Convergence behavior of the density-matrix renormalization group algorithm for optimized orbital orderings

The density-matrix renormalization group algorithm has emerged as a promising new method in ab initio quantum chemistry. However, many problems still need to be solved before this method can be applied routinely. At the start of such a calculation, the orbitals originating from a preceding quantum chemical calculation must be placed in a specific order on a one-dimensional lattice. This ordering affects the convergence of the density-matrix renormalization group iterations significantly. In this paper, we present two approaches to obtain optimized orderings of the orbitals. First, we use a genetic algorithm to optimize the ordering with respect to a low total electronic energy obtained at a predefined stage of the density-matrix renormalization group algorithm with a given number of total states kept. In addition to that, we derive orderings from the one- and two-electron integrals of our test system. This test molecule is the chromium dimer, which is known to possess a complicated electronic structure. For this molecule, we have carried out calculations for the various orbital orderings obtained. The convergence behavior of the density-matrix renormalization group iterations is discussed in detail.     

Synthesis and self-assembly of galactose-terminated alkanethiols and their ability to resist proteins

The synthesis of two galactose-terminated alkanethiols with the structural formula X-OC2H5NHCO(CH2)15SH (X = 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-methyl-beta-D-Gal or beta-D-Gal) is described. Single-component and mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of the methylated and nonmethylated compounds were prepared on gold and subsequently characterized with ellipsometry, contact angle goniometry, and infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy. Studies of the irreversible protein adsorption onto the SAMs using ex-situ ellipsometry revealed very low levels of fibrinogen and lysozyme adsorption onto mixed SAMs displaying advancing water contact angles between 24 degrees and 45 degrees and below 45 degrees , respectively. A monomethylated compound (X = 6-O-methyl-beta-D-Gal) was also synthesized and assembled on gold. This particular compound was found to possess wettability properties corresponding to the low adsorption regime of the mixed SAMs, and the results from the same set of fibrinogen and lysozyme adsorption experiments showed very low levels of protein adsorption. Our findings suggest that the protein rejecting properties rely on a fine balance between the surface energy and/or hydrogen bond donating/accepting properties of the SAM surface.     

Diastereoface Selectivity During Pthalimidonitrene Additions to (E)-and (Z)-configurated α, β-unsaturated esters,induced by a chiral center in the γ-position

In-situ-generated phthalimidonitrene was added to five α, β-unsaturated esters containing a chiral secondary O-function at C(γ). The additions were fully suprafacial, inasmuch as the (E)-isomers 1 afforded only the trans-aziridines 2 and 3 (J(β, γ) = 4.8?5.1 Hz) and the (Z)-isomers 4 only the cis-aziridines 5 and 6 (8.2?8.5 Hz). The products 2 , 3 , 5 , and 6 where shown to possess the arabino-, xylo-, ribo-, and lyxo- configuration, respectively, by X-ray structure analysis of 2b , 2d , and 6a . The diastereoface selectivity of the nitrene additions, induced by the chiral substructure around C(γ), resulted in more 2 than 3 from 1 , but more 6 than 5 from 4 , which means that the preference of attack at the double bond switches from one side to the other depending on the C=C configuration. The preferences were higher at lower temperature. The aziridines 2a , 2d , and 3d exhibit ¹H-NMR-visible isomerism at the ring N-atom; the major (78?95 %)invertomer A is always the one with the phthalimido group in trans-position to the (larger) substructure around C(γ). The other aziridines only show ¹H-NMR signals of one invertomer, which – by steric reasoning - ought to be A ; this is confirmed by a ¹H-NMR argument for 3a , 5a , 6a , 5c , and 6c .     

On the calculation of induced electric and magnetic moments of atoms and molecules

We present a many-electron method for calculating first and second order perturbed wavefunctions due to external electric and magnetic fields, which identifies the important correlation effects for the response function a priori and calculates them variationally. It is accurate, economical and applicable to ground and excited states with the same ease. Thus, it presents a useful alternative to the well-known coupled Hartree-Fock methods. As an application of this method, we calculate the static electric dipole polarizability of the Be ground state. We find α_d = 5.49 ų in agreement with recent extensive calculations.     

Bilden sich aus Pentafulven und Cyclopentadien [6+4]-Cycloaddukte??

Does [6+4] Cycloaddition between Pentafulvene and Cyclopentadiene Take Place? Reaction of a 1:1 mixture of cyclopentadiene (CPD) and pentafulvene ( 1a ) at 20° gives a complex mixture. The low-molecular-weight part mainly consists of pure and mixed dimers (ca. 73 %) besides corresponding trimers (ca. 20%) and some corresponding oligomers according to GC/MS investigations (Fig. 1). The 3 predominant ‘mixed dimers’ between CPD and 1a have been separated, and structures 4 – 6 (Scheme 3) are assigned according to 400- and 600-MHz ¹H-NMR investigations. These results show that HOMO(CPD)-LUMO(fulvene) interactions are important in pentafulvene cycloadditions. Dimer 6 results from [6+4] cycloaddition followed by [1,5]-H shifts.     

