On the basis‐set dependence of local and integrated electron density properties: Application of a new computer program for quantum‐chemical density analysis

A new computer program for post‐processing analysis of quantum‐chemical electron densities is described. The code can work with Slater‐ and Gaussian‐type basis functions of arbitrary angular momentum. It has been applied to explore the basis‐set dependence of the electron density and its Laplacian in terms of local and integrated topological properties. Our analysis, including Gaussian/Slater basis sets up to sextuple/quadruple‐zeta order, shows that these properties considerably depend on the choice of type and number of primitives utilized in the wavefunction expansion. Basis sets with high angular momentum (l = 5 or l = 6) are necessary to achieve convergence for local properties of the density and the Laplacian. In agreement with previous studies, atomic charges defined within Bader's Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules appear to be much more basis‐set dependent than the Hirshfeld's stockholder charges. The former ones converge only at the quadruple‐zeta/higher level with Gaussian/Slater functions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009     

On relativistic effects in ground state potential curves of Zn2, Cd2, and Hg2 dimers. A CCSD(T) study

The ground state potential curves of the Zn2, Cd2, and Hg2 dimers calculated at different levels of theory are presented and compared with each other as well as with experimental and other theoretical studies. The calculations at the level of Dirac-Coulomb Hamiltonian (DCH), 4-component spin-free Hamiltonian, nonrelativistic Lévy-Leblond Hamiltonian and at the level of simple Coulombic correction to DCH are presented. The potential curves are calculated in an all-electron supermolecular approach including the correction to basis set superposition error (BSSE). Electron correlation is treated at the coupled cluster level including single and double excitations and noniterative triple corrections, CCSD(T). In addition, simulations of the temperature dependence of dynamic viscosities in the low-density limit using the obtained ground state potential curves are presented.     

Liquid‐Crystalline Phases Made of Gold Nanoparticles

Spontaneous formation of smectic and columnar structures was observed when spherical gold nanoparticles were functionalized with mesogenic thiols (see layered structure and X‐ray pattern of a sample in smectic phase). The particle ordering is stimulated by softening of the interparticle potential and flexibility for deformation of the grafting layer.

     

Dinuclear titanium complexes with methylphenylsilylene bridge between cyclopentadienyl rings. Synthesis, characterization and reactivity towards ethylene

The new ansa-titanocene dichloride [{(SiMePh)(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂}TiCl₂] (1) was prepared by one pot reaction, whereas synthesis of its methylated analogue [{(SiMePh)(η⁵-C₅Me₄)₂}TiCl₂] (3) was performed in two steps with isolation of corresponding silane intermediate SiMePh(HC₅Me₄)₂ (2). The reaction of 1 and 3 with TiCl₄ afforded the dinuclear complexes [(SiMePh){(η⁵-C₅R₄)TiCl₃}₂] (R = H (4) and R = Me (5)). The catalysts formed from 4 and 5 after their activation with excess MAO exhibited a modest activity in ethylene polymerization. The polymer products consisted of high molar mass linear polyethylenes with a broad molar mass distribution. The presence of three paramagnetic titanium species in the mixture 4/MAO was revealed by EPR spectroscopy. All new prepared compounds 1-5 were characterized by multinuclear NMR, EI-MS, IR, and solid-state structures of 1, 3 and 5 were determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction.     

Simvastatin: structure solution of two new low-temperature phases from synchrotron powder diffraction and ss-NMR

Simvastatin is a substance used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. In addition to the already known room temperature structure of simvastatin (Čejka et al. in Acta Cryst C59:o428, 2003) two new low-temperature polymorphs were found by X-ray powder diffraction with the phase transition at 261 and 223 K (later confirmed by DSC to be 272 and 232 K). The main differences among three polymorphs consist in the side-chains conformation only and the phase changes are fully reversible. The structures of the polymorphs were studied by the powder diffraction based on synchrotron radiation as well as by solid-state NMR spectroscopy.     

On the Reliability of the AMBER Force Field and its Empirical Dispersion Contribution for the Description of Noncovalent Complexes

The reliability of the AMBER force field is tested by comparing the total interaction energy and dispersion energy with the reference data obtained at the density functional theory–symmetry‐adapted perturbation treatment (DFT–SAPT)/aug‐cc‐pVDZ level. The comparison is made for 194 different geometries of noncovalent complexes (H‐bonded, stacked, mixed, and dispersion‐bound), at the equilibrium distances as well as at longer distances (up to a relative distance of two). The total interaction energies agree very well with the reference data and only the strength of H‐bonded complexes is slightly underestimated. In the case of dispersion energy, the overall agreement is even better, with the exception of the stacked aromatic systems, where the empirical dispersion energy is overestimated. The use of AMBER interaction energy and AMBER dispersion energy for different types of noncovalent complexes at equilibrium as well as at longer distances is thus justified, except for a few cases, such as the water molecule, where the dispersion energy is highly inaccurate.     

Single source single-commodity stochastic network design

Stochastics affects the optimal design of a network. This paper examines the single-source single-commodity stochastic network design problem. We characterize the optimal designs under demand uncertainty and compare with the deterministic counterparts to outline the basic structural differences. We do this partly as a basis for developing better algorithms than are available today, partly to simply understand what constitutes robust network designs.     

Hydrogen bond dynamics in the excited states: photodissociation of phenol in clusters

We have investigated the photodynamics of phenol molecules in clusters. Possible reaction pathways following the photoexcitation of hydrogen-bonded phenol clusters have been identified theoretically using ab initio calculations. Experimentally we have studied the phenol molecules and clusters of various size distributions in a molecular beam apparatus. In particular, we have measured the H-fragment kinetic energy distributions after the excitation with 243 nm and 193 nm laser radiation. At 243 nm the KED spectra did not show any significant difference between the photodissociation of isolated molecules and phenol in larger clusters, while at 193 nm the contribution of the fast H-fragments is significantly suppressed in clusters with respect to the bare phenol molecule. We have interpreted the experimental results within the framework of the suggested reaction pathways.     

PEPPSI-type palladium complexes containing basic 1,2,3-triazolylidene ligands and their role in Suzuki-Miyaura catalysis

A series of PEPPSI-type palladium(II) complexes was synthesized that contain 3-chloropyridine as an easily removable ligand and a triazolylidene as a strongly donating mesoionic spectator ligand. Catalytic tests in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions revealed the activity of these complexes towards aryl bromides and aryl chlorides at moderate temperatures (50?°C). However, the impact of steric shielding was the inverse of that observed with related normal Nheterocyclic carbenes (imidazol-2-ylidenes) and sterically congested mesityl substituents induced lower activity than small alkyl groups. Mechanistic investigations, including mercury poisoning experiments, TEM analyses, and ESI mass spectrometry, provide evidence for ligand dissociation and the formation of nanoparticles as a catalyst resting state. These heterogeneous particles provide a reservoir for soluble palladium atoms or clusters as operationally homogeneous catalysts for the arylation of aryl halides. Clearly, the substitution of a normal N-heterocyclic carbene for a more basic triazolylidene ligand in the precatalyst has a profound impact on the mode of action of the catalytic system.