The geometry and intermolecular binding of HCN…BrC1 probed by rotational spectroscopy

Ground-state rotational spectra of several isotopomers of a linear complex formed between HCN and BrCl were observed by pulsed-nozzle, F-T microwave spectroscopy and analysed to give the spectroscopic constants B₀, D_J, _χ(Br), _χ(Cl), and M_bb(Br). The order HCN…BrCl of the nuclei was established from the changes in the B₀ values on isotopic substitution. The small fractional electronic charge (δ ≈ 0.05) transferred from Br to Cl on complex formation and the intermolecular stretching force constant (k_σ ≈ 11 N m⁻¹) estimated from the spectroscopic constants indicates a weak interaction of HCN and BrCl, with little perturbation of the charge distribution of BrCl.     

Microwave spectrum and conformation of isopropyl fluoroformate

The microwave spectrum of isopropyl fluoroformate is characterized by intense a-type R-branch transitions from one conformational species. The rotational constants of the ground state, A₀ = 4967.0(8) MHz, B₀ = 1704.69(2) MHz, C₀ = 1468.86(1) MHz and κ = −0.8651(2) are consistent with a τ₁ (O=COC) = 0°, τ₂(COCH) ˜35° structure. This structure can be viewed as a combination of the two conformational species found in ethyl fluoroformate. Two vibrational satellites having rotational constants A₀ = 4963(5) MHz, B₀ = 1694.11(7) MHz. C₀ = 1471.43(4) MHz and A₀=4998(6) MHz, B₀ = 1705.21(7) MHz, C₀ = 1471.10(4) MHz have been assigned.     

Ab initio structural trends and torsional sensitivity in n-hexane and comparisons with crystallographic structural results

The molecular structures of n-hexane were determined by RHF/4-21G ab initio geometry optimization at 30° grid points in its three-dimensional τ₁(C11–C8–C5–C1), τ₂(C14–C11–C8–C5), τ₃(C17–C14–C11–C8) conformational space. Of the resulting 12×12×12=1728 grid structures, 468 are symmetrically non-equivalent and were optimized constraining the torsions τ₁, τ₂, and τ₃ to the respective grid points, while all other structural parameters were relaxed without any constraints. From the results, complete parameter surfaces were constructed using natural cubic spline functions, which make it possible to calculate parameter gradients, |P|=[(∂P/∂τ_i)²+(∂P/∂τ_j)²]^1/2, where P is a C–C bond length or C–C–C angle. The parameter gradients provide an effective measure of the torsional sensitivity of the system and indicate that dynamic activities in one part of the molecule can significantly affect the density of states, and thus the contributions to vibrational entropy, in another part. This opens the possibility of dynamic entropic conformational steering in complex molecules; i.e. the generation of free energy contributions from dynamic effects of one part of a molecule on another. When the conformational trends in the calculated C–C bond lengths and C–C–C angles are compared with average parameters taken from some 900 crystallographic structures containing n-hexyl fragments or longer C–C bond sequences, some correlation between calculated and experimental trends in angles is found, in contrast to the bond lengths for which the two sets of data are in complete disagreement. The results confirm experiences often made in crystallography. That is, effects of temperature, crystal structure and packing, and molecular volume effects are manifested more clearly in bond lengths than bond angles which depend mainly on intramolecular properties. Frequency analyses of the τ₁, τ₂ and τ₃ torsional angles in the crystal structures show conformational steering in the sense that, if τ₁ is trans peri-planar (170°≤τ₁≤180°; −180°≤τ₁≤−170°), the values of τ₂ and τ₃ are clustered closely around the ideal gauche (±60°) and trans (±180°) positions. In contrast, when τ₁ is in the region (50°≤τ₁≤70°), there is a definite increase in the populations of τ₂ and τ₃ at −90 and −150°.     

Computational analysis of side-chain conformations in polyaspartates exhibiting reversible helical sense inversion in the solid state

Poly(β-phenylpropyl -aspartate), poly(β-phenylbutyl -aspartate), and poly(β-phenylpentyl -aspartate) exhibit a reversible transformation from a right-handed -helix (_R) to a left-handed ω-helix (ω_L) in the solid state. During this transition, the infrared (IR) dichroism of the side-chain ester group and the birefringence change drastically, showing that the side-chain conformations are different for these two helices. In the present study, for the purpose of elucidating the preferred side-chain conformation in each helix, we performed the computational analyses. The energy contours, the directions of the IR transition moments and the anisotropies in polarizability as functions of the first two dihedral angles of the side chain, χ₁ and χ₂ were calculated. Then, comparing them with the experimental IR dichroism and birefringence data, we elucidated the specific side-chain conformation preferred for each _R or ω_L skeleton. The preferred values of (χ₁, χ₂) were found to be (−75, −60°) for _R and (180, 45°) for ω_L.     