A quantum-chemical study of dinitrogen reduction at mononuclear iron-sulfur complexes with hints to the mechanism of nitrogenase

The mechanism of biological dinitrogen reduction is still unsolved, and the structure of the biological reaction center, the FeMo cofactor with its seven iron atoms bridged by sulfur atoms, is too complicated for direct attack by current sophisticated quantum chemical methods. Therefore, iron-sulfur complexes with biologically compatible ligands are utilized as models for studying particular features of the reduction process: coordination energetics, thermodynamic stability of intermediates, relative stability of isomers of N2H2, end-on versus side-on binding of N2, and the role of states of different multiplicity at a single iron center. From the thermodynamical point of view, the crucial steps are dinitrogen binding and reduction to diazene, while especially the reduction of hydrazine to ammonia is not affected by the transition metal complex, because the complex-free reduction reaction is equally favored. Moreover, the abstraction of coordinated ammonia can be easily achieved and the complex is recovered for the next reduction cycle. Our results are discussed in the light of studies on various model systems in order to identify common features and to arrive at conclusions which are of importance for the biological mechanism.     

Determination of carnitine and acylcarnitines in urine by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization ion trap tandem mass spectrometry

A high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of native carnitine and eight acylcarnitines in urine. The procedure uses a solid-phase extraction on a cation-exchange column and the separation is performed without derivatization within 17 min on a reversed-phase C8 column in the presence of a volatile ion-pairing reagent. The detector was an ion trap mass spectrometer and quantification was carried out in the MS-MS mode. Validation was done for aqueous standards at ranges between 0.75 and 200 micromol/l, depending on the compound. Carnitine was quantified in urine and comparison with a radioenzymatic assay gave a satisfactory correlation (R2 = 0.981). The assay could be successfully applied to the diagnostic of pathological acylcarnitines profile of metabolic disorders in urines of patients suffering from different organic acidurias.     

Herstellung von 1, 3-Diketonen und von Nitro-diketonen durch (1:1)-Acylierungen von Lithiumenolaten mit Acylchloriden

Preparation of 1,3-Diketones and of Nitro-diketones by (1:1)-Acylation of Lithium Enolates with Acyl Chlorides Slow addition of precooled solutions of lithium enolates in THF (Fig. 1) to solutions of equimolar amounts of acyl chlorides in the same solvent at temperatures between ? 80 and ? 100° furnishes 1, 3-diketones in acceptable to good yields (Tables 1?3). Even 3-nitropropionyl and 4-nitrobutyryl chloride can be employed for the (1:1)-acylation of enolates to give the synthetically useful 5- and 6-nitro-1, 3-diketones 13 and 25 , respectively. The scope and the limitations of this method of preparing 1, 3-diketones are given and are compared with alternative methods.     

Pseudohalogenometallverbindungen: LVIII. Reaktionen von diphenylphosphorylazid und perfluor-n-hexylsulfonylazid mit triphenylphosphan-komplexen von platin(0), rhodium(I), iridium(I), ruthenium(0), kobalt(II) und kupfer(I)

Diphenylphosphorylazide N₃P(O)(OPh)₂ reacts with Pt(PPh₃)₃, Pt(PPh₃)₂(C₂H₄), trans-RhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂, Ru(CO)₃(PPh₃)₂, CoCl₂(PPh₃)₂ and CuCl(PPh₃)₂ to give the azido complexes Pt(PPh₃)₂(N₃)R, Pt(PPh₃)₂(N₃)₂R₂, the urylene complex RhCl(PPh₃)₂(RNCONR) and the phosphine imine complexes Ru(CO)₃(RPPh₃)₂, CoCl₂(RNPPh₃)₂, CuCl(RNPPh₃)₂, respectively, (RP(O)(OPh)₂). The oxidative addition of n-C₆F₁₃SO₂N₃ to Pt(PPh₃)₄ and Pt(PPh₃)₂(C₂H₄) affords the complexes Pt(PPh₃)₂(N₃)R and Pt(PPh₃)₂(N₃)₂R₂, respectively, (RSO₂C₆F₁₃. The compounds are characterized by elemental analysis and by their IR spectra.     

Dielectric Shielding of Ionic Charges in Aqueous Solutions of Different Ionic Strength

The thermodynamic functions of the proton transfer H₂tn²⁺+tn → 2 Htn⁺ (tn = 1,3-diaminopropane) have been determined in aqueous solutions containing different amounts of KCl (0.05 ? μ ? 3.01). The free energy (?ΔG) of the process decreases, whereas the enthalpy (-ΔH) increases with μ. There is reason to believe that the reaction is entirely controlled by the Coulomb forces between the two protonic charges. The electrostatic energy involved can be described in terms of a model incorporating an effective dielectric constant εe, such that δε_e/δμ and δ²ε_e/δμδT are both positive. The polarisation of pure water is produced by orientation of hydrogen-bonded dipole molecules H₂O, whereas the electrolyte solution is polarised in addition by dislocation of the ions K⁺ and Cl^?. Our results demonstrate that the former type of polarisation is much more temperature dependent than the latter.