⁴LiH⁺, ⁶BeH, ⁿ⁺³LiH (n = 3, 4), ⁿ⁺²LiH (n = 4–6), ⁸Li₂H, ⁹Li₂H, ²²Li₃Be₃ and ²²Li₆H), single‐electron equivalent to doublet “classical” molecules ranging from CO to C₆H₆. The geometrical structure is studied in relation to the valence shell single‐electron repulsion (VSEPR) theory and the electron localization function (ELF) is analyzed, revealing a striking similarity with the corresponding structure having paired electrons. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Correlated n1,3S states for coulomb three‐body systems

n^1,3S (n = 1 ? 4) states for atomic three‐body systems are studied with the Angular Correlated Configuration Interaction method. A recently proposed angularly correlated basis set is used to construct, simultaneously and with a single diagonalization, ground and excited states wave functions which: (i) satisfy exactly Kato cusp conditions at the two‐body coalescence points; (ii) involve only linear parameters; (iii) show a fast convergency rate for the energy; and (iv) form an orthogonal set. The efficiency of the method is illustrated by the study a variety of three‐body atomic systems [m m m] with two negatively charged light particles, with diverse masses m and m, and a heavy positively charged nucleus m. The calculated ground 1¹S and excited n^1,3S (n = 2 ? 4) state energies are compared with those given in the literature, when available. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Laser ablation of ternary As‐S‐Se glasses and time‐of‐flight mass spectrometric study

Ternary chalcogenide As‐S‐Se glasses, important for optics, computers, material science and technological applications, are often made by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technology but the plasma composition formed during the process is mostly unknown. Therefore, the formation of clusters in a plasma plume from different glasses was followed by laser desorption ionization (LDI) or laser ablation (LA) time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS) in positive and negative ion modes. The LA of glasses of different composition leads to the formation of a number of binary As_pS_q, As_pSe_r and ternary As_pS_qSe_r singly charged clusters. Series of clusters with the ratio As:chalcogen = 3:3 (As₃S, As₃S₂Se⁺, As₃SSe), 3:4 (As₃S, As₃S₃Se⁺, As₃S₂Se, As₃SSe, As₃Se), 3:1 (As₃S⁺, As₃Se⁺), and 3:2 (As₃S, As₃SSe⁺, As₃Se), formed from both bulk and PLD‐deposited nano‐layer glass, were detected. The stoichiometry of the As_pS_qSe_r clusters was determined via isotopic envelope analysis and computer modeling. The structure of the clusters is discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ab initio Hartree–Fock–Slater calculations of polysulfanes H2Sn (n = 1–4) and the ions HS and S

An ab initio Hartree–Fock–Slater procedure was applied to the calculation of the electronic structure of polysulfanes, H₂S_n (n = 1–4) and the ions HS and S. Charge densities, overlap populations, and deprotonation energies are calculated; the latter appear well correlated with the first and second acidity constants.     

Charge Dispersal in the Quinuclidine Radical Cation and in the Quinuclidinium Ion,as Revealed by PE and ICR Spectroscopy

The n ionization energies I and the gas-phase basicities GB of CH₃-, Cl-, or CN-substituted quinuclidines have been measured by PE and ICR spectroscopy. The dependence of the shifts ΔI and ΔGB (relative to the values of the parent molecule) allow conclusions about the charge dispersal accompanying the n ionization or the protonation of quinuclidine in the gas phase. The agreement with the results of a minimal basis set ab initio calculation is excellent. Comparison of the solution pK_a values with either I or GB reveals that 2-substituted quinuclidines exhibit sizeable solvent-induced proximity effects, i.e. that the corresponding quinuclidinium ions are more acidic in solution than expected on the basis of the gas-phase basicities. This agrees with earlier results concerning 2-substituted pyridines.