Infrared Study of Solid Dispersions of β-Cyclodextrin with Naphthalene Derivitaves

The inclusion complexes of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) with naphthalene and some of its derivatives in the solid state have been studied by infrared spectroscopy. Digital subtraction, deconvolution and curve fitting have been used to investigate the interactions between the naphthalene derivatives andβ-CD. Several preparation methods for the solid dispersions have been tested, using FTIR as an effective tool to evaluate the interactions at the molecular level. The effects of temperature and humidity on the spectra have been also analyzed. A carbonyl moiety in the guest molecule can increase the stability of the complex by establishing specific interactions with the hydroxyl groups of the CD cavity rims. The stability of the complexes is higher for 2-naphthylacetate than that for 1-naphthyl acetate, andso is the degree of association of its carbonyl groups. On the other hand, 2-acetylnaphthaleneforms very stable inclusioncomplexes although its carbonyl groups appear to be significantly less associated.     

Convergence properties of Hartree–Fock SCF molecular calculations

Hartree-Fock equations are viewed as nonlinear algebraic equations that can be solved iteratively. Provided we assume the existence of a solution, valuable properties of convergence may be assessed. The close connection between convergence of the SCF procedure and stability properties of the solution is shown from a nonapproximate standpoint. The convergence features of level-shifting convergence-forcing techniques are analyzed. The connection between this nonlinear algebraic approach and the related gap equation is displayed and the example of the restricted Hartree-Fock hydrogen molecule is discussed.     

Genetic algorithms: A robust scheme for geometry optimizations and global minimum structure problems

A Genetic Algorithm for Geometry Optimizations (GALGO) program has been developed to study the efficiency of this method of finding global minimum structures. Using a semiempirical tight-binding potential, the behavior of different genetic algorithm (GA) operators has been tested for the linear chain isomer of a C₈ cluster. An optimum set of parameters for the GA operators is proposed for this problem and afterward is used to obtain the global minimum structure of rare-gas atomic clusters of up to 13 atoms using the 12–6 Lennard-Jones interatomic pair potential. © 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A complete shape characterization for molecular charge densities represented by Gaussian-type functions

An algorithm for a detailed 3-D characterization of the shapes of molecular charge distributions is implemented, tested and applied for a family of AB₂ molecules. The characterization is performed by computing a number of topological invariants (“shape groups”) associated with a continuum of molecular surfaces: the complete family of all electronic isodensity contours for the given molecules. These shape groups (the homology groups of truncated surfaces derived from isodensity contours) depend continuously on two parameters: a density value defining the density contour, and a reference curvature value, to which the local curvatures of the isodensity contours are compared. The electronic charge distribution is modeled by means of Gaussian-type functions. The method employs an explicit form of the charge density function in order to compute the curvature properties for the molecular surfaces analytically, from which the shape groups are derived by the algorithm. No visual inspection is required for the characterization and comparison of shapes of molecular charge densities, as these are done algorithmically by the computer. However, visual inspection of the results of the shape analysis is a possible option. For a given molecule, in a given nuclear configuration, the technique provides a two-dimensional shape map, displaying the distribution of shape groups as a function of the local curvature and the level set value (the value of the charge density at the contour). The computer program GSHAPE performs the analysis of shape maps automatically. This feature makes it potentially useful in the context of computer-aided drug design, where unbiased, automated shape characterization methods are valuable tools. As examples, several two-dimensional shape maps for simple systems are discussed. The changes induced in these maps by a change in the nuclear geometry, as well as by the changes of the nuclear charge, are also analyzed. The method is applicable to large biomolecules of interest if charge density information is available.