Infrared study of the rotational diffusion of allene in carbon sulfide

The profiles of the parallel and perpendicular bands ν₆ and ν₁₀ of allene in CS₂ and their temperature dependence have been studied. These profiles are sensibly lorentzian and consequently allow us to derive the components D and D of the rotational diffusion tensor and the corresponding activation energies; the accuracy of the results is discussed. In particular, it is not possible to determine unambiguously whether the activation energies U_| and U are equal or different but, whichever the case, the ratio D/D is of the order of 10. An application test of the extended J rotational diffusion model shows that the results concurrently obtained for the ν₆ and ν₁₀ bands are incompatible with this model and we come to the conclusion that the rotation of allene about its various axes is anisotropic.     

Water effect on the excited-state decay paths of singlet excited cytosine

Two low-energy deactivation paths for singlet excited cytosine, one through a S₁/S₀ conical intersection of the ethylene type, and one through a conical intersection that involves the (n_N, π^*) state, are calculated in the presence of water. Water is included explicitly for several cytosine monohydrates, and as a bulk solvent, and the calculations are carried out at the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) and complete active space second order perturbation (CASPT2) levels of theory. The effect of water on the lowest-energy path through the ethylenic conical intersection is a lowering of the energy barrier. This is explained by stabilization of the excited state, which has zwitterionic character in the vicinity of the conical intersection due to its similarity with the conical intersection of ethylene. In contrast to this, the path that involves the (n_N, π^*) state is destabilized by hydrogen bonding, although the bulk solvent effect reduces the destabilization. Overall, this path should remain energetically accessible.     

A self consistent field molecular orbital study of the lithium-formaldehyde system

The nature of the lithium—oxygen bond in the lithium—formaldehyde system (a prototype of the ketyl radical—alkali metal ion pairs) is examined by unrestricted Hartree—Fock calculations using minimum and extended Slater-type bases and ghost orbital methods. Two states of the equilibrium C_2v symmetry structure are considered: ²B₁, which is a π radical, and ²A₁, Which is a σ radical. In contrast with the results of Ha et al. [10], the ²B₁, state is found to have a slightly lower energy than ²A ₁, When only s-type basis functions are used for the lithium atom; the ²B₁, state is further stabilized if 2p functions at the lithium centre are included. Inclusion of 2p orbitals on lithium greatly exaggerates the charge density at the lithium atom in single-ζ basis calculations on the ²B₁ state, and earlier calculations by Bernardi and Pedulli [8, 9] are found severely to underestimate the polarity of this state. A much better wave-function is obtained from double-ζ basis calculations, and it is concluded that the net charge of Li in the ²B₁, state is close to + 1. The ²A₁, state, on the other hand, is essentially homopolar.     

On the electronic structure of [W(WS4)2]

The ground-state electronic structure of W₃S₈²⁻ has been calculated using the relativistic SCF-MS-X method. The results confirm a formal oxidation state of +2 for the central tungsten atom and a + 6 oxidation state for the terminal ones. A W---|W σ bond is detected within the 7a_1g molecular orbital leading to a W---|W bond order of 1/2. The energy order of the X MOs of ligand field interest, localized on the central metal ion, is explained based on the simple angular overlap approach taking into consideration the W---|W interactions.     

Substituent effects on some physicochemical properties of chalcones and their vinylogues

Carbonyl stretching frequencies (ν_CO), dipole moments (μ), longwave maxima (λ_max), half-wave potentials (°_1/2), and relative intensities (Z/Z₀) of benzoyl-ion in mass-spectra oftrans chalcones and their vinylogues of the general type PhCO(CH=CH)_nC₆H₄R-p (I) were measured. Contrary to the previously investigated polyenes of the type R(CH=CH)_nR′ (R′ = CHO or COOEt) variation of the substituent R in compounds I has little influence on properties of I in the ground state and a satisfactory linear relationship between (ν_CO) or μ and σ constants exists only in the case of I (n = 0, 1); the best correlation with σ⁺ indicates that the mesomeric mechanism plays a great part in the transmission of electronic effects. λ_max.,E_1/2, orZ/Z₀ of all series I (n = 0–3) correlate with σ_p or σ⁰ constants, and the separation of mesomeric and inductive effects by multiparametric correlation reveals that in this case inductive effect is of great importance in the transmission of electronic effects. These features were accounted for by the non-planar structure of molecules of I, which was confirmed by X-ray analysis of I (R = Br). The Pariser-Parr-Pople method has also been applied to the calculation of π-electronic density in molecules I and it was found that the introduction of various substituents in para position of I exercises a very little influence on the electronic distribution in compounds I.     

