On the construction of quasidiabatic state representations of bound adiabatic state potential energy surfaces coupled by accidental conical intersections: incorporation of higher order terms

The quadratic vibronic coupling model is an important computational tool for simulating photoelectron spectra involving strongly coupled electronic states in polyatomic molecules. However, recent work has indicated the need for higher order terms, with most of the initial studies focusing on molecules with symmetry-required degeneracies. In this study we report an extension of our approach for constructing fully quadratic representations of bound electronic states coupled by conical intersections, which allows for the inclusion of higher order terms, demonstrated here employing a quartic expansion. Procedures are developed that eliminate unphysical behavior for large displacements, a problem likely to be an endemic to anharmonic expansions. Following work on representing dissociative electronic states, Lagrange multipliers are used to constrain the constructed representation to reproduce exactly the energy, energy gradients, and∕or derivative couplings at specific points, or nodes, in nuclear coordinate space. The approach is illustrated and systematically studied using the four lowest electronic states of triazolyl, (CH)(2)N(3).     

Odd-even effects in charge transport across self-assembled monolayers

This paper compares charge transport across self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of n-alkanethiols containing odd and even numbers of methylenes. Ultraflat template-stripped silver (Ag(TS)) surfaces support the SAMs, while top electrodes of eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn) contact the SAMs to form metal/SAM//oxide/EGaIn junctions. The EGaIn spontaneously reacts with ambient oxygen to form a thin (～1 nm) oxide layer. This oxide layer enables EGaIn to maintain a stable, conical shape (convenient for forming microcontacts to SAMs) while retaining the ability to deform and flow upon contacting a hard surface. Conical electrodes of EGaIn conform (at least partially) to SAMs and generate high yields of working junctions. Ga(2)O(3)/EGaIn top electrodes enable the collection of statistically significant numbers of data in convenient periods of time. The observed difference in charge transport between n-alkanethiols with odd and even numbers of methylenes--the "odd-even effect"--is statistically discernible using these junctions and demonstrates that this technique is sensitive to small differences in the structure and properties of the SAM. Alkanethiols with an even number of methylenes exhibit the expected exponential decrease in current density, J, with increasing chain length, as do alkanethiols with an odd number of methylenes. This trend disappears, however, when the two data sets are analyzed together: alkanethiols with an even number of methylenes typically show higher J than homologous alkanethiols with an odd number of methylenes. The precision of the present measurements and the statistical power of the present analysis are only sufficient to identify, with statistical confidence, the difference between an odd and even number of methylenes with respect to J, but not with respect to the tunneling decay constant, β, or the pre-exponential factor, J(0). This paper includes a discussion of the possible origins of the odd-even effect but does not endorse a single explanation.     

Ultra-Shallow Chemical Characterization of Organic Thin Films Deposited by Plasma and Vacuum-Ultraviolet, Using Angle- and Excitation Energy-Resolved XPS

Nitrogen (N)-rich organic thin films were deposited using both low-pressure plasma- and vacuum-ultraviolet-based techniques, from mixtures of ammonia (NH₃) and ethylene (C₂H₄). These films were investigated using angle-resolved and excitation energy resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS and ERXPS, respectively) in order to determine their sub-surface chemical profiles. These two techniques enable one to tune the ??XPS 95%?? information depth, z _95%, by varying either the angle or the excitation energy. Using a combination of both techniques, z _95% can be varied continuously from 0.7 to 11 nm. The surface-near chemistry is investigated using both high-resolution C 1s spectra and elemental concentrations derived from elemental peak intensities. Results show that while laboratory XPS, and even ARXPS, suggest homogenous surface chemistries, the novel combination of ARXPS and ERXPS points to the existence of a compositional profile in the extreme outer surface layer. Our conclusions are supported by simulations using SESSA software.     

One-pot microwave-assisted substitution of a glucuronan trisaccharide

Substitution of a glucuronic acid trisaccharide was easily performed in one step under microwave irradiation, affording a product resulting from simultaneous glycosylation, esterification and a butyl ether formation.     

