Tracing the Sources of the Different Magnetic Behavior in the Two Phases of the Bistable (BDTA)(2)[Co(mnt)(2)] Compound

A complete computational study of the magnetic properties of the two known phases of the bistable (BDTA)(2)[Co(mnt)(2)] compound is presented. The origin of their different magnetic properties can be traced to a variation in the values of the g tensor, together with a hitherto unknown change in the J(AB) values and their magnetic topology.     

Fermionic light in common optical media

Recent experiments have proved that the response to short laser pulses of common optical media, such as air or oxygen, can be described by focusing Kerr and higher order nonlinearities of alternating signs. Such media support the propagation of steady solitary waves. We argue by both numerical and analytical computations that the low-power fundamental bright solitons satisfy an equation of state which is similar to that of a degenerate gas of fermions at zero temperature. Considering, in particular, the propagation in both O2 and air, we also find that the high-power solutions behave like droplets of ordinary liquids. We then show how a grid of the fermionic light bubbles can be generated and forced to merge in a liquid droplet. This leads us to propose a set of experiments aimed at the production of both the fermionic and liquid phases of light, and at the demonstration of the transition from the former to the latter.     

Multistep π Dimerization of Tetrakis(n‐decyl)heptathienoacene Radical Cations: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study

Radical cations of a heptathienoacene α,β‐substituted with four n‐decyl side groups (D4T7 ^{. +}) form exceptionally stable π‐dimer dications already at ambient temperature (Chem. Comm. 2011 , 47, 12622). This extraordinary π‐dimerization process is investigated here with a focus on the ultimate [D4T7 ^{. +}]₂ π‐dimer dication and yet‐unreported transitory species formed during and after the oxidation. To this end, we use a joint experimental and theoretical approach that combines cyclic voltammetry, in situ spectrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry, EPR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. The impact of temperature, thienoacene concentration, and the nature and concentration of counteranions on the π‐dimerization process is also investigated in detail. Two different transitory species were detected in the course of the one‐electron oxidation: 1) a different transient conformation of the ultimate [D4T7 ^{. +}]₂ π‐dimer dications, the stability of which is strongly affected by the applied experimental conditions, and 2) intermediate [D4T7]₂ ^{. +} π‐dimer radical cations formed prior to the fully oxidized [D4T7]₂ ^{. +} π‐dimer dications. Thus, this comprehensive work demonstrates the formation of peculiar supramolecular species of heptathienoacene radical cations, the stability, nature, and structure of which have been successfully analyzed. We therefore believe that this study leads to a deeper fundamental understanding of the mechanism of dimer formation between conjugated aromatic systems.     

Theoretical evaluation of the nature and strength of the F������F intermolecular interactions present in fluorinated hydrocarbons

The nature, strength and directionality of C?CF···F interactions were theoretically evaluated on all symmetry unique dimers present in the CF₄, C₂F₄ and C₆F₆ crystals and on CF₄, CHF₃, CH₂F₂ and CH₃F model dimers placed in two different geometries. On each dimer, the interaction energy was computed at the MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ level, and also an Atoms in Molecule analysis of the dimer electron density was done to find all intermolecular bonds. The characterization was completed by computing the energy components of the dimer interaction energy, using the SAPT method. The results show that in most dimers found in the CF₄, C₂F₄ and C₆F₆ crystals, there are more than one C?CF···F intermolecular bond and sometimes even a C?CF···?? intermolecular bond. By selecting dimers presenting one C?CF···F bond, the following strength can be estimated for a single C?CF···F bond: ?0.21?kcal/mol in C(sp³) atoms, ?0.25?kcal/mol in C(non-aromatic sp²), ?0.41?kcal/mol in C(aromatic sp²). The interaction energy of the dimer grows almost linearly with the number of C?CF···F bonds present. The relative orientation of the C?CF···F bond affects the bond strength. The SAPT calculations indicate that in collinear dimers, C?CF···F interactions are strongly dominated by the dispersion energetic component, while when in non-collinear conformations the electrostatic component can be as important as the dispersion one.     

Alternating Current Measurements in Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy,Part 2: Detection of Adsorbates

A scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM) in ac mode is used for the characterisation of the adsorption process during the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in sulfuric acid solution. It is shown that this technique allows quantitative analysis of the adsorption process, and measurements of the differential capacitance with the frequency as parameter are obtained. The time constant for relaxation of adsorbed hydrogen (H_ads) is approximately 2 Hz, and analysis of the Nyquist plot allows direct evaluation of the charge involved. In addition, the direct comparison of the usual electrochemical impedance data and ac‐SECM results obtained simultaneously permits characterisation of processes occurring at the surface and in solution.     

Unusually long, multicenter, cation(δ+)···anion(δ-) bonding observed for several polymorphs of [TTF][TCNE

The α, β, and δ polymorphs of [TTF][TCNE] (TTF=tetrathiafulvalene; TCNE=tetracyanoethylene) exhibit a new type of long, multicenter bonding between the [TTF]^δ+ and [TCNE]^δ? moieties, demonstrating the existence of long, hetero‐multicenter bonding with a cationic^δ+???anionic^δ? zwitterionic‐like structure. These diamagnetic π‐[TTF]^δ+[TCNE]^δ? heterodimers exhibit a transfer of about 0.5 e^? from the TTF to the TCNE fragments, as observed from experimental studies, in accord with theoretical predictions, that is, [TTF^δ+???TCNE^δ?] (δ?0.5). They have several interfragment distances <3.4 Å, and a computed interaction energy of ?21.2 kcal mol^?1, which is typical of long, multicenter bonds. The lower stability of [TTF]^δ+[TCNE]^δ? with respect to typical ionic bonds is due, in part, to the partial electron transfer that reduces the electrostatic bonding component. This reduced electrostatic interaction, and the large interfragment dispersion stabilize the long, heterocationic/anionic multicenter interaction, which in [TTF^δ+???TCNE^δ?] always involves two electrons, but have ten, eight, and eight bond critical points (bcps) involving C? C, N? S, and sometimes C? S and C? N components for the α, β, and δ polymorphs, respectively. In contrast, γ‐[TTF][TCNE] possesses [TTF]₂²⁺ and [TCNE]₂^2? dimers, each with long, homo‐multicenter 2e^?/12c (c=center, 2 C+4 S) [TTF]₂²⁺ cationic⁺???cationic⁺ bonds, as well as long, homo‐multicenter 2e^?/4c [TCNE]₂^2? anionic^????anionic^? bonding. The MO diagrams for the α, β, and δ polymorphs have all of the features found for conventional covalent C? C bonds, and for all of the previously studied multicenter long bonds, for example, π‐[TTF]₂²⁺ and π‐[TCNE]₂^2?. The HOMOs for α‐, β‐, and δ‐[TTF][TCNE] have 2c C? S and 3c C? C? C orbital‐overlap contributions between the [TTF]^δ+? and [TCNE]^δ? moieties; these are the shortest intra [TTF???TCNE] separations. Thus, from an orbital‐overlap perspective, the bonding has 2c and 3c components residing over one S and four C atoms.