Influence of isomerization on nonlinear optical properties of molecules

The influence of rotational and geometrical isomerism on the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, specifically the first-order hyperpolarizability beta, of chromophores of current interest has been investigated with density functional theory (DFT). In the first of this two-part study, the rotational isomerism of a linear chromophore was explored. Calculation of the torsion potentials about two of the rotatable and conformation-changing single bonds in a chromophore demonstrated the near equality of the molecular energies at 0 degrees and 180 degrees rotational angles. To explore the consequences of this near conformational energy degeneracy to NLO behavior, the eight low energy rotational isomers of FTC [Robinson, B. H.; et al. Chem. Phys. 1999, 245, 35] were investigated. This study provides the first-reported DFT-based calculation of the statistical mechanical average of beta over the conformational space of a molecule having substantial nonlinear optical behavior. The influence of the solvent reaction field on rotameric populations and on the beta tensor is reported. In the second part, two molecules having two donors and two acceptors bonded respectively in ortho and meta positions on a central benzene ring are shown to have substantially different beta tensors. These two so-called molecular Xs have different highest occupied molecular orbital to lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO) distributions, and consistent with expectations, it is found that the larger beta(zzz) is associated with a large spatial asymmetry between the HOMOs and LUMOs. Large hyperpolarizability correlates with the HOMO concentrated on the donor groups and the LUMO on the acceptor groups.     

Femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy of xanthophylls

Xanthophylls are a major class of photosynthetic pigments that participate in an adaptation mechanism by which higher plants protect themselves from high light stress. In the present work, an ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopic investigation of all the major xanthophyll pigments from spinach has been performed. The molecules are zeaxanthin, lutein, violaxanthin, and neoxanthin. beta-Carotene was also studied. The experimental data reveal the inherent spectral properties and ultrafast dynamics including the S(1) state lifetimes of each of the pigments. In conjunction with quantum mechanical computations the results address the molecular features of xanthophylls that control the formation and decay of the S* state in solution. The findings provide compelling evidence that S* is an excited state with a conformational geometry twisted relative to the ground state. The data indicate that S* is formed via a branched pathway from higher excited singlet states and that its yield depends critically on the presence of beta-ionylidene rings in the polyene system of pi-electron conjugated double bonds. The data are expected to be beneficial to researchers employing ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopic methods to investigate the mechanisms of both energy transfer and nonphotochemical quenching in higher plant preparations.     

An electric bottle for colloids

Particle concentration is a dominant control parameter for colloids and other soft matter systems. We demonstrate a simple technique, "dielectrophoretic equilibrium," implemented as an "electric bottle," a planar capacitor in a larger volume. The uniform field in the capacitor traps particles in this force-free region at a higher density than in the zero field regions outside. We show how the technique measures the equation of state and we initiate and grow colloidal crystals. "Dielectrophoretic equilibria" enable the study of a complete concentration-dependent phase diagram from a single microscopic sample, obviating the previous need for preparing a large number of samples.     

Semigroups of transformations restricted by an equivalence

Suppose σ is an equivalence on a set X and let E(X, σ) denote the semigroup (under composition) of all α: X → X such that σ ⊆ α ∘ α ⁻¹. Here we characterise Green’s relations and ideals in E(X, σ). This is analogous to recent work by Sullivan on K(V, W), the semigroup (under composition) of all linear transformations β of a vector space V such that W ⊆ ker β, where W is a fixed subspace of V.     

Dielectronic Recombination of Sn^10＋ Ions and Related Satellite Spectra

Based on the multi-configuration Dirac-Fock method, theoretical calculations are carried out for the dielectronic recombination （DR） rate coefficients and the collision excitation rate coefficients of Sn^10＋ ions. It is found that the total DR rate coefficient has its maximum value between 10eV and 100eV and is greater than either the radiative recombination or three-body recombination rate coefficients （the number of free electrons per unit is 10^21 cm^3） for the ease of Te 〉 1 eV. Therefore, DR can strongly influence the ionization balance of laser produced multi-charged tin ions. The related dieleetronie satellite cannot be ignored at low temperature Te 〈 5 eV.     

DIY XES—development of an inexpensive,versatile, and easy to fabricate XES analyzer and sample delivery system

The application of X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) has grown substantially with the development of X-ray free-electron lasers, third and fourth generation synchrotron sources, and high-power benchtop sources. By providing the high X-ray flux required for XES, these sources broaden the availability and application of this method of probing electronic structure. As the number of sources increase, so does the demand for X-ray emission detection and sample delivery systems that are cost effective and customizable. Here, we present a detailed fabrication protocol for von Hamos X-ray optics and give details for a 3D-printed spectrometer design. Additionally, we outline an automated, externally triggered liquid sample delivery system that can be used to repeatedly deliver nanoliter droplets onto a plastic substrate for measurement. These systems are both low cost, efficient, and easy to recreate or modify depending on the application. A low cost multiple X-ray analyzer system enables measurement of dilute samples, whereas the sample delivery limits sample loss and reproducibly replaces spent sample with fresh sample in the same position. While both systems can be used in a wide range of applications, the design addresses several challenges associated specifically with time-resolved XES (TRXES). As an example application, we show results from TRXES measurements of photosystem II, a dilute, photoactive protein.     

Studies toward frondosin A and its analogues. Formal total synthesis of (+/-)-frondosin A

Two reaction sequences commencing with different starting materials were successfully employed for the synthesis of frondosin A analogues, including (+/-)-frondosin A dimethyl ether. Construction of the bicyclo[5.4.0]undecane core in each case was achieved through an expedient microwave-assisted tandem 5-exo cyclization--Claisen rearrangement process.     

AutoShim: empirically corrected scoring functions for quantitative docking with a crystal structure and IC50 training data

It has been notoriously difficult to develop general all-purpose scoring functions for high-throughput docking that correlate with measured binding affinity. As a practical alternative, AutoShim uses the program Magnet to add point-pharmacophore like "shims" to the binding site of each protein target. The pharmacophore shims are weighted by partial least-squares (PLS) regression, adjusting the all-purpose scoring function to reproduce IC 50 data, much as the shims in an NMR magnet are weighted to optimize the field for a better spectrum. This dramatically improves the affinity predictions on 25% of the compounds held out at random. An iterative procedure chooses the best pose during the process of shim parametrization. This method reproducibly converges to a consistent solution, regardless of starting pose, in just 2-4 iterations, so these robust models do not overtrain. Sets of complex multifeature shims, generated by a recursive partitioning method, give the best activity predictions, but these are difficult to interpret when designing new compounds. Sets of simpler single-point pharmacophores still predict affinity reasonably well and clearly indicate the molecular interactions producing effective binding. The pharmacophore requirements are very reproducible, irrespective of the compound sets used for parametrization, lending confidence to the predictions and interpretations. The automated procedure does require a training set of experimental compounds but otherwise adds little extra time over conventional docking.