Chalcogen–chalcogen-bond activation by an ambiphilic,doubly reduced organoborane

The 9,10-dimethyl-9,10-dihydro-9,10-diboraanthracene dianion salt Li₂[1] instantaneously reacts with the dichalcogens O₂(tBu)₂, S₂Me₂, S₂(pTol)₂, Se₂Ph₂, and Te₂Ph₂ under reductive cleavage of the chalcogen–chalcogen bonds to give lithium chalcogenides and neutral 1. In solution, the products are involved in rapid association/dissociation equilibria. In the crystalline state, 1 and Li[O(tBu)] form a diadduct, whereas Li[SMe] gives a B?B-bridged monoadduct. In the three remaining cases, the crystal lattices contain monoadducts of 1 with one tri- and one tetracoordinate boron atom.     

(Perhalogenmethylthio)heterocyclen. X. Säurekatalysierte Substitutionen an (Perchlorfluormethylthio)pyrrolen und deren agrobiologische Wirkung

(Perhalomethylthio)heterocycles. X

1 IX. Mitt.: s. [1].

. Acid-catalyzed substitutions on (perchlorofluoromethylthio)pyrroles and their agro-biological activities In the presence of C₄F₉SO₃H the (perhalomethylthio)pyrroles 1a–c react with Cl_3?nF_nCSCl (n = 1–3) to give mixtures of the 2,5- and 2,4-disubstituted pyrroles 2a–f and 3a–h . 2a and 3a react with CF₃SCl (catalyst CF₃SO₃H) yielding 2,3,5-tris (trifloromethylthio)pyrrole ( 4a ), which under similar conditions reacts further to give 2,3,4,5-tetrakis (trifluoromethylthio)pyrrole ( 5 ). As a by-product during the conversion of 3a to 4a 2,3,4-tris (trifluoromethylthio)pyrrole ( 4b ) is formed. The pyrroles 2a , 4a and 5 form the mercury salts 6a–c ; compound 5 yields also a silver salt 7 . The ¹H- and ¹⁹F-NMR. spectra are discussed and the agro-biological properties of the compounds investigated.     

EFFECT OF METAL IONS ON THE LUMINESCENCE OF ACRIDINE DYES BOUND TO DNA

Abstract— The luminescence of acridine dyes intercalated in DNA was studied as a function of the concurrent binding of metal ions to DNA, in an effort to deduce specific site interactions of the dyes. Two dyes, proflavine (PF) and acridine orange (AO), and two metal ions, silver and mercuric, were used. Both ions quench the fluorescence of the dyes in aqueous solution at room temperature. The metal ions have a different effect on the fluorescence of these dyes when they are intercalated between the base pairs of DNA. The fluorescence of AO is decreased when silver is bound, while the fluorescence of PF is enhanced. Since Ag⁺ initially binds to GC sites in DNA, which quench the PF fluorescence, it ostensibly 'turns off' the quenching by DNA at these sites, and this effect is greater than the quenching effect of the silver ion itself. Hg²⁺ ion initially binds to AT sites in DNA. Since both dyes fluoresce from AT sites, Hg²⁺ is expected to quench their fluorescence. This behavior is observed at low r (metal ion/base). At higher r values, however, where Hg²⁺ is expected to begin binding to GC sites, the fluorescence of PF is enhanced. These quenching turn-off effects are tentatively interpreted in terms of a change in the structure of the dye/DNA complex which occurs when a metal ion binds at the intercalation site. At 77 K. no fluorescence enhancement is observed when metal ions bind; Ag⁺ quenches the fluorescence and enhances the phosphorescence of both dyes. Qualitatively similar results are obtained with Hg²⁺.     

Picrylamino-substituted heterocycles. VI. Pyrimidines

The condensation of various aminopyrimidines with picryl chloride and picryl fluoride has been investigated as part of our continuing effort in the field of picrylamino-substituted heterocycles. Most of the aminopyrimidines that can tautomerize reacted with picryl fluoride to form picryl derivatives of their imino forms, but they gave picrylamino derivatives when they condensed with picryl chloride.