Performance of density functional theory in computing nonresonant vibrational (hyper)polarizabilities

A set of exchange‐correlation functionals, including BLYP, PBE0, B3LYP, BHandHLYP, CAM‐B3LYP, LC‐BLYP, and HSE, has been used to determine static and dynamic nonresonant (nuclear relaxation) vibrational (hyper)polarizabilities for a series of all‐trans polymethineimine (PMI) oligomers containing up to eight monomer units. These functionals are assessed against reference values obtained using the Møller–Plesset second‐order perturbation theory (MP2) and CCSD methods. For the smallest oligomer, CCSD(T) calculations confirm the choice of MP2 and CCSD as appropriate for assessing the density functionals. By and large, CAM‐B3LYP is the most successful, because it is best for the nuclear relaxation contribution to the static linear polarizability, intensity‐dependent refractive index second hyperpolarizability, static second hyperpolarizability, and is close to the best for the electro‐optical Pockels effect first hyperpolarizability. However, none of the functionals perform satisfactorily for all the vibrational (hyper)polarizabilities studied. In fact, in the case of electric field‐induced second harmonic generation all of them, as well as the Hartree–Fock approximation, yield the wrong sign. We have also found that the Pople 6–31+G(d) basis set is unreliable for computing nuclear relaxation (hyper)polarizabilities of PMI oligomers due to the spurious prediction of a nonplanar equilibrium geometry. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

New basis sets for the evaluation of interaction‐induced electric properties in hydrogen‐bonded complexes

Interaction‐induced static electric properties, that is, dipole moment, polarizability, and first hyperpolarizability, of the CO? (HF)_n and N₂? (HF)_n, n = 1–9 hydrogen‐bonded complexes are evaluated within the finite field approach using the Hartree–Fock, density functional theory, Møller–Plesset second‐order perturbation theory, and coupled cluster methods, and the LPol‐n (n = ds, dl, fs, fl) basis sets. To compare the performance of the different methods with respect to the increase of the complex size, we consider as model systems linear chains of the complexes. We analyze the results in terms of the many‐body and cooperative effects. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Detailed study of a two component smectic 4TPB–8OCB system with a nematic gap. Phase diagram and viscosity study

Abstract

The phase diagram of a two component system composed of two smectic compounds: 4-octyloxy-4′-cyanobiphenyl (8OCB) and 4-isothiocyanatophenyl 4-butylbenzoate (4TPB) was investigated. Three Miesowicz viscosity coefficients η₁, η₂, η₃ and the refractive indices at different temperatures as well as the enthalpies of the phase transitions were measured. It was stated, that the properties of the induced nematic phase, for example, the nematic phase existing between two smectic regions, are the same as the ones observed in the case of low viscosity nematic mesogens.     

A convenient synthesis and the mesomorphic properties of new chiral ferroelectric thiobenzoates

A secondary chiral (R)-(?)-2-alcohol underwent the Mitsunobu reaction with triphenylphosphine, diethyl azodicarboxylate and ethyl 4-hydroxybiphenylcarboxylate, resulting in the desired (S)-(+)-product with high enantiomeric purity (>99% ee), with the chiral branched chain attached to the biphenyl. This method is operationally simple and provides the very important chiral precursor in good yields (62% in dry THF and 72% in dry Et₂O). The condensation of the (S)-(+)-acid chloride from this material and a suitable 4-n-alkylthiophenol in toluene in the presence of pyridine or triethylamine furnishes the chiral (S)-(+)-thiobenzoate liquid crystals in good yields (80–83% in pyridine and 65–68% in Et₃N). (S)-(+)-4-(1-Methylheptyloxy)biphenyl 4-alkylthiobenzoates are abbreviated (S)-MHOBSn , where n varies from 4 to 10 and denotes the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. DSC, polarizing microscopy and X-ray diffraction showed that the (S)-MHOBSn series possesses a rich phase polymorphism: two highly ordered tilted phases CrG* and SmI*, as well as the ferroelectric smectic C (SmC*) and chiral nematic (N*) phase. In this series, the seldom observed transition between the chiral phases SmI*–SmC* is seen. All the compounds possess stable enantiotropic SmC* and N* phases. The existence of weak intermolecular hydrogen-bonding in (S)-MHOBSn was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy.     

Major and Trace Elements in Spruce Needles from Urban Areas: Some Aspects of Analysis in Environmental Studies

Main and trace elements in samples of spruce needles from urban areas in Poland and Norway were analysed using the ICP-AES method. Concentrations of Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Sr, Ti, V and Zn were measured in needles from conifer trees growing in different locations. Two different procedures of laboratory sample preparation were compared and discussed. Different washing procedures were examined and compared. For quality control of analytical measurements, Standard Reference Material BCR CRM 101 (spruce needles from Europe) was used. Synergistic and antagonistic relationships between elements in spruce needles were investigated. Applicability of spruce needles in biomonitoring of environmental metal pollution was discussed.     

Sensitive voltammetric determination of gallium in aluminium materials using renewable mercury film silver based electrode

Simple cyclic renewable silver amalgam film electrode (Hg(Ag)FE), applied for the determination of gallium(III) using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DP ASV), is presented. The effects of various factors such as: preconcentration potential and time, pulse height, step potential and supporting electrolyte composition are optimised. The calibration graph is linear from 5?nM (0.35?µg?L^?1) to 80?nM (5.6?µg?L^?1) for a preconcentration time of 60?s, with correlation coefficient of 0.995. For a Hg(Ag)FE with a surface area of 9.9?mm² the detection limit for a preconcentration time of 120?s is as low as 0.1?µg?L^?1. The repeatability of the method at a concentration level of the analyte as low as 3.5?µg?L^?1, expressed as RSD is 3.2% (n?=?5). The proposed method was successfully applied by studying the synthetic samples and simultaneously recovery of Ga(III) from spiked aluminium samples.     

New Reactions of N‐tert‐Butylimines; Formation of N‐Heterocycles by Methyl Radical Elimination on Flash Vacuum Thermolysis of N‐Benzylidene‐ and N‐(2‐Pyridylmethylidene)‐tert‐butylamines

Thermal reactions of N‐benzylidene‐ and N‐(2‐pyridylmethylidene)‐tert‐butylamines ( 5 and 13 ) under FVT conditions have been investigated. Unexpectedly, at 800 °C, compound 5 yields 1,2‐dimethylindole and 3‐methylisoquinoline. In the reaction of 13 at 800 °C, 3‐methylimidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine was obtained as the major product. Mechanisms of these reactions have been proposed on the basis of DFT calculations. Furthermore, UV‐photoelectron spectroscopy combined with FVT has been applied for direct monitoring and characterization of the thermolysis products in situ.     

The 2‐Cyano‐2,2‐dimethylethanimine‐N‐oxymethyl Group for the 2′‐Hydroxyl Protection of Ribonucleosides in the Solid‐Phase Synthesis of RNA Sequences

The reaction of 2‐cyano‐2‐methyl propanal with 2′‐O‐aminooxymethylribonucleosides leads to stable and yet reversible 2′‐O‐(2‐cyano‐2,2‐dimethylethanimine‐N‐oxymethyl)ribonucleosides. Following N‐protection of the nucleobases, 5′‐dimethoxytritylation and 3′‐phosphitylation, the resulting 2′‐protected ribonucleoside phosphoramidite monomers are employed in the solid‐phase synthesis of three chimeric RNA sequences, each differing in their ratios of purine/pyrimidine. When the activation of phosphoramidite monomers is performed in the presence of 5‐benzylthio‐1H‐tetrazole, coupling efficiencies averaging 99 % are obtained within 180 s. Upon completion of the RNA‐chain assemblies, removal of the nucleobase and phosphate protecting groups and release of the sequences from the solid support are carried out under standard basic conditions, whereas the cleavage of 2′‐O‐(2‐cyano‐2,2‐dimethylethanimine‐N‐oxymethyl) protective groups is effected (without releasing RNA alkylating side‐products) by treatment with tetra‐n‐butylammonium fluoride (0.5 m) in dry DMSO over a period of 24–48 h at 55 °C. Characterization of the fully deprotected RNA sequences by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), enzymatic hydrolysis, and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry confirmed the identity and quality of these sequences. Thus, the use of 2′‐O‐aminooxymethylribonucleosides in the design of new 2′‐hydroxyl protecting groups is a powerful approach to the development of a straightforward, efficient, and cost‐effective method for the chemical synthesis of high‐quality RNA sequences in the framework of RNA interference applications.