Electronic structures of carbazole and its derivatives: A semi-empirical study on the substitution effects of carbazole

The electronic structures of carbazole, N-phenylcarbazole (NPC), cyanophenylcarbazole (CPC) and N-ethylcarbazole (NEC) have been calculated using the quantum chemical semi-empirical MINDO/3 method. In this paper, electronic ground states and first singlet excited states of the systems mentioned were investigated. It is observed that the excitation energy of carbazole based on the calculated difference in heats of formation agrees quite well with experimental data obtained from supersonic expansion studies. Calculated energy levels of molecular orbitals and their graphical forms are used qualitatively in elucidating the S₀ → S₁ excitation electronic origin red shifts observed in carbazole derivatives with respect to the electronic origin of the parent carbazole. It is noted that the red shifts are not just a result of the destabilization of the HOMO of carbazole but are also determined by the nature of the substituting moieties. It is also observed that the LUMO of CPC is not derived from the parent carbazole which partially explains the difference in electronic behaviour as compared with the other derivatives.     

The potential energy surfaces and the radiationless dynamics of excited states of benzene and pyrazine

The potential energy surfaces of the lowest excited states of benzene and pyrazine are investigated as a function of some of the symmetry-adapted internal coordinates by means of the INDO/S method. A large stabilization of the T₂ (ππ*) state of pyrazine (≈ 0.5 eV) along the S_8b vibrational coordinate is found. The calculated potential energy in some excited states (T₁ in benzene, T₂ and S₂ in pyrazine) is a very flat function of the S_16b vibrational coordinate, leading to a crossing with the potential energy of the ground state at relatively small excess of vibrational energy (≈ 1 eV). Thus the ν_16b vibrational mode is postulated to play an important role in the radiationless relaxation to the ground states of these systems. No such crossing has been found near the “channel three” threshold of benzene.     

Gradient expansion of the kinetic energy density functional: Local behavior of the kinetic energy density

Calculations with Hartree—Fock electron densities for the rare gas atoms He through Xe show that the gradient expansion for the kinetic energy functional, T[] = T₀[] + T₂[] + T₄[] + … = ∫t() dτ, approximates the kinetic energy by averaging over the shell structure present in the true local kinetic energy density, t(), and that the accuracy of the gradient expansion improves with increasing atomic number. Components of t(), t₀(), t₂() and t₄(), are exhibited and discussed. The defined function t() is everywhere positive.     

Novel ring-closing reactions in thermolyses of 2-methylene-1,3,4-thiadiazoline derivatives

Thermal decomposition of 2-methylene-1,3,4-thiadiazoline derivatives produced allene episulfide, benzothiophene, and divinyl sulfide derivatives via 1,3- and 1,5-diradical or thioxyallyl intermediate.     

Structures and conformations of trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride, (CF3SO2)2O, and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)difluoromethane, (CF3SO2)2CF2

The geometric structures and conformational properties of trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride, (CF₃SO₂)₂O, and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)difluoromethane, (CF₃SO₂)₂CF₂ have been studied by gas electron diffraction (GED) and ab initio calculations (HF/3–21G*). The calculations predict for both systems two stable conformers with C₂ symmetry and one with C₁ symmetry. In both compounds structures with C₂ symmetry and dihedral angles SOSC ≈ 100° ((CF₃SO₂)₂O) and SCSC ≈ 150° ((CF₃SO₂)₂CF₂) are lowest in energy. According to the GED analyses the dominant conformer of (CF₃SO₂)₂O possesses C₂ symmetry with SOSC dihedral angles of 99.1(14)°. The presence of up to 30% of the two other conformers cannot be excluded; for (CF₃SO₂)₂CF₂ only one conformer with C₂ symmetry and SCSC dihedral angles of 143(2)° is observed. A complete set of geometric parameters is given.     

邻二氯苯激发态动力学

利用飞秒分辨的激光泵浦-探测技术结合飞行时间质谱和光电子速度成像方法研究了邻二氯苯第一电子单重激发态(S₁)的超快动力学.邻二氯苯的S₁态振动基态寿命为(651 ± 10) ps,对应于S₁振动基态向三重态的系间窜越过程.邻二氯苯S₁的高振动激发9a₂18a₂对应两个衰减通道,其中寿命为(458 ± 12) fs的超快过程对应于由处于振动激发的S₁向高振动激发的基态(S₀)发生的内转换过程,而寿命为(90 ± 10) ps过程则对应由S₁态向三重态(T₁)的系间窜越过程,电离产生的光电子能谱中长寿命的谱峰可能与系间窜越过程有关. S₁态高振动态的旋轨耦合程度比低振动态的更强,导致系间窜越过程更快.     

The temperature dependence of the two positronium bubble states in liquid SF6

Positron lifetime measurements have been performed on liquid SF₆ in the temperature range from −45°C to 71°C (T_c = 45.65°C). The positron lifetime spectra were resolved into four lifetime components. In the order of increasing lifetimes the four lifetime components are associated with the decay of para-positronium (p-Ps), free positrons, ortho-positronium (o-Ps) from a small bubble state, and o-Ps from a large bubble state. The lifetime of o-Ps annihilating from the large bubble state τ₄ increases from 5.7 ns at −45°C to 19.5 ns at 53°C. The lifetime of o-Ps annihilating from the small bubble state τ₃ was found to be 2–2.5 ns in the main part of the temperature range studied. Apparently, this is the first observation of two different o-Ps states in a liquid. The intensity I₄ (I₃) increases (decreases) from 16.9% (16%) at −45°C to 47.2% (6.4%) at the critical point while above I₃ and I₄ are essentially temperature independent. The large Ps bubble state seems to be similar to the Ps bubble state found in most liquids.     

Low-lying excited singlet states and S2→S0 luminescence of dipyrido[3,4-b: 2,3-d]phenazine

The absorption, fluorescence and excitation fluorescence spectra dipyrido[3,4-b:2,3-d]-phenazine (DPPZ1) have been measured in non-polar and polar matrices at room temperature, and were taken into account to explain the origin of the relatively weak emission of this molecule in both type of environment. The electronic structure of DPPZ1 was calculated using a modified INDO CI method. The geometry optimization has been performed using the MNDO method. According to the spectra and the results of calculations, the lowest excited singlet state S₁ of DPPZ1 molecule is of n,π^*-type and the next one, S₂ state, is of π,π^*-type. The energy gap ΔE_calc is equal 4770 cm⁻¹. The low efficiency of the emission observed in the hydroxylic solvent can be interpreted in terms of thermal quenching of the π,π^*-type fluorescence. However, experimental results obtained suggest that in nonpolar solvents the emission of the molecule examined is an anomalous S₂→S₀ fluorescence.     

On the origin of the splittings of the ν3(SO4) modes in the specular reflectance IR spectra of gypsum

The IR polarized spectra of gypsum CaSO₄·2H₂O were recorded at incidence angles of approximately 10 and 16 degrees. Band singlet or doublet was observed for the higher frequency ν₃(SO₄²⁻) mode of B_u symmetry type, depending on polarization (n or p). A doublet was observed for the lower frequency ν₃(SO₄²⁻) mode of B_u symmetry type too, irrespectively of the type of polarization. In order to give an explanation for the doublets origin, a model permittivity function was constructed. Quite good agreement exists between the reflectance based on the model permittivity function and the experimentally measured one for the high-frequency doublet. The origin of the lower frequency doublet could not be explained in this way, but may be speculated to result from an Evans type interaction between a combination of a water libration and ν₂(SO₄²⁻), with the lower frequency ν₃(SO₄²⁻) mode.     

Structures and conformations of trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride, (CF3SO2)2O, and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)difluoromethane, (CF3SO2)2CF2

The geometric structures and conformational properties of trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride, (CF₃SO₂)₂O, and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)difluoromethane, (CF₃SO₂)₂CF₂ have been studied by gas electron diffraction (GED) and ab initio calculations (HF/3–21G*). The calculations predict for both systems two stable conformers with C₂ symmetry and one with C₁ symmetry. In both compounds structures with C₂ symmetry and dihedral angles SOSC ≈ 100° ((CF₃SO₂)₂O) and SCSC≈ 150° ((CF₃SO₂)₂CF₂ are lowest in energy. According to the GED analyses the dominant conformer of (CF₃SO₂)₂O₂ possesses C₂ symmetry with SOSC dihedral angles of 99.1(14)°. The presence of up to 30% of the two other conformers cannot be excluded; for (CF₃SO₂)₂CF₂ only one conformer with C₂ symmetry and SCSC dihedral angles of 143(2)° is observed. A complete set of geometric parameters is given.     

The potential energy function for the ground state of CCl calculated from spectroscopic data

The dissociation energy (D_e= 57754±872 cm⁻¹ has been estimated for the ground state of CCl⁺ by fitting a Hulburt-Hirschfelder potential to the RKR turning points. This value of D_e has been used together with molecular constants B_e, ω_e, a_i (i= 1–6) and R_e obtained by Gruebele and co-workers to construct a potential energy function for CCl⁺ in the form of a perturbed Morse oscillator.