Multireference configuration interaction calculations for the F(2P)+HCl-->HF+Cl(2P) reaction: a correlation scaled ground state (1 2A') potential energy surface

This paper presents a new ground state (1 (2)A(')) electronic potential energy surface for the F((2)P)+HCl-->HF+Cl((2)P) reaction. The ab initio calculations are done at the multireference configuration interaction+Davidson correction (MRCI+Q) level of theory by complete basis set extrapolation of the aug-cc-pVnZ (n=2,3,4) energies. Due to low-lying charge transfer states in the transition state region, the molecular orbitals are obtained by six-state dynamically weighted multichannel self-consistent field methods. Additional perturbative refinement of the energies is achieved by implementing simple one-parameter correlation energy scaling to reproduce the experimental exothermicity (DeltaE=-33.06 kcalmol) for the reaction. Ab initio points are fitted to an analytical function based on sum of two- and three-body contributions, yielding a rms deviation of <0.3 kcalmol for all geometries below 10 kcalmol above the barrier. Of particular relevance to nonadiabatic dynamics, the calculations show significant multireference character in the transition state region, which is located 3.8 kcalmol with respect to F+HCl reactants and features a strongly bent F-H-Cl transition state geometry (theta approximately 123.5 degrees ). Finally, the surface also exhibits two conical intersection seams that are energetically accessible at low collision energies. These seams arise naturally from allowed crossings in the C(infinityv) linear configuration that become avoided in C(s) bent configurations of both the reactant and product, and should be a hallmark of all X-H-Y atom transfer reaction dynamics between ((2)P) halogen atoms.     

On the validity range of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation: a semiclassical study for all-particle quantization of three-body Coulomb systems

The validity range of the Born-Oppenheimer (BO) approximation is studied with respect to the variation of the mass (m) of negatively charged particle by substituting an electron (e) with muon (mu) and antiproton (p) in hydrogen molecule cation. With the use of semiclassical quantization applied to these (ppe), (ppmu), and (ppp) under a constrained geometry, we estimate the energy difference of the non-BO vibronic ground state from the BO counterpart. It is found that the error in the BO approximation scales to the power of 3/2 to the mass of negative particles, that is, m(1.5). The origin of this clear-cut relation is analyzed based on the original perturbation theory due to Born and Oppenheimer, with which we show that the fifth order term proportional to m(5/4) is zero and thereby the first correction to the BO approximation should arise from the sixth order term that is proportional to m(6/4). Therefore, the validity range of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation is wider than that often mistakenly claimed to be proportional to m(1/4).     

High-throughput and high-resolution two dimensional mapping of pI and m/z using a microchip in a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer

We have developed a high-throughput, two-dimensional-mapping (isoelectric point [pI], mass-to-charge ratio [m/z]) method by combining a capillary isoelectric focusing chip sealed with removable resin tape and a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Sample proteins are separated in a meandering channel on the chip and immediately frozen. The tape is then removed and the proteins are freeze-dried. The freeze-drying maintains the separation state of the proteins and prevents movement of the sample solution, which can reduce pI resolution. A matrix solution is then applied and mass spectrometry is carried out by laser irradiation. The whole process takes less than 70 min, more than 10 times faster than with two-dimensional, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.     

Characterization of concentrated colloidal ceramics suspension: a new approach

The dispersion behavior of a concentrated ceramic suspension (Al(2)O(3)) has been investigated in terms of capillary suction time (CST) with varying solids concentration both in the absence as well as in the presence of dispersant (APC). The CST value is found to be the lowest at the pH(iep) whereas it increases as the pH is changed either to the acid side or alkaline side due to the repulsive forces acting among the neighboring particles keeping them in more dispersed state. It has been further observed that the CST value increases with increasing concentration of solids in the suspension. The dispersability of the suspension has been quantified in terms of dispersion ratio (DR). The higher the dispersion ratio of a particular system above unity, the better is the dispersability and vice versa. Further, quantification of dispersion stability by the CST technique is found to be useful and practical for optimization of different parameters concerning suspension stability. A correlation is found among the CST, zeta potential, colloidal stability, and maximum solids loading. It has been finally concluded that the CST method could be potentially employed as a quantitative and diagnostic technique for characterizing concentrated ceramic suspension.     

