State-specific multireference complete-active-space coupled-cluster approach versus other quantum chemical methods: dissociation of the N2 molecule

A comprehensive comparison of different quantum-chemical methods applied to calculate the N₂ ground state potential energy curve is presented. In the comparison we highlight the multireference state-specific (MRSS) coupled-cluster (CC) approach with the complete-active-space (CAS) reference and with single and double excitations from all reference determinants in the CC operator developed in our group. The method is called CASCCSD. The energy and amplitude equations for the method and the corresponding computer code have been generated using a computerized automative procedure that in the present work was extended to produce a parallel computer code. The complete CASCCSD wave function for N₂ includes some selected eight-fold excitations in the CC operator. An analysis of the wave function estimates the importance of those excitations at large internuclear separations.     

Optical limiting of high-repetition-rate laser pulses by carbon nanofibers suspended in polydimethylsiloxane

The mechanism of optical unidirectional (OUD) transmission in parallel subwavelength dual-metal gratings was investigated. It was found that this kind of OUD phenomenon originates from the coupling of the surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) between the front grating and a layer of metal film which replaces the rear grating. The higher the intensity of the coupled SPPs at the entrances of the rear grating, the higher the transmittance can be achieved. Basing on this property, an effective OUD example was achieved by exploring the intensity difference at the entrances of the rear gratings between the two incidences of opposite directions. In this kind of OUD, the positive transmittance can exceed 80 % and the difference between the transmittances of the two opposite directions can be as large as 63 %. The detailed design process was also presented.     

Assembly of Tetrazolylfuroxan Organic Salts: Multipurpose Green Energetic Materials with High Enthalpies of Formation and Excellent Detonation Performance

A series of highly energetic organic salts comprising a tetrazolylfuroxan anion, explosophoric azido or azo functionalities, and nitrogen-rich cations were synthesized by simple, efficient, and scalable chemical routes. These energetic materials were fully characterized by IR and multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁴N, ¹⁵N) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Additionally, the structure of an energetic salt consisting of an azidotetrazolylfuroxan anion and a 3,6,7-triamino-7H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b][1,2,4]triazolium cation was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The synthesized compounds exhibit good experimental densities (1.57–1.71 g cm⁻³), very high enthalpies of formation (818–1363 kJ mol⁻¹), and, as a result, excellent detonation performance (detonation velocities 7.54–8.26 kms⁻¹ and detonation pressures 23.4–29.3 GPa). Most of the synthesized energetic salts have moderate sensitivity toward impact and friction, which makes them promising candidates for a variety of energetic applications. At the same time, three compounds have impact sensitivity on the primary explosives level (1.5–2.7 J). These results along with high detonation parameters and high nitrogen contents (66.0–70.2 %) indicate that these three compounds may serve as potential environmentally friendly alternatives to lead-based primary explosives.     

Ionic Pd/NHC Catalytic System Enables Recoverable Homogeneous Catalysis: Mechanistic Study and Application in the Mizoroki–Heck Reaction

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands are ubiquitously utilized in catalysis. A common catalyst design model assumes strong M–NHC binding in this metal–ligand framework. In contrast to this common assumption, we demonstrate here that lability and controlled cleavage of the M−NHC bond (rather than its stabilization) could be more important for high-performance catalysis at low catalyst concentrations. The present study reveals a dynamic stabilization mechanism with labile metal–NHC binding and [PdX₃]⁻[NHC-R]⁺ ion pair formation. Access to reactive anionic palladium intermediates formed by dissociation of the NHC ligands and plausible stabilization of the molecular catalyst in solution by interaction with the [NHC-R]⁺ azolium ion is of particular importance for an efficient and recyclable catalyst. These ionic Pd/NHC complexes allowed for the first time the recycling of the complex in a well-defined form with isolation at each cycle. Computational investigation of the reaction mechanism confirms a facile formation of NHC-free anionic Pd in polar media through either Ph–NHC coupling or reversible H–NHC coupling. The present study formulates novel ideas for M/NHC catalyst design.     

Geometries and NMR properties of cisplatin and transplatin revisited at the four-component relativistic level

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Cyclometallated 1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene iridium(III) complexes: synthesis,structure, and photoluminescence properties

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Travelling wave mathematical analysis and efficient numerical resolution for a one-dimensional model of solid propellant combustion

We investigate a model of solid propellant combustion involving surface pyrolysis coupled to finite activation energy gas-phase combustion. Existence and uniqueness of a travelling wave solution are established by extending dynamical system tools classically used for premixed flames, dealing with the additional difficulty arising from the surface regression and pyrolysis. An efficient shooting method allows to solve the problem in phase space without resorting to space discretisation nor fixed-point Newton iterations. The results are compared to solutions from a CFD code developed at ONERA, assessing the efficiency and potential of the method, and the impact of the modelling assumptions is evaluated through parametric studies.