Effect of packing on orientation and cis-trans isomerization of azobenzene chromophore in Langmuir-Blodgett film

Photoactive film material of long-chain azobenzene derivative, p-(omega-trimethylammoniodecyloxy)-p'-octyloxyazobenzene bromide (TAOAB), was fabricated into a Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) film by a polyion-complex technique using poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) as a polyanion. To investigate the effect of the packing state of the azobenzene chromophore on its orientation and cis-trans isomerization, TAOAB was mixed with methyl stearate in the LB film matrix at various mole fractions (X(TAOAB)), and structural characterizations were subsequently carried out by means of Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction analysis, and atomic force microscopy. The results obtained show that as the degree of packing increases, both the azobenzene chromophores and the hydrocarbon chains orient more perpendicularly to the surface of the LB film. In addition, reversible cis-trans photoisomerization of TAOAB took place upon alternate irradiation with UV and visible light even in a mixed LB film with the chromophores in a dense lateral packing state. In the process of thermal cis-to-trans isomerization, we found that the reaction rate is strongly affected by the packing state of TAOAB at 20 degrees C, reflecting the differences in steric hindrance among LB films of various X(TAOAB). In addition, higher activation energy was obtained for thermal cis-to-trans isomerization when the free volume around the chromophores became smaller.     

Synthesis of functionalized benzylsilanes from arylzinc compounds and (iodomethyl)trimethylsilane by means of a novel Rh catalysis

[reaction: see text] The catalytic activity of a Rh complex in cross-coupling between ArZnI and TMSCH2I was examined in which the Rh complex, generated in situ from [RhCl(1,5-cyclooctadiene)]2 and 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene, exhibited excellent catalytic activity for the production of various functionalized benzylsilanes in good yields. From 31P NMR studies of various solutions containing several of the reaction components, confirmation of the rapid and quantitative transfer of aryl groups from ArZnI to the Rh complex to form arylrhodium species was ascertained. A catalytic cycle, commencing with the transmetalation, was thus proposed for the reaction.     

Fluorometric determination of fluoride ion by reagent tablets containing 3-hydroxy-2'-sulfoflavone and zirconium(IV) ethylenediamine tetraacetate

A reagent tablet for determination of fluoride ion has been prepared using ethylenediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetate complex of zirconium (Zr-EDTA), 3-hydroxy-2′-flavone (FS) and an appropriate pH buffer. Dissolving of the tablet into water exhibits an intense blue fluorescence (λ_max = 460 nm) upon excitation at 377 nm and the fluorescence intensity decreases with the presence of fluoride ion. Hence, a simple fluorescent detection procedure for fluoride ion in aqueous media was successfully constructed with this tablet. The principle of this detection system is the ligand exchange reaction of FS bound to Zr-EDTA with fluoride ion. The present system provides an easy, rapid and selective determination method of fluoride ion ranging from 5 × 10⁻⁶ to 1 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³. The measurement of real samples with this tablet showed the similar results as those by the common method with the Alfusone reagent.     

Magnetic transitions of single-component molecular metal [Au(tmdt)2] and its alloy systems

A single-component molecular conductor [Au(tmdt)2] (tmdt = trimethylenetetrathiafulvalenedithiolate) undergoes an antiferromagnetic phase transition at unprecedentedly high temperature (TN = 110 K). Black microcrystals of alloys, [Ni1-xAux(tmdt)2] (0.0 < x < 1.0) were prepared. The Au-rich system exhibited an antiferromagnetic transition. Metallic single crystal was obtained for x = 0.25.     

Simultaneous two-photon excited fluorescence and one-photon excited phosphorescence from single molecules of an organometallic complex Ir(ppy)3

We report a study of excited-state lifetimes of the phosphorescent organometallic complex Ir(ppy)3 on ensemble and a single-molecule level. With decreasing concentration, an increasingly intense fast component of 3 ns lifetime appears next to the 1.1 mus phosphorescence. Experimental evidence suggests that strong two-photon absorption followed by fluorescence is responsible for the fast lifetime component.     

A new synthesis of 2-sulfanyl allylic alcohols and alpha-sulfanyl ketones from carbonyl compounds and 1-chloroalkyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with carbon-carbon bond-formation

Reaction of lithium alpha-sulfinyl carbanions of 1-chloroalkyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with ketones or aldehydes at low temperature gave adducts in almost quantitative yields. Treatment of the adducts derived from ketones with trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) in the presence of NaI in acetone gave alpha-sulfanyl allylic alcohols in good to quantitative yields. On the other hand, treatment of the adducts derived from aldehydes with TFAA and NaI resulted in the formation of alpha-sulfanyl ketones and/or alpha-sulfanyl allylic alcohols. These reactions offer a good method for the synthesis of the above-mentioned compounds from ketones and aldehydes with carbon-carbon bond-formation in two steps and in